Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
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.
What‘s Included
Equipment including tandem kayaks, paddles, seats, and dry bags
Safety equipment including lifejackets and whistles
Gratuities
While we have bottles available, we HIGHLY encourage guests to bring REUSABLE water bottles!
Options
Clear Kayak Tour
Reviews
6,048 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great!
P3337AVmaggiec,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jesse was great! Beautiful kayaking
Fabulous clear kayak tour
lauralz2026,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide, Ava was amazing and the whole experience was beautiful! I’ll be back!
Amazing trip!
I4709BVashleym,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a wonderful trip! Was so beautiful tour guide Less was fantastic!
Ava clear kayak trip
Robin R,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ava was amazing! We saw two dolphins and cool snails! We had so so much fun!
Jenna is the best!
L4687MPericc,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had such a good time with Jenna. She was a font of knowledge. Any question we asked was full of interesting facts. A beautiful day with clear water and lots of wildlife. Would recommend for anyone interested in nature and likes beautiful scenery.
Highly recommend
Vacation134763,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was beautiful and informative. Alessia is an informed and inspired guide who made the tour into a complete experience that felt special and safe.
A must do!!!
27nelsonw,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a phenomenal experience. Great exercise, in beautiful relaxing nature. Dolphin, birds, fish, wonderful unique trees, clear water. The natural tunnels to go through with kayaks are breathtaking. My family loved it. Raven was a great tour guide. Knowledgeable, passionate, cool, fun. I recommend it to everybody!
Highly Recommend!
stephanieoY3299ML,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My family and I had great experience kayaking at the Shell Key Preserve on March 28, 2026! We enjoyed viewing birds and crabs, and finding sea shells. We leisurely kayaked, and felt safe with the small group size and guide. I would highly recommend!
Great experience and atmosphere
A5974IXemmas,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time. It was the perfect amount of stops along the way and would definitely go again!
Allessia was fantastic!! Very knowledgeable and informative. We learned a lot! Day was beautiful
GlobeTrotting42036,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alessia was wonderful. Very knowledgeable and informative! We had a great day on the water
From US$79.00
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Operated by Get Up And Go Kayaking - Tampa Bay