We had the option of stopping at Outback Key, and then going onto Shell key. I'm glad we stayed on the ferry and just went to Shell Key. It is guite the walk around the point of the island to get your beach umbrellas and chairs set up. (It took us abot 25 min to get settled). The we stayed for 3 more hours, before deciding that since we were all out liqueds (even though we'd brought a day cooler) we should head back on the next ferry. It was nice (for a person with a family and kids) to just have to set up in one location and have less transition drama. We did get a great variety of shells there, which is why we went. We sorted them at our hotel and ID'd them with a shell guide. Some people had nets they dipped into the sand just off the shore, to search for larger, unbroken ones. That would've been a good idea for my kids! There is a strong tide that runs parrellel to the beach. It is like a lazy river, but not very lazy. We thought it would be a good beach for snorkeling at, but it isn't, the current is too strong, especially for lighter adults, or kids. We actually had a better time snorkelling for shells off Archibald Beach. -Much safer for kids. It was nice to have the options of leaving at various times, depeinding on how the kids were doing. I'm glad we used these guys for a ferry trip out to a quieter beach.