Shell Key Preserve: Three Hour Shelling Cruise

Embark on a thrilling 3-hour shelling cruise at Shell Key Preserve. Explore the island, collect shells, and enjoy a scenic ride along the bay waters. Look out for dolphins, manatees, and seabirds!

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Tierra Verde - Explore Shell Key Preserve, located in the mouth of Tampa Bay, a 195 acre barrier Island. You will experience beautiful, calm and protected back bay waters and spot dolphins, seabirds, manatees and other wildlife on the trip.
What's Included
  • On-board restrooms
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Snacks
  • Parking fees
Additional Information

The 3-hour Shell Key Shelling Journey, provided by Hubbard’s Marina located at Johns Pass, includes approximately an hour on the island for exploration and shelling. The voyage incorporates a peaceful and enjoyable sail down the sheltered bay waters onboard the HUB Cat 49. During the return trip to Johns Pass, we plan to travel along our beautiful gulf…

Location
170 Boardwalk Pl E
Boardwalk Place East
Located inside beautiful Johns Pass, directly below Hooters on the water, closest to the Johns Pass Bridge.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(345 Ratings)
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1 star
Chris_f
Jan 1, 2026
Family Fun - We saw dolphins, amazing houses and our kids (18, 16 and 10) enjoyed finding awesome shells to take home. Captain Robin was a great host!
Review provided by Viator
Trisha_r
Dec 30, 2025
Shells and boats with the woman crew! - We had a fun trip to Shell Key with all ladies running the show! Captain Robin was fun and informative. Mate Leah was fantastic and made us necklaces with out shells on the way back to the dock. Fun day!
Review provided by Viator
Dana_d
Dec 29, 2025
Shell Island Adventure from John's Pass - Our Guides, Robin and Brandy were fabulous! Entertaining and informative. They stopped to accommodate an impromptu dolphin show, and sent us home with awesome shell necklace souvenirs. The Island was beautiful and everyone found lots of shells to remember it by! Highly recommend this excursion!
Review provided by Viator
Susan_l
Dec 29, 2025
Fun in the Sun Yesterday! - Wear water shoes. Take lots of photos. Enjoy the stories from the fantastic guides. Pick a beautiful small shell for a surprise on the return back.
Review provided by Viator
Zach_m
Dec 28, 2025
Perfect blend of chill and excitement !! - Captain Clearwater was great, very knowledgeable and easy to shoot the breeze with. He took us to an island to do some shelling and it was a bit crowded so we headed on out to another island a little more remote and bingo ! Great shelling, found a couple nice sand dollars and some really kool coral/fossils!! He took us us back the long way around and through the fog to see the draw bridge which was very kool. He even obliged the little one who wanted to “hit some waves/wake” 😂 10 out of 10 highly recommend and will definitely do again
Review provided by Viator
Zach_v
Dec 24, 2025
Excellent cruise - Professional staff. Lots of dolphins and lots of shells. Excellent tour. Easy to find the takeoff point. Plenty of parking available
Review provided by Viator
Joanne_s
Dec 24, 2025
Would visit Shell Key Preserve again and again - Plenty of shells available. Sightings of dolphin, birds. The captain and crew made it fun. 1.5 hours to explore.
Review provided by Viator
Paradise53885902179
Dec 19, 2025
Shell key excursion - Great trip, found lots of shells, including sand dollars. Captain Mike and Brandi were knowledge about the shells, and the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
C5629bochristinek
Dec 15, 2025
You've never seen so many shells! - We took the shelling 3 hour tour. It was lots of fun. The first mate was knowledgeable and told us about things we were seeing. Make sure to take a beach bag with you. They don't provide any thing to put your shells in.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E4645simeganb
Dec 30, 2025
Dolphin and Shelling Tour - Wish there would have been more focus on the wild life then people's houses. Staff was very nice and experienced driving the boat.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $45
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).