Learn how to navigate safely around Shell Key Florida. Boating in Shell Key Preserve is carefully regulated to protect sea beds and marine estuaries. Please observe all posted boundaries and no-wake zones…
Before you go:The north and south ends of the island are divided by several navigational barriers and shallow areas. Consider your boating route carefully, based on which side of the island you plan to visit. Examine the other navigational maps on this page to avoid shallow areas where you can run aground. Check the tide predictions for the date and time you intend to visit. Low tides can make some areas more difficult to access and can expose other navigational hazards. See the diagrams below for details. |
 Getting to the North Public Use Area:
The north public use area of Shell Key is most easily accessed from the Pass-A-Grill channel just north of the island or from the Gulf. |
Getting From the North end to the South End:Warning!! There are many ways to run aground while traveling from the north public use area to the south public use area. Essentially, you have 2 choices. Either travel out of Pass-a-grille Pass into the gulf and return into Bunces Pass on the South – or you can come from the Skyway Bridge Channel in Tampa Bay. Never try to travel south on the east side of Tierra Verde – these waters are not passable! Notice that both Pass-a-grille and Bunces Pass have sand bars flanking them along their channels. The bars extend extend well out into the gulf and are a major navigation hazard. when navigating in our out of the pass. See the green lines below for the best route. Always use a depth finder. |
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From Fort Desoto Boat Docks – or the Skyway Bridge Channel:
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Boating Guidelines
- Motor boats are restricted to idle speed in permitted areas only.
- Be observant of other vessels and always give way to large vessels which have limited maneuverability.
- All the rules of the County preserve apply to boaters within the preserve’s aquatic boundaries. So you are not technically allowed to have alcohol or pets in your boat while you are within the preserve boundaries.
Anchoring at Shell Key
- Always be aware of the current tides when choosing an anchoring location. If you arrive at high tide, you may find your boat “high and dry” when you want to leave at low tide. Many boaters have been stranded overnight because they did not watch the tides.
- Do not anchor in channels or a fairway.
- Keep a safe distance from other boats that are already anchored. Allow for a margin of error that takes into account changing wind and tides.
- Double Anchoring: Larger boats should use a bow and a stern anchor to keep their boat in place near the beach. Here is a video showing one method for double anchoring. We recommend pointing the bow of the boat away from the island when double anchoring – to keep the waves from coming over the back of the boat.
Browse the area with google maps…
Hi, we are camping at fort Desoto for the 4th of July. We’d like to kayak out to Outback Key (just Northwest of North Beach) to see fire works. Our site at the campground isn’t on the water so I’m hopeful we can launch at one of the walking paths. We plan to kayak across the Mullet Key Bayou and along Arrowhead picnic area via Bunces Pass. What are your thoughts on traveling back at night? We will have head lamps and put chem lights on our kayak. Do you think it would be safe or just too much boating traffic with the holiday? Thank you!
Hi Mandy,
Outback Key will be a great location to see fireworks. If you can hug the shoreline and stay out of the boating channels, you should be ok. Never underestimate the craziness of boaters on a holiday. They can be oblivious to smaller boats like Kayaks. There are always risks on a small boat at night, however, if you are well lit, extremely vigilant and stay right next to shore, it is certainly doable.
Hope this helps!
Can you metal detect?
Hi Nick,
I don’t see why not. Should be perfectly legal to do so.
Have fun!
Hey! Im looking to travel to Shell key this weekend via my own kayak! Where is the best place to park and put in for the shortest trip to the island??
Thanks!
Hi Celeste,
For day trips, lot of people launch at the “Butler Hole” location on Tierra Verde. If you are staying overnight, you should part at the Ft. Dersoto Boat Ramps.
Hope this helps!
Do people ever take the ferry to Shell Island with a chair and an umbrella, hang out on the beach and do some shelling? Is swimming off the beach a problem because of the sand spurs?
Hi Julie,
Yes, people are allowed to bring whatever beach gear they can carry on the shuttle. Shelling is a very popular activity. Sandspurs only grow above the high tide mark – where the saltwater does not reach. The beach is relatively clear of sandspurs but you might get the odd one here and there.
Hope this helps!
Hey man, I am planning a camping trip to Shell Key and am curious as to where the best place to launch a kayak is. I would love to be able to leave my car overnight, and don’t want a launch point that is too far away from the island. Also is there a minimum camping age, as I am currently 17. Thanks Man! ;D
Hi Brandon,
The only legal place that I know of to park overnight for Shell Key camping is the Ft. Desoto Boat Ramps. There is a fee (around $6/day) which can be paid at the kiosk on the way in. The boat ramps are about a mile from the island (as the crow flies). The best route is north from the boat ramps across the channel. Then west across the preserve until you get to the island. This route is probably around a mile and a half. There are no age restrictions. Just have your permit with you and you should be good to go.
Hope this helps!
Thanks man super helpful!
Thanks Jack – My wife and I were planning a camping trip this coming weekend but won’t have a boat. I tried calling the Shell Key shuttle but, apparently, they won’t leave you there for the night. Are there other transportation options you’d recommend if we wanted to camp overnight?
