Our kayak trip with Island Kayak Tours was amazing today! We are a family of 5, all teenagers (17, 15, and 14), and we all loved it! Scott and Carissa were great guides. Both friendly, and Scott shared so much information about the area and wildlife..... yet allowed us to... read moreOur kayak trip with Island Kayak Tours was amazing today! We are a family of 5, all teenagers (17, 15, and 14), and we all loved it! Scott and Carissa were great guides. Both friendly, and Scott shared so much information about the area and wildlife..... yet allowed us to enjoy and take it all in at the same time. We saw a dolphin who swam right near us and around my husband's kayak. This was our highlight, but also enjoyed the pelicans, sea shell island, hermit crab,  various birds, horse shoe crab, and different scenery the entire loop. BEST FAMILY DAY EVER.... and much of what made it so enjoyable was the tone Scott sets from the very beginning. The kayaks were also very comfortable. We can't thank you enough! We would recommend this to all skill levels. read less

Hands down, best water tour/excursion I've ever done.  My friend was visiting St. Pete for the first time and she said this was the highlight of her trip.  I look forward to bringing other friends and family on the 50/50 Nature tour in the future.  Luckily for me, I live... read moreHands down, best water tour/excursion I've ever done.  My friend was visiting St. Pete for the first time and she said this was the highlight of her trip.  I look forward to bringing other friends and family on the 50/50 Nature tour in the future.  Luckily for me, I live here and can go again soon - which I definitely plan to do!! read less

Scott's tour by far was the highlight of my entire Florida experience. Hearing him talk about how the area has changed over the years was really cool and his knowledge of the wildlife in the area was exceptional. Shell key was breathtaking and true to the name there was an... read moreScott's tour by far was the highlight of my entire Florida experience. Hearing him talk about how the area has changed over the years was really cool and his knowledge of the wildlife in the area was exceptional. Shell key was breathtaking and true to the name there was an abundance of large gorgeous shells and sand dollars. The beach easily rivals many of the Bahamas beaches! High highly highly recommend his kayak tours. read less

Booked this tour after finding it online. Scott was great! He's a local who grew up here so really knows his stuff! We did the Nature 50/50 tour. You start just outside Fort de Soto, and kayak through mangroves tunnels. You end up on a beautiful island where everyone just... read moreBooked this tour after finding it online. Scott was great! He's a local who grew up here so really knows his stuff! We did the Nature 50/50 tour. You start just outside Fort de Soto, and kayak through mangroves tunnels. You end up on a beautiful island where everyone just explored on their own, and then kayak back. Super relaxing yet adventurous at the same time. He makes everyone feel comfortable no matter what your experience with kayaking is. The kicker is the price. It's $25/person and we were out for 3-3.5 hours! You can not beat this price for how great he is and relaxing the tour is! Make sure you pack water and sunscreen! I plan on bringing all my family/friends who visit me to his tour! read less

Our first kayaking experience we wanted a tour as opposed to going alone. We picked 50/50 tour with Island Kayaking.  Best choice ever.  Scott and Karissa were so informative and knowledgeable about the preserve they took us through.   I enjoyed the mangroves and open waters we went to in... read moreOur first kayaking experience we wanted a tour as opposed to going alone. We picked 50/50 tour with Island Kayaking.  Best choice ever.  Scott and Karissa were so informative and knowledgeable about the preserve they took us through.   I enjoyed the mangroves and open waters we went to in the preserve.  Stopped at shell key island for a swim. It was about 3 hours and I would definitely highly recommend them over any others.  Price is right and well worth it.  I can't wait to go again. Thank you Scott and Karissa for your hospitality.  So helpful and patient with all ages.  Cheryl read less

We just returned from a kayak tour with Scott and his wife. We had an awesome time! There were 10 of us...and we all had a great time! We saw starfish, a hermit crab, horseshoe crabs, and even a glimpse of dolphin while in the water. It was so much... read moreWe just returned from a kayak tour with Scott and his wife. We had an awesome time! There were 10 of us...and we all had a great time! We saw starfish, a hermit crab, horseshoe crabs, and even a glimpse of dolphin while in the water. It was so much fun, I will definitely be returning in the fall with the hubs for the sunset tour! 🙂 Oh, and my son Jared said thanks for all your insight Scott! read less

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