Private Shell Key Clear Kayak Tour

A private tour gives your group exclusive access to a dedicated guide for the full 3 hours — no other guests join your kayak. You also get to choose your tour style based on the tidal conditions and your interests, making the experience truly personalized. Whether you want to focus on birding, shelling, mangrove exploration, or an evening glow paddle, your guide will tailor the experience to your group.

Absolutely — private tours are a popular choice for birthdays, anniversaries, bachelorette parties, family reunions, and corporate outings. After booking, the team will contact you to coordinate your start time and tour style.

After you book, the team will reach out to arrange your start time and discuss which tour option fits your group and the day's tidal conditions. Tide levels affect which routes and experiences are best — your guide will help you make the right choice.

Yes — the Child-Oriented Educational Kayak Adventure is designed specifically for families with children. The guide incorporates age-appropriate learning about marine biology, beach ecology, and wildlife identification, with hands-on activities and civic science data collection. This is an excellent option for school groups, homeschool families, or any family wanting a meaningful and educational outdoor experience.

Yes! You don't need to be an avid birder to enjoy the Birding Tour. Your guide will help you identify species and explain what makes each bird unique — it's a great way to develop a new appreciation for coastal wildlife. As several guest reviews have noted, many first-time birders leave with a newfound passion for bird identification.

Private tours accommodate up to 8 guests.

Yes, every tour is led by an experienced, highly educated eco-guide. Guides hold degrees and certifications in fields including Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Biology, Marine Science, and Wildlife Conservation. Many hold Florida Master Naturalist or Florida Coastal Naturalist certifications. All manatee-oriented guides are Guardian Guide certified by Save the Manatee Club.

No prior kayaking experience is necessary — tours are designed for all skill levels. Your guide will provide basic paddling tips and tricks before you set off. Guests should have upper-body mobility and be able to walk up and down steps to enter and exit the kayaks.

The weight limit is 250 lbs (113 kg) per person and no more than 425 lbs (193 kg) per boat (two paddlers combined). These limits are set by the kayak manufacturer and cannot be exceeded for safety reasons.

All kayaks are tandem (two paddlers). Seats are removable, so solo paddling can be accommodated for groups with an odd number of participants — the same 250 lb (113 kg) per-person limit still applies.

Pets are prohibited throughout Shell Key Preserve by order of Pinellas County Government. Guests traveling with a service animal should contact the team directly prior to booking.

Prohibited items include disposable containers (cans, plastic, glass, foam, paper), alcoholic beverages, oil-based sunscreens and lotions, tobacco products, and audio speakers.

Shell Key Preserve is home to a remarkable variety of coastal wildlife. Year-round, you may encounter dolphins, cormorants, brown pelicans, and a range of fish and marine invertebrates. In summer, look out for manatees and the striking pink Roseate Spoonbill. Winter brings White Pelicans to the sandbars. Stingrays, crabs, and sea turtles are also spotted regularly. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but guides are trained to spot and identify as much as possible on every tour.

Yes. You will receive a separate email with a link to complete your waiver (subject: 'Action required for your kayak tour'). Please sign before arriving to save time on the day of your tour.

Yes — the team is passionate about the environment and conservation, donating a portion of proceeds to Florida Land & Springs Conservation. Guides are trained in responsible wildlife viewing, particularly regarding manatees (Guardian Guide certified by Save the Manatee Club).

Shell Key Preserve is beautiful year-round! Summer tours offer the best chance of spotting manatees and Roseate Spoonbills, while winter brings White Pelicans. Dolphins and cormorants are present throughout the year. Evening and nighttime tours offer a completely different experience — see the Glow Tour listing for more details.