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…
Hello Jack, I want to go kayaking to shellkey on the clear kayak my husband is been insisting but I had never been in one. I don’t know how to swim is the water deep from where you get the kayak to the island?
Hi Maite,
The shallowest and all-around safest route to the island by kayak is from the Pinellas Bayway kayak launch on the Pinellas Bayway South. From this location, you can go all the way to the island without entering any large boating channels. This area is also quite shallow. There are a few deep fishing holes along the way and a tiny 20ft wide channel right near the kayak launch, but for most of the way you would be in only a few feet of water. You could also keep an eye on the tides and plan your trip around low tide. Above all, if you do not swim, wear a good comfortable life vest – you will have a great time 🙂
Hope this helps!
Is it safe going in a 29ft boat? We have outboard engines? What would be your recommendation to visit-north or south?
Hi Doris,
Sure – just stay away from the “no internal combustion” areas of the preserve. On the south end, you will be on Bunces Pass – which has plenty of depth and accessibility. On the north end, you will be on Pass-a-grill north channel. You can also come in on the west/gulf side – but you should be careful and anchor a bit off shore to avoid the waves and occasional sandbar. The east side of the island is off limits for motor boats – except a small area on the southeast side. I would steer clear of this area in a 29ft boat anyway. My best suggestion for your boat is bunces pass. Next would be Pass-a-grill north channel.
Hope this helps!
I want to go there for the day from kayak and not stay overnight. What’s the route to take so we can go through the mangroves?
Hi Sophia,
Your best bet is to start at the Butler Hole location on the Pinellas Bayway South. It’s a straight shot to the island and goes directly through preserve waters the whole way.
Hope this helps!
Hi I was wondering if there was a ferry over to shell key? And if so how much is it and do you have to book it in advance? Also are dogs aloud at Shell key and on the ferry? And is the ferry and shell key open due to covid?
Thank you
Hi Autumn,
Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on Shell Key. As far as I know the Shell Key Shuttle and Island Ferry are open for business.
Hope this helps!
Do you have to pay for the ferry or the shuttle
Hi Chasmine,
Yes, there is a fee for both shuttles. You would need to call them for current rates.
Hope this helps!
I want to kayak from Pass A Grille, putting in around 11th street, on the Gulf side and kayak over to Shell Key. I have taken the shuttle boat, but never on kayaked, and am curious if anyone has done this and how long it took? I know that depends on conditions and skill level, so perhaps a better question is, how far is it from tip of PAG to Shell key, in miles? I would be starting out approximately two hours after high tide. Thank you!
Hi Louise,
From the south tip of Pass-a-Grille, it’s just under a half mile to the north end of Shell Key. Probably an additional 3/4 mile to 11th St. on Pass-a-Grille Beach. Should be totally doable, but keep an eye out for boat traffic in the Pass-a-Grille channel. Also, if you are traveling on the gulf side, you may have rougher seas to contend with.
Hope this helps!
How long does it take to kayak from Butler Hole to Shell Key ?
Hi Bob,
It’s just under a mile – so if you were tooling along at a leisurely pace of 2 or 3 knots, you could make it in 20 or 30 minutes.
Hope this helps!
What is the closest place to rent a kayak to go to shell key?
Hi Danielle,
You can rent kayaks at Ft. Desoto park (Topwater Kayak Outpost)just across the channel from Shell Key.
Hope this helps!
Hi Jack,
My son has a 12 ft jon baot with good trolling motor as propulsion. Would we be able to put in at the baot ramp and make it over to Shell Key? Would ther be a better place to put in. Thinking of going one morning mid week to avoid boat traffic.
Thanks ….Jeff
Hi Jeff,
It’s about a mile and a half to the island from the boat ramps – so it is definitely doable in a small boat. The other option for day trips would be the Butler Hole location at the side of the Bayway – which lets you avoid crossing the Bunces Pass channel.
Hope this helps!
Hello. I’m planning to go to shell key on Friday for the first. Just a questions here:
1. Do I have to make a reservation or can I just show up?
2. Can I pay with my credit card?
3. Can I bring my lawn chair and beach rolling bag?
Thank you and have a great day!
Hi Heather,
Reservations are only required if you are camping overnight. If that’s the case, you can pay with a credit card. You can bring any gear that you need as long as you pack everything out with you when you leave.
Hope this helps!
Hi,
We don’t have a boat but would love to visit Shell Key. Is there any other way to get there? Public shuttle? Thanks.
Hi Denise,
The Shell Key Shuttle makes regular trips to the north end of the island from Pass-a-Grille Beach. The Shell Key Ferry will take you to the south end from the Ft. Desoto boat ramps.
Hope this helps!
My wife and I tried to take my 16’ kayak from the boat ramp to Shell Key today but eventually had to turn back due to the slow progress. There was a strong wind and we seemed to be working against the waves. After paddling towards it for 45 minutes we rested for 5 minutes and were pushed back to the boat ramp. Any idea how we can predict what time of day will have a favorable wind conditions? Thanks!
Hi Isaac,
The local weather forecast usually includes marine conditions. You might check to see how fast the winds were going when you went out – and use that as a gauge for future outings. It looks like winds were only at about 8pmh on Saturday – but you may have had a strong tide working against you also. In the summer time, you can expect a pattern of calmer mornings with late afternoon thundershowers. Other than that, the weather channel is probably your best bet.
Hope this helps!
i would like to know how can I get to shell ket if I want to camping, is there any ride boats to get to the area close to North Beach ?
