Shell Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Boat Ramp in Tierra Verde, FL | 20 minutes

220 Reviews | St Petersburg
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 15 travelers in total.
Adult (12-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15
2
Child (3-11) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
0
Infant (0-2) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
0
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Shell Key Island Camping
2 Adults x $54.95
$109.90
Approx Total
$109.90
Overnight camping at Shell Key: Experience primitive, overnight camping at Shell Key Preserve. Your ticket includes your ferry ride to and from the island.
Shell Key Ferry
2 Adults x $39.95
$79.90
Approx Total
$79.90

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Restroom on board
  • Gratuities
  • Parking Fees

Overview

This trip is one of a kind… If you want to travel to an uninhabited barrier island with white sand, warm water, and shelling galore, our ferry to Shell Key from the Fort De Soto boat ramp is a great choice for you and your family! Our ferry boat operates daily in the spring and summer and nearly every day in the fall and winter. This 20 minute trip offers great chances to spot dolphins, sea turtles and even manatees! We often spot sea birds on the ride to and from Shell Key! Shell Key is also home to a large nature preserve, where nearly half of the island is blocked to allow the native seabirds a section of undisturbed beach. Come out and enjoy a beautiful day of fun in the sun! For camping enthusiasts, we offer an overnight experience on Shell Key! All you need is your “camper” ferry ticket, a camping permit from Pinellas County, and all your camping gear to have an epic night under the stars! This is an unbelievably unique opportunity to camp out on a secluded island.

Meeting points

The ferry departs from the boat ramp before you enter Fort De Soto park. Please arrive 30-45 minutes prior to departure. See the crew for your free parking pass to leave on your dashboard while taking the ferry. As you pull into the boat ramp, take your first right and park in the far back corner.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Board our ferry at Fort De Soto boat ramp, at the historic Fort De Soto, a military outpost constructed during the Spanish American Ware. It is listed in the "National Register of Historic Places" and Pinellas County's largest park. The 20-minute ferry will then travel to Shell Key, an uninhabited barrier island with white sand, warm water and shelling galore. The trip between is a great chance to spot dolphins, sea turtles and even manatees!

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Free Cancellation

June 18100% refund
June 19No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.9

220 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    209
  • 4 stars
    7
  • 3 stars
    1
  • 2 stars
    1
  • 1 star
    2

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 209 reviews with 5 stars

Memorable experience

Published on Feb, 2025

Memorable day finding shells starting with a relaxing ride to Shell Key with very friendly helpful crew. Quiet and beautiful.

Shelling

Published on Feb, 2025

Best Tour.... Shelling was Awesome Was on it 5 times last year Will be the same this year All employees very friendly and helpful... Great Day!

Wonderful Experience!

Published on Jan, 2025

My toddler and I took the ferry to Shell Key for a few hours and had the most amazing trip! Purchasing a ticket (we did at the check in kiosk as it was a last minute decision to go) was super easy and the boat pickup was right there. The trip over was great, it was a chilly day, but we still saw some dolphins. Shell Key itself is beautiful, we had a wonderful time splashing in the water and collecting shells. Highly recommend this trip to all!

Would recommend

Published on Jan, 2025

Wonderful experience. Friendly staff, on time departure and pick up. Lots of beautiful shells to find in the 2 hour time.

Great local fun

Published on Jan, 2025

From The best crew to the fabulous scenery and close to home this is by far my favorite place. I do a trip every two weeks sometimes every weekend great time to go and relax

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