Shell Key & Dolphins - Semi-Private Tours
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
St Petersburg, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Look for dolphins around Boca Ciega Bay in St. Pete Beach on a cruise in the Tampa Bay Area. Continue into the Gulf of Mexico to visit Shell Key island, a wildlife preserve where you can snorkel, swim, or collect shells on the beach. Depending on the season, you might spot dolphins, manatees, rays, and a variety of seabirds. This family-friendly tour offers both a late morning and afternoon departure, making it easy to suit your schedule.
- Head out on a dolphin watching cruise from St. Pete Beach
- See local wildlife like rays, seabirds, and manatees
- Choose from multiple departure times to fit your schedule
- Snorkeling equipment and bottled water are included
What's Included
- Bottled water
- Use of Snorkeling equipmentUse of Snorkelling equipment
- Parking at the marina
- Cooler with ice on board
- FREE parking at the Tierra Verde Marina Resort
- BYOB welcome
- Food, unless specified
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Tierra Verde Marina Resort200 Madonna Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33715, USA
We depart from the beautiful Tierra Verde Marina Resort, located at 198 Madonna Blvd next to the Island Grille Restaurant, and the Residence Inn Marriot. Please report to the Check-In area at the Island Ferry sign.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Make your own way to the marina at St. Pete Beach to meet the crew and board your boat.
Set out for Boca Ciega Bay where you are likely to see dolphins and, occasionally, manatees feeding near shallow sandbars. Observe the remarkable animals in their natural habitat for a memorable experience of Florida’s wildlife.
Continue to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico to visit Shell Key Island Wildlife Preserve, which includes a picturesque white sand beach with many seashells. Spend time at Shell Key Island and snorkel from the beach in shallow water. During the warmer seasons, you might spot rays and manatees there.
Your tour ends with return to the marina.
Set out for Boca Ciega Bay where you are likely to see dolphins and, occasionally, manatees feeding near shallow sandbars. Observe the remarkable animals in their natural habitat for a memorable experience of Florida’s wildlife.
Continue to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico to visit Shell Key Island Wildlife Preserve, which includes a picturesque white sand beach with many seashells. Spend time at Shell Key Island and snorkel from the beach in shallow water. During the warmer seasons, you might spot rays and manatees there.
Your tour ends with return to the marina.
1
Island Ferry of St Pete
2
St. Pete Beach
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- You must check in 30 minutes prior to your departure time. All trips leave promptly at their departure time
- Not wheelchair accessible
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
Supplied by
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q:Can I bring an infant on the boat during the Shared 2 Hours Dolphin Watch Cruise with Snorkeling to Shell Key?
A:Yes! Children of all ages are welcome on board! Due to capacity on the boat, all guests pay the same rate, regardless of age.
Mar 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
This was an amazing experience. Captain Noel was really great. We saw all manner of wildlife. We swam and snorkeled and collected shells on a beach only accessible by boat. It was one of the best tours I’ve ever done. I would definitely do it again.
Reviews
4.9
based on 1,645 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
We had fun, but it was honestly a little bit underwhelming. The only wildlife we saw were birds. No manatee or dolphins. The area we went to for snorkeling was not ideal. There wasn't much to see and it the waves made the water very sandy. We did find some cool shells.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Unfortunately wildlife is unpredictable Hailee, and we can't control their behaviors. Snorkeling as well is subject to mother nature's whims. That is not our doing either. But I guess our small business will have to take the blame for winds and seas and for uncooperative wildlife.
We got to see lots of dolphins and collected a bunch of beautiful seashells! Our guide Dave was awesome! Definitely recommend him!
It was a lot of fun! Our guide was very knowledgeable of the area. We even saw a few sting rays. Shell island was really nice.
This was such an amazing experience! Our tour guide was very insightful about the surrounding area and marine life. We got to see some dolphins and go shelling. Overall, a great experience and would recommend anyone who comes to the St. Pete area to give it a try!
My friend and I had a great time on this cruise! We got to see several dolphins, including a baby!! It was also a very smooth and easy ride. We also got to snorkel and shell a bit on the island. Highly recommend!
The experience was great, Dave our boat driver was funny and made the trip better. We got too see dolphins up close, manatees, crabs, found sand dollars, and got awesome shells to take back home. I would definitely recommend!
We had an amazing experience with our boat captain! From start to finish, he was professional, friendly, knowledgeable, and made our trip so enjoyable. He knew exactly where to take us, and we were lucky enough to see both manatees and dolphins in their natural habitat, which was such a memorable experience for our family.
