Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
St Petersburg, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Get out on the water and see Tampa Bay from a new perspective with this kayaking tour. Ride in a clear kayak—which has the advantage of greater visibility of the underwater world. Along the way look out for coastal birds, marine life, and the beautiful mangroves. No need to worry about missing out on photo opportunities—the trip includes photo stops and a break at Shell Key to enjoy its beach and sandbars.
- Go paddling in a clear kayak to admire the underwater world
- Travel light—all the kayaking equipment you need is provided
- Access great views of Tampa Bay's nature spots and wildlife
- A safe kayaking experience—life jackets and whistles are provided
What's Included
- Equipment including tandem kayaks, paddles, seats, and dry bags
- Safety equipment including lifejackets and whistles
- Gratuities
- Bottled waterWhile we have bottles available, we HIGHLY encourage guests to bring REUSABLE water bottles!
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Billy's Stone Crab1 Collany Rd, Tierra Verde, FL 33715, USA
We launch from Billy's Stone Crab Restaurant. Please park towards the back of Billy's parking lot and walk towards the restaurant entrance. Follow the restaurant entrance wooden ramp to the docks behind the restaurant, where you will meet your tour guide!
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Your experience on the water begins at your selected start time; several are offered, so you can choose the one that’s best for you. Make your own way to the departure point in Tierra Verde, meet your guide, and get acquainted with your gear. All safety and kayaking equipment are provided, so you don’t need to worry about bringing your own.
Then, set off with a small group, ensuring a peaceful and personalized experience. With the special opportunity to paddle aboard a clear kayak—something few other tours offer—you’ll have unimpeded views of the underwater scenery in Tampa Bay and Shell Key.
As you go, learn insider stories about the region’s nature and wildlife from your guide. You’ll get up close and personal with mangroves (high tide permitting), relax and hunt for seashells on the beach at Shell Key, and be on the lookout for everything from dolphins to spoonbills and pelicans.
Finally, make your way back to your original departure point, where this experience ends—leaving you lots of time to continue your sightseeing.
Then, set off with a small group, ensuring a peaceful and personalized experience. With the special opportunity to paddle aboard a clear kayak—something few other tours offer—you’ll have unimpeded views of the underwater scenery in Tampa Bay and Shell Key.
As you go, learn insider stories about the region’s nature and wildlife from your guide. You’ll get up close and personal with mangroves (high tide permitting), relax and hunt for seashells on the beach at Shell Key, and be on the lookout for everything from dolphins to spoonbills and pelicans.
Finally, make your way back to your original departure point, where this experience ends—leaving you lots of time to continue your sightseeing.
1
Shell Key
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- We require one adult per each child under age 12.
- We require two adults per each child 3 years old and under.
- For your safety, we have a weight limit of 250 lbs per guest, and a combined limit of 425 lbs for two people in a tandem kayak
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
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Frequently Asked Questions (10)
Q:Where is the departure location for the Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?
A:We meet for this tour at Billy’s Stone Crab, 1 Collany Rd, Tierra Verde, FL 33715
Apr 2021
The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Misty_S
We decided to book this last minute for a fun activity to do with our 18 year old daughter. We had an absolutely amazing time. The guide was incredible and you can tell she loved her job. We saw so much wildlife, got to stop at an island and hunt for shells, and we even stopped in the mangroves for a picture. We took the 6pm time, and got to witness the most beautiful sunset when we were coming back in. I 100% recommend this activity. We were so excited we decided to book it. It became one of the best parts of our trip.
Reviews
5.0
based on 5,994 reviews
Christina_C, Mar 2026
This is a lovely way to get a close up view of the waterways and wildlife of the area. The kayaks are easy to paddle (though having some prior experience definitely helped everyone in our group), and Jenna did a great job providing information about what we were seeing (including a cool sighting of a rare reddish egret!) Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed getting a close-up view of the waterways and wildlife. Spotting a reddish egret is always such a special sight! Jenna will be happy to hear you appreciated the information she shared along the way. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to see you back on the water again soon!
