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Kayak Adventure of Shell Key Preserve & Island with a Local

Kayak Adventure of Shell Key Preserve & Island with a Local

Overview

Hi, I'm Scott. Karissa and I are the owners and only guides at Island Kayak Tours. We will guide you through the mangrove tunnels (tide permitting) and time your adventure just right to give you the best chance at seeing dolphins & manatees. There is also free time for you to explore Shell Key Island, whether that means shelling, swimming, snorkeling, or simply enjoying the view. Our tours take place in a shallow saltwater preserve. There are no alligators, and most of the water is knee to waist-deep; perfect for both beginners and experts. All the experience I have from growing up here in St. Petersburg has given me the opportunity to put together a kayak tour like no other. Kayaking has always been one of my favorite things to do around the area. This has allowed me the opportunity to find all the best kayaking spots and to accumulate the local knowledge to give you a true Florida experience. I started this kayaking company to share the natural beauty of my home with you.

City: St Petersburg

Fri 01 Nov

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $50.00

Make a reservation

Fri 01 Nov

Starting at $50.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

kayak, paddle, lifejacket (PFD), whistle or signalling device

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
This an outdoor experience with plenty of space for all guests and guides to remain at least 6 feet away from each other at all times.

What To Expect

Tierra Verde

Tours take place in Shell Key Preserve. As a native Floridian, I will guide you through the backcountry of the preserve. Through shallow grassy meadows we go, watching fish jump and birds hunt; all the while, ducking through the mangrove tunnels (tide permitting) and allowing time for pictures and explanations of the surrounding habitat. Most of the area we paddle in is typically only frequented by locals and is off-limits to motorized vessels.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (100)

K3385WMmichaeld

May 2021

Hands down the best morning of our trip. Met Scott and Karissa beside their fleet of well maintained kayaks, and found that we had some geography crossings and local Indiana restaurants patronage in common. The tour across the smooth shallow water to the mangrove forest was smooth and we were able to quickly lean to control the boats. Scott, being a native to this area, provided a wealth of information on the local wildlife, the impact of tropical storms, how the preserve came to be. His knowledge went back to his youth as he grew up kayaking this area. Navigating the Mangrove tunnels was fun and Scott and Karissa guided us though with ease. Shell Island was beautiful, we saw manatee and dolphins. Then the trip back to shore, It was a fantastic trip. When we are back in the areas, we are excited to experience this again.

Response from Host

May 2021

Mike, we had so much fun kayaking with you and your wife. What a small world we live in. Having visited some of the same places and restaurants makes for great conversation. Thank you so much for all the kind words and taking the time to leave us a wonderful review! That word-of-mouth means a lot to our small business. We look forward to seeing you again next time. Safe travels. Scott &Karissa

TortugaQueen

May 2021

We arrived at the launch site about 30 minutes before our scheduled launch time. We met Scott and Karissa, the husband & wife owners/tour guides/local experts. Both are very personable and eager to know each person on the tour. We bonded with them over Pizza King pizza, Jerry’s Dairy Freezer and Buffalo Trace bourbon. The tour itself was wonderful for novices and experts alike. This was my 2nd time in a kayak and my husband’s first. Scott gave excellent directions on how to paddle, turn, etc. He explained about the wildlife that we would see and shared his personal stories from his childhood growing up in the area. Going through the mangrove tunnels was incredible! It was so quiet and peaceful in there. The 45 minutes we had on Shell Island was a nice reprieve from paddling. We were fortunate to see a manatee and a couple of dolphins while on the beach. The trip back to the launch site was relaxing as we all went at our own pace. Karissa takes her spot in the back of the pack to make sure no one gets left behind. She is a very caring tour guide, offering water and assistance to those who are struggling. I can’t recommend this tour highly enough. Scott and Karissa truly care about their guests and the environment. We saw how real they are when Karissa paddled several yards away to pick up some trash floating on the surface. It’s not just lip service; they truly care.

Response from Host

May 2021

We had so much fun getting to know you and your husband. I enjoyed talking bourbon with your him at the end of our adventure. We're so happy to hear you both had a great time. Thank you so much for all the kind words and taking his time to leave us a wonderful review! We look forward to seeing you both again next time. Safe travels. Scott &Karissa

masonandloganvlogsl

May 2021

This was my favorite day of our vacation. The kids (teenagers) loved it and we got a good workout. Scott was very friendly, entertaining and informative. We saw lots of wildlife, paddled through mangrove tunnels and had plenty of time to swim and collect shells at the most beautiful beach!

Response from Host

May 2021

We enjoyed having you all out kayaking with us. It was great getting to know you and your family. Thank you so much for all the kind words and taking the time to leave us a wonderful review! We look forward to seeing you again next time. Safe travels. Scott &Karissa