- Rated #1 Nature & Outdoor Activity in the World by TripAdvisor!
- Tampa Bay
Enjoy a Clear Kayaking Adventure through the Shell Key Preserve; just outside of Tampa Bay & St. Pete Beach!
Quick Details
Embark on a Personalized Adventure on a private Kayak tour of Shell Key Preserve!
Our customizable tours offer a diverse array of experiences within this pristine ecosystem. Whether you seek an adventure focused on birdwatching, a paddle through incredible mangrove tunnels, or a serene exploration of secluded beaches, our private tours cater to your preferences. Glide through crystal-clear waters in a clear kayak, discovering the preserve’s hidden gems guided by expert, 5-star rated eco-tour guides. While paddling look out for dolphins, manatees, pelicans, and a myriad of marine life while immersing yourself in the picturesque mangroves, sandbars, and white sand beaches. With each tour option providing a unique perspective, there’s plenty to discover in a personalized and unforgettable 3-hour private adventure through Shell Key Preserve. Chances are that you’ll see a variety of wildlife, but sightings are random and not guaranteed.
Private tour options:
Mangrove Exploration Tour (high tide)
Experience the wonders of Shell Key Preserve during high tide, perfect for exploring the intricate mangrove tunnels and hidden pathways. Glide through beautiful waters, spotting diverse marine life while paddling near St. Pete Beach. Your clear kayak offers a window to the underwater world below as you navigate through mangrove islands and enjoy secluded beaches.
Highlights:
- Mangrove Discovery: Explore hidden pathways and tunnels during high tide, guided by expert tour leaders.
- Wildlife Encounters: Be on the lookout for dolphins, manatees, pelicans, crabs, and more amidst picturesque mangroves.
- Ecosystem Discovery: Learn about Shell Key Preserve’s ecosystems and wildlife from experienced eco-tour guides.
Shelling/Beach Expedition Tour (low tide)
Description: Join an expedition designed for low tide, ideal for shell collecting and beach exploration at Shell Key Preserve near St. Pete Beach. Discover the white sand beaches, sandbars, and the beauty of the preserve’s natural habitats. As the water recedes, uncover shells while enjoying the serene surroundings.
Highlights:
- Beach Exploration: Explore secluded beaches and sandbars during low tide, offering prime opportunities for shelling.
- Ecosystem Discovery: Learn about the shells, wildlife, and ecosystems found in Shell Key Preserve from experienced eco-tour guides.
- Scenic Break: Take a break at Shell Key to enjoy the views, collect shells, and capture memorable moments.
Child-Oriented Educational Kayaking Adventures
Introduce your family to an immersive outdoor educational experience in Shell Key Preserve. Dive into wildlife identification, marine biology, beach ecology, and more through engaging kayak tours designed for specific age groups. Explore estuaries, wildlife habitats, and shoreline features while fostering a deeper connection to nature.
Highlights:
- Expert-Led Learning: Led by an eco-tour guide with formal environmental education passionate about marine biology and conservation efforts.
- Scientific Exploration: Engage in civic data collection, wildlife spotting, and hands-on activities.
- Hands-On Experience: Engage in real-time learning about estuaries, marine life, and environmental conservation.
Sunset & Glow Experience
Delight in a picturesque sunset over Shell Key Preserve before embarking on an adventure illuminated by LED lights beneath your kayak. Paddle into the night, witnessing the preserve’s beauty under changing light conditions.
Highlights:
- Sunset Spectacle: Enjoy the sunset over mangroves and the Gulf of Mexico.
- Magical Night Paddle: Experience the transition from sunset to nighttime, observing marine life and the starlit sky.
- Guided Exploration: Navigate through the preserve with your knowledgeable tour guide leading the way and providing education about the local wildlife and ecosystems
Glow Tour Adventure
Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing nighttime journey with LED-lit clear kayaks. Discover the mysteries of Shell Key Preserve as your kayak lights up the waters, providing unique views of the marine environment.
Highlights:
- Nighttime Wonders: Hear the sounds of nature while observing marine life and the preserve’s serene ambiance.
- Mangrove Tunnel Exploration: Glide through hidden mangrove tunnels, surrounded by your kayak’s glow lights.
- Expert-Led Adventure: Follow your ecotour guide on an unforgettable nocturnal experience.
Birding Kayak Tour
Immerse yourself in a birding adventure amidst the stunning landscapes of Shell Key Preserve, navigating the crystal-clear waters near St. Pete Beach in a clear kayak. As you paddle along the mangroves and serene beaches, take in the breathtaking sights and keep your gaze skyward for an array of fascinating avian species.
Highlights:
- Seasonal Wonders: Spot the magnificent pink Roseate Spoonbills during summer and the majestic White Pelicans inhabiting the sandbars in winter.
- Year-round Delights: Encounter an array of birdlife, including cormorants, brown pelicans, and various coastal birds while exploring picturesque mangroves and sandbars. Chances are that you’ll see a variety of wildlife, but sightings are random and not guaranteed.
- Expert Insights: Learn about the diverse bird species and their habitats from our knowledgeable eco-tour guide, enhancing your bird watching experience.
- Guided Expedition: Your tour guide leads the way through mangrove islands, offering insights into the preserve’s ecosystems and the birds that call this area home.
We will contact you after you book to arrange a start time for your private tour.
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- Please sign your waivers before the tour (the link is in a separate email with the subject “Action required for your kayak tour”).
- Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time.
- The paddle will last up to 3 hours, and we’ll be happy to take pictures along the way.
- There is a $1.00 toll on your way to the launch site that is billed via toll-by-plate or SunPass.
- Dress appropriately for the temperature! Bathing suits or exercise-type clothes are welcome. During the winter months, we encourage you to bring a light jacket/windbreaker.
- Alcohol and pets are prohibited throughout Shell Key Preserve and on tour.
- You must provide a Coast Guard-approved life jacket for children under 30 pounds.
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For the safety of our guests, we have a weight limit of no more than 250 pounds per person AND a combined weight between paddlers totaling no more than 425 pounds. If the kayak rides too close to the surface of the water and is at risk of taking on water, our guides will restrict guests from paddling, in the interest of safety.
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- Yes, children are welcome on our daytime tours! For our nighttime glow tours, we only allow teens ages 12 and older.
- Children 6 and under are required by law to wear a life jacket at all times while on the water. We provide lifejackets for children that are above 30 pounds.
- We require children 30 pounds or under to bring their own Coast Guard approved life jacket as the size is very specific and safety is of utmost importance
- We require one adult per each child under age 12.
- We require two adults per each child 3 years old and under.
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Our tours are made for any skill levels to participate, we will have basic tips and tricks to help you maneuver the waterways. Some paddling may be considered intermediate but we try our best to paddle at a pace that is convenient for every paddler! We do require all guests to stay with the group. We also ask that all guests have upper body mobility and capacity to walk up and down steps to enter/exit kayaks.
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If Get Up And Go Kayaking cancels a trip due to inclement weather, you will receive a full refund or the option to reschedule.If you cancel your trip within 72 hours of the tour time, you will not be refunded or rescheduled unless you have purchased Trip Protection in advance. If you have purchased Trip Protection, you can cancel your tour by emailing or calling and leaving a message up to 12 hours prior to departure.If you cancel your trip more than 72 hours prior to the tour time, you can cancel, reschedule, or receive a full refund.If you do not arrive on time or are a no-show participant, you will be charged the full price of the tour. This includes showing up with fewer paddlers than the original amount booked for.If we change or cancel any tours due to circumstances beyond our control, Get Up and Go Kayaking will refund the tour price & fees, but not any other expenses that have been incurred.