Shell Key Preserve

Category: Nature preserve

Address: 2187 Oceanview Dr, Tierra Verde, FL 33715, USA

Opening hours

Sunday: 8AM–7PM

Monday: 8AM–7PM

Tuesday: 8AM–7PM

Wednesday: 8AM–7PM

Thursday: 8AM–7PM

Friday: 8AM–7PM

Saturday: 8AM–7PM

Reviews

Tracy Kunkel

Jul 24, 2022

The day was awesome but right now there is a ton of seaweed and it is making the water stink to the high heavens smells like someone getting a perm. I would suggest visitors go to Indian rocks or Madeira right now now seaweed there

nora ricci

Jun 5, 2022

This location is beautiful...and peaceful! You can take your own boat, or hop on a ferry that's only a ten minute ride. There's no shade on the preserve, but our shuttle service distributed beach umbrellas, snorkels, and bags for shell collection. Make sure to pack in and pack out-- there is no garbage collection on the island. The water is clear, gorgeous, and calm. We went during Memorial Day Weekend and were warned about limited parking, so we took an Uber to the marina--probably a wise idea for most weekends. I definitely recommend this excursion!!!!

Amy Sue Meyers (AmySueRN)

Apr 17, 2022

The staff was nice, friendly, & helpful. Played beach music on boat... Lots of shells, but just as much as anywhere else I've been. Our boat had a bathroom in back.. some snacks on boat available, but bring your own small cooler. $5 for masks,but hard to see in water at noon. We saw dolphins close up while on island & on boat. Thank you to staff! We would do this again!

Erika Nyman

Mar 31, 2022

Amazing experience! All of the staff was highly knowledgeable and super friendly! The island is beautiful, the water is so nice! It was a wonderful day! Highly recommend!

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Questions & Answers

How to get pass to stay overnight comping

Fouad Mahdi | Jun 7, 2022
Mike knott | Jun 7, 2022

Go to Pinellascounty.org search Shell Key Preserve, and apply there, too. $6 per night. No dogs. No fires. Extra boat permits may apply.

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Can you tent/stay over night here

Mary Rush | Sep 5, 2020
Capt. Randall Fleming (Capt. Gnarly) | Sep 5, 2020

Park closes at dusk unless camping with a free permit from pinellas county park website in designated camping areas on south end of island adjacent to Bunces Pass see map on website as well

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I don't own a kayak or boat... How could I get out there on a Saturday

van | Feb 7, 2022
Charity Shah | Feb 7, 2022

There are a cuple shuttle boat services that run. I can't remember the names but I just Googled Shell Key shuttle and It brought them up. The port for the shuttle was closed last week but they where opening soon. But there Is a ferry that was running called Hubbard's Marina that was a great service.

Is the ferry open on Wednesday? During the winter?

Juan Deleon | Jan 8, 2022
Patricia Wynn | Jan 8, 2022

Yes

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Is there vehicle camping allowed on the beach? I have a roof top tent and that's what we camp out of.

Brian Newton | Jan 8, 2022
Brian Cornelius | Jan 8, 2022

Shell Key is an Island, only access is via boat, kayak, etc

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Are fires permitted on Shell Key?

Chris tofer | Jan 8, 2022
Joseph Dephillips | Jan 8, 2022

On north end of island / south side of bunces pass

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Do they spray for noseeums out there

Jennie McAfee | Nov 9, 2021
Rick Haller | Nov 9, 2021

No. They can be bad.

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Is shelling any good at Shell Key Preserve?

Cynthia Grzybowski | Sep 5, 2021
Cindy P. | Sep 5, 2021

Yes! Found tons of sand dollars here! The best anywhere I've been around the Tampa st. Pete area! Best to go early & during low tide.

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Where is the best place to park my truck an kayak??can we kayak to the island in our own kayaks?

DeJuan Sunday | Sep 5, 2021
Alex Oij | Sep 5, 2021

Yes you can kayak there but it's a long kayak trip, the best place to start from would be Ft DeSoto

Where are parkings to leave our vehicule for overnights on the island?

Hans Côté | Sep 5, 2020
The Beautiful Balance | Sep 5, 2020

You have to get there by a vessel...there is no place on the island to park, it is a nature preserve. If you have a kayak or canoe you can park at public launch site just before Fort De Soto park entrance and kayak out.

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How much does it cost to camp here?

peggy wheeler | Sep 5, 2020
J R | Sep 5, 2020

There is no fee to camp there, but you must get there by boat as there is no vehicle access or parking. You can kayak over there, but you'd still have to decide where to leave your car as there is no overnight parking at Fort DeSoto park unless you're staying there.

Can you only get to this by boat? Or can you wade out to it?

Crystal Cook | Sep 6, 2019
Dave Pierson | Sep 6, 2019

It really depends where you leave from. Theoretically you could wade out there at low tide from the Bayway. You'd probably still have to swim at some point. And most of the locations wading or walking from could be practical are private property. And if you left from Ft Desoto, you'd have to cross Bunce's Pass, which i would never recommend swimming across, especially not on a weekend.

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how does one find out more about RV camping at Shell Key Preserve?

Sue Burger | Sep 6, 2019
David Lippy | Sep 6, 2019

No RV's

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How much is the ferry ride?

Natalia V | Sep 6, 2018
Ken Nadeau | Sep 6, 2018

Shell Key Shuttle is $25. Includes all day parking in PassAGrille.

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Is their free rv overnight parking? If yes how do I get a permit?

Gerard DiVincenzo | Sep 6, 2018
Kat R | Sep 6, 2018

You don't need a permit. Just forge a raft, drive onto it, float across to the preserve.

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