Thanks in advance,
Hey Scott,
I believe the Island Ferry will leave you on the island for overnight camping. I would give them a try.
is it legal to fish from the beach ?
Yep – totally legal.
Is it legal to fish from a paddle board also? Interested in taking my son for overnight stay and fishing.
Hi Julie,
Absolutely – you can fish anywhere in the preserve waters with a paddleboard.
Have fun!
Are you aloud to have airboats in around shell key?
As far as I know you can have an air boat a Shell Key as long as you stay outside the “no combustion engine” zones. Since they do make a lot of noise, you would want to use your best judgement to not disturb people and wildlife.
Hope this helps.
Hi..am planning to camp (Area #1 tent area) at the part in a few weeks. Can I kayak directing from my campsite to Shell Key?
Hi Donna,
Yes, you should have no problem making the trip to Shell Key from the Ft. Desoto camp grounds. You just need to be careful when you cross the Bunces Pass channel (If there happens to be lot of boat traffic at the time). My preference it to cross to the north side of the channel soon after leaving the boat docks – which leaves a nice, shallow-water trek west to the island. Some people prefer to head west along Ft Desoto park first – and then cross to the north side where the channel is a bit narrower. Either way, you should be able to make the trip in under an hour at a leisurely pace. (1.5 mile distance at roughly 2 knots)
Hope this helps 🙂
Is it possible to kayak around the restricted bird area from the public area in the South to the north beach? Are there markers and how far out in the gulf would you have to go?
Hi Jim,
You can kayak as close to shore as you like. You can go from south to north on either the gulf side or the inland side. There are restricted areas for motor boats, but you can go pretty much anywhere on a kayak.
Have fun!
Hi Jack. Thanks for taking the time to offer this helpful service! We are interested in anchoring overnight in the waters of Ft. DeSoto Park. Our boat draft is 39″. We would be coming from the north and can access the park from either the Gulf or the intercoastal. I’m skeptical that our GPS depth readings are current and accurate. Is there a very updated chart available? What is your recommendation for the best areas to anchor. Thanks.
Hi Dan,
Sorry for the delay in responding. I would say that your best bet for anchoring would be in Bunces Pass. The south facing coast of Shell Key has the deepest water close to shore – and is relatively protected.
Hope this helps!
Can you drive and park then walk onto Shell Key? Or is boating the only option to get there?
Hi Kim,
Although the north end of the island has connected to the mainland, you are still technically not allowed to walk on to the island. Boating is the only legal option to get to the island as I understand it.
I would like to get to the south of shell key and shell but there will be six of us. we don’t have a boat or canoes. Can a boat be rented and a captain hired for the day somewhere?
Hi Priscilla,
You can rent a boat from a number of places including Blind Pass Boat and Jetski Rental
Hope this helps 🙂
Hi Jack! Is there a break in the mangroves before the bird sanctuary to arrive by kayak? It looks like there is a foot path according to the satellite view, but that can vary so thank you for your knowledge. Jill-
Hi Jill!
If you are asking whether or not there is access to the inside of the ‘south public use area’ by kayak – the answer is yes. There are many gaps in the mangroves on the southeast shore of the island (which are not visible on the satellite view). You should have no problem gaining access to the south public use area from any approach with a kayak.
Hope this helps 🙂
Thanks, Jack!
Where do I post pics of my Shell Key visit:)
I had an amazing time <3
Are you able to go shelling on Shell Key? If so, what area(s) of the island have a good amount of shells and what time of year is best to go? I would love to plan a trip there from the East Coast of FL.
Hi Chris,
Yes, shelling is a popular and legal activity on Shell Key. You can hunt for shells on the north or south public use areas. In my experience, the shells are most abundant in late winter.
Hope this helps!
Planning a camping trip the first week of March. Wondering if the the 30 minute paddle from Fort De Soto boat ramp to Shell Key South end camping area can be paddled in a canoe?
Hi Bonnie,
You should definitely be able to make the trip from the Ft. Desoto Boat ramps in a canoe. My suggestion would be to head north after launching to cross the Buncess Pass channel and get the most challenging waters behind you for the rest of the trip. Your biggest concern, of course, would be getting swamped by a reckless boater. I once crossed the channel in a canoe and mounted one of those orange bicycle flags on it to make myself more visible. Usually boaters will give you a wide berth, but it doesn’t hurt to take precautions. Once you cross the channel, you can make the rest of the trip to west to Shell Key in the relatively calm and shallow waters within the preserve boundaries. Hope this helps 🙂
I’m back for more questions–vacation is coming up. I’m kayaking to the camping tip and I’m wondering where the safest place would be to leave my kayak during the day, when i’m exploring the beach.
Also I’m wondering if I’m able to kayak from the shell key to the fort desoto beach. I read that someone died trying to swim acrossed. I’m by myself so I’m trying to do this the safest way possible.
Also how high is the high tide? I don’t want to wake up in the water, but i’d rather not sleep in the grass.
