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Is there an address for butler hole?
Hi Julia,
Here is a link to the Butler Hole location on the side of the Pinellas Bayway South. It looks like the address reads as 2822-2876 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, FL 33715. It’s not much more than a small field of grass on the side of the road. Butler Hole actually refers to the deep rectangular recess in the water just off the east side of the road. It’s an old local fishing hole.
Hope this helps!
Hello I plan on camping this month and I know that it is not campfire season. I was wondering does that include controlled fires? As in a fire that is above the ground in a contain cage. And can I bring tiki torches during this time of year? Thank you so much for your time I just want to obey the rules.
Hi William,
The rules are essentially there to protect hatching sea turtles from lights that can confuse them as they head toward the water. The concern is not over wildfires, and you are allowed use a grill for cooking food. I do not believe that tiki torches are prohibited, but you might consider the lights issue if you use them. I have seen people use tin foil to block one side of the tiki torches so no light is shined in the direction of the shore.
Hope this helps!
Hello,
Do you have to make reservations with anyone to launch a private kayak from Butler Hole?
Hi Gianna,
Nope, Butler Hole is nothing more than a field of grass on the side of the road. It is quite informal.
Hope this helps!
Hello. We are planning yo kayak and camp overnight at Shell key. Is overnight parking permitted at Butler hole? Or is the Ft. DeSoto boat ramp the only option?
Hi Amy,
There is a sign posted at Butler Hole prohibiting overnight parking. As far as I know, the boat ramps are the only legal option for overnight parking.
Hope this helps!
Hi, is there a section of Shell Key on the north end (where there used to be a small channel,I believe) that I can get to with a paddleboard? It appears on a satellite map that its very shallow and turns into a sandy beach? Would love to find a remote section where it’s quiet…hoping to visit soon. I’ve paddled to the new section that opened up due to Irma. Lot’s of boats seem to like docking around there. Anyway, just looking for a more serene part of Shell Key. Thanks!!
Hi Sandy,
If you are coming from Irma Pass, you should be able to access the inside of the north end with a paddleboard. There is indeed a ‘delta’ of sediment that formed while there was still a pass on the north end – but it would only become an obstacle at extreme low tide. I find that the south public use area on the gulf side is typically more quiet and less populated.
Hope this helps 🙂
Are there gators at the Shell Key Preserves?
Hi Madeline,
It is extremely rare to see a gator in salt water – but not unheard of. I was working on a boat at Harborage marina a few months ago and was warned that there was a gator prowling around the docks. However, there are multiple fresh water sources near that marina – and a gator is highly unlikely to go more than a short distance in salt water. So is it possible? Stranger things have definitely happened – but Shell Key does not have any natural gator habitat and it would be an extreme anomaly to see one out there.
Hope this helps!
Are there public restrooms for day use on Shell Key?
Hi Heather,
There are no restrooms or facilities of any kind on the island. If you are staying overnight, you are technically required to bring a portable toilet with you.
Hope this helps!
Where do we catch the ferry to get to Shell Island
The Shell Key Shuttle makes regular trips to the north end from Pass-a-Grille Beach. The Shell Key Ferry will get you to the south end from the Ft. Desoto boat ramps.
Hope this helps!
Which end is best to come in on? Does one side have better shells than the other?
Hi Stacy,
Shelling is great on both the north and south ends. The north end is often busier. I personally prefer the as south end for its remoteness.
How are the biting bugs this time of year??
Hi Danielle,
Mosquitos are not usually a problem on the island, but sand fleas can be ferocious this time of year. Deet based insect repellent helps a lot. Sand fleas are most active at dawn, dusk and on cloudy, slightly cooler days.
Hope this helps!
I go kayaking all over the east and west coasts of Florida. Is getting expensive on a weekly basis. Is there a free place to park the car and put the kayak in for the day?
The Butler Hole location on the Pinellas Bayway is a popular free spot to launch.