Hi Daisy,
Camping on the north end of the island is prohibited. I believe the “Island Shuttle” (not the shell key shuttle) will take campers to the south end. Camping permits are currently on hold due to the shutdown and will resume later this month.
Hope this helps!
What is the diff between coming in on the north or south end?
Hi Stacy,
Since you cannot walk from the north end to the south end, you will be limited to whichever side you choose. The south end is a good bit larger and slightly less populated on most days.
Hope this helps!
Hello!
Im looking at Kayaking around shell key but I am wondering what the safest way to do so and what its like. Where is the safest place to paddle board or use kayaks that arent very big(8-12ft) and whats the best way to get there! Where is the water shallow without big channels. Thank you!
Hi Chloe,
I would say that the safest place to launch a kayak or paddle board is at the Butler Hole location on the side of the Bayway. From there, you can go all the way to the island without entering any boating channels. You would be in the shallow preserve waters the whole way to the south end of the island. However, if you are staying overnight, you would need to park at the Ft. Desoto boat ramp – which would mean that you need to cross the Bunces Pass Channel at some point to get across to the preserve.
Hope this helps!
how rough is it to get across the Bunces Pass Channel in a Kayak? I am looking to do some camping with my daughter and she is either paddling herself or tethered to me. (9)
Hi Brittany,
It’s hard to predict the water conditions in Bunces pass. I have seen the water as smooth as glass – and also with a ferocious chop. Wind and boat traffic are the biggest factors. Your best bet for calm water is usually early in the morning – but check the weather forecast to be sure. It’s a relatively short jaunt across the channel – and once in the preserve waters, things are usually more calm.
Hope this helps!
Question for anyone who has been here frequently, how bad are the bugs in May?
May is not too bad with regard to bugs. Bugs start becoming more numerous in july and august. Biggest problem is no-see-ums (Ceratopogonidae). Mosquitos and other insects are not a big problem on the island.
Hope this helps!
Hi Jack, How crowded is shell key this week/this time of year?
Hi Alan,
I have not been out to the island for a few weeks, but as a general rule of thumb, the milder the the weather, the bigger the crowds. Given that people are not going to work amid COVID fears, there could be even more people than usual.
Hi, Does anyone know approximately how long it would take to travel to the South camping grounds on Shell Key via boat/jet ski coming from the Fort de Soto Boat ramp ?
Hi Omar,
It usually takes less than 10 minutes to travel the 1.5 miles to the island by boat – depending, of course, on your speed.
Hope this helps!
Hello. Can you give am an idea of how far of a kayak run it is from the Ft. Desoto boat ramp to Shell Island and back. Thank you.
Hi Dominic,
It’s about a mile an a half from the boat ramps to the south public use area on Shell Key.
Hope this helps!
What advice do you have for kayaking there from Ft. DeSoto campground?
My main suggestion would be to cross the channel quick at a relatively narrow point and stay along the edges of Bunces Pass to keep clear of boat traffic. I like to cross over to the north side of the Pass right after leaving the boat ramp and head west to the island staying in the preserve boundaries.
Hope this helps!
The parking have restroom?
Hi Frances,
There are restrooms at the Ft. Desoto boat ramps.
Hello, we are planning to stay in Tierra Verde in a house which overlooks the Pass-A-Grille channel. If we wanted to kayak to a less populated sandbar in Shell Key and spend the day, which would you recommend? About how long would it take to kayak there? Thanks!
Hi Steve,
Most of the small islands in this area are mangrove islands with little or no beach to walk upon. Remote islands with beaches are few and far between. You might browse Google earth to see if you can find something, but within Kayak distance, you likely will only find large sand bars – if that. My recommendation would be to go to the South Public Use Area of Shell Key – Which has far fewer people and much more land than the north end. There are plenty of spots on the south end to get a sense of remoteness. Some of the other small mangrove islands in the SK preserve can be explored – and there will be no people on them – but they can be a bit swampy.
Hope this helps!
Is there a way to find out how many other permits where pulled for the dates I want to camp on shell key. Basically…is there a way to know how many other people may be out there camping, or do they perhaps limit the # of permits per day?
Hi Stefanie,
My guess is that it would be a challenge to get those numbers from the county in a timely manner. The online permit forms are essentially emailed to a county email address that probably does not viewed on a daily basis. These emails are probably only tallied once a year by the county for reporting in the Shell Key Management plan.
There are a few rules of thumb that you can use to predict/estimate the number of campers on the island. First, there are only a few holidays during the year when the island is really packed with campers. Summer holidays like labor day and father’s day often have hundreds of campers. Even on those days, it is still possible to find remote locations to stay out of ear shot of other campers. As I understand it, the number of campers on the island has never reached the official full capacity – even on holidays. Other than that, you can assume that there will be fewer campers on weekdays vs weekends – and there are typically more campers in the spring, summer and fall compared to winter. My favorite month to camp is February because there are fewer people and I like the cold.
In general, unless it is a holiday, you don’t need to worry about crowding on the island. The ‘south public use area’ is quite large – and you can camp wherever you want since there are no campsites or facilities.
Hope this helps!
hello, we are camping at one of the Ft desoto beachfront sites soon and plan on bringing our boat and anchoring off the beach for the weekend. Can I leave my truck and trailer at the boat ramps for the weekend trip assuming there will be a per day fee. Or are there other prefered locations to park?
Thanks
Hi Todd,
Yes, you can leave your truck and trailer at the Ft. Desoto boat ramps as long as you get a parking pass. You can pay for as many days as you need using a credit card at the kiosk on the way in to the ramps. Just make sure to display your parking pass on your dashboard.
Have fun!