Small Group Kayak Tour of the Shell Key Preserve
Description
Join Coastal Kayak Charters for a small group guided kayak tour of the Shell Key Preserve. We are one of the few companies running kayak Tours to Shell Key. You begin with a relaxing boat ride to the the magical sandbar of Shell Key preserve, where you begin your kayak adventure. Our trips offer more personalized service and better wildlife viewing opportunities while out on the water. We will explore hidden mangrove tunnels, shallow seagrass meadows, and stop on Shell Island for time to swim, look for shells, or just relax on the beach. Our tours are designed for beginners and casual kayakers alike. We use stable user friendly kayaks that provide a great paddling experience. We primarily use double kayaks unless you have an odd number in your group. If you prefer single kayaks they are available through our website. Then you return home on a relaxing 15min boat ride back to the dock. Come explore with local professionals who love what they do and see the difference for yourself.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Shell Key Preserve is an 1800 acre nature preserve at the mouth of Tampa Bay. It protects sensitive marine habitats and includes the county's largest undeveloped barrier island. Its' beaches provide important nesting grounds for sea turtles and it is designated as one of Florida's most important nesting and wintering areas for shorebirds.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Not recommended for travelers with recent surgeries.
Reviews(518)
Great learning experience was very relaxing and saw a lot of wildlife, including dolphins next to kayak
What a memorable experience! Went with my 10 & 15yo daughters. Claire was our tour guide. She was fun, knowledgeable, and kind. We saw dolphins, Kevins (lol), mullets putting on a show hopping out of water, kayaked through beautiful mangroves, and spent some time on beach at Shell Key. Overall, wonderful experience. We are sore this next day and sunburnt, but well worth it. Bring that sun block and perhaps cushion for your bottom. Kayak roundtrip is 4.5 miles :)
Great time. Super friendly guide. One heck of an upper body workout, so be prepared. Since early tour to beat the heat. Make sure you tip your guide when you get back.
Claire was quirky and funny and a wealth of knowledge about the ecosystem and wildlife of the preserve. 10/10 experience
Oliver was a great guide he knows the area well. Best Buy for 2 1/2 to 3 hr only $49. We had a couple new bees with us but he kept us all flowing seamlessly. Saw a quick peek of a manatee, dolphins, lots of birds n flying fish and I saw a sea turtle! Beach time too! When we were disembarking from our kayaks, a man asked how was our ride and how much was it? I told him and he ran right over to Oliver to get booking info for him and his wife for tomorrow! Got to do it!!!👍
Kristy and Samantha were excellent guides. Kristy was so knowledgeable about the area and such a positive attitude about the trip. We would highly recommend it.
Was a great kayak tour through the mangroves and on to shell island. Clair was our tour guide and could not have been any sweeter and very upbeat and informative
Excellent kayak company. We had blast paddling thru the mangroves and across the bay to shell key. Ashley was a wonderful tour guide. Very knowledgeable and eager to share. Thank you for an educational and fun kayak tour!!
A really excellent trip and very informative - our 2nd visit - we were not disappointed
It was PERFECT! The equipment was in great condition. The guide(Clare) is knowledgeable and friendly with a dash of enthusiasm. We took a 45 minute break on shell key to walk the beach and take a swim. A small group of 6 mixed with first timers and salted veteran paddlers. We were greeted by dolphins at the end of our tour❤️.
