Explore the stunning shores of Shell Key on this 3-hour guided shelling tour. Discover beautiful and unique shells as you stroll along the shoreline or snorkel in the warm shallows. With a knowledgeable guide, find hidden gems and learn about the local ecosystem. Ideal for families, beach lovers, and anyone looking to enjoy a day in the sun, this tour promises a relaxing time immersed in nature's beauty. *Each guest is provided with a cleaned and sanitized mask & snorkel as well as an inflatable tube to relax in the water. **Photos from your experience will be emailed to each group for no additional cost!
Out at sunset: the 4:00 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 6:56 PM in the coming weeks.
In demand: 57 of the next 270 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 8.
Your guide will greet you at the meeting location where you will be given dry bags if needed and a brief paddle talk to go over any instructions and tips to make your trip as easy and enjoyable as possible. We will then make our way through the calm waters of Shell Key Preserve keeping an eye out for dolphins, rays, seabirds and more! When we arrive Shell Key, you will be given plenty of time to explore the shoreline or swim in the shallows--seeking out the protected island's namesake treasures-- beautiful and unique shells. Your guide will share local wildlife facts and help you find and identify shells as you wander. This is an easygoing adventure perfect for nature lovers, photographers, shelling enthusiasts, and anyone looking to relax on one of Florida's most stunning coastal preserves.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Excurgo comparison of 210 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Shell Key Shelling & Snorkel Kayak Tour - St. Pete lasts about 3 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
Prices start at $65 per person for this St Petersburg experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 9 departures a day between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Children aged 5–10 pay from $52, adults from $65.
It can: 57 of the next 270 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The meeting point is Your guide will send you the exact pin drop of the meeting location the day before the tour to help with GPS discrepancies. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 8 travellers can book together.
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
It was better than anticipated. Our guide was so knowledgable and flexible to our speed. She had an uncanny ability to spot marine life under the water at great distances. She definitely has a passion for what she is doing. It was a highlight of our visit.
This experience was absolutely amazing. Taylor was so sweet and so informative. Throughout our journey, she told us about the preserve and the wildlife in the area. She also took us through some mangroves on our way, which were simply mesmerizing. Any questions we had she answered, and was 100% honest about anything and everything, which I always appreciate. The trip was a workout, but so worth it. I look forward to book again in the future with my parents.
Went on the early trip to shell key and from start to finish the trip was awesome. They made sure to point out all the wildlife on the way and were very knowledgeable about the animals and the area. Shell key was awesome as well! Great adventure!
My husband and I have been on kayak tours before but this one by far was the best! Taylor and JR were so knowledgeable about sea life and shelling! It was so refreshing to see them get as excited as we did when seeing dolphins (up close) and manatees! This experience was unforgettable!! We will definitely be booking with them again our next vacation in Florida!
People canceled and I ended up being the only one on this adventure! Taylor was an excellent tour guide, and her knowledge of Shell Island was incredible. I learned a lot. There were a lot of manatees in the water and I actually was walking with them through the water. It was amazing! We also saw a lot of dolphins and birds. She found the most beautiful shellls for me and I enjoyed myself immensely!
We had a great time. We saw dolphins several times which was very exciting, and watching the birds struggling to swallow giant fish they caught as we kayaked was very entertaining. The guide was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable, which made the experience amazing.
Taylor was AWESOME! She communicated before hand very well with the threat of rain and we worked a game plan that worked perfectly. She is very knowledgeable about all the surrounding areas and wildlife. Don't hesitate Book Now!
Awesome experience. If your looking for something to do different this vacation.. Our guide Taylor Swanson was awesome with Local Tide tours. . Really enjoyed this unforgettable experience.
What a great way to spend the afternoon! I will admit, I was a bit hesitant about this trip being in my 50s and not exactly in shape, but I need not have worried! Our little group of six was very well taken care of - our guide made sure everyone was comfortable and could travel at their own pace, yet she managed to keep us together as a group. The mangrove tunnels were beautiful, and a nice change of pace to rowing on the open water. Bring lots of water, you will definitely need it, and maybe a small snack (power bar) to enjoy at the beach when you take the break to relax for a bit. I would highly recommend this adventure to someone looking for something fun on the water!
Honestly the best tour I’ve ever done!!! Paddled 3 and a half mile through beautiful mangrove tunnels, mangrove coasts, and shorelines. Saw plenty wildlife and found so many cute shells at the island. The tour guide was so friendly and knowledgeable, would tell us the history of the islands, little fun facts about the wildlife, and any techniques for kayaking. As someone who’s never kayaked before, this was still incredibly easy and fun!!!
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shell Key Shelling & Snorkel Kayak Tour - St. Pete | 3 hours | 5.0 (30) | $65 | |
 Shell Key Mangroves & Snorkel Kayak Tour Adventure - St. Pete | 3 hours | 5.0 (80) | $71 | View |
 Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key from St Pete | 2 hours | 4.7 (173) | $74 | View |
 Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area | 2 hours | 5.0 (6,648) | $79 | View |
 Small Group Kayak Tour of the Shell Key Preserve | 3 hours | 5.0 (520) | $59 | View |
 Three Hour Shelling Cruise to Shell Key Preserve from John's Pass | 3 hours | 4.8 (505) | $45 | View |
 Kayak Adventure of Shell Key Preserve & Island with a Local | 3 hours | 5.0 (186) | $59 | View |