Shell Key Shelling Kayak Tour - Find Natural Treasures - St. Pete
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Explore the stunning shores of Shell Key on this 2.5-3 hour guided shelling tour. Discover beautiful and unique shells as you stroll along the shoreline or snorkel in the warm shallows. With a knowledgeable guide, find hidden gems and learn about the local ecosystem. Ideal for families, beach lovers, and anyone looking to enjoy a day in the sun, this tour promises a relaxing time immersed in nature's beauty.
*Photos from your experience will be emailed to each group for no additional cost!
**MOST tours are booked as private tours. We enjoy being able to cater to each specific goups' interests and abilities. If you are a group that would prefer not having a private experience, just reach out and we will keep the time slot open for more people to join!
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Not recommended for travelers with shoulder or elbow problems. Must be able to paddle.
What To Expect
Your guide will greet you at the meeting location where you will be given dry bags if needed and a brief paddle talk to go over any instructions and tips to make your trip as easy and enjoyable as possible. We will then make our way through the calm waters of Shell Key Preserve keeping an eye out for dolphins, rays, seabirds and more! When we arrive Shell Key, you will be given plenty of time to explore the shoreline or swim in the shallows--seeking out the protected island's namesake treasures-- beautiful and unique shells. Your guide will share local wildlife facts and help you find and identify shells as you wander. This is an easygoing adventure perfect for nature lovers, photographers, shelling enthusiasts, and anyone looking to relax on one of Florida's most stunning coastal preserves.
Options
Shell Key Shelling Kayak Tour - Find Natural Treasures - St. Pete
What‘s Included
life jacket
drybag
kayak and paddle
Bring water! We are unable to provide this for you
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
22 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Kayaking fun in St Pete
mbheidt,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a great way to spend the afternoon! I will admit, I was a bit hesitant about this trip being in my 50s and not exactly in shape, but I need not have worried! Our little group of six was very well taken care of - our guide made sure everyone was comfortable and could travel at their own pace, yet she managed to keep us together as a group. The mangrove tunnels were beautiful, and a nice change of pace to rowing on the open water. Bring lots of water, you will definitely need it, and maybe a small snack (power bar) to enjoy at the beach when you take the break to relax for a bit. I would highly recommend this adventure to someone looking for something fun on the water!
Best tour ever!!!!!!
Arina B,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Honestly the best tour I’ve ever done!!! Paddled 3 and a half mile through beautiful mangrove tunnels, mangrove coasts, and shorelines. Saw plenty wildlife and found so many cute shells at the island. The tour guide was so friendly and knowledgeable, would tell us the history of the islands, little fun facts about the wildlife, and any techniques for kayaking. As someone who’s never kayaked before, this was still incredibly easy and fun!!!
Wonderful
Suzanne B,Apr 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Really nice kayaks with great back support, excellent and thoughtful guides. On the way out these adorable Cormorants stuck with us and kept diving under the boat, which was really cool. Taylor showed us a whole bunch of different snails and birds and water creatures on the way and near the island. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys kayaking or SUP!
Beautiful kayak tour
jessica 663,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really nice kayak tour with a well informed guide, who showed us really big beautiful live shells from the water and told us about the wildlife in the area. She even took us on a mangrove-tour just to show us how beautiful it is! Lots of birds swimming around and under the kayaks, they were so cute! Even saw dolphins too, and they came really close! Found beautiful shells at the beach. I highly recommend this tour.
The all u need for a perfect day in mother nature
Zeeemeeuw,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is the tour!! Absolutely loved this tour, shell key is amazing so the area is great. We got to see lots of birds, fish, crabs and even a dolphin with her little kid up close. We got to take a shortcut through the beautiful mangrove and found lots of cool shells. I would call this the complete package for anyone who loves nature and wildlife. Our guide Taylor was supernice and took pictures of our journey free of charge. She actually made our experience soo much better. 5 * just for her effort.
Best shelling experience.
Laurie C,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00That if you have never kayak before the water can be a little hard to paddle with the wind. It's not like going down a river.
Great afternoon on the Gulf Coast
its just me yuhoo,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Local Tide Tours was very professional. It was easy to book online. When I called with questions, I spoke directly with the guide. Taylor was very upfront about weather conditions and very courteous with requests. While on the tour, Taylor explained the history of the area and included great detail about the mangroves, wildlife, and sea creatures. Our group consisted of teenagers, a college student, and middle-aged women, and the pace was perfect. This kayaking and shell collecting experience was a highlight of our Florida trip! I would definitely recommend Taylor and Local Tide Tours!
Great way to spend an afternoon!
Ashley S,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This trip was so much fun! Taylor was an excellent t guide and the spot that she took us was breathtaking! I love the mangroves as well-nature at its best.
Shelltastic Tour….
Connector774852,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an awesome experience made special by Taylor’s knowledge and professionalism. I would highly recommend any of her tours. We will come again!
Local tide tours- highly recommend!!
joshfA3663XZ,Jan 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an incredible experience with Local Tides! Our tour guide, Taylor, took us shelling at shell keys and kayaking through the mangroves and was extremely knowledgeable. I learned so many new things along the way, and the whole experience was both fun and educational. Highly recommend Local Tides for an unforgettable adventure!
Related Experiences
Operated by Local Tide Kayak Tours & Sandbar Parties