Three Hour Shelling Cruise to Shell Key Preserve from John's Pass
Recommended by 96% of travelers
St Petersburg, USA
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
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Overview
What's Included
- Restroom on board
- Gratuities
- Snacks
- Parking Fees
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 170 Boardwalk Pl E, Madeira Beach, FL 33708, USA
Located inside beautiful Johns Pass, directly below Hooters on the water, closest to the Johns Pass Bridge.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Tierra Verde
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
John's Pass Village & Boardwalk (Pass By)
Madeira Beach (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 45 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Kelly_Y
I didnt do my research well enough on this one. I thought it was something different. But over all the adventure was fun, and the captain was very educated and knowledgeable on the area. She pointed out several houses and beaches and gave information or a back story on each. They were both very kind. And the boat ride was fun with all sorts of beauty to look at on the way to the island and back.
Reviews
4.8
based on 486 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Darcelle_W, Jul 2026
Great captain and first mate.
Please note you have to check in at the desk inside Hubbard's Marina to get your boarding pass. They will also validate your parking garage ticket so you pay a cheaper rate.
sherri_c, Jul 2026
Its a 3 hour excursion. 45 minutes to the island 45 minutes back. The rest of the time is at the island. The crew was great. The captain stopped so we could see the dolphins. There was a pod with mamas and babies. So we definitely got our money's worth
Christy_R, Jul 2026
Incredible from start to finish! We try to do some kind of ride every year. Will definitely do this again. Such a great energy on the boat. Mike and Jess were the best! The goal was to get shells, which we got an abundance of....but it was so much more! The captain took time for us to see dolphins. The weather was perfect, a manatee swam by about 10 feet away. Overall great experience!
Trudi_Z, Jul 2026
The weather wasn't the best - overcast and slightly rainy, but the guides made the experience so good that we forgot about the weather. The shells were tremendous. No need to go to Sanabel Island, just schedule with Hubbard's Marina and go to Shell Key Beach!!!
Rachael_P, Jul 2026
Great experience, very friendly captains and staff! Collin and Mike were our captains and were funny and knowledgeable about the area. We had a great time and found lots of shells and even a sand dollar. Also spotted dolphins and lots of pelicans on the trip. Definitely recommend adding to your trip plans!
Tammie_L, Jul 2026
That it is not a dolphin tour it's a shell island swimming snorkeling shore walking visit sometimes wild ocean life can be seen and sometimes the tide is high
It was a great trip the captains were funny knowledgeable and very helpful a and accommodating
Charles_S, Jul 2026
Great trip! Our 6 year-old, 4 year-old and 2 year-old totally enjoyed themselves. Mike and Jess went overboard to make this trip great.
Stacy_T, Jul 2026
Great crew! We had a fantastic time. We saw dolphins and had about 1.5 hours to go shelling. It’s also nice you can come and go on the boat while docked.
Melissa_C, Jul 2026
This was incredible! Do not hesitate to book this Shell cruise! My daughters and I had the best time and found so many incredible shells! The crew was so nice and friendly! We had the best day!
Ashley_A, Jul 2026
Fun crew, scenic boat ride, nice shells on Shell Key. Saw some dolphins! Snacks and drinks available for purchase. Good time for families!
Claire_G, Jun 2026
Great fun from the minute we boarded the boat. Knowledgeable crew who who super helpful and friendly. Thanks to Mike and Kyle.
Laurel_G, Jun 2026
This was a very fun trip! The boat captain and mate were very knowledgeable and entertaining. It was safe and well worth the money! I would do it again.
Talon_F, Jun 2026
The experience was great. The captains were all super funny and cracking jokes as much as they could with keeping it professional.
Gina_M, Jun 2026
It's about an hour ride to the island, and an hour back. So, the shelling time is about an hour long. The boat ride is just as enjoyable- lots of sites to see and the crew tells you fun facts along the way. Robin and Collin were great! Was a very fun trip, and would do it again! We saw dolphins and even a manatee!
Andrea_G, Jun 2026
This was a great time! Went with several friends and had a good time. Robin was a wonderful hostess. We will do again.
Sherrie_H, Jun 2026
The Driver of the boat was very informative and allowed us to view the dolphins swimming around us. The shell key was perfect place to hang out for an hour in the water and got lots of shells too
Deborah_F, Jun 2026
Fun, friendly, knowledgeable crew. We had a great time. Don’t expect a secluded island. Beautiful shells collected for another amazing beach trip.
Ava_V, Jun 2026
Very nice area that we shell at. Found a lot of nice shells. Captains were very friendly, knowledgeable and funny. Beware that if you are at the front of the boat on a windy day you will get kissed by some salt water. Overall had a great experience. Would try again!
Jennifer_D, Jun 2026
Hubbard Marina was awesome! They were friendly, helpful, etc! Shelling was good but did find a lot of the same or better shells on the beach I was at. However, they mentioned they do a shark tooth tour - so I may try that next!
Jerry_L, Jun 2026
It was fun, relaxing and enjoyable. It was woth every penny and then some! Captain Mike and First Mate Brandy were an absolute joy to be around. Their genuine love for the trip, the dolphins we encountered and people on the boat were second to none! I would ABSOLUTELY do it again!
Michael_W, Jun 2026
Captain Mike and his First Mate were AWESOME!!!! You will not be disappointed. Great trip for the kiddos.
Lesley_K, May 2026
Very relaxing have plenty of time on the island to explore and just a beautiful boat ride with many dolphins view!
Hillary_F, May 2026
We had an absolute blast! Mike and Kyler made the trip even better. Lots of knowledge about the area and great personalities! Kyle even made shell necklaces for the kids on the way back to the marina. 10/10 experience! Will be back again to do snorkeling!
Sarah_L, May 2026
Wear swimming gear, bring a towel, sunscreen even if you don't plan to get into the water to go after your shells or sand dollars, having a small shovel and net would be perfect for digging and scooping shells while they are washing to shore. If you plan to take beautiful pictures get a waterproof/floating phone casing that's on lanyard
Jayme_A, May 2026
Excellent trip. Kids had a blast but make sure you bring sunscreen, nets, and a bag for the shells. Kyle kicked ass on the necklace making.
Mary_M, May 2026
This shelling experience was amazing my crew was robin and Ellie, Ellie made shell necklaces for everybody that wanted one and robin gave all the kids a shark tooth they played music the whole time and even played the dolphins favorite song and yes they did have a favorite song as soon as she played it they all came out and swam for a while. Robin does say lots of jokes and there really funny we also saw a manatee in the water so yeah come book your boat ride at Viator 5/5 stars .
Troy_R, May 2026
Awesome. The guys on the boat did a great job of taking care of everyone. I would recommend the trip to anyone.
Amy_K, May 2026
The island isn't secluded to find lots of shells, many jet skis, boats and campers already on island, unless you get in the water and dive for anything you're not gonna find shells other than regular clam shells on any beach, was disappointed on the shelling. We did see dolphins and a manatee swimming and the crew was great, very personable and friendly.
michelle_c, May 2026
Shell Island was wonderful! The crew ate very nice and have good guidance! Would highly recommend to everyone!
Sarah_J, May 2026
It was truly a great day. A lot of fun and the crew was great! Very knowledgeable about everything and we had an overall great experience.
From $44.95
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Three Hour Shelling Cruise to Shell Key Preserve from John's Pass
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