He took the time to share interesting information about the local wildlife,area and made sure everyone felt comfortable and safe throughout the tour. His enthusiasm and passion for what he does really showed and made the trip even more special.
We highly recommend him to anyone looking for a fun, relaxing, and unforgettable day on the water. Thank you for helping create such wonderful family memories!
Overall it was a relaxing trip on the boat. We did see dolphins on the trip and our guide was kind and knowledgeable. However, the boat arrived late without communication to us. There were no shells to be found on the island. We did see a few crabs. I would recommend only if you are looking for a relaxing boat ride and seeing a few dolphins. I would not recommend if you are looking to “snorkel” or find shells.
The captain is friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. He shared information about the area as he encouraged us to be on the lookout for wildlife. We saw a few dolphins along the way and enjoyed snorkeling for shells. For my family, this was “the big thing” we did on our trip, and we were happy with it. If we had a bit more time out on the boat and in the water, I would have given a 5 star review.
We really enjoyed the boat ride. We saw dolphins and manatees.
I thought we would be in a good area for snorkeling. We stopped in an area that was quiet and warm water that we enjoyed. However, we could not see anything in the water because it was dark.
It’s a wonderful time we saw lots of water animals. Guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. We got lucky and got a one on one with Dave!
Thanks to the friendliness and expertise of our captain, Troy, and the surprising comfort of the small boat, I can’t think of a better way to spend the morning! His advice to have lunch at the island Grill was a winner too!
Really relaxing dolphin tour followed by a fun snorkeling experience on a sandbar. Noel was our guide for this and he did an excellent job and was very knowledgeable of the area. Would definitely do again!
A perfect way to see the gulf experience wildlife and meet new friends. Troy are captain took time to listen to us meet our needs and go beyond expectations.
This is a great experience for families and adults. It is a combination of a water tour of the area, a wild sea animal I Spy adventure, followed by some fun snorkeling and collecting shells of all shapes, colors, and sizes!! Tour guide Dave was FANTASTIC, he was lively, very knowledgeable, and made sure that the experience was never boring. We will definitely be going again next year, maybe we will try the sunset one instead of the early morning time slot.
This was an amazing experience for everyone! The captain was very knowledgeable and made the ride fantastic! We saw manatees and dolphins
Just wear your bathing suit and good to go. I did bring small snack and my own beverage. Bring bag to put shells in.
Everything very professional.
Provided nice information and answered all questions.
Safe and clean boat
We had a lot of fun with Troy our guide. We saw a family of dolphins including a baby! We went snorkeling and searched for manatees. We enjoyed our time on the trip!
Noel was kind, informative, and fun. We saw manatees, dolphins, sand dollars, and beautiful shells. He answered all our questions. We had a blast!
Noel was an excellent guide, great sights to see, would recommend, took the time to be very accommodating
It was great!! We saw dolphins, watched mother and a baby, also group of rays(very rare). I saw a turtle too. Shell key was a beautiful island. Captain Dave was very friendly and knowledgeable. I recommend it strongly.
CPtain knew all about the marine life, went out of his way to make sure we got to experience it all . His knowledge is unending and his love for what he does shows
TROY was amazing. Full of joke and knowledge of the water and wildlife. If I’m ever back in Florida I will be contacting them again!! Worth every penny!!
It was not that interesting. We saw a manatee, no dolphins . The trip leader did not appear to be especially knowledgeable about wildlife.
This was an amazing experience. Captain Noel was really great. We saw all manner of wildlife. We swam and snorkeled and collected shells on a beach only accessible by boat. It was one of the best tours I’ve ever done. I would definitely do it again.
The whole experience was absolutely amazing. Dave was great showing us around, he was super funny and we saw so many dolphins! Snorkeling was great. Definitely book this trip!
Dave was so friendly and informative. The trip was so much fun and beautiful views. Highly recommend!
Captain Noel was amazing. He took the time to help kids find sand dollars, hermet crabs on sand bar and then took them to shell island. He was full of information on the trip there and back. We have done other shelling trips in the past this was by far the best.
Great experience. Our guide was great, I unfortunately forgot his name, but he was an older gentleman who was very kind and knowledgeable, especially regarding the dolphins. :)
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$75.05
per personWas $79.00(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Shell Key & Dolphins - Semi-Private Tours
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