
Shell Key & Dolphins - Semi-Private Tours
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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
4.9/5
Based on 1,638 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Shell Key & Dolphins - Semi-Private Tours worth booking?
Shell Key & Dolphins - Semi-Private Tours is a 2-hour experience in St Petersburg, United States, from $79 per person. It scores 88 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 1,638 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 88 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (1,638)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $79 per person
Hop on a cruise to Shell Key Island and see dolphins and other wildlife while snorkeling. At this pristine wildlife preserve, you'll get to snorkel and observe the wildlife, go for a relaxing swim, or just walk along the
What you get
About this experience
Hop on a cruise to Shell Key Island and see dolphins and other wildlife while snorkeling. At this pristine wildlife preserve, you'll get to snorkel and observe the wildlife, go for a relaxing swim, or just walk along the beach and collect shells. Depending on the time of year, you'll see dolphins in their natural habitat, along with manatees, rays, and wild birds. All of our rides are semi-private, with a maximum of 6 passengers per boat, so you get to avoid the crowds when you ride with us.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Parking at the marina
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- BYOB welcome
- Cooler with ice on board
- FREE parking at the Tierra Verde Marina Resort
Not included
- Food, unless specified
- Gratuities
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
St Petersburg
We depart from the beautiful Tierra Verde Marina Resort, located at 198 Madonna Blvd next to the Island Grille Restaurant, and the Residence Inn Marriot. Please report to the Check-In area at the Island Ferry sign.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We depart from the beautiful Tierra Verde Marina Resort, located at 198 Madonna Blvd next to the Island Grille Restaurant, and the Residence Inn Marriot. Please report to the Check-In area at the Island Ferry sign.
Options you can book
4:15pm Dolphin/Shell Key
See dolphins and visit Shell Key at the same time! See dolphins in their natural habitat, along with manatees, rays, and wild birds. Then go shelling on Shell Key Preserve.
Mid Day Dolphin/Shell Key
Dolphin/Shell Key: See dolphins and visit Shell Key at the same time! See dolphins in their natural habitat, along with manatees, rays, and wild birds. Then go shelling on Shell Key Preserve.
9am Dolphin/Shell Key
See dolphins and visit Shell Key at the same time! See dolphins in their natural habitat, along with manatees, rays, and wild birds. Then go shelling on Shell Key Preserve.
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 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Island Ferry LLC
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- You must check in 30 minutes prior to your departure time. All trips leave promptly at their departure time
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 1,637 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
1,637 verified traveler reviews for Shell Key & Dolphins - Semi-Private Tours. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Trip to Shell Key Preserve
Had a great time yesterday on the trip. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. We saw some dolphins and a manatee and spent about an hour on Shell Key Preserve. Highly recommended!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing trip!
My wife and I had a great time on our dolphin watching and snorkeling excursion this morning. Our Captain Dave was very knowledgeable and was a pleasure to be around. We will definitely book again in our next trip!
via Tripadvisor
Fun But Underwhelming
We had fun, but it was honestly a little bit underwhelming. The only wildlife we saw were birds. No manatee or dolphins. The area we went to for snorkeling was not ideal. There wasn't much to see and it the waves made the water very sandy. We did find some cool shells.
via Viator
So much wildlife, what an experience!
Excellent experience with Dave. We were lucky enough to see 3 dolphins, a manatee, sand dollars, crabs, and plenty of fish. What an experience! Excellent value for money would definitely book again.
via Tripadvisor
Great Experience
Our guide, Dave, was awesome! Interesting and relevant information/facts from him. Gave us ample time to enjoy all the dolphins. Cooler on board for our drinks… Great. He didn’t just leave us at Shell key, he stayed with us, which was nice. Only thing I would say is maybe it could’ve been a little bit longer. Only had about 45 minutes or so at the island. Other than that, it was great and I would book again with Dave!😊
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
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 573
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 88
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Shell Key & Dolphins - Semi-Private Tours: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for St Petersburg.
How much does Shell Key & Dolphins - Semi-Private Tours cost?
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Prices start at $79 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 Shell Key & Dolphins - Semi-Private Tours 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 Shell Key & Dolphins - Semi-Private Tours worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 88 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 1,638 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.
Can I cancel or reschedule Shell Key & Dolphins - Semi-Private Tours?
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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 Shell Key & Dolphins - Semi-Private Tours 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 Shell Key & Dolphins - Semi-Private Tours?
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Around 573 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 Shell Key & Dolphins - Semi-Private Tours 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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