- 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!
Enjoy a Clear Kayaking Adventure through the Shell Key Preserve; just outside of Tampa Bay & St. Pete Beach!
Kayak at night on a glow tour and illuminate the water below. Enjoy a unique nighttime tour while your color-changing, waterproof LED lights illuminate the waters below your 100% clear kayak.
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.
Take an adventure through Shell Key Preserve in a completely clear kayak in the Tampa Bay area!
At Shell Key Preserve, you’ll paddle along mangroves, enjoy white sand beaches and sandbars, and search for incredible wildlife. Depending on the time of year, we see a variety of wildlife. In the summer months, keep your eyes peeled for a manatee or the beautiful pink Roseate Spoonbills. During the winter months, White Pelicans call the sandbars of Shell Key Preserve their home! Throughout the year, dolphins frolic in the crystal-clear waters of the preserve, and cormorants love to paddle alongside our tours. Even though we love showing our guests the wildlife within the preserve. Sightings are random and not guaranteed. Our Shell Key Preserve Clear Kayaks Tours take place in Tierra Verde, FL, right near St Pete Beach.
We also offer an evening Glow Tour of Shell Key Preserve. Our glow tours a unique nighttime adventure where you paddle through the preserve while our color-changing, waterproof LED lights illuminate the waters below your clear kayak.
Located near St. Pete Beach, Florida, Shell Key Preserve offers a serene escape surrounded by the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Accessible only by boat or kayak, Shell Key Preserve is a hidden gem for those seeking a peaceful retreat. With its pristine beaches and mangrove-lined waterways, Shell Key Preserve provides a perfect backdrop for relaxation and exploration.
Shell Key Preserve boasts over 1,800 acres of untouched natural beauty, making it a popular destination for eco-conscious travelers. Its expansive sandy shores are renowned for their abundance of seashells, attracting beachcombers and nature enthusiasts alike. As a barrier island, Shell Key Preserve presents an unspoiled environment ideal for wildlife observation and outdoor activities.
Exploring the waters surrounding Shell Key Preserve reveals a vibrant ecosystem teeming with marine life. Clear channels meander through lush mangroves, offering opportunities for kayaking and boating adventures. Encounter playful dolphins, look for different species of birds, and keep your eyes peeled for a variety of fish as you immerse yourself in the pristine coastal environment of Shell Key Preserve.
With over 9,000 five-star reviews, Get Up And Go Kayaking – Shell Key Preserve is rated the #1 Nature & Outdoor Activity in the world by TripAdvisor!
We’re passionate about the outdoors and conservation! We believe in being good stewards of the environment, which is why we donate to Florida Land & Springs Conservation.
Our max group size is 10 paddlers – the perfect size to hear our guides and enjoy conversations along the way. (Larger private parties may be available upon request)
Soak up the sights – and some knowledge! Learn unique facts along the paddle about the local waterways, wildlife, and more from our awesome local guides.
Don’t let a normal kayak hinder your view! Our clear kayaks are the absolute best way to view the surroundings, and there are plenty of opportunities to snag some Reels or videos for TikTok!
Booking a tour with us gets you guaranteed access to the Shell Key Preserve, which is only accessible by water! By booking ahead, you’ll guarantee your spot on the tour.
Collect the exclusive Shell Key Preserve sticker on the day of your tour from your guide! Collecting more location stickers can unlock some great rewards. Learn more about our loyalty program HERE!
Our passion for the environment meets your adventure on the water! Explore the pristine beauty of Shell Key Preserve with our team of expert eco-tour guides who are the heart and soul of our five-star rated kayak tours. We pride ourselves on our highly educated and knowledgeable guides, each with their unique background and expertise. Our dedicated team members are committed to making your kayak tour an unforgettable experience.
With over 9,000 five-star reviews, our guides are not just experts—they’re storytellers, educators, and nature enthusiasts who are dedicated to ensuring you have the experience of a lifetime. From sharing fascinating facts about local flora and fauna to leading you through serene waterways, our guides are committed to creating memories that last a lifetime.
Join us at Get Up and Go Kayaking for a clear kayak tour like no other. Book your adventure today and let our incredible guides show you the beauty of Shell Key Preserve from a whole new perspective.
Jenna holds her degrees in environmental science and business marketing! She holds certifications in boater safety, high ropers, and belaying! She has experience working with Florida Fish and Wildlife educating others about the environment! Her favorite thing about giving kayak tours is seeing people get out of their comfort zones and thrive in the open water! She loves the reactions people have when she teaches them something about the plants and animals around them (especially when cormorants follow our boats)! A fun fact about Jenna: she loves backpacking and has completed 1,000 miles of the Appalachian trail thus far.
