Great tour! Scott and Karissa answer all your questions are funny and keep the pace reasonable.

Can't wait to bring the whole family on one of their tours! Thanks for a great afternoon!!!

We had a great trip with Scott.  He kept us well informed as the weather was a little suspect.  He told us it would clear and be great and it was.  Very knowledgeable, very friendly, great kayaking trip all the way around.

Tim and Holley

We were vacationing in Florida from Indiana. There were 3 couples (ages 62+).  Scott and Carissa gave a brief explanation on how to hold your paddle before we took off.  They both gave great explanations on local wildlife.  First we went through the mangroves and saw several different kinds of... read moreWe were vacationing in Florida from Indiana. There were 3 couples (ages 62+).  Scott and Carissa gave a brief explanation on how to hold your paddle before we took off.  They both gave great explanations on local wildlife.  First we went through the mangroves and saw several different kinds of birds.  It was a great experience. Next we paddled to a uninhabited shell  island. We found LOTS of big shells and as many sand dollars as you could hold!  We all had a great time and plan on going back next year. Scott and Carissa did a great job! read less

Scott and Clarissa were fantastic guides on such a beautiful adventure! They had answers to all our questions and filled the 2.5 hours with countless interesting facts. Paddling through the mangrove tunnels and watching the sunset over the water was the highlight of our trip to Florida. I can't recommend... read moreScott and Clarissa were fantastic guides on such a beautiful adventure! They had answers to all our questions and filled the 2.5 hours with countless interesting facts. Paddling through the mangrove tunnels and watching the sunset over the water was the highlight of our trip to Florida. I can't recommend Island Kayak Tours enough! read less

Ya'll, Scott and his tour is awesome! It was just the right amount of Kayaking for this inexperienced bunch! We had all age ranges in our party and everyone survived! Also, the Kayaks are very open and roomy! The kids had a blast collecting seashells on shell island. Make sure... read moreYa'll, Scott and his tour is awesome! It was just the right amount of Kayaking for this inexperienced bunch! We had all age ranges in our party and everyone survived! Also, the Kayaks are very open and roomy! The kids had a blast collecting seashells on shell island. Make sure to bring a bag or bucket to put them in! Scott and his wife are very knowledgable in the wildlife, shells and sea-life. We saw 2 different types of Pelicans (the white ones I had never seen before) crabs, horseshoe crabs, and best of all... DOLPHINS!! The sunset couldn't have been prettier! This trip was worth EVERY PENNY! Thank you for the wonderful memories! Our kids are still talking about it! read less

Awesome experience!

We cannot recommend Scott and his tours enough. We did our second tour with him and both were wonderful.

Everyone in our party absolutely enjoyed it.

He and and his wife are great people that know everything about the area.

Scott did a great job with the group and it was very very good tour...we absolutely enjoyed it. We had a 3 year old with us and Scott/Clarissa made sure everybody was safe the entire trip and being able to watch dolphins jump 20 feet in the channel was amazing.... read moreScott did a great job with the group and it was very very good tour...we absolutely enjoyed it. We had a 3 year old with us and Scott/Clarissa made sure everybody was safe the entire trip and being able to watch dolphins jump 20 feet in the channel was amazing.

Highly recommend this tour. read less

Scott and Carissa were amazing tour guides.  I was particularly impressed by their love for nature and how much they enjoyed doing the tour.  They grew up in the area and know everything about it.  What was most impressive is the serenity of the area as we were the only... read moreScott and Carissa were amazing tour guides.  I was particularly impressed by their love for nature and how much they enjoyed doing the tour.  They grew up in the area and know everything about it.  What was most impressive is the serenity of the area as we were the only ones there - kayaking and swimming off what seemed like a private island.  

We had no kayaking experience and went with 3 young kids.  Scott put us into tandem kayaks which worked really well.  He was incredibly patient and accommodating to little kids.

This was the highlight of our Florida vacation and I would highly recommend this trip especially if you're after something off the beaten path and not touristy. read less

Our family was looking specifically for an "eco kayak tour" after having enjoyed them on other vacations. We called Island Kayak Tours and spoke to Carissa who was very welcoming over the phone.  They had availability for their next tour and it lined up with our day's plans so we... read moreOur family was looking specifically for an "eco kayak tour" after having enjoyed them on other vacations. We called Island Kayak Tours and spoke to Carissa who was very welcoming over the phone.  They had availability for their next tour and it lined up with our day's plans so we booked it.  How fortuitous a decision! 

We arrived at the launch site which sits just off the road in a grassy area so it is very easy to spot and no worries about driving your rental car over.  The kayaks were right there and the water only six feet away.  Our guide was tour owner and operator, Scott, who immediately made everyone feel welcome.  He is quick to smile, crack a joke and tell you all about the history and nature of Shell Key Preserve.  Our tour had three families totaling thirteen paddlers spread amongst single and tandem kayaks.

After a mandatory safety review and paddle how-to, we were off and away.  The pace was leisurely and folks were free to spread out and enjoy the scenery.  Sea birds swam along side our boats and scored fish that were spooked by our presence.  All the while Scott is sharing stories, reciting facts and checking in with all members of our tour group.  "How is everyone doing?" "Are you having a good time?" "Are there any questions?"  Carissa was in the back of the group to help any stragglers and as a second set of of eyes and ears in case of an emergency.

After a twenty minute paddle across calm water we entered our first of three mangroves; talk about freaky.  Scott said is was like entering a swamp from Yoda' planet Dagobah and he isn't far off.  The stench of decaying plant matter, the grotesque tree roots and tree crabs all make for a surreal experience.  That was a first for me and really cool.  Everyone made it through and no one freaked out so we continued on. 