Hi Kaitlin,
I have never hear of anyone having a boat stolen on Shell Key. However, I have heard of people’s kayaks being taken by the high tide – so just make sure you pull the boat up well past the high tide mark. (more on this below)
With regard to crossing Bunces Pass south to Ft. Desoto, it is definitely doable. I think it should only take 10 or 15 minutes to make the crossing. Your biggest threat would be from boats traveling through the channel. Swimming would be dangerous because boats can’t see a little head bobbing in the water – but a Kayak should be plenty visible. To be extra careful, you could mount a bright colored flag on your kayak so boats will steer clear. People make this crossing safely on a regular basis.
As for the high tide mark and choosing your campsite, you can usually tell by the pattern in the sand where the high tide mark is. Areas near shore with tightly packed sand are most likely below the high tide mark. Of course, the tide levels will vary depending on the current moon phase. Sometimes there are extreme high/low tides and sometimes they are more moderate. Your best bet is to use the tide widget at the bottom of our home page to see exactly when (and how extreme) the tides will be on the dates that you are planning to camp.
Another way to gauge the tide marks is by observing the sandspurs. Sandspurs will not grow below the high tide mark because they are inhibited by salt water. If I am planning to camp, I will first check how extreme the tides will be. If I expect moderate tides, I will camp just below the highest tide line to avoid the sandspurs. If, on the other hand, I expect an extreme high tide, I will camp just above the high tide mark. Again, the widget on our home page is a good way to check the tides. You can change the dates to get a feel for how patterns change throughout the month.
Hope this helps!
Thank you for the information! I hope it’s a good trip so i can do it more often–the flights are super cheap. Only concern now is that the new land/sandbridge will allow different wildlife or people that will make it a less pleasant/secluded experience (worry of theft/food storage, etc).
I think that the effect of the land bridge is greater on the north end of the island. The south public use (camping) area is isolated from the north end by the bird protection area (BPA) in the middle of the island. There may be a few more raccoons and other animals on the island, but humans are less likely to trespass on the BPA and walk all the way to the south end illegally.
I saw youtube videos of people advertising that you can walk the whole distance. I’m hoping that people aren’t breaking these rules.
I flew down last week to try to kayak there and all the kayak places were closed due to high winds and/or low water. I plan on flying down in Feb/March to camp again and I hear there is a kayak rental service where the guy will meet you anywhere and give you a kayak for however long you want. Do you know of any other options (uber for boats, etc)? Is there a time of year that i won’t have to worry about low water?
Hi Kaitlin,
It is common not to rent kayaks in very bad weather. The ‘low tide’ issue seems kind of odd – unless they are launching from a very high, non-floating dock. The extreme high and low tides are connected to the monthly cycle of the moon. Both the sun and moon have a gravitational pull on the tides – so when they are together in the sky, we get more extreme tides. This happens once every lunar month. You can check the tides for your expected visit using the tide widget at the bottom of our home page. I just spoke with the folks at Island Action Sports on St. Pete beach and they will deliver kayaks to your location and allow you to keep them for multiple days.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for the response. I am flying down the end of next month and I found a kayak guy. Hoping weather cooperates. I hear it’s a mixed bag in January.
I was wanting to do primitive camping on Shell Key, but do not have a motorized boat. How far is it? Roughly how long would it take to kayak to the camping area?
Hi Marni,
You should be able to kayak to the south public use area in under 30 minutes from the Ft. Desoto boat ramps. Or a little quicker from Butler Hole on the side of the Bayway
Hope this helps,
Hi, Jack! You mentioned Butler Hole. Can I leave a vehicle overnight there or is it just safer to park at the N end of Ft. De Soto? Thanks for all of the local knowledge!
Hi Heather,
You are not allowed to park overnight anywhere inside Ft. Desoto park. So your choices are either the side of the Bayway or the Ft. Desoto Boat Ramps.
Have fun!
Where is the best put in to kayak to Shell Key?
Depending on your skill level, you can launch from a number of locations. In order to avoid the boat traffic in the Bunces Pass or Pass-a-Grille channels, a lot of people launch from the side of the road on the Tierra Verde Bayway. From there, the waters will be relatively calm, shallow and free of motorized traffic all the way to the island. Hope this helps 🙂
Is it safe to leave a vehicle there overnight (on the side of the bayway)?
Hi Rebecca,
I can’t say if it would be safe from theft to leave your car on the side of the Bayway, but there are signs indicating that it is not legal to leave your car there overnight.
Hope this helps 🙂
My father in law just gave us motor boat, that is made from the hull of an airboat. We would like to take out kids to Pass-a-grille, and take the boat over to shell island. My husband is experienced with using the boat on the Suwanee river, but not out in the ocean. How difficult would it be for us to take the boat to Shell Island? What is the best way for us to get there?
Sheila,
You should have no problem getting to the island in a flat-bottom boat. If it is motorized, you can launch from Ft. Desoto boat docks and head to the south end. If you are paddling, you can launch from the Bayway on Tierra Verde and stay within the calmer preserve waters.
Hope this helps,