Get out on the water and see Tampa Bay from a new perspective with this kayaking tour. Ride in a clear kayak—which has the advantage of greater visibility of the underwater world. Along the way look out for coastal birds, marine life, and the beautiful mangroves. No need to worry about missing out on photo opportunities—the trip includes photo stops and a break at Shell Key to enjoy its beach and sandbars.

Go paddling in a clear kayak to admire the underwater world
Travel light—all the kayaking equipment you need is provided
Access great views of Tampa Bay's nature spots and wildlife
A safe kayaking experience—life jackets and whistles are provided

What's Included

Equipment including tandem kayaks, paddles, seats, and dry bags
Safety equipment including lifejackets and whistles

Gratuities
Bottled water

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Billy's Stone Crab
1 Collany Rd, Tierra Verde, FL 33715, USA
Please park in the dirt lot to the left of Billy’s Stone Crab Restaurant. You will see Kayak Tour signs. Once you arrive - follow the wooden restaurant entrance ramp the front of Billy’s Stone Crab back to the docks where you'll see the clear kayaks + your guide!

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Your experience on the water begins at your selected start time; several are offered, so you can choose the one that’s best for you. Make your own way to the departure point in Tierra Verde, meet your guide, and get acquainted with your gear. All safety and kayaking equipment are provided, so you don’t need to worry about bringing your own.

Then, set off with a small group, ensuring a peaceful and personalized experience. With the special opportunity to paddle aboard a clear kayak—something few other tours offer—you’ll have unimpeded views of the underwater scenery in Tampa Bay and Shell Key.

As you go, learn insider stories about the region’s nature and wildlife from your guide. You’ll get up close and personal with mangroves (high tide permitting), relax and hunt for seashells on the beach at Shell Key, and be on the lookout for everything from dolphins to spoonbills and pelicans.

Finally, make your way back to your original departure point, where this experience ends—leaving you lots of time to continue your sightseeing.

Shell Key

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
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 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
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 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:Where is the departure location for the Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?

A:We meet for this tour at Billy’s Stone Crab, 1 Collany Rd, Tierra Verde, FL 33715

Apr 2021

Q:How many people can participate in the Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?

A:Our fleet is small (5 kayaks) so expect an exclusive experience (no more than 10 people at a time).

Apr 2021

Q:What will I see during the Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?

A:The tour has several stops along the way where you will hear about local wildlife, marine life, and plant life! You will be able to get up close to Florida’s natural mangroves and to hop out on a sandy shoreline or sandbar based on the tide!

Apr 2021

Q:What should I bring with me on the Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?

A:We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle and a towel.

Apr 2021

Q:What should I wear for the Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?

A:We recommend wearing a swimsuit or clothing that can get wet, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Wear comfortable shoes that you don't mind getting wet.

Apr 2021

Q:Can I bring my child with me on the Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?

A:Children are allowed but required by law to wear life jackets at all times if under 6 years old. The child must sit in a kayak for the duration of our tour. If your child is under 30 lbs, please bring an appropriate life jacket as sizing is specific.

Apr 2021

Q:Can I participate in the Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area if I am not an experienced kayaker?

A:Our tours are made for any skill level to participate. We will have basic tips and tricks to help you maneuver the waterways. Some paddling may be considered intermediate but we try our best to paddle at a pace that is convenient for every paddler!

Apr 2021

Q:Will I be sharing a kayak during the Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?

A:All of our kayaks are tandem (made for 2 paddlers). However, the seats are removable and if you have an odd number of paddlers in your party we are able to accommodate the kayak as a single.

Apr 2021

Q:Is there a weight limit to participate in the Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?

A:Our weight limit is no more than 250 lbs per person and no more than 425 lbs per kayak. All of our kayaks are double kayaks. Keep in mind, the same 250 lb per-person weight limit still applies even if taking a kayak as a single.

Apr 2021

Q:"Is the Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area handicap accessible?"

A:Due to the nature of kayaking, all guests must have upper-body mobility and the capacity to walk up and down steps to enter/exit kayaks.

Apr 2021

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Amy_L

Jada was a great guide, she found lots of little creatures we never would have seen had she not pointed them out. Definitely recommend this tour, so much fun!

