Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area
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Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area
By Get Up And Go Kayaking - Tampa Bay
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About
from €76.77 per adult
€65.26
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-120, max of 10 per group
Duration: 2h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
English
Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best
2023
- Equipment including tandem kayaks, paddles, seats, and dry bags
- Safety equipment including lifejackets and whistles
What's not included- Gratuities
- While we have bottles available, we HIGHLY encourage guests to bring REUSABLE water bottles!
- Departure details
- Billy's Stone Crab, 1 Collany Rd, Tierra Verde, FL 33715, USA Please park in the dirt lot to the left of Billy’s Stone Crab Restaurant. You will see Kayak Tour signs. Once you arrive - follow the wooden restaurant entrance ramp the front of Billy’s Stone Crab back to the docks where you'll see the clear kayaks + your guide!
Return details- Returns to original departure point
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 173028P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travellers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travellers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- For your safety, we have a weight limit of 250 lbs per guest, and a combined limit of 425 lbs for two people in a tandem kayak
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- Where is the departure location for the Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?
- We meet for this tour at Billy’s Stone Crab, 1 Collany Rd, Tierra Verde, FL 33715
- How many people can participate in the Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?
- Our fleet is small (5 kayaks) so expect an exclusive experience (no more than 10 people at a time).
- What will I see during the Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?
- The tour has several stops along the way where you will hear about local wildlife, marine life, and plant life! You will be able to get up close to Florida’s natural mangroves and to hop out on a sandy shoreline or sandbar based on the tide!
- What should I bring with me on the Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area?
- We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle and a towel.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 173028P1
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Itinerary
- You'll start atBilly's Stone Crab1 Collany Rd, Tierra Verde, FL 33715, USAPlease park in the dirt lot to the left of Billy’s Stone Crab Restaurant. You will see Kayak Tour signs. Once you arrive - follow the wooden restaurant entrance ramp the front of Billy’s Stone Crab back to the docks where you'll see the clear kayaks + your guide!See address & details
- 1Shell KeyStop: 2 hoursYour guide will welcome you and provide brief paddling and safety instructions. Then, you’ll be off on an adventure as your tour guide leads the way around the mangrove islands, through the shallows, and to the beach. If the tide is high, your guide will lead the way through a hidden mangrove tunnel. You’ll also take a break at Shell Key's beach, where you can collect shells, take in the views, and be surrounded by nature. Your guide will be happy to take photos and make sure you have fun along the way! Be on the lookout for a manatee or the beautiful pink Roseate Spoonbills in the summer months. White Pelicans call the sandbars of Shell Key Preserve their home during the winter months! Throughout the year, dolphins frolic in the crystal-clear waters and cormorants love to swim alongside your kayak. Chances are that you’ll see a variety of wildlife, but sightings are random and not guaranteed.Read more
- You'll return to the starting point
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About the operator
Get Up And Go Kayaking - Tampa Bay
4,102
United States
Joined in July 2019
#1 of 184 Tours & Activities in St. Petersburg
- 557frimetw00Amazing experience!!Our tour guide, Chris was amazing!!!! Chris was super nice and helpful!!! This was our first time kayaking. He was very patient and helpful! Definitely recommend!
- gdevillers00Bucket ListWonderful & peaceful adventure. Our guide, Raven, was pretty informative and a knowledgeable for the wildlife. The round trip was roughly 2 hours long. We had time to collect some shells on one of the sandbars. Shelling was good as Hurricane Idalia had passed through the week before. I will go again next time I come down!
- Sarah G00Absolutely unforgettableWhat a wonderful experience. Chris was a fabulous guide, 10/10 recommend he was so informative and alot of fun. He definitely enjoys his job, we should all be that lucky
- BoardingPass60167500Highly Recommended!Chris, our tour guide, was amazing! Friendly and knowledgeable, he went above and beyond to ensure my daughter and I had an exceptional experience. We saw a manatee, dolphins, flamingos, and several other bird species. Particularly memorable was gathering shells and the mangrove tunnels. I'd love to return with the rest of my family so they can enjoy this magical experience too.
