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Small-Group Clear Kayak Tour in Shell Key

Badge of ExcellenceSt Petersburg, USA

From $64.00

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

2 hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Shell Key Preserve is home to 1,800 acres (728 hectares) of natural space, which can be easy to get lost in if navigating alone. This Shell Key Preserve Small-Group Clear-Bottom Kayak Tour takes you in the intimate setting with a small group and guide to lead the way through the protected waters and it mangrove tunnels. Plus, your kayak is clear, so you can see what's swimming under you as your go.

Kayak through Shell Key Preserve and Fort Desoto Park with a small group
Glass-bottom kayaks let you see what's beneath you in the water
Catch sight of wildlife like dolphins, rays, and manatees
Free parking is available at the meeting location in Tierra Verde

What's Included

Kayak and lifejacket.
Free parking.

Gratuities
Drinks

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

2830 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, FL 33715, USA

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Minimum age is 6 years
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions

Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
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.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

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Q:Is there parking near the departure point for the Small-Group Clear Kayak Tour in Shell Key?

A:Yes, there is free parking available at the Tierra Verde Marina Resort.

Mar 2021

Q:How strenuous is the Small-Group Clear Kayak Tour in Shell Key?

A:This tour is a 4-mile paddle, and you must be in at least a moderate physical condition to complete the tour.

Mar 2021

Q:What should I bring with me on the Small-Group Clear Kayak Tour in Shell Key?

A:Wear your swimsuit, and water shoes are preferable to flip-flops. We also recommend sunscreen, hat, and glasses as well as a towel to keep in your car for afterward.

Mar 2021

Q:Is there a weight limit to participate in the Small-Group Clear Kayak Tour in Shell Key?

A:The weight limit per kayak is 250lbs. Please keep in mind that this is a physically strenuous activity as you will be paddling approximately 4 miles.

Mar 2021

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Robert_B

My daughter wanted to rent kayaks and go off on our own. My wife wanted a tour guide. So glad we went with Rayna, she was great. Would have never found the right paths to take with out her. She was very knowledgeable about the vegetation and sea life. Highly recommend this your

Reviews

4.5

153 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 153 reviews

Great Kayaking Experience

Kevin_H, Jul 2023

As avid kayakers, my family of four decided to try the clear kayak tour in Shell Key during our trip to the Tampa/St. Pete area. Based on the novelty, we were excited to explore the Gulf waters inside clear boats so we could see the water life below. We do admit the clear kayaks were nice but more difficult to row and maneuver given they are wider than a normal kayak (particularly for single riders). Our guide, Taylor, was awesome and had tremendous enthusiasm for the experience. She took us through mangrove tunnels, showed us wildlife, and was very informative about each step of the way. Highly recommend.

Wonderful experience!...

Haley_G, May 2023

Wonderful experience! Reina was awesome, very knowledgeable about the local ecosystem and pointed out lots of wildlife along the trip. A heck of a workout!

A Great Adventure!

Patrick_K, May 2023

Our guide, Taylor was super! The weather was too windy to take out the clear kayaks so we had a great adventure with the usual! We recommend this group for all your Kayak fun!

Great trip with Rayna

Robert_B, Apr 2023

Epic day on the water !!!

Mark_O, Apr 2023

We had a great time, tour guide “Taylor “was amazing and very informative about the area and wildlife…. The only thing I would change for the next visit would be to get a regular kayak instead of the clear bottom kayak… too wide and hard to control onto the wind and mangroves trails.

Using clear kayaks unnecessary

Jamie_C, Mar 2023

The area and trip is worth it. I’d just recommend using real kayaks. There is no advantage to the clear kayaks because there is nothing to see. They are too wide and require far more brute strength to maneuver and get across open areas that are windy. In a slim lighter kayak the ride is much more enjoyable. I e now done both

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Jamie thank you for the feedback. Although if you thought there was nothing to see I would say you weren't looking, and missed the cormorants swimming below you, as well as the snook and redfish hiding in the seagrass beds. I'm also puzzled by the brute strength comment because we have 70-something folks do this tour every day. Nevertheless, thank you for riding with us.

