
Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key from St Pete
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 172 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key from St Pete worth booking?
Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key from St Pete is a 2-hour experience in St Petersburg, United States, from $74 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 172 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (172)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $74 per person
We've created a fascinating kayak tour in St Pete, centered on our Crystal Clear kayaks, giving you a fascinating look at the sea life throughout Shell Key preserve, and Fort Desoto park. Our professional guides provide
What you get
About this experience
We've created a fascinating kayak tour in St Pete, centered on our Crystal Clear kayaks, giving you a fascinating look at the sea life throughout Shell Key preserve, and Fort Desoto park. Our professional guides provide an interesting narration of the local wildlife and ecosystem. The tours can range from 2 persons to 16 people, and are approximately 2 to 2 -1/2 hours long. The tours will primarily operate in the protected waters and mangroves tunnels of the Shell Key Wildlife Preserve in Pinellas County. An 1,800 acre preserve, these waters are well traveled by Dolphins, Manatees, Rays, as well as a variety of shore birds, including pelicans, egrets, herons, cormorants, osprey, and sometimes roseate spoonbills. Please note: This activity is NOT suitable for the Elderly or the Obese, or people with back surgeries/issues, or with a history of other physical ailments. You must be physically fit for participate in this activity.
What's included
Included
- Kayak and lifejacket.
- Free parking.
Not included
- Gratuities
- Drinks
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
St Petersburg
- Please be sure to enter "2962 Pinellas Bayway South" into your Google Maps. As *soon as* you get through the little toll plaza, make a right through the guard rail opening and park near the water. Do not cross the bridge. Our kayaks will be anchored there, and your tour guide will greet you.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
- Please be sure to enter "2962 Pinellas Bayway South" into your Google Maps. As *soon as* you get through the little toll plaza, make a right through the guard rail opening and park near the water. Do not cross the bridge. Our kayaks will be anchored there, and your tour guide will greet you.
Options you can book
Tandem Kayak (for 2 people)
Tandem Kayak: For this option (2 per kayak) please note you only need to book 1 ticket as you are booking one kayak for two.
Single Kayak
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Island Ferry LLC
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Minimum age is 6 years
- For the tandem kayak option (2 per kayak) please note you only need to book 1 ticket (1 adult) as you are booking one kayak for two.
- Not suitable for the obese.
- Not suitable for the elderly.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 172 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
10 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
172 verified traveler reviews for Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key from St Pete. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great morning on the water!
My group of four had an awesome time on the clear kayak tour of Shell Key! The pre-arrival instructions made it easy to find the meet-up spot, which is a busy launch point for a few different tour groups. Once we arrived, the staff was incredibly friendly and got us set up right away. We took the 9:30 AM tour, which lasted a few hours and was the perfect length. Our guide, Ashley, led us through beautiful mangrove islands and over to a beach where local boats anchor. She was knowledgeable about the preserve's ecosystem and pointed out various birds and shellfish, and we even got a brief dolphin sighting! I highly recommend this tour for anyone looking to explore a gorgeous nature preserve while paddling through calm, shallow waters.
via Tripadvisor
Great adventure
Claire was great with her knowledge of kayaking and the ocean. Traveling through the mangroves was amazing. The inky drawback was we didn’t get the glass bottom boats that we booked.
via Tripadvisor
Fun times!
Troy was excellent! Very kind and knowledgeable!
via Tripadvisor
Worth every penny, great afternoon
Great afternoon, good exercise, went with regular kayaks for low tide- the right move- the mangrove islands and shell key were fun to explore, learned a lot, and had time to wander the beach too. Our guide, Claire, is very knowledgeable and patient, great guide- ask for Claire!
via Viator
Fun trip for the family
Guide was very helpful and knowledgeable. It’s a safe and very enjoyable trip! Being a n a small group made a more personal experience.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $74 to $148
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 60
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key from St Pete: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for St Petersburg.
How much does Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key from St Pete cost?
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Prices start at $74 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in St Petersburg usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key from St Pete take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in St Petersburg is not rushed.
Is Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key from St Pete worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 172 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in St Petersburg, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key from St Pete?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key from St Pete suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key from St Pete?
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Around 60 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in St Petersburg can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in St Petersburg and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key from St Pete start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central St Petersburg within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in St Petersburg?
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St Petersburg pairs beach time with a dense arts district: Dali Museum entry, mural walking tours, clear-kayak paddles through mangrove tunnels and boat runs out to Egmont Key and Shell Key. On Outty we rank every St Petersburg experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area, St. Petersburg Jungle Prada Site History Tour, Island Sunset and Skyway Light Show - 3hr Boat Cruise in St. Pete. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit St Petersburg?
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October to April, before the summer heat and afternoon storms. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in St Petersburg?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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