Reviews

5.0

4,006 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 4,006 reviews

Eco Kayak tour.

maknoles, Apr 2024

Jada was so informative about the area. We saw so many different birds and several dolphins. The Shell beach was an amazing stop. I would do this specific kayak trip again.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are so happy to hear you had a great time exploring Shell Key with Jada and that you encountered so much incredible wildlife along the way!! We hope to see you again soon!

Fun exercise!

David_M, Apr 2024

Our tour guide was Jesse. He was very informative and knowledgeable. Vz had a bit of wind on the first leg of the trip making the paddling a little more challenging but made it easier. On the way back we saw lots of birds which Jesse identified for us. Overall, we were very pleased with our experience.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are so happy to hear you had a great time paddling with Jesse despite the wind! We hope to see you again soon!

Fun Filled Educational Experience

Amy_S, Apr 2024

Our tour guide, Chris was outstanding and very knowledgeable. He knew all of the names of the birds, fish, and information about dolphins and manatees. You could tell he clearly enjoys his job. He knew so much information about the mangroves as well. He thrives to make sure his guests have the best experience possible. He was very optimistic that we would be able to see dolphins and possibly manatees... which we did see dolphins up close. It was awesome! And not to mention Shell Key is absolutely beautiful. People in our group were finding whole sand dollars! I felt like I was in the Caribbean out there. If you're contemplating going on this adventure, just do it. I promise you, you won't regret it. Chris made it a very memorable experience!!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for taking the time to leave such a detailed review of your clear kayak adventure with Chris!! We are thrilled to hear about your experience exploring Shell Key and that Chris made sure you all had the best experience possible!! We really appreciate your recommendation and we hope to see you again soon!

Highly recommend

Derek_B, Apr 2024

Chris was an awesome guide and all 4 of us had a great time. Would highly recommend if you have young kids and are looking to get out on the water.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear you had an awesome time exploring Shell Key with Chris! We really appreciate your recommendation and we hope to see you again soon!

Fab trip!

Charlotte_W, Mar 2024

We had a fab time, Ben was a great guide and had lots of awesome knowledge. It was a nice gentle paddle for two novices with a lovely stop off at the beach. The mangrove tunnel and spotting dolphins playing was a highlight!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

We're delighted to hear that Ben provided such a wonderful tour experience! It's fantastic that you got to witness amazing wildlife and explore mangrove tunnels along the way. Thank you for your positive feedback, and we hope to see you again soon for more adventures with Ben!

Wonderful

Amy_L, Mar 2024

Jada was a great guide, she found lots of little creatures we never would have seen had she not pointed them out. Definitely recommend this tour, so much fun!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear Jada was able to point out lots of little creatures and share them with you!! We really appreciate your recommendation and we hope to paddle with you again soon!

The tour is great, but we haven’t received the photos that the tour guide said she was going to send

Erik_B, Mar 2024

My most memorable moments are going to the tunnel in the mangrove. it was neat. The camera would swim under the kayaks as well.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear you had a great time exploring the mangrove tunnels! If you can tell us who your guide was, we can have her send photos over!! We hope to paddle with you again soon!

Jesse was the best tour...

Jahnna_W, Mar 2024

Jesse was the best tour guide!! He put up with 8 girls on a Bach trip for 2 hours and kept us entertained the whole time.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear you guys had such a great time celebrating a bachelorette at Shell Key with Jesse!! We hope to paddle with you again soon!

Our guide Jenna was...

Scott_M, Mar 2024

Our guide Jenna was great, very knowledgeable and fun to talk to! She was able to help those who were not skilled in kayaking as well

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear you had such a great time paddling with Jenna! We hope to see you again soon!

