W
Wonderful experience
Great experience and a wonderful trip. Very friendly and knowledgeable Highly recommend would do it again.
Shell Key Tour with Capt Yak
+10 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Price from
- $54 / person
- Location
- St Petersburg, United States
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 81 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 8
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Capt Yak
- Meeting point
- Location2962 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, Fl 33715Detailed Directions:- The launch is approximately 3 miles on the right once you cross over the Tierra Verde Bridge and go through the round-a-bout and past the 7-11.- Turn right immediately after the toll booth before the bridge
Description
Capt. Yak is Veteran owned. You will be taken on an Amazing Adventure in a one-of-a-kind Mangrove Preserve. Capt. Yak (Greg) has been exploring Florida waterways for many years and you will be mesmerized by his knowledge. You will be lead through the preserve to areas that will be sure to find unique creatures that live below and above the water. You will paddle with ease on the some of the newest, most comfortable and best paddling Sit-On-Top Single or Tandem Kayaks. We will venture through mangrove tunnels, over beds of seagrasses and sandbars while encountering wildlife. Departure time 9:30am This tour is especially popular for family groups!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Tierra Verde
***IMPORTANT! Tour Departures can change occasionally due to weather and tide. A notification will be sent shorty after booking of any possible departure time changes. We will explore through and around Mangrove Keys, Sea Grass Beds & Sand Bars. Birds, stingrays, horseshoe crabs, shells, manatees and dolphins are some of the wildlife we may encounter. Capt. Yak will immerse you in this vital ecosystem with information on the abundant wildlife and plant life that you will encounter on this 3 hour tour. Don't worry about getting tired, your route will be based on the tide and wind to make the paddle as easy and enjoyable as possible. With nearly 30 years experience in the field & working in zoos Greg Has acquired a vast amount of knowledge that crosses over to his passion of kayaking mangrove Preserves.
What's included
Included
Single or Tandem Kayaks, Paddles and Life Vests.
Traveller Ratings
5.0
81 reviews
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Shell Key Tour with Capt Yak take?
Shell Key Tour with Capt Yak lasts about 3 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Shell Key Tour with Capt Yak cost?
Prices start at $54 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.
Can I cancel Shell Key Tour with Capt Yak for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Location: 2962 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, Fl 33715. Detailed Directions:. - The launch is approximately 3 miles on the right once you cross over the Tierra Verde Bridge and go through the round-a-bout and past the 7-11. - Turn right immediately after the toll booth before the bridge. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Shell Key Tour with Capt Yak offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 8 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Shell Key Tour with Capt Yak worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 81 verified reviews; it is run by Capt Yak.
Reviews(81)
J
Phenomenal experience and guide!
Highly recommend. Highlights of our trip for sure. We saw manatees, several fish and birds, horseshoe crab, and even dolphins. Time length was great but Greg was a phenomenal guide. Very knowledgeable and we learned so much. Would go back again!
R
Great morning activity
We had a lovely morning paddle with Capt. Yak. The mangrove tunnels were really cool, and we were lucky enough to see dolphins.
N
Fantastic Experience
My daughter and I had a great experience with Captain Yak. He was a wealth of information and we had fun conversations along the way. Traveling through the mangrove tunnels was really cool and we were luck to see a few dolphins and many different birds. He also sent us some photos from the tour as well later that day. Thank you Greg!
S
Fantastic Kayak tour!!
Fantastic Kayak tour with Capt Yak. He knew ALOT about the fish and wildlife on the tour. Mangrove tunnels were amazing and we thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. safe nice equipment was a pleasure to use. Highly recommended!!!
M
Beautiful paddle, great guide
A beautiful and enjoyable kayak paddle out to shell island with Cpt. Yak
Operator response
Thank you for coming on the tour and that you found the tour enjoyable! Hope you visit us again! Greg Capt Yak
M
Family Kayka trip St Petes
Very friendly, very informative, very good value for money
Operator response
Thank you for booking and the review! I enjoyed sharing the preserve with your family! Greg Capt Yak
J
Nice guides, beautiful scenery; perfect outing away from the crowds
Everything came together nicely: good guides, good kayaks, waterproof bags for valuables, nice tour in and among the mangroves, and even a dolphin sighting. Very happy to get out on the water.
Operator response
Thank you for booking and the review! It was a great day on the water and dolphins 🐬 always a plus! Hope you visit again! Greg Capt Yak
S
Dolphins, Eagles & Hermit Crabs—Oh My!
We had an absolutely outstanding experience on the kayak tour to Shell Key with Captain Yak! From start to finish, it was the perfect day on the water. We were lucky enough to see so much wildlife—dolphins, a bald eagle, a juvenile cormorant, a shark and even stingrays gliding beneath us. One of the highlights was when Captain Yak’s keen assistant found a beautiful queen conch shell with an adorable hermit crab inside! Both Captain Yak and the assistant were incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and engaging. They did a fantastic job explaining the local ecology and habitat, which made the experience even more meaningful. We also stopped at Shell Key for a refreshing and inviting swim, which was the perfect way to round out the tour. Truly, we couldn’t have asked for a better day. Highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a memorable and nature-filled adventure!
Operator response
Glad we could share the Awesome day with great guests! We saw alot of what the Spring season has to offer in the Preserve with good weather! Highly appreciate your recommendations! Greg CAPT YAK
P
Great experience! One of our favorite tours on the water!
We had a beautiful morning on the water. We have occasional kayak experience but that didn’t matter. With a good tour guide, we have learned that you can do just fine. It was truly a relaxing day. We did not feel rushed and enjoyed paddling in open water and in the mangrove “tunnels.” Stopping on Shell Key island was cool -perfect coastal water and bigger shells. Throughout the tour Captain Yak shared information of the plant and animal life and the history of the area. Our outing included couples and a family with children. It was nice to see everyone enjoy their time. We have done several vacation water tours over the years and this one did not disappoint!
Compare similar tours in St Petersburg
- Lowest price: Shell Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Boat Ramp in Tierra Verde, FL — $39
- Best rated: Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area — 5.0 (6,626 reviews)
- Shortest: Shell Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Boat Ramp in Tierra Verde, FL — 20 min
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shell Key Tour with Capt Yak | 3 hours | 5.0 (81) | $54 | |
 Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area | 2 hours | 5.0 (6,626) | $79 | View |
 Shell Key & Dolphins - Semi-Private Tours | 2 hours | 4.9 (1,647) | $79 | View |
 Small Group Kayak Tour of the Shell Key Preserve | 3 hours | 5.0 (520) | $74 | View |
 Three Hour Shelling Cruise to Shell Key Preserve from John's Pass | 3 hours | 4.8 (501) | $45 | View |
 Shell Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Boat Ramp in Tierra Verde, FL | 20 min | 4.9 (344) | $39 | View |
 Kayak Adventure of Shell Key Preserve & Island with a Local | 3 hours | 5.0 (186) | $59 | View |
from$54
5.0(81) Free cancellation