Wells_W, Feb 2026
This has been one of the best kayaking tours I've ever had. The glass kayak is super unique, and the scenery was beautiful. Our guide Jesse was friendly and super knowledgeable. Definitely he knew what he was talking about. I had a great time. Thanks again, Jesse!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review! It’s so amazing to hear that this was one of the best kayak tours you’ve been on! We’ll be sure to pass your kind words onto Jesse and we hope you’ll consider joining us again in the future!
annjconroy, Feb 2026
The guide Jessie was amazing- he was very knowledgeable about birds, mangroves etc. Our trip was cut short because he felt the wind was too strong to land on the key. We were disappointed but they refunded half of our cost. I'm an experienced kayaker and while I thought the clear kayaks would be cool to see sea life, we didn't see a single fish that way and the boats were not as streamlined or as comfortable as a regular kayak. Still we had a nice hour on the water and learned a lot.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your detailed feedback. We’re glad to hear Jesse provided a knowledgeable and informative experience, despite your tour being cut short due to unsafe weather conditions. Safety is always our top priority, and our guides will always put the safety of our guests before the completion of the trip. While wildlife visibility can vary, we appreciate you pointing out that clear kayaks do have a different design and feel compared to traditional models of kayak due to their transparent hulls. We’re glad you were still able to enjoy time on the water and learn more about the area!
Yami_C, Jan 2026
My guide Less is very knowledgeable about the preserve. She also helped me paddle against the wind!
The kayak tour was magical. Kayaking itself was a serious arm workout, but everything I saw made it worth it. A bird with striking green eyes kept diving for fish and swimming past our kayaks. Fish were jumping all around us. We paddled through beautiful mangroves, spotted tiny crabs clinging to the trunks, saw a bunch of white pelicans, and live oysters. And at the very end, two playful dolphins showed up, which was absolutely the highlight of the tour.
I do wish I had collected more shells at Shell Key. I already have a lot of cute ones, but my favorites were a hermit crab in a long spiral shell, a piece of sea urchin, and a shell with both the top and bottom pieces intact. I was really hoping to find a sand dollar, but all I found was a “sand quarter” 😂.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear about your trip to Shell Key Preserve with Alessia and about all of the incredible wildlife you encountered along the way! We hope to see you again soon!
Linda_M, Jan 2026
all four of us in our family enjoyed doing this. Our guide, Les, was excellent. We will do this again the next time we are in Florida.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear your family enjoyed exploring Shell Key Preserve with Alessia! We would love to paddle with you again next time you are in town too!
Bethany_S, Jan 2026
We had a great trip. We took our 3 and 6 yr olds along and they enjoyed it also. Les was a great guide and very informative.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear your family had a great trip to Shell Key with Alessia! We hope to see you again soon!
Joyce_M, Dec 2025
Jenna was wonderful! We got to kayak through a mangrove tunnel and pick
Shells on an undeveloped island. Excellent tour for families and kids.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We're delighted to hear that you had an awesome time on the tour! Jenna is indeed a wonderful guide, and we're lucky to have her on our team. Your review is greatly appreciated, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Kara_S, Dec 2025
A great experience for our whole family! Ben was a terrific tour guide and made the whole trip fantastic. We loved Shell Key! Pro trip- take your shoes to wear while you’re exploring. The shell tree was super unique.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear your family had a great time exploring Shell Key with Ben! We hope to see you again soon!
Sharon_H, Dec 2025
What a top notch experience! From start to finish, everything was well executed, and our guide, Jenna was outstanding as she shared about our surroundings and the wildlife we encountered.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Your review brightened our day! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing time on the tour with Jenna as your guide. Your five star rating means a lot to us, and we hope to see you again soon for more unforgettable experiences!
Mindy_S, Oct 2025
We had an amazing time on the water with our guide, Ben! It was very cool seeing all the wildlife and enjoying the beautiful Florida weather.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear you had an amazing time paddling with Ben! We hope to see you again soon!