- J5027LNashleyp00Less is AMAZING!My family and I had the most amazing time with our tour guide, Less. She made sure we were taken care of,taught us things about the area, and even helped our toddler enjoy her first kayaking experience. Her kindness and knowledge were so wonderful to be around. Oh let's not forget her photo and video skills, she made sure to capture everything we saw. We hope to see her next time we go on a kayaking tour.
- GoPlaces4087786734000Shell Key PreserveOur guide was Alessia, she is very knowledgeable guide for Get Up and Go Kayaking. Her knowledge of the Shell Key Preserve is impressive. She pointed out various plant life and bird species we encountered during our tour. We really enjoyed our clear bottom kayaking adventure to Shell Key Preserve
- Kathy S00Awesome water adventure!Great trip and a great guide! We learned so much about the area and the wild life from our very knowledgeable guide Chris. 😎 We saw so many birds even flamingos, which is rare, but it was very cool! Overall a wonderful outing. Beautiful area, filled with wild life, and great shell hunting. I would highly recommend this trip and I can’t wait to come back and do it again!
- KatieWhiteNYC00MagicalBen and Carmen were so friendly and informative. It really was a magical experience and the highlight of our trip. Highly recommend!!!
- 551matisynp00SO MUCH FUN!Chris was an amazing tour guide. Very knowledgeable and friendly! We had an amazing experience and the bonus was the dolphins swam right next to us!! Thank you!
- Alison C00Flying fish!We had a great adventure with Ben! He was extremely knowledgeable about the area and made the night more enjoyable with his sense of humor. Almost getting hit by some flying mullet fish kept us alert and on our toes. I’m glad my husband got this for me as a birthday present. It was a nice spot and somewhere we will visit again.
- Aliswan2700Stay localStaying local paid off!!! This was a great find and evening. Would recommend and will be coming back very soon.
- U4669LQvincentp00Beautiful sunset and cool birdsWent with my girlfriend for the 7h30 ride. We saw a lot of cool birds and also fishes that jump out of the water. Our guide Carmen had a lot of information for us about the animals we were seeing. The sunset on the beach was really beautiful. I think 7h30pm was the perfect time to go.
- TWynne2700Jesse was awesome!Jesse was an awesome guide! My girlfriend and I loved the tour! Very knowledgeable and laid back - it was much cooler than we expected!
- ashlieh201900Breathtaking EveningCarmen provided a fantastic tour. Super informative, and had a ton of interesting facts. Loved the glow kayaks and the sunset was breathtaking. Peaceful ocean sounds and birds, what a tranquil evening.
- suzannc15200Great company to work with a large family outingFabulous trip! Our guide Carmen is very knowledgeable. The Get Up and Go Kayaking was great to work with to plan a large family outing.
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5.0
3,326 reviews
Excellent
3,271
Very good
35
Average
10
Poor
2
Terrible
8
Anthony
2 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
My wife and I had an absolutely amazing experience following Chris around and exploring the beautiful views and wildlife of Shell Key. We learned so much from from Chris who was very knowledgeable about the history of the key and especially the wildlife that inhabits it. He kept a great pace that allowed everyone to keep up with minimal effort and we never felt rushed. He definitely encouraged us to take our time and enjoy the views as well as ask any questions we had. We wholeheartedly recommend this trip for anyone looking to spend a few hours together getting a little exercise and enjoying some pretty awesome views and wildlife. We will be back to try some of the other experiences that this company has to offer.
Written 6 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Getupandgokayakingtb
Thank you for your great review!! We are thrilled to know you and your wife had such a fun time on the water with Chris. We really appreciate your recommendation. We can't wait to have you back!
