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Paddle shallow mangrove tunnels, watch for dolphins and manatees, then explore a white-sand island on this guided Shell Key Preserve kayak tour. Local guides time tides and channels to maximize wildlife sightings and safe paddling for beginners.
Paddle shallow mangrove tunnels, watch for dolphins and manatees, then explore a white-sand island on this guided Shell Key Preserve kayak tour. Local guides time tides and channels to maximize wildlife sightings and safe paddling for beginners.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Island Kayak Tours, LLC · Tierra Verde, Florida
You push off into shallow green water while the sun is still soft, and the mangroves close behind you like a living hallway. Fish flick silver beneath your hull and distant sandbars hold clusters of gulls; the guide times the paddle to the tide, threading the tidal creeks that open and close like a clock.
easy.
3 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; basic paddling stamina and balance for short launches and beach walks.
No—Shell Key is a saltwater environment and the preserve’s shallow flats and mangroves do not host freshwater alligators.
Yes—most of the paddling is in shallow, protected water and guides provide basic instruction and stable sit-on-top kayaks.
Common sightings include dolphin pods, manatees, shorebirds, herons and occasional rays; sightings depend on tides and time of day.
Launch is from a public site off Pinellas Bayway in Tierra Verde; directions are provided with booking—parking is typically available nearby but can fill on busy weekends.
Shell Key formed from longshore sediment and storm events and has been used locally for shelling and fishing; it’s now protected to conserve critical nesting and seagrass habitat.
Shell Key is a preserve with restricted areas for bird nesting and seagrass protection—stay in permitted channels, avoid trampling dunes, and pack out all waste.
Island Kayak Tours, LLC operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Book with Island Kayak Tours, LLC
Book directly with Island Kayak Tours, LLC for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
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