Rachel_C, Sep 2025
DONT miss this one!!! Great wildlife experience!! Our tour guide Less was amazing. Gave us so much information !!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We're thrilled that you had such an enjoyable tour experience with Alessia! Your praise for her skills as a guide means a lot to us. Thank you for your review, and we're excited to have the opportunity to create more memorable moments for you in the future!
Olaia_M, Sep 2025
We went on your with Jesse, he is very knowledgeable and great at spotting wildlife. Definitely recommend
Response from Host, Sep 2025
It's fantastic to hear that you had a great time on the tour with Jesse! We'll be sure to pass on your kind words to him. Thank you for recommending us, and we look forward to hosting you again for more unforgettable experiences!
Dory_D, Sep 2025
Alessia, our guide was very generous in sharing her knowledge of the surrounding nature - vegetation, mangroves, variety of birds, shells, a live conch in it's shell. She knows a lot & shares it well! :)
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear you had such a great time learning about the local wildlife with Alessia! We hope to see you again soon!
Kevin_K, Aug 2025
Jenna was truly fantastic. Great learning experience about local wildlife and the area. Would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are thrilled to hear you had a fantastic time learning about the local environment with Jenna! We hope to see you again soon!
Charlotte_C, Jul 2025
Insanely beautiful! Jada was very knowledgeable and shared great fun facts about all of the wildlife we saw. Would definitely recommend.
Also very much appreciated the cold water provided
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for your glowing review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that Jada provided such an exceptional experience. We strive to offer memorable journeys, and your recommendation means a lot to us!
James_K, May 2025
Shell Key is a beautiful place with plenty of wildlife in & out of the water. Our guide, Alesia, was extremely knowledgeable and made the tour great.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you for coming out on a tour with us! We’re so happy that Alessia was a great tour guide and that you were able to see some wildlife! We hope you’ll join us for another paddle soon!
Laurie_C, Apr 2025
Alessia was absolutely fantastic during our kayak tour! She was friendly, professional, and made the whole experience so much fun. She shared interesting facts along the way, kept the group safe, and made sure everyone was having a great time. You can tell she loves what she does, it made the tour even more special. Highly recommend taking a tour with Alessia!
Response from Host, May 2025
We're thrilled that you had such an enjoyable tour experience with Alessia! Your praise for her skills as a guide means a lot to us. Thank you for your recommendation, and we're excited to have the opportunity to create more memorable moments for you in the future!
Heather_W, Apr 2025
Great tour - knowledgeable about the area and the flora and fauna! Funny and entertaining day out in nature with dolphins swimming under our clear kayaks.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear you had such a wonderful time exploring the mangroves and that you even encountered dolphins along the way! We hope to paddle with you again!
Misty_S, Apr 2025
We decided to book this last minute for a fun activity to do with our 18 year old daughter. We had an absolutely amazing time. The guide was incredible and you can tell she loved her job. We saw so much wildlife, got to stop at an island and hunt for shells, and we even stopped in the mangroves for a picture. We took the 6pm time, and got to witness the most beautiful sunset when we were coming back in. I 100% recommend this activity. We were so excited we decided to book it. It became one of the best parts of our trip.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear you and your daughter had such a blast exploring Shell Key Preserve and learning about all of the local wildlife! We really appreciate your recommendation and we hope to paddle with you again!
Marlies_P, Apr 2025
Our guide Alyssa was very knowledgeable about all the wildlife and kayaking techniques. It was an educational and fun experience for us and our teen boys
Response from Host, Apr 2025
It's fantastic to hear that you had a fun time on the tour with Alessia! We'll be sure to pass on your kind words to her. Thank you for reviewing us, and we look forward to hosting you again for more unforgettable experiences!
Nancy_B, Apr 2025
Relaxing kayaking experience out to a Gulf key. Ben was a great tour guide, he was very informed and provide a great tour.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear you had a relaxing paddle to Shell Key with Ben! We hope to see you again soon!
