Kayaks, paddleboards and canoes are the best way to explore Shell Key because human powered vessels are allowed throughout the entire aquatic preserve. Below are some locations to launch your own kayak or other small paddle boat.
Pinellas Bayway Kayak & SUP Launch
The most popular place to launch a kayak or small paddle boat to Shell Key for the day is the Pinellas Bayway Kayak and SUP Launch on Tierra Verde. From this location, you can kayak west to Shell Key through the shallow protected preserve waters where you will not encounter any of the boating traffic found in Bunces Pass to the south. The distance to the South Public Use Area of the island from this launch is about 1.5 miles – so you can get to the island in under 30 minutes.
This location does not have any paved boat launches – so be careful pulling your vehicle close to the shore. There is a sign posted at this location saying that “Overnight Trailer Parking is prohibited” – So even though it does not mention vehicles carrying kayaks on their roof or in the back of a pickup, it would be safe to assume that no overnight parking of any kind is allowed. (However, the sign is a bit ambiguous.) If you are camping overnight with your kayak on Shell Key, your safest bet for overnight parking is at the Ft. Desoto Boat Ramps a bit further down the road.
Ft. Desoto Boat Ramps
The Ft. Desoto Boat Ramp seems like a bit of overkill to launch a small paddle boat, but it is the only location that allows overnight parking close to Shell Key. There is a fee for overnight parking (last time I looked it was $6) which can be paid at the self service kiosk on the way in to the parking lot. Launching from this location means that you have to cross the boating channel in Bunces Pass. This is totally doable, but worth being prepared for – especially on weekends and other busy boating days. Distance to the island is also about a mile and a half as the crow flies – but might take a bit longer to navigate across the boating channel. Be careful typing the name of the “Ft. Desoto Boat Ramps” into Google maps when driving to this location as it may take you to the campgrounds a little further down the road. The links above will take you to the right location.
Launching from Pass-a-Grille Beach
If you want to launch from Pass-a-Grille Beach just north of Shell Key, you can find metered parking along the beach, but you may need to carry your kayak some distance to the water.
Hey how is the trip via paddle board vs kayak? And your recommendation on a launching point and estimated trip time. Was wanting to have a day trip there in middle of week. Thoughts and or recommendations? Thank you so much!!
Hi Jason,
The best place to launch for a day trip is the Kayak Launch on the Pinellas Bayway. You can make the trip in under 30 minutes. I’ve never taken a paddleboard to the island, but I’ve seen plenty of them out there.
Hope this helps!
Hi Jack. We’re camping at fort de Soto this fall and want to paddle to shell key from there. Going from the boat ramp you listed, how would I know how to get to shell key, never having been there/knowing what it looks like? Are there signs, or will people at the campground be able to explain to me which way to go? Also, should I be nervous about crossing bunces channel?
Hi Hanna,
You might consider launching from the ‘Kayak Launch’ on the Pinellas Bayway. That way you avoid crossing the channel. Basically if you head west from the launch, you will pass several small islands before reaching Shell Key – which is distinguished by having a sandy beach shoreline. You can’t really go too far because then you would be in the gulf. There are some large rules signs on the island. Best bet is to study the google earth view thoroughly before heading out.
Hope this helps!
Hi,
I’m wondering how “safe” it is kayaking across the Pass-a-Grille North Channel. Is the boat traffic concerning? Are there speed limits in that area? Can the current in the channel be rather strong during certain tides?
Thanks for all the information!
Hi Leah,
It really depends on the day, but generally, it’s perfectly safe to cross the Pass-a-grille channel in a kayak. Weekends will see more boat traffic and will call for a bit more caution. This area is not a no-wake zone, so some boats do come through at high speed. If you are concerned, you might mount a flag on your boat to be seen better. The current should not be an issue in a Kayak.
Hope this helps!
Last year we went on a guided kayak trip to Shell Island took us about three maybe three and a half hours there and back. Was able to get pictures and swim a little before we headed back is this something you guys do. We have four adults and one child that is 10 years old
Hi Marilyn,
Sorry, we only watch over the website and don’t do any tours ourselves. There are a number of Kayak rentals that are just across the channel from Shell Key at Ft. Desoto Park and on the Bayway. The trip across would take under 30 minutes.
Hope this helps!
Hey just want to say thanks for the detailed info! Much appreciated!
Hi Meghan
You are most welcome. Thanks so much for the thoughtful message 🙂
Agreed! My fiancé has been talking about bringing our SUPs down from Tennessee and finding an island for primitive camping. I’m more of a planner so it’s great to find a place that has excellent info! Is Shell Key actually great for shelling? Shark teeth??
Hi JB,
Indeed, Shell Key has copious Shells and Shark’s teeth at this time of year (fall/winter).
Hope this helps!
Awesome! Thank you so much. The site and information is most appreciated!
Hi! Is the water clear at the launch Pinellas Bayway? And is it clear to shell key? I’m new to paddle boarding and would like to paddle around there and jump off my board to snorkel the area, is that something people do and beginner friendly area?
Hi Yash,
The intercoastal waters are usually a bit on the murky side. That being said, you can get some fairly clear days in the winter time. Most areas are soft bottom – either mud or sand – so it’s not the same as snorkeling on a reef, but you can still see a lot of wildlife if you swim around in the aquatic preserve area.
Hope this helps!
If i launch w my paddleboard at pinellas bayway to spend the day at shell key can i Leave my car there for the day? Not overnight.
Hi Carla,
Yes, you can park at the Pinellas Bayway Kayak Launch for the day.
Have fun!
Can you put a kayak in at the Arrowhead picnic area of Fort Desoto?
Hi Terry,
Absolutely – I have launched a kayak from Arrowhead. Just be sure to get back before the park closes at 7pm (no overnight parking)
Hope this helps!
Hi, which link or website can I use to reserve a kayak for the night ” illuminated” tour?
Hi Durby,
Here is a link to Sharkey’s Water Sports where you will find the glass bottom lighted kayak tours. Sounds like a blast. Feel free to stop back by and tell us about it.
Have fun!
Is it possible to rent and have kayaks dropped off at the bayway launch? Also, is it possible to kayak the preserve without a tour guide?
Hi Susan,
You would need to call around to some different vendors to see if they will drop off the kayaks for you. You can definitely kayak throughout the preserve on your own without a guide.
Hope this helps!
Hi we will camp in the fort the Soto campground and we will like to go in shell key for one night how far is it please by kayak?
Hi Nathalie,
From the Ft. Desoto campgrounds , the trip is between 1.5 and 2 miles to the south end of the island. At 2 knots, that should take less than an hour.
Hope this helps!
Hi Jack,
My friends and I are planning on camping 2 nights but we only have inflatable kayaks. Do you know if this would be possible (assuming weather is good) carrying gear or would you suggest we find another way over?
Hi Kelly,
It’s hard to say without seeing the kayaks and the gear – but I have seen people go camping on Shell Key with very minimal kayaks and paddleboards. Since the only place to park overnight is the Ft. Desoto boat ramps, my suggestion would be to head north from the ramps to cross the Bunces Pass boating channel – then head west through the calmer shallow preserve waters (usually only a few feet deep) until you get to the south end of the island. Your alternative would be to use the Shell Key Ferry – which is the only shuttle that will take campers to the island.
Hope this helps!