Come kayaking with us at Shell Key Preserve in St. Pete Florida!
Hi, I’m Scott, owner and guide at Island Kayak Adventures. We are a
local family-owned kayaking company where you are always talking to an owner. We specialize in guided eco kayak adventures, and keep our tours affordable, at $42 per person, because we believe in the pay it forward philosophy. Growing up here in St. Petersburg has given me a lifetime of experience and knowledge in Shell Key Preserve. This has allowed me the opportunity to find all the best kayaking spots to give you a true Florida experience, something other kayak companies just can’t do. I started this kayaking company to share these places with you.
We launch from a public launch site in Tierra Verde, Florida, centrally located approximately 15 minutes from downtown St. Petersburg, and 10 minutes from St. Pete Beach. We combine the highest quality single & tandem sit inside kayaks, PFDs, and paddles with the best price for an experience that is second to none. We keep our groups small in order to give you the best, most personalized experience possible. Our goal is to share the natural beauty of the preserve with you in a safe and environmentally friendly way, just as we have for years. Help us make kayaking with Island Kayak Adventures one of the most popular things to do in the Tampa Bay area.
Come on out, make some new friends, and let us show you around this hidden gem! Get a sneak peek by checking out some of our photos.
- Chris G12/03/2023 - TripAdvisorUnforgettably wonderful experience All these positive reviews are certainly well-earned. Scott and Karissa, both so warm and personable, combine to deliver one of the most enjoyable, entertaining, educational experiences we've ever had. First, not that there should be anything to worry about out there, they are totally dedicated to your safety.... read moreAll these positive reviews are certainly well-earned. Scott and Karissa, both so warm and personable, combine to deliver one of the most enjoyable, entertaining, educational experiences we've ever had. First, not that there should be anything to worry about out there, they are totally dedicated to your safety. Once underway, the fun begins. From his earliest memory Scott has been exploring these islands and his knowledge about them and its natural inhabitants, which he takes great pleasure in sharing, is seemingly bottomless. He's a natural storyteller and teacher, the kind you wish you had in school. Karissa was a perfect partner helping people appreciate the incredible natural setting surrounding them. We did not bring cameras so she generously sent us some of the amazing pictures she had taken. All in all, a thoroughly wonderful afternoon on the water . read less
- Beth S11/20/2023 - TripAdvisorHighly recommend. This was a wonderful casual relaxing kayak trip. Our kids (9 and 11) enjoyed all the wildlife, mangroves, finding lots of shells, dolphins, and a rare kid and mom mantee right near our kayaks. Scott very knowledgeable and Kristina were great guides. Would highly recommend.
- Andrea J11/09/2023 - TripAdvisorBest part of our trip! Booked this kayak tour on a whim for our last day of vacation and it ended up being our favorite part of the whole trip! Scott and Karissa are so friendly and have extensive knowledge of the area, the wildlife and the vegetation. We love wildlife and were excited to... read moreBooked this kayak tour on a whim for our last day of vacation and it ended up being our favorite part of the whole trip! Scott and Karissa are so friendly and have extensive knowledge of the area, the wildlife and the vegetation. We love wildlife and were excited to be able to see things up close in their natural habitat. Scott and Karissa are very respectful of the animals and their habitat and will guide you in observing without being invasive. The mangrove tunnels are incredible and they also took us to the most beautiful beach on Shell Key. We even saw dolphins which is one thing I was really hoping for! Overall the tour was amazing and I wish we could have stayed out all day! read less
- Dallas A10/30/2023 - TripAdvisorA REALLY GREAT TIME! This was such a fun experience! Scott and Karissa couldn’t have been nicer. Starting with the fact that we were not good at following directions on how to get to the meeting site (directions were perfectly clear but the following of them was not ). But Scott was super nice... read moreThis was such a fun experience! Scott and Karissa couldn’t have been nicer. Starting with the fact that we were not good at following directions on how to get to the meeting site (directions were perfectly clear but the following of them was not ). But Scott was super nice and understanding, and thankfully we were only 10 minutes late. There was one other couple, plus Scott and Karissa, so six of us total which was a nice size group. We kayaked further than I ever would have imagined we would, and it was quite a workout (but a good one)! Scott was a terrific kayak captain and kept us entertained with personal stories as well as historical facts about the area we were exploring. Loved all the cormorants that kept us company the entire time (except when we traversed through the mangroves) and they were so fun to watch diving for fish right beside our kayaks. Saw some pelicans and ibises too. Then we stopped at Shell Island and spent at least 30 min there walking the beach, enjoying the beautiful blue-green water, and hunting for shells. A few dolphin were spotted frolicking far off in the distance. And I found three perfect, unbroken, small sand dollars! Highly recommend this fantastic kayak adventure! read less
- 800jeffp10/21/2023 - TripAdvisorA great adventure kayaking and shelling! We had a spectacular time! Just the right balance on the water and walking around Shell Key. Scott adds his personal experiences from growing up in the area along with his knowledge of the wildlife. This is a great trip for all ages and skill levels. I did... read moreWe had a spectacular time! Just the right balance on the water and walking around Shell Key. Scott adds his personal experiences from growing up in the area along with his knowledge of the wildlife. This is a great trip for all ages and skill levels. I did the same tour 5 years ago with them at a different time of year so this was a different experience and will probably come back again in a few more years. Thanks! read less
- Abbie M10/14/2023 - TripAdvisorFun kayaking adventure We were in town for a family wedding and wanted to get outside and enjoy the ST Pete areas natural resources. This trip gave us that and more. We got lots of time on the water and got to enjoy exploring a quiet, remote island. Scott is a wealth of... read moreWe were in town for a family wedding and wanted to get outside and enjoy the ST Pete areas natural resources. This trip gave us that and more. We got lots of time on the water and got to enjoy exploring a quiet, remote island. Scott is a wealth of knowledge about the ecosystem, so we learned so much about the plants, fish, bird and animals. Would love to do it again. read less
- ymagyn8/25/2023 - TripAdvisorYou Will Not be Disappointed What a lovely day! Three hours flew by, there was so much to see! Scott was amazing and full of local knowledge that made the experience one of a kind. I highly recommend this kayak adventure that is as family friendly as it is educational! ... read moreWhat a lovely day! Three hours flew by, there was so much to see! Scott was amazing and full of local knowledge that made the experience one of a kind. I highly recommend this kayak adventure that is as family friendly as it is educational! If you're looking for a dolphin experience, we saw three! Shell Island was beautiful and the water was a blue/green that lives up to expectation. I highly recommend.
Billie & Sydney read less - jessicalT2712RZ7/28/2023 - TripAdvisorThis Kayak Tour is a Must! What a great time! We were in town from Jacksonville for a conference and I decided to take my 6 and 8 year olds on this tour. Everything was top notch from start to finish. Scott and his wife, Krista (sp?) got us all set up in the triple kayak... read moreWhat a great time! We were in town from Jacksonville for a conference and I decided to take my 6 and 8 year olds on this tour. Everything was top notch from start to finish. Scott and his wife, Krista (sp?) got us all set up in the triple kayak and gave great instructions on how to maneuver it (first time kayaker here). Scott was so knowledgable on the area and the wildlife. We saw dolphins, native birds, crabs, lots of shell dwellers and he knew so many things about them. I’ve lived in Florida for 30 years and didn’t know half of what he talked about- so informative! It was definitely a workout so be prepared for that. But there were a multitude of different ability levels and Scott and Krista made sure everyone was able to go at their own pace. I can’t recommend this tour enough. Learned a lot and it was a great day on the water. read less
- Nichole N Adam Fuhrman7/14/2023 - FacebookToday we went out on a kayak tour with Scott and karissa….. the 5 of us, had the best time ever. We did the 50/50 tour which was perfect for having kids. Scott was full of so much knowledge to share about the area. He showed us some cool creatures... read moreToday we went out on a kayak tour with Scott and karissa….. the 5 of us, had the best time ever. We did the 50/50 tour which was perfect for having kids. Scott was full of so much knowledge to share about the area. He showed us some cool creatures too. We can’t forget about karissa. Sweetest lady ever! She was right there to answer my questions and show us some cool fish in the water. My kids haven’t stopped talking about the encounter with the dolphins and manatees today. Thank you both and we look forward to next time. read less



