2 hours · Up to 6
Shell Key Dolphin-Snorkeling Adventure
Dolphins on the way, snorkel gear included at Shell Key.
| Per person | $64 |
|---|
Editorial spotlight · Tierra Verde, St. Petersburg
2026 Sunshine Awards nomineeBest Sandbar Charter
Island Ferry of St. Pete
Six guests, one captain, a 25-foot tri-toon and the barrier islands south of St. Pete Beach: Shell Key, Egmont Key, Outback Key and the Gulf sandbars. BYOB with coolers and ice provided, snorkel gear on the snorkel trips, floats and a speaker on the sandbar charter. Family owned since 2013.
- Shell Key tour
- $64
- Sandbar charter
- $499
- 4.9
- Reviews
- 1,117
Editorial spotlight. Island Ferry of St. Pete is a nominee in the 2026 Sunshine Awards. They did not pay for this page and had no say in it. We earn a commission when you book through the links here; your price is the same.
The operation
Since 2013, six guests a boat, no strangers
The site says the family has been in St. Pete since 1990 and running tours since 2013. No owner is named. Captained trips cap at six guests on 25-foot tri-toon pontoons the About page calls “floating limousines”; larger groups of up to ten book a bareboat rental and arrange a captain. Reviewers name Captains Noel and Dave and a guide, Samantha.
Kayak and paddleboard tours launch from inside Shell Key Preserve at Butler’s Hole in clear or coastal kayaks. The site claims more than 2,900 five-star Tripadvisor reviews and 1,000 on Google; the Google listing shows 1,117 at 4.9.
“No crowds. No strangers. Just your group, the Gulf, and a local captain who knows every dolphin spot, sandbar, and mangrove tunnel worth finding.”
The site does not list crew by name; reviewers mention Captains Noel and Dave and guide Samantha.
The one to book
Sandbar Party Charter
Four and a half hours on a private boat at whichever Gulf sandbar the captain likes that day: Starfish Beach, Shell Key or Fort De Soto. Coolers, ice, floats, a paddleboard, games and a Bluetooth speaker are included; you bring the drinks.
Priced per boat for up to six. The site adds tax and an 18 percent gratuity to private charters.
| Per boat, up to 6 | $499 |
|---|---|
| Plus | Tax and 18% gratuity |
Checked against FareHarbor on October 1, 2026.
Check AvailabilityThe boats
Tri-toons and clear kayaks
Per the About page.
Tri-toon pontoons
- Length
- 25 ft
- Guests
- 6 captained, 10 bareboat
Clear kayaks
- Type
- Transparent hull
- Route
- Mangroves to Shell Key
Coastal kayaks and SUPs
- Type
- Sit-on-top; hard and inflatable boards
- SUP ages
- 16 and up
Book it
Tours and charters
Shared tours per person, six guests max; private charters per boat. Checked against FareHarbor on October 1, 2026.
2 hours · Adults only
Sunset Cruise
Golden hour over the Gulf, BYOB.
| Per person | $69 |
|---|
3 hours · Guided
Clear Kayak Tour
Mangrove tunnels to Shell Key’s beach. Priced on booking.
| Clear kayak | $64 |
|---|---|
| Coastal kayak | $54 |
4.5 hours · Private
Sandbar Party Charter
Floats, speaker, coolers; your boat.
| Per boat | $499 |
|---|
4.5 hours · Private
Private Egmont Key Snorkeling Charter
Three islands and the Fort Dade ruins in nine feet of water.
| Per boat | $549 |
|---|
2 hours · Private
Private Sunset Cruise
The sunset route with the boat to yourselves.
| Per boat | $399 |
|---|
Before you go
Know before you go
Departure
198 Madonna Blvd, Tierra Verde (St. Petersburg 33715). Kayak tours meet at the Shell Key Preserve launch.
Gratuity
Private charters carry tax and an 18 percent gratuity on top of the listed price, per the site.
Drinks
BYOB on every trip; coolers and ice on the charters.
Snorkeling
Shell Key is a beach snorkel; a few reviewers expected more reef.
Reviews
What guests say
- 4.9Google1,117 reviews as of October 1, 2026
- 2013SincePer the homepage
- 6GuestsPer captained boat
Reviewers praise Captains Noel and Dave, the small groups and the wildlife; the one soft spot is guests expecting more snorkeling than a beach stop.
Questions
Good to know
Where does it leave from?
198 Madonna Blvd in Tierra Verde, south of St. Pete Beach.
What does it cost?
$64 per person for the Shell Key tour; $499 per boat for the sandbar charter. Checked October 1, 2026.
Can we bring drinks?
Yes, BYOB on every trip. Coolers and ice are provided on charters.
How many can come?
Six on a captained boat, ten on a bareboat rental.
The islands off St. Pete, six at a time
Shell Key for $64, a private sandbar day for $499.
Check Availability