Shell Key Preserve is only accessible by water, and if you don’t own a boat, it can be hard to get to the area to explore it. This Shell Key Preserve Snorkeling Cruise from Tampa takes you to the 1,800-acre (728-hectare) wildlife preserve to snorkel and look for shells and wildlife. Some of the wildlife you may see along your journey, includes dolphins, birds, manatees, hermits crabs, fish, and horseshoe crabs.

This Tampa cruise makes a stop at Shell Key Preserve
A guide knows the best spots on the preserve to see wildlife
Travel light—snorkel equipment is provided for you
Coolers and ice are onboard to store anything you’d like to bring with you

What's Included

Private transportation
Cooler and ice
Use of Snorkeling equipment

Alcoholic Beverages
Bottled water
Parking Fee via valet at hotel for $15

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

15015 Madeira Wy, Madeira Beach, FL 33708, USA
Docks are behind Cambria Hotel. Please park via valet at hotel for $15 or free parking at east end of marina 410 150th ave Madeira beach. Meet captain at slip #0 Floating dock. After the tour enjoy drinks at the rooftop bar.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Shell Key Preserve

55 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
Service animals allowed if you purchase all 6 tickets.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 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.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Rhea_H

Our captain and guide was great! Felt like we rented a boat with Captain for the afternoon. He was super chill and made the time fun and relaxing. There were only 4 of us on the afternoon tour so it was relaxing. We saw a couple dolphins and a manatee. We also hunted for the perfect shells. There were so many! Great time!

Reviews

5.0

260 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 260 reviews

Fun but ……….

Thomas_F, Apr 2024

The cruise had some good things. The boat Captian was great. Very knowledgeable about the area. The bad part is the boat was rough. On our way back from the island the winds had picked up and let me tell you. This morning we woke up feeling like we had been through a head on collision with a semi. If your going on this cruise sit on back of boat.

Great time for family

Melanie_T, Apr 2024

Captain Chris was great! Very knowledgeable - determined to find us dolphins and took us to Shell Key where we had a blast. It was really a great part of our trip. I’m so glad we did it.

Fun day on the water!

Rhea_H, Apr 2024

Amazing

Renato_S, Apr 2024

Captain Cris made it a great experience. He talked about safety measures and made sure we were comfortable before departing. The boat ride was awesome. We were followed by several dolphins and got to see them so close. The captain also shared interesting facts about the dolphins we did not know. The island we got to was surreal. It’s best for you to book this experience to be able to live it. Overall, I highly recommend this trip!

Great day on the water.

Laura_S, Apr 2024

Captain Brian was great. We got to see some dolphins and he wasnt in a hurry. He was full of knowledge and very laid back. I would recommend him anytime and will be requesting him when we return.

Fun family trip

Dan_D, Apr 2024

Great time. We saw some dolphins. Boat ride was fun. Captain was relaxed and accommodating. Kids had fun. Snorkeling was fun, water was clear. Lots of sea shells and sand dollars.

Excellent Experience

Dawn_M, Apr 2024

We had an amazing time, the Hosts were super nice, there were only 6 guests total and the boat was nice. The driver was able to get the Dolphins to follow us behind the boat and play in the waves. That was super amazing. The area to snorkle is beautiful and the sand bar goes out so far. So wether you want to swim, feel lile your walking out into the ocean, find shells, see life under the water or hang out on the beach Its fun for everyone. We were also allowed to bring our own drinks ( beer) which was also enjoyable

Greatest memory made

Colleen_B, Mar 2024

The captain was amazing, informative, and very nice! Seeing dolphins, a shark, Snorkeling and shelling made the best memories!! Highly recommend!!!!

Great trip for the kids

Scott_S, Mar 2024

Captain Chris did a great job telling us about the local waterways and found some dolphins on the way out to the gulf. Shell Key was beautiful and we found lots of fantastic shells. The water was a little cloudy for snorkeling due to the wind, but still a great experience. We even spotted a shark in the shallows coming back into the pier.

Captain T made the trip an elevated experience far and above the expectation!

Chris_H, Mar 2024

Captain T and first mate did an awesome job. We enjoyed the entertainment, the information about some favorite dolphins he’s named, and shell island was nothing short of perfect. The hospitality and generosity was over the top! We will come back to do another cruise and plan to see Captain T at the helm again. For ALL you did on our cruise for us and another fellow captain with his guests, thank you!! Job well done and we will see you again.

Great day shelling and seeing dolphins!

Alan_B, Mar 2024

The boat ride was fun and our guide Brian was informative and fun. Enjoyed meeting another family also. We liked the beach area where we landed, we could walk around along way because it was shallow and found some great shells. We also saw some dolphins, and our guy took the time to let us watch them.

Loved it

joni_j, Mar 2024

Had a great time!!! Very nice Captain! Saw dolphins and the island was beautiful. My daughter enjoyed it as well.

Memorable experience

Luis_P, Feb 2024

It was lovely we saw three dolphins and our captain was so nice and informative we can’t remember her name but still. %100 recommend.

Nice experience

Jessica_J, Feb 2024

Brian did a great job of getting us out to the beach and back. He stopped so we could see and take pictures of the dolphins on they way.

A Very Fun Experience

Nihad_A, Feb 2024

This made it a very memorable trip and my friend and I enjoyed it very much. Watching the dolphins play around with us was the highlight of the experience. Snorkeling looking for shells was very fun, although because of the season the water was very chilly. The captain was very fun to talk to and gave great insight as we went past landmarks and also gave great food recommendations. Would definitely recommend this experience as a whole.

A must do.

Tim_H, Dec 2023

We had a great time on our trip. Captain Brian was knowledgeable as well. Seen dolphins and went shell hunting the wife found what she was looking for. Over all a memorable trip. Would do it again.

Family adventure

Jessica_M, Dec 2023

Captain T was amazing, very informative and knowledgeable and held a conversation. It was really fun to go she’ll hunting and try and find sand dollars. I would definitely use Captain T again!!❤️

Fun in the Sun!

Adrijana_H, Nov 2023

Captain Brian was awesome! We had so much fun! He was so knowledgeable! We got to snorkel and see the Dolphins! I would definitely book it again.

Awesome family day trip!

Nicole_D, Nov 2023

We had the BEST time with Captain Brian on our trip. Dolphins playing in the boat wake, beautiful clear water. Absolutely perfect day. Would definitely recommend and do again!

Dolphin Shelling tour in Tampa

Dana_M, Oct 2023

Captain Brian was the best! We saw a bunch of dolphins and had them play in our wake. It was awesome. Shell key was a great place to find a variety of beautiful shells. Definitely an adventure to remember.

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