The next highlight was a sandy beach/channel that was created by Hurricane Irma.  We paddled up and saw a mother and baby dolphin frolicking in the water and beached our boats and jumped in the water.  The pull of the tide made swimming in the water almost like a water park ride.  I learned about the "stingray shuffle" and saw the brown pelican perch.  This was a tranquil and relaxing stop.

After hopping back into the kayaks we went through another mangrove and paddled to a second beach for more swimming and relaxing.  The final stretch of paddling brought is back to the launch.  Scott even took a group photo for us and texted it free of charge.  All in all our trip lasted almost three hours.  Everyone in our group was grinning from ear to ear.  The trip lasted the right amount of time, the pace was comfortable and the mix of sun, fun, and facts was spot on IMHO.

TIL: The best eco kayak tour in the St Pete Beach area is Island Kayak Tours and the top guides/operators are Scott and Carissa. read less

We were looking for something adventurous to do in the St. Pete Beach area last minute. Instantly came across Island Kayak tours and was amazed by the five star reviews left - and now I know what everyone was raving about! Here's why you should do the tour:

1. You'll see... read moreWe were looking for something adventurous to do in the St. Pete Beach area last minute. Instantly came across Island Kayak tours and was amazed by the five star reviews left - and now I know what everyone was raving about! Here's why you should do the tour:

1. You'll see the area from a perspective you just can't get from staying on the beach - we saw dolphins, fish, birds and paddled out to sand bars and through mangrove tunnels.

2. Scott is amazing. He is one of the few locals you'll find in this touristy area and has so many great stories and knowledge of not just wildlife - but the area as well. Very energetic and caring guide! Not to mention, he is extremely responsive and answered all my questions within minutes via text at the last minute. I appreciate that before booking, he was honest and not pushy.

3. The price is right - $25. That's less than some kayak or paddleboard rentals alone. That's basically how much a buffet breakfast will cost you.

This was a highlight of our trip. So glad we decided to do a tour with Scott - we experienced things we wouldn't have seen if we just went at it on our own! read less

We had a wonderful time on our tour!!

Pros:

-Scott was a super knowledgeable guide

-beautiful scenery!! Mangrove tunnels, wildlife and seashell island were beautiful!

-our 5 year old did a tandem kayak with my husband and loved it! Scott was so kind and patient with the kids.

-price is super reasonable.

Cons:

-none. It was... read moreWe had a wonderful time on our tour!!

Pros:

-Scott was a super knowledgeable guide

-beautiful scenery!! Mangrove tunnels, wildlife and seashell island were beautiful!

-our 5 year old did a tandem kayak with my husband and loved it! Scott was so kind and patient with the kids.

-price is super reasonable.

Cons:

-none. It was really fabulous!! read less

Look no further, this is the place to go kayaking.  Great local knowledge and they answered all of our questions about the area, fish, mangroves etc.  We would do it again.  Also, the price is right.

Look no further, this is the place to go kayaking.  Great local knowledge and they answered all of our questions about the area, fish, mangroves etc.  We would do it again.  Also, the price is right.

Found Island Kayak Tours on Yelp around 830 on a Monday morning. Saw one excellent review then noticed seven more reviews that weren't recommended. Clicked and all those were excellent too. Not sure why they aren't all recommended because they were all spot on and inspired me to call to... read moreFound Island Kayak Tours on Yelp around 830 on a Monday morning. Saw one excellent review then noticed seven more reviews that weren't recommended. Clicked and all those were excellent too. Not sure why they aren't all recommended because they were all spot on and inspired me to call to see if they had any Monday tours. They had a tunnel tour starting in 30 minutes! Let's go!

We met up on a public roadside where some people and other outfitters were putting into the water. Scott got us hooked up and off we went. It was beautiful from the start. Scott told us about all the wildlife. This area is sacred for him as he's been coming to the Shell Key Preserve since he was five. Tons of knowledge. He was able to answer every question I had.

The mangroves were sweet to kayak through. The sun sparkled through holes in the canopy and it was cool to learn how nature was at work all around us.

We stopped at a beach and hung out for a while at the halfway point. My wife found a whole sand dollar for the first time ever. Dreams came true that day.

I highly recommend their service. Call them now. read less

Found Island Kayak Tours on Yelp around 830 on a Monday morning. Saw one excellent review then noticed seven more reviews that weren't recommended. Clicked and all those were excellent too. Not sure why they aren't all recommended because they were all spot on and inspired me to call to... read moreFound Island Kayak Tours on Yelp around 830 on a Monday morning. Saw one excellent review then noticed seven more reviews that weren't recommended. Clicked and all those were excellent too. Not sure why they aren't all recommended because they were all spot on and inspired me to call to see if they had any Monday tours. They had a tunnel tour starting in 30 minutes! Let's go!

We met up on a public roadside where some people and other outfitters were putting into the water. Scott got us hooked up and off we went. It was beautiful from the start. Scott told us about all the wildlife. This area is sacred for him as he's been coming to the Shell Key Preserve since he was five. Tons of knowledge. He was able to answer every question I had.

The mangroves were sweet to kayak through. The sun sparkled through holes in the canopy and it was cool to learn how nature was at work all around us.

We stopped at a beach and hung out for a while at the halfway point. My wife found a whole sand dollar for the first time ever. Dreams came true that day.

I highly recommend their service. Call them now. read less