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 $39-$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.

G7259AUmirandas
3/17/2023 - TripAdvisor
This is an experience, not just a kayak trip Can’t rave enough about Scott and Karissa’s Island Kayak Tours!! My family and I have been booking them every year we come to St Pete’s. It is the highlight of every trip!
A must do!!
Van C
3/10/2023 - TripAdvisor
Fun, relaxing, and educational What an amazing day we had kayaking thanks to Scott and Karissa. Their good instruction and thoughtful preparation made our first ever kayaking trip just the first of many more to come. While we were novices at kayaking, we were also unfamiliar with the plant and animal life... read more read less
Renee Sutkay

3/08/2023 - Facebook
Amazing day! We saw a ton of wildlife, learned a lot and found a lot of sand dollars, alive and dead.
Ineedapaddling729
3/08/2023 - TripAdvisor
Love the mangroves Kayaking thru the mangroves was my favorite part. It was really interesting to see the wildlife as well and Scott was so knowledgeable about the area. I enjoyed learning about it all!
Terry D
3/07/2023 - Google
So glad I joined the kayaking tour with Scott, Karissa, and the rest of the folks who came. There is another kayaking tour in the area, but I wanted to support a local small business who may not have acquired drone photography as part of their marketing strategy! During the... read more read less
352AnnaD
3/06/2023 - TripAdvisor
Wonderful relaxing tour Scott was very personable and shared a lot of local history, information on the preserve and wildlife. He and Karissa adapted to the different skill levels of the kayakers, and everyone felt like they were included. We were lucky to see dolphins and enjoyed the cormorants fishing around the kayaks.
Bring... read more read less
347sandyk
1/29/2023 - TripAdvisor
Kayak trip! What a great kayak trip. We learned so much from Scott!!! Perfect amount of paddling and shell searching.
Jim H
1/19/2023 - TripAdvisor
Take this tour! For us, kayaking thru mangroves & understanding from Scott, our guide, how they’re formed was just the best! Scott and his wife Carissa, both grew up here and shared their deep knowledge of the area. Learning that the island we paddled to wasn’t even there 50 years ago... read more read less
David Blankinship
1/06/2023 - Google
Scott and his wife were absolutely amazing tour guides on the kayak tour that I took with my daughter this week. My daughter and I are proficient paddlers and we appreciated that fact that Scott was able to make the tour enjoyable for people of any ability level. He did... read more read less
blankind
1/04/2023 - TripAdvisor
Amazing kayak tour led by a local Scott and his wife were absolutely amazing tour guides on the kayak tour that I took with my daughter this week. My daughter and I are proficient paddlers and we appreciated that fact that Scott was able to make the tour enjoyable for people of any ability level. He did... read more read less
225melindab
1/01/2023 - TripAdvisor
Must to excursion Fantastic experience. Quality kayaks, great beginner lessons, beautiful area and knowledgeable tour guides. Highly recommend this excursion.
clester20
12/31/2022 - TripAdvisor
Beautiful sunset kayak tour with kids My daughters—ages 7, 11, and 15—and I did the 3 pm sunset tour last night, and it was such a great experience. The highlights were playing in the waves and shelling on Shell Key, and of course the mangrove tunnels. But that sunset was something to behold! I would recommend... read more read less
TLWTraveler
12/30/2022 - TripAdvisor
A great tour We had an amazing time on this trip! Kayaking through the mangroves was an unforgettable experience. We had plenty of time to wander around shell key and hunt for shells. Scott was a great guide and was very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. One of the best tours we’ve done!
PJFGA
12/29/2022 - TripAdvisor
Beautiful tour with knowledgeable guides This kayak tour was exactly what we were looking for. Serene and beautiful with knowledgeable guides. I’ve never kayaked in a mangrove and that was definitely a highlight. The time out of the kayak and on a beach for exploring and shell collecting was welcome after being in the kayak... read more read less
95barbaral
12/22/2022 - TripAdvisor
Natural, adventurous and educational Dolphins galore, herons, cormorants, and more, this is a very fun paddle of 1.5 miles each way but at a very doable pace..and you get to rest at the beautiful Shell Key.

Our $39-$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 $39 in fall & winter and $42 in spring & summer. 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

$39 in fall & winter

$42 in spring & summer

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 to watch our short video 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.