How far is the island from land?
From the Ft. Desoto boat ramps, it’s about a mile (as the crow flies) – and maybe a mile and a half navigating a boat.
Can I park my rv there for a week without staying in the rv? Basically I am looking fit a place to park it near pass a grille beach
Hi Cherie,
Not unless your RV is amphibious 🙂 There is no land access to Shell Key – So a boat is required to access the island. I don’t know of any parking near Pass-a-Grille other than the metered beach parking. The nearest campground is Ft. Desoto Campgrounds – about 15 minute drive from Pass-a-grille – rather pricey, and likely booked solid over the summer. You can also park overnight at the Ft. Desoto boat ramps for a $6/day fee.
Hope this helps!
Can we get camping permits for this weekend?
Hi Casey,
Yes, Indeed – Shell Key camping is back open for business! There is now a $6 per boat charge for overnight camping. (I will update the info on this site shortly.)
I would like to launch my paddleboard privately. Want to go Shell Island key with my dog paddleboarding. Where would you recommend for me to launch? Thank you for the information.
Hi Michele,
A good place to launch a kayak or paddle board is at the Butler Hole location on the side of the Bayway. You can make it all the way to the island within safe, shallow preserve waters.
Hope this helps!
Hi Jack,
My husband and I want to kayak over to Shell Key and walk the entire outside perimeter for the adventure and exercise. Are we allowed to walk at the water’s edge or if necessary wade offshore in the west center section where the bird preservation area is? Also, is the new pass on the west side dangerous to swim across (strong currents, etc.)? Thank you.
Hi Karen,
The entire middle 3rd of the island is a bird sanctuary – so on both the east and west sides of the island, you would need to be wading in the water while adjacent to the sanctuary. See the map for details.
Hope this helps!
Hi,
I saw that camping has been restricted during the pandemic, can people still go for the day? Also, how far is it to kayak?
Cheers!
Hi Ellery,
I am waiting for a response from the county regarding daytime visitation and will post their response here. If you launch from the Bayway Butler Hole location, the distance is under a mile and a half.
Where is the best spot to park and put a personal kayak in the water. We would be coming from the north end.
Hi Haley,
I don’t know of a good place to launch a kayak north of the island. Pass-a-grill beach has parking, but no easy access to launch a boat. Most people put in at either Ft. Desoto park or the Butler Hole location on the side of the Bayway.
Jack,
Can you still park your car at Butler Hole location and launch?
Thx
jonpfl
Jon,
I have not heard of any current restrictions at that location, but I would keep an eye out for any new signage limiting access.
Is overnight parking alliwed at boat ramp and camping on Shell island?
Hi Iris,
Yes, overnight parking is allowed. Just make sure to pay for the correct number of days when you stop at the payment kiosk on the way in.
Hope this helps!
So, Shell Key will not be closed along with the public beaches tonight? Thank you.
Hi Brad,
I read this morning that camping permits are not being issued – but the Ft. Desoto boat ramp remains open.
Does anyone know if camping on shell key is postponed due to the virus outbreak? I haven’t seen any information regarding it and I cannot find a number to call for that information.
Hi Lewis,
As far as I know, there have been no camping restrictions on the island due to COVID-19. My totally uneducated guess is that a beach setting should be safer than a more crowded campground like Ft. Desoto. Shell Key offers ‘wilderness camping’, so you will typically have hundreds of yards between you and the nearest campers – and there are no shared facilities. That being said, if the county were to restrict camping on the island it would certainly be posted on the camping permit page.
Hope this helps.
I would like to take my grandson camping there, for a couple of nights… but I have to launch my boat from Ft. DeSoto, and it seems that overnight parking at the launch site is forbidden. Where can I park my boat trailer overnight?
Overnight parking is permitted at the Fort. DeSoto Boat Ramp.
We too are looking into this!
https://www.pinellascounty.org/park/managedlands/skp-camping-info.htm