Lisa_G, Apr 2025
The shells available on the island are amazing! My six year old loved it…although my arms didn’t love having to paddle for the both of us! Lol.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear you such a fun time exploring with your child! We hope to see you again soon!
ernest_b, Mar 2025
Enjoyable experience seeing Shell Key. Weather possibly determines the level of enjoyment. Our day was a little windy, but very happy with our guide and the equipment. Bring sun protection.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear you enjoyed your paddle to Shell Key Preserve! Unfortunately, as the activity does take place on the water, it can be impacted. by weather. We hope to see you again soon!
Carly_D, Mar 2025
Such a memorable adventure at Shell Key Preserve! The route was beautiful, with calm waters and so much wildlife to spot along the way. Our guide, Chris, was fantastic—he really knows his stuff and kept the whole group engaged with interesting stories and info about the area. Definitely a highlight of our trip!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for sharing your positive experience! Chris is indeed an outstanding guide, and we're glad he made your tour memorable. Your review fuels our passion for providing top-notch experiences, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another fantastic journey!
Ashley_M, Mar 2025
Alessia was a great guide and super knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife. Although we didn’t get to see a mantee, it was fun to see the different birds and and snails and there were so many shells to collect on the beach!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for sharing your positive experience! Alessia is indeed a great guide, and we're glad she made your tour memorable. Your review fuels our passion for providing top-notch experiences, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another fantastic journey!
Amanda_N, Mar 2025
We had an amazing experience on this guided kayak tour of the Shell Key Preserve with our 2 sons. Our guide, Chris was friendly and helpful as well as very experienced and knowledgable about the ecosystem. We enjoyed seeing conch and fish and birds swimming under our kayaks. I highly recommend this tour with or without children. We will make this one of our regular activities whenever we visit the area.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for sharing your positive experience! Chris is indeed a helpful guide, and we're glad he made your tour memorable. Your recommendation fuels our passion for providing top-notch experiences, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another fantastic journey!
steven_a, Mar 2025
It was a neat “ mini adventure” in a new place. Our Guide (Chris) was very knowledgeable of the ecosystem, pointing out various wildlife along the way. It is a nice easy trip for the novice and the length of the tour is perfect. I recommend a good pair of polarized fishing glasses to see the sea life a little easier. Walking the island was also a cool experience, my second tine ever being too ocean and all.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
It's wonderful to hear that you had a great time on the tour with Chris! We'll be sure to share your feedback with him. Thank you for reviewing us, and we hope to have the pleasure of hosting you again soon for another fantastic adventure!
Richard_P, Feb 2025
Guide was excellent very informative on wildlife and concerned about our comfort and satisfaction. Really wonderful experience for all skill levels!
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you for the kind review! We’re so glad to hear your guide made the experience enjoyable and informative. It's great to know the tour felt accessible and fun for all skill levels!
Wolfgang_M, Feb 2025
Really good trip, our guide Less was excellent, steering us through the preserve and pointing out wildlife. Definitely kid friendly. Easy to get to the launch area
Response from Host, Feb 2025
It's fantastic to hear that you had a great time on the tour with Alessia! We'll be sure to pass on your kind words to her. Thank you for reviewing us, and we hope to host you again for more unforgettable experiences!
Leah_S, Feb 2025
Most of the tour is in open water and if it’s windy, it’s very difficult to paddle against the wind in an almost flat bottom boat. We were on the 4:30 tour which, in Feb. , was too windy. We did see some wildlife, mostly seabirds- water was too dark and murky to really see through the boat. Shell Island was very pretty with lots of shells and beautiful sunset. Overall would not recommend for family of 3 with an eight yr old and 2 adult (single) paddlers.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for your feedback. We understand that wind conditions can make paddling more challenging. We're glad you enjoyed the beauty of Shell Island and the sunset, even if visibility in the water wasn’t ideal. We appreciate your perspective and hope you still had a memorable experience on the tour.
From $79.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area
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