Our $42 50/50 Shell Key Tour adventure does not require any experience. Tours last approximately 3 hours. We provide all necessary equipment and paddle instructions if needed. Please book your reservation in advance as space is limited.
Our $42 50/50 Shell Key Tour adventure does not require any experience. Tours last approximately 3 hours. We provide all necessary equipment and paddle instructions if needed. Keep in mind our adventures 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. Please book your reservation in advance as space is limited. Call or text (727) 490-8211 to schedule your adventure.



Fast Facts
1. Yes, it’s really just $42 per person. We enjoy making our tours affordable for everyone.
2. No experience is necessary. Our tours are perfect for both first-timers and advanced kayakers. An easy to follow paddle instruction is provided.
3. We provide all necessary equipment, including kayak, paddle, life jacket, and signaling device.
4. All of our kayaks are high quality, comfortable, stable, sit inside kayaks with back rests.
5. We have both tandem (double) and single kayaks. Our tandem kayaks hold a combined weight of 600 pounds and our single kayaks are suitable for guests up to 275 pounds.
6. We have two guides on each tour for your safety, comfort, and convience.
7. Our tour times vary from day to day, depending on the tide.
8. Reservations are required. Contact us in advance to secure your spot. If we must cancel your tour due to bad weather, you will have the option to reschedule or immediately receive a full refund.
9. There are multiple ways to contact us. You can call, text, or email us directly, or message us through Facebook Messenger.



50/50 Shell Key Tour
- $42 per person
- approximately 3 hours
The 50/50 Shell Key Tour is 50% kayaking, 50% nature, and 100% ideal for people who want it all. You get an expert guide to show you through the mangrove tunnels (tide permitting) and time your adventure just right to give you the best possible chance at seeing dolphins & manatees who only visit the area at certain times of the day. You also get time to explore Shell Key, whether that means shelling, swimming, snorkeling, or simply enjoying the view. It’s truly the best of both worlds!
Visit our photos page for a more visual description of what we offer and to see pictures from some of our past kayaking adventures.



Why We Do What We Do
Here is a little backstory on me…I grew up in Pinellas County, and have been boating, fishing, and kayaking at Shell Key Preserve since I was a kid. Much of the county has been developed and built up, but the natural beauty and slow pace of the preserve have stayed the same. My mission is to share this beautiful ecosystem with you at a price that anyone can afford because I enjoy sharing the Florida I grew up with and making new friends. I look forward to giving you the best kayaking adventure in the Tampa Bay area.