Shell Key Preserve: What to Know Before You Go

Chace Vaughn

9 hours ago

3 min read

Just south of St. Pete Beach sits Shell Key, an undeveloped barrier island with long, empty beaches, clear Gulf water and some of the best shelling in the Tampa Bay area. There are no roads, no buildings and no crowds of beach umbrellas. You can only get there by boat, which is exactly what makes it special. Here's what to know before you go.

What makes Shell Key special

Shell Key Preserve is protected by Pinellas County, so it looks much the way Florida's barrier islands looked before the condos went up: white sand, sea oats, tidal flats and calm, shallow water on the bay side. It's a favorite with locals for a quiet beach day, and visitors are often surprised that a place this untouched is only a short boat ride from St. Pete Beach.

Shelling

True to its name, Shell Key is one of the best shelling spots around. Walk the waterline and the flats and you'll find whelks, fighting conchs, lightning whelks, scallops, cockles and, on a good day, sand dollars.

Go at low tide. More of the flats are uncovered and the freshest shells are easy to spot.
After a storm or a windy day is often the best time, when the waves wash in new shells.
Take empty shells only. If there's something living inside, or it's a live sand dollar or starfish, leave it in the water so the next group gets to see it too.

Swimming and relaxing

The Gulf side has a long sandy beach with clear water, and the bay side is calm and shallow, great for wading, kids and floats. Boats anchor just off the beach and you wade in, so bring a floating cooler or a beach bag you don't mind getting a little wet.

Wildlife to watch for

Dolphins feed in Bunces Pass and along the sandbars, and often swim right past anchored boats.
Shorebirds: Shell Key is an important nesting area, so you'll see pelicans, terns, skimmers, oystercatchers and herons. The middle of the island is a protected bird area, so stay on the public beaches and give nesting birds plenty of room.
Manatees sometimes show up in the calm water on the bay side.

What to bring

Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. There's no shade on the beach
Plenty of water and snacks, plus your drinks of choice in a cooler
A bag or bucket for shells
Water shoes for the flats
Snorkel mask, floats and beach toys
There are no restrooms or stores on the island, so plan ahead

Getting there

Shell Key is only reachable by water, and getting there safely means knowing the area. The passes on either side, Pass-a-Grille and Bunces Pass, have sandbars that reach well out into the Gulf, the tide moves fast through Bunces Pass, and boats that anchor in the wrong spot on a falling tide can end up sitting on the sand. That's the part our captains take care of.

Our Shell Key Island Tour is a private, captained 4-hour trip for up to 10 guests, $595, leaving Gulfport Marina at 10 AM or 2:30 PM. Your captain picks the best spot for the tide and the weather, anchors, and gives you time to swim, shell and explore.

Weekday deal: take $50 off any captained trip Monday to Thursday with code WEEKDAY50 at checkout.

Questions? Call or text us at 727-348-8020.