Written 13 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pincus25
Tampa, FL7 contributions
Aug 2020
We did the sunset paddle with our family (6 adults and 2 kids (8 & 10)). The tour maxes out at 10 people (5 total kayaks) which makes for a more intimate adventure. Our guide was Matt (i.e. Spicoli) and he was excellent. He pointed out lots of sea life and birds - even jumping out of his kayak to pick up a horseshoe crab and let the kids hold it after giving us some great information about them. He was knowledgeable, humorous and great with the kids. The island and beaches were great for exploring and taking amazing pictures. The paddling was fairly easy, even against the current which made for a relaxing time on the water. Overall - highly recommended!
Written 17 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for joining us for a family adventure! We're thrilled to hear that you all had a great time with Matt while paddling through Shell Key Preserve! We're so glad you had the opportunity to encounter wildlife and learn more about Florida's ecosystems! We greatly appreciate your review and hope to have you join us again soon!
Written 24 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cathy S
10 contributions
Jun 2020 • Friends
We went on the Shell Key Clear Kayak Tour -- Sunset Paddle from 6 pm - 8:30 pm. Diana was our tour guide and there aren't enough words to express how wonderful of a job she did. She enjoyed teaching us about the local wildlife, traditions, and history. I would go on any tour that she leads. Her personality is the best and you can feel her zest for life.
We went a couple days before Summer Solstice so the sun was still high in the sky at 8:30 pm. The experience that you have will depend on many factors from time of day, time of year, what the tide is like, what the weather is like, etc. The most important thing is to just have an open mind and enjoy being in nature.
When we went, the tide was very low. There wasn't as much wildlife to see in the water because it was so shallow. Honestly, I didn't care because it was so peaceful and relaxing. The water was like glass and I did not feel any stress in my body at all after being out there.
We did see a little bird that traveled with the group. The bird followed Diana at first and eventually made its way to us. It was so cute. We were able to go out to the sandbar and spend a little time on the beach. Diana told us the tradition at Shell Key Preserve is to find a shell with nothing living in it that has a hole or a curve to it. Then you hang it on a tree and make a wish. I loved that.
I highly recommend this tour and I plan to go on more. We hope to check out the one in Winter Park.
You park in the restaurant parking lot and walk down to the dock. Tip your tour guide!
We went a couple days before Summer Solstice so the sun was still high in the sky at 8:30 pm. The experience that you have will depend on many factors from time of day, time of year, what the tide is like, what the weather is like, etc. The most important thing is to just have an open mind and enjoy being in nature.
When we went, the tide was very low. There wasn't as much wildlife to see in the water because it was so shallow. Honestly, I didn't care because it was so peaceful and relaxing. The water was like glass and I did not feel any stress in my body at all after being out there.
We did see a little bird that traveled with the group. The bird followed Diana at first and eventually made its way to us. It was so cute. We were able to go out to the sandbar and spend a little time on the beach. Diana told us the tradition at Shell Key Preserve is to find a shell with nothing living in it that has a hole or a curve to it. Then you hang it on a tree and make a wish. I loved that.
I highly recommend this tour and I plan to go on more. We hope to check out the one in Winter Park.
You park in the restaurant parking lot and walk down to the dock. Tip your tour guide!
Written 21 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow - thank you so much for your kind and detailed review! One of our favorite parts of the preserve is that every tour is different, but you’re always surrounded by nature. We always love it when the friendly Comorants swim along with the boats. We’re glad you enjoyed your time with Diana and we really appreciate your recommendation. We’d love to have you at our other locations as well! Thanks for paddling with us.
Written 22 June 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karla
Miami Lakes, FL1 contribution
Jun 2021
Everything was breathtaking! Jenna our guide was always checking in on everyone and always offered tips to improve paddling. There were also many birds hunting for food nearby and they were "playful" by swimming underneath the both and besides us. It was a fun experience, make sure to do it in the morning or sunset time where the sun isn't at it's strength if in the summer. Hope you have a wonderful time and a guide as amazing as Jenna! :)
Written 6 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Getupandgokayakingtb
Thank you for your kind words about Jenna!! We're so happy you enjoyed your clear kayak adventure and we hope you'll join us again soon!