Chris holds his degree in graphic design and began studying environmental science as well! He is a south Florida native who is absolutely in love with this tropical paradise he calls home. He loves that Shell Key Preserve is an ever-changing educational platform for both himself and our guests. He is naturally inquisitive, awed, surprised, and inspired by what he encounters on his tours. He truly enjoys seeing the excitement, smiles, and laughter his guests experience when they are introduced to the amazing environmental aspects and habitats of the area! Fun fact about Chris: he is a certified yoga instructor and avid runner!
Alessia’s passion for the environment took hold in her environmental science high school magnet program (JERFSA)! She now holds her degree in Biology from Florida Gulf Coast University! She has a love for traveling and has done study abroad research in Ecuador, San Salvador Bahamas, and Ghana. After two years of guiding on Captiva Island, she has continued her passion here on Shell Key to share the wonders of these ecosystems with tourists and especially locals! Her favorite part of giving tours is getting to take people past the surface level of what catches their eye and show them how vibrant even a “quiet” day can be! Fun fact about Alessia is that she is a shell fanatic!
Raven is currently studying environmental studies at the University of Tampa! She has experience conducting research on endangered species in the Bahamas! Her favorite thing about giving kayak tours is that each is unique, and she is always finding different wildlife each trip! A fun fact about Raven: she is an avid birder!
El holds their bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies & Literature and their master’s degree in Wildlife Conservation and Management! They have experience volunteering with the Manatee Observation & Education Center in Ft. Pierce and Audubon St. Petersburg performing data collection and providing public education on manatees and Black Skimmers. Their favorite thing about working with Get Up and Go Tampa Bay is continuing to share their environmental knowledge with the guides and the public through social media! One fun fact about El is that it’s on their bucket list to paddle every Get Up & Go location!
Grace graduated from Eckerd College with a degree in Marine Science. She is passionate about public outreach and marine conservation. Her favorite thing about giving kayak tours is being able to spend her days immersed in nature educating guests on the unique ecosystems within Shell Key Preserve. Fun fact: she has swam with many different species of sharks including bull sharks, great hammerheads, black tip reef sharks, and Caribbean reef sharks.
Ben holds his degree in Biology! He has experience as an environmental educator and reptilian caretaker with Gatorland! He is also scuba certified! His favorite thing about giving kayak tours is seeing guests get excited about the wildlife they see! A fun fact about Ben is that he has been an avid skier since the age of 5!
Jada is currently studying Marine Biology at University of South Florida! She is passionate about scuba diving and hopes to make it to Australia to contribute to research for conservation of the GBR and coral reefs globally! Her favorite thing about giving kayak tours is seeing people interact with wildlife and sharing the excitement with them when they spot something! A fun fact about Jada is that she is originally from West Virginia and loves to snow board!
Tatiana has her degree in Environmental Studies! She has experience as a sea turtle biologist in Costa Rica and has also led kayaking tours in Captiva, Florida! Her favorite thing about giving kayak tours is being able to show people what a vibrant and biodiverse coast Shell Key Preserve is. She loves showing guests how curious one can be about the natural world and being an example to forever keep learning and asking questions! A fun fact about Tatiana is that she is a born and raised Floridian, but has, as an adult, lived in Hawaii, Uruguay, Costa Rica and Thailand too!
Bria has her degree is Molecular Biology! She has experience as a park ranger and working along the Florida and Costa Rican waterfronts! She is also a kiteboarding instructor! Her favorite thing about giving kayak tours is being able to work outside and interacting with all the nature and wildlife that lives in Shell Key Preserve! She also loves being able to educate guests on all the things they encounter and see up close! A fun fact about Bria is that she loves to sew! She loves making bikinis, bags, and a lot of other clothes!
Jesse holds his degree in Environmental Science with minors in biology and coastal management. He has previously researched sharks in the Bahamas and volunteered in local preserves! His favorite thing about guiding kayak tours is the ability to share the importance of creatures that people rarely see in the wild. A fun fact about Jesse is that he is an expert classic and hard rock guitarist.
Carmen holds her degree in Marine Science and Biology from Florida Gulf Coast University! She has previously researched the effects of red tide on Florida coasts and has volunteered with FWC and wildlife sanctuaries! Prior to working with Get Up and Go Kayaking, she guided tours through the waters of Captiva Island for 3 years! Her favorite thing about guiding kayak tours is that it is one of the least disruptive way to interact with nature and you never know what each tour will bring! A fun fact about Carmen is that being stung by a stingray led to her curiosity of the oceans!
(727) 265-2268
(Available from 8:00am – 5:00pm)
(727) 265-2268
(Available from 8:00am – 5:00pm)