A Must-do in St. Pete

Nikki_G, Mar 2024

This kayaking trip was even better than I expected. The preserve, Shell Key (island), and the mangrove tunnels were gorgeous! Chris, our guide, who does the first 2 trips of the day, was fantastic--fun and full of information about the bay, birds, and sea life around us. He also took photos of us on his own and at our request. We (5 tandem kayaks) were free to ask for a pause whenever we spotted something interesting, like when we saw a Roseate Spoonbill in a tree. I'm 72 and hadn't kayaked for 2 years, so I was wondering if I'd be able to keep up, but the pace was just right and included stops when Chris explained what we'd be seeing next and how far we'd be paddling. I loved the chance to walk around on Shell Key where the sand was covered with thousands of shells, sand dunes, and shrubs where we could hang shells to make wishes. We saw a big sea snail, herons, a large flock of white pelicans on the beach, and the cormorants Mark and Fran, who followed our kayaks, swam underneath them, and popped up right next to us. Gliding through the quiet mangrove tunnels was magical! Highly recommended trip.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are thrilled to hear about your trip around Shell Key Preserve with Chris and about all of the amazing wildlife encountered along the way! We really appreciate your recommendation and we hope to see you again soon!

We recommend!

Dezarae_A, Mar 2024

Perfect little paddle trip to see the natural sights of the estuary. Thanks again Les for everything!

Beautiful Tour to a Beach Paradise

LisaSg, Mar 2024

This was a beautiful tour of the mangroves, seaside and beaches. Shell Key is a very beach paradise! Bria was an excellent, friendly tour guide. She did a great job sharing information about the landscape vegetation and wildlife.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are happy to hear you had such a wonderful time exploring the mangroves and the beach at Shell Key! We hope to paddle with you again soon!

Fantastic guide and interesting, well-paced tour

Chelsea_K, Jan 2024

We lucked out on a weekday afternoon tour while on vacation and were the only people in the group. Chris was our guide and was incredibly personable and knowledgeable! He kept to our pace and was happy to share details about the preserve and the flora & fauna. He went out of his way to make sure we were comfortable, hydrated, and having a great time! I appreciated that he was happy to spend more time in one place and less time in another depending on what we wanted to do. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and getting to know Chris for a couple of hours, and would absolutely recommend to anyone curious about mangroves and the local wildlife.

Birthday kayak

Patricia_J, Jan 2024

Wonderfull experience. Jada was a great guide, very knowledgeable. Highly recommend this adventure. Loved time on the island collecting shells.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Thank you for your 5 star review! We are delighted to hear you had a wonderful time kayaking through Shell Key Preserve and collecting shells on the beach with Jada! We hope to paddle with you again soon!

Fun in the sun

Mandy_K, Oct 2023

This trip was incredible. Jada was an amazing tour guide. She is very knowledgeable of the animals, as well as the area.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Your review brightened our day! It's fantastic that Jada made your tour memorable and was able to share her knowledge. We hope to see you back here soon!

Must see trip

Sarah_G, Oct 2023

We had a great time! Carmen was knowledgeable and made it interesting and fun. We were able to see a variety of wildlife we had never gotten to see before

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure!! We are delighted to hear you had a great time with Carmen and that you encountered a wide variety of wildlife along the way! We hope to paddle with you again soon!

Highly Recommended

Karen_M, Oct 2023

I recommend this to everyone who is physically able. Chris is an amazing tour guide. It made the trip (along with all the other wildlife :-)

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thank you for your 5 star review! We are happy to hear you had an amazing time paddling with Chris! We hope to see you again soon!

Great for family

Scott_B, Oct 2023

Very informative tuor guide. Great views of wildlife. Felt very safe. Jenna gave us a lot of information on plants and animals and let us roam. Very relaxed.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thank you for your 5 star review! We are delighted to hear you had such a great time exploring Shell Key with Jenna! We look forward to paddling with you again soon!

Easy and enjoyable

Georgene_S, Oct 2023

Jesse, our tour guide, was considerate in setting an easy pace. He was informative about the environment and the wildlife. He even retrieved a giant whelk to show us. We saw dolphins. Awesome trip

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We are thrilled to hear you had a great time with Jesse and that you encountered some amazing wildlife along the way! We hope to paddle with you again soon!

Excellent tour!

Brenna_P, Oct 2023

We had a wonderful time on our kayak tour! We enjoyed learning about the animals we were seeing and even watching some of them below our clear kayak. Jesse was extremely knowledgeable and his passion for wildlife and ecology was evident. We will be back!

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thank you for joining us on a clear kayak adventure! We're delighted to hear that you were able to see some wildlife while paddling the preserve and that Jesse's knowledge and passion for Shell Key shined. We can't wait to paddle with you again!

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