Written 7 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Todd M
Virginia Beach, VA14 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
What an incredible experience. My Wife and I had no prior kayaking experience, but our guide Matt did a great job of giving us a quick tutorial on how to paddle efficiently and not fall in the water. He was also a great guide once on the water...pointing out wildlife along the way making for some great photo ops. I also enjoyed the background he gave on the mangrove and gulf beach biomes.
I highly recommend this tour to anyone that wants to experience the nature of Tampa Bay. One more shout out to Matt...as a great steward of the environment he would collect plastic he found along the way. A true testament of an environmentally conscious guide and company.
I highly recommend this tour to anyone that wants to experience the nature of Tampa Bay. One more shout out to Matt...as a great steward of the environment he would collect plastic he found along the way. A true testament of an environmentally conscious guide and company.
Written 14 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your five star review! We are thrilled that you chose us for your first time kayaking and really appreciate your recommendation and share in your passion for the environment! We hope that you can join us again soon!
Written 19 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Julia Szatmari
4 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
The only available time left for the day when I tried to book was 6pm and I was thinking it's kind of late, but I'm glad we went that time. The sun was still up and hot, but still better than during daytime, don't forget sunscreen.
Our guide was Matt, who was very friendly, funny and professional. He was also very knowledgeable, we learned a lot on this trip and had a great time. My husband was skeptical at first going, but he really enjoyed the trip so glad we went. We also met some very nice and friendly people who came in our group, I would very much recommend this activity to everyone.
Our guide was Matt, who was very friendly, funny and professional. He was also very knowledgeable, we learned a lot on this trip and had a great time. My husband was skeptical at first going, but he really enjoyed the trip so glad we went. We also met some very nice and friendly people who came in our group, I would very much recommend this activity to everyone.
Written 6 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Getupandgokayakingtb
We're so glad you ended up enjoying the evening kayak trip!! Thank you for your recommendation, we hope you'll be back soon!
Written 7 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Patrick M
1 contribution
Sep 2020 • Couples
Had a very amazing time. You can tell Chris really loves giving the tours and takes great pride in them. Saw everything from a Osprey to horseshoe crabs. We where able to find a complete sand dollar on the shell island and many other amazing shells to take home. Would highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys kayaking, or just wants to get a up close view to nature and learn more about what’s off shore!
Written 28 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for joining us for a kayaking adventure! We're thrilled to hear you had a great time paddling Shell Key with Chris and encountered wildlife along the way! We appreciate your review and hope to have you join us again in the future!
Written 29 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Winter A
3 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
A must do if you’re traveling to the area. We loved seeing all of the different birds and a little swim at the sand bar. Hands down our favorite part was a paddle through the mangrove tunnel - it was serene and beautiful. We will be making this part of our next trip down here. We went for the 4:30 pm start and it lined up perfectly, not too hot, not too cold. It’s a must do experience!
If you have a chance to get Jenna as your guide, she’s the best! An upbeat, knowledgeable and fun guide that both of our kids really enjoyed!
Happy paddling! 😎
If you have a chance to get Jenna as your guide, she’s the best! An upbeat, knowledgeable and fun guide that both of our kids really enjoyed!
Happy paddling! 😎
Written 24 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Getupandgokayakingtb
Thank you for the 5-star review!! We're so glad you enjoyed your experience on the kayaks with Jenna! We would love to have you join us again in the future.
Written 25 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ChristyLC5
Atlanta, GA20 contributions
Get up and go kayaking is a guided kayaking tour of the Florida mangroves in a clear bottom two person kayak. A guide takes you out and points out all kinds of birds and vegetation in the area.
