
Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 6,684 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area worth booking?
Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area is a 2-hour experience in St Petersburg, United States, from $89 per person. It scores 91 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club”, based on a 5/5 rating across 6,684 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing. It sits in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
- Outty Ranking
- 91 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (6,684)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $89 per person
Adventure through Shell Key Preserve in your 100% clear kayak! See crystal-clear water, diverse marine life, and the underwater world below your clear kayak. You’ll paddle along mangroves, enjoy white sand beaches and sandbars, and explore a secluded beach. If the tide is high, your guide will lead the way through a hidden mangrove tunnel. Shell Key Preserve is located in Tierra Verde, FL near St. Pete Beach in the Tampa Bay area. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, manatees, pelicans, crabs, and more while enjoying the preserve’s picturesque mangroves, beaches, and sandbars. Be on the lookout for a manatee or the beautiful pink Roseate Spoonbills in the summer months. White Pelicans call the sandbars of Shell Key Preserve their home during the winter months! Throughout the year, dolphins frolic in the crystal-clear waters and cormorants love to swim alongside your kayak. Chances are that you’ll see a variety of wildlife, but sightings are random and not guaranteed.
What you get
About this experience
Adventure through Shell Key Preserve in your 100% clear kayak! See crystal-clear water, diverse marine life, and the underwater world below your clear kayak. You’ll paddle along mangroves, enjoy white sand beaches and sandbars, and explore a secluded beach. If the tide is high, your guide will lead the way through a hidden mangrove tunnel. Shell Key Preserve is located in Tierra Verde, FL near St. Pete Beach in the Tampa Bay area. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, manatees, pelicans, crabs, and more while enjoying the preserve’s picturesque mangroves, beaches, and sandbars. Be on the lookout for a manatee or the beautiful pink Roseate Spoonbills in the summer months. White Pelicans call the sandbars of Shell Key Preserve their home during the winter months! Throughout the year, dolphins frolic in the crystal-clear waters and cormorants love to swim alongside your kayak. Chances are that you’ll see a variety of wildlife, but sightings are random and not guaranteed.
What's included
Included
- Equipment including tandem kayaks, paddles, seats, and dry bags
- Safety equipment including lifejackets and whistles
Not included
- Gratuities
- Bottled water
What you'll see and do
Your guide will welcome you and provide brief paddling and safety instructions. Then, you’ll be off on an adventure as your tour guide leads the way around the mangrove islands, through the shallows, and to the beach. If the tide is high, your guide will lead the way through a hidden mangrove tunnel. You’ll also take a break at Shell Key's beach, where you can collect shells, take in the views, and be surrounded by nature. Your guide will be happy to take photos and make sure you have fun along the way! Be on the lookout for a manatee or the beautiful pink Roseate Spoonbills in the summer months. White Pelicans call the sandbars of Shell Key Preserve their home during the winter months! Throughout the year, dolphins frolic in the crystal-clear waters and cormorants love to swim alongside your kayak. Chances are that you’ll see a variety of wildlife, but sightings are random and not guaranteed.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
St Petersburg
We launch from Billy's Stone Crab Restaurant. Please park towards the back of Billy's parking lot and walk towards the restaurant entrance. Follow the restaurant entrance wooden ramp to the docks behind the restaurant, where you will meet your tour guide!
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We launch from Billy's Stone Crab Restaurant. Please park towards the back of Billy's parking lot and walk towards the restaurant entrance. Follow the restaurant entrance wooden ramp to the docks behind the restaurant, where you will meet your tour guide!
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 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Get Up And Go Kayaking - Tampa Bay
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- 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
- We require one adult per each child under age 12.
- We require two adults per each child 3 years old and under.
- For your safety, we have a weight limit of 250 lbs per guest, and a combined limit of 425 lbs for two people in a tandem kayak
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6,649 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
6,649 verified traveler reviews for Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Very fun
Chris was awesome. Very fun and informative.
via Tripadvisor
Awesome time on the water
Chris was excellent. We had a great time.
via Tripadvisor
An experience for the books!
Alessia was absolutely phenomenal! Our private clear kayak and yoga tour was truly one for the books. She was professional, incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and courteous, making the entire experience both fun and informative. We saw so much wildlife and learned about the area’s history, its unique ecosystem, and how climate change has shaped it over the years. The private yoga session on the beautiful island was the perfect, peaceful addition to an already unforgettable experience. Alessia also went above and beyond by taking amazing photos and videos throughout the tour, allowing us to stay present and fully enjoy every moment. This was an incredible experience from start to finish. Highly recommended!
via Tripadvisor
Awesome tour!
Chris was a great guide. We had a wonderful time out on the water. Loved seeing the wildlife and the mangroves.
Response from the operator: Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear you had such a wonderful time exploring Shell Key with Chris! We hope to see you again soon!
via Tripadvisor
Great clear kayaks
Nick was knowledgeable and a great guide!
Response from the operator: Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear you had a great time paddling with Nick! We hope to see you again soon!
via Tripadvisor
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
- $89 to $99
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2,339
- Verdict
- 90+ Club
Who runs this experience
Operated by Get Up And Go Kayaking - Tampa Bay, who run 4 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 86.3 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Get Up And Go Kayaking - Tampa Bay runsWhy this scores 91
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area: 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 Preserve and Tampa Bay Area cost?
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Prices start at $89 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 Preserve and Tampa Bay Area 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 Preserve and Tampa Bay Area worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 91 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 6,684 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in St Petersburg, and how flexible the cancellation terms are. Scoring 90 or above puts it in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
Can I cancel or reschedule Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?
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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 Preserve and Tampa Bay Area 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 Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?
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Around 2,339 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 Preserve and Tampa Bay Area 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 St. Petersburg Jungle Prada Site History Tour, Small Group Kayak Tour of the Shell Key Preserve, 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.
What is included in Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?
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Included: Equipment including tandem kayaks, paddles, seats, and dry bags; and Safety equipment including lifejackets and whistles. Not included: Gratuities; and Bottled water. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?
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We launch from Billy's Stone Crab Restaurant. Please park towards the back of Billy's parking lot and walk towards the restaurant entrance. Follow the restaurant entrance wooden ramp to the docks behind the restaurant. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?
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Across 6,684 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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