10/10 Experience

brandon_t, Sep 2022

Amazing, friendly tour guides who we enjoyed great conversation with. Had a fun time at Shell Key collecting shells and going in the water. Definitely worth doing on your vacation and has made our trip!

Polly and Tami go kayaking

Tammara_T, Jun 2022

Jonas was very knowledgeable and fun! Beautiful scenery and a beautiful day. We had a great, adventurous day!

Awesome! Fantastic, great host

Jimmy_C, May 2022

First time on a clear kayak and what a blast our host, he was fantastic! I definitely recommend doing this event.

Worth it!

Fernando_A, Apr 2022

Great tour of the mangroves. Saw a few dolphin and the cormorants were great! Did not see any manatees. Good workout as well! Our guide Kim was great!

Work injury prevented

Vickie_D, Feb 2022

Sadly , my husband and I were not able actually to go on the excursion as before we left for vacation , I had a work injury as a nurse to my left arm . Due to that fact , was unable to physically paddle , but I really appreciated the ovine call from the tour guide “ checking to see if we were still coming “. I didn’t want to relive “ my injury story over the phone to him “, but he was so genuine when he stated ,” well I hope all is ok “. Hopefully next trip able to actually participate after some work rehab.

Response from Host, Feb 2022

Vickie let's first clarify that you we're a no-show for your tour. But "Ovine call"? Thats how you refer to a polite and professional inquiry to find out why you're holding up the tour group? Courteous does not mean sheepish Vickie. That speaks of quite the mentality. And yet we express some regard for your well-being, and you respond with sarcasm and skepticism. Instead of just not showing up, you could have contacted us, like polite people do, and informed us that you were not feeling up to the tour. You would rather leave us a 3-star review, dripping with disdain and contempt, just to displace your frustration with your own injury onto our company. Next trip, please contact a different tour company as we prefer to not have your dark and dismal self near our customers or our staff. Be well.

Book Somewhere Else

Carol_M, Jun 2021

The reserved trip was canceled due to weather. Totally understandable. I called immediately to reschedule. I was told by phone I would be rescheduled for 3 days later and he would follow up. I sent a text that evening asking for follow-up and then phoned again the next morning to confirm. Now the same guy says I can’t have the Friday trip he promised. This was going to be the highlight of my trip and the only day left we could go. So disappointing and unprofessional. Book elsewhere!!!

Fun

Luis_S, Jun 2021

Fun. We were able to paddle through all the mangrove tunnels . Beautiful scenery and wildlife . Shell Key was pretty . It was hot (I chose the 1:30 pm tour) . Bring water and a snack. The paddling back from the key was harder than I thought . It was on open water and wind. Great guide . Fun experience . Would do it again.

Fl-Kayak

michael_s, Apr 2021

The guides were very informative and helpful. Loved the wildlife the stop/walk on the beach at the island. The horseshoe crabs and hermit crabs were interesting.

Nice outside time-expensive kayak trip

Lisa_B, Mar 2021

Best part was being outside kayaking. We kayak in Michigan but not like this. Not much of a tour guide. Nice but didn't really engage with anyone.

Response from Host, Apr 2021

Lisa we're sorry you were a bit disappointed with our experience. Yes we are more expensive than the other kayak tours, but we do use clear transparent kayaks, making for a very different and unique experience compared to the less expensive alternatives. In this busy spring break season, it is sometimes difficult to engage with every single individual in the group despite the tour guides' best efforts. Keep in mind they are also focused on finding wildlife, providing an informative narration on the history and the ecosystem, and looking out for your safety. They have a passion for kayaking, and they love engaging with people. I'm sorry that did not come through in your experience.

Recommended

Brian_M, Jul 2020

Great experience. The guide was excellent and knowledgeable. Equipment in excellence conditions, weather was perfect.

An amazing adventure

David_S, Mar 2019

These guys are great. They were understanding, Accomodating and friendly. The tour was simple. I have been sick and they allowed us to move to another day. What a great day and well organized adventure