We really enjoyed our tour and especially enjoyed our guide, Jenna. She was very friendly and personable and had a lot of information about the area. She made sure our group stayed together and even towed one kayak when they needed a break!
She provided a wet bag so you can carry your phone and she will even take pictures for you! She recommend taking your shoes off while in the kayak but having something to walk on a rocky beach if you want. If you’d like to tip her and don’t have cash you can ask for her Venmo!
I’d highly recommend get up and go kayaking for an afternoon or evening adventure!
We really enjoyed our tour and especially enjoyed our guide, Jenna. She was very friendly and personable and had a lot of information about the area. She made sure our group stayed together and even towed one kayak when they needed a break!
She provided a wet bag so you can carry your phone and she will even take pictures for you! She recommend taking your shoes off while in the kayak but having something to walk on a rocky beach if you want. If you’d like to tip her and don’t have cash you can ask for her Venmo!
I’d highly recommend get up and go kayaking for an afternoon or evening adventure!
Written 12 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Getupandgokayakingtb
Thank you for your kind review!! We are so glad you had a great adventure on the water with Jenna. We appreciate your recommendation and hope you'll visit again soon
Written 14 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul S
Sarasota, FL3 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
My friends and I had a terrific time on this tour! The area is absolutely beautiful, and our tour guide Jay knew it like the back of his hand. Our tour was a mixed group, and Jay did a great job with novices and old hands alike. I was especially impressed when Jay got out of his kayak to collect what turned out to be a kite line and submerged kite, to prevent it posing any risk to the wildlife. All in all, it was a wonderful experience!
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're so thrilled to hear you had such a great time with Jay out on tour! Our company and guides try our hardest to put cleaning up our oceans and wear we paddle at the top of our priority list and we're so happy to hear Jay was embodying those values on tour; he truly loves preserving our waterways! Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We hope to have you back out with us soon!
Written 16 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Is it possible to take a child of 6 years old with me?
Sandrax W
1 contribution
From their website's FAQs
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.
goforahike
Rockville, MD
Is there a better time of day to take this tour? Any recommended time of day to see more wildlife? I would be taking it in mid May.
TheHelms
Oxted, UK6 contributions
Hi there, we went early in the morning, got picked up at the meeting point at 8.30am and were on the boat by 10am. This worked well as it avoided the hottest part of the day. I imagine a late afternoon tour would also be good for this reason. Not sure about the best time for activity for the birds and Alligators but we were impressed by what we saw at that time of the morning. Hope that helps.
I bought three tickets. My son is 13. Does he need to sign a waiver? He's not 18.
Emily G
1 contribution
You will just sign it for him since he is a minor! My son was 17 so I signed it for him!
Crystal D
5 contributions
I have a couple additional questions. Is there a phone number to the business that I could call?
Are small dogs allowed?
Denise
Carlsbad, CA110 contributions
That’s a good question. I’d recommend calling the company. I have never seen a dog on one of their kayak tours.
Betsy H
Calabash, NC79 contributions
Hi, At Billy's Stone Crab, how do we get into and out of the kayak...is it from a dock or ramp or...? And are there people to help pull you out, as I am an older person with legs that are not as strong now.
David L
Central Florida, FL1 contribution
It is at a pull up dock and there’s a guide to help you in and out of kayak. Although it is a 2 hour tour and some rigorous paddling, the guide waits patiently for the group.
sandy p
Chicago, IL54 contributions
I booked a trip for 3 28 22 at 1030 and cannot find my reservations receipt sandy pietrzak
OilRegionTraveler
Titusville50 contributions
Our receipt was emailed to us. But even if you can't find it you will just need to show ID when you arrive for your tour. The guide has a list of all paid reservations.
I have a 4.5 lb toy poodle that loves to kayak, may she come?
Lisha
Echo95
Melbourne, FL87 contributions
I would check with the tour operators however, it would not be a problem as far as space. As the kayak is very spacious
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
