Explore Shell Key by Kayak - Tours from $55

Hi, I’m Scott, owner and guide at Island Kayak Tours. Along with my partner, Karissa, we operate a local family-owned kayaking company where we always guide our own tours together. We are the only company with 2 guides for your safety and comfort. Our specialty is guided eco kayak adventures. We keep them affordable at $55 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. Let us share it with you. Come out and experience one of our favorite kayaking spots so we can give you a true Florida experience, something other kayak companies just can’t do. Get a sneak peek by checking out some of our photos and videos.
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 keep our groups small in order to give you the best, most personalized experience possible. Help us make kayaking with Island Kayak Tours one of the most popular things to do in the Tampa Bay area by booking your adventure now!
Jim Y
11/08/2026Perfect Day Kayaking Couldn't have had a better time. Perfect day, perfect condition, and Scott and Karissa couldn't have taken better care of us or been for fun to be with. We particularly liked the tour they took us on through the mangrove tunnels and the time they set aside for us to swim in the Gulf.
Matt B10/17/2026Great tour, we were very happy we went on it!
Karissa and Scott were knowledgeable and personable, they amplified the kayaking experience making it more entertaining and educational.
We toured the preserve, the mangroves and explored the beach (great place to find shells). We were out for 3.5 - 4 hours I believe.
I would recommend the tour to anyone visiting the area who wants an experience on the water and looking for a fun activity while enjoying and learning more about the surrounding nature, area and its history.
We thought that it was an exceptional value for a tour especially considering prices that you might otherwise pay just to rent a kayak.
Christy J.
8/14/2026We love this adventure for our family of five. We were traveling with our three adult children in their 20s. Everyone had a great time. Scott and his wife are amazing tour guides and we loved supporting this family run, small business. If you're going in the summer, go early to avoid the heat. It was the perfect combination of sightseeing and downtime at the beautiful shell
Key beach. Great adventure looking for shells and for spending time in the beautiful water, highly recommend.!
Stacy Hewitt
6/13/2026One of my favorite adventures I’ve ever done in Florida. Scott was so patient with my kids, super knowledgeable, and answered endless questions about what kind of shells or animals we found. Carissa was also very kind and patient with my kids and myself. We saw tons of wild life, and found some beautiful shells on shell island. I 1000% recommend this kayak tour to anyone that enjoys kayaking.

Fast Facts
1. Yes, it’s really just $55 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 convenience.
7. Our tour times vary from day to day, depending on the tide. Please tap the Book Now button or visit the tours page to see our schedule.
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.















































