Madeira Beach Boat Tours: Shell Key Cruise

Four hours on the water: shelling, scenic stops, and local wildlife

A private barrier island boat tour from Madeira Beach with a local captain who customizes the route and timing to fit your day. You'll cruise to Shell Key and the surrounding shoals, stop for shelling and exploring sandy areas, and watch for dolphins and other marine life. The boat carries a cooler with ice and water, a floating mat for the water, and optional shade, and you can arrange pickup from any location within Madeira Beach or St. Pete Beach.

The experience

The tour runs four hours, though you message the operator to set your own start and end times if that window doesn't match your schedule. Your captain is a local who knows where the shells wash up and where the dolphins tend to gather. The route centers on Shell Key and the scenic shallows around it. You'll pull up at spots called The Hangout and Sandy Shoals, places shallow enough to wade and explore without leaving the boat behind.

Pickup happens at a location you choose within Madeira Beach or St. Pete Beach, and the operator keeps flexibility on the calendar if your preferred time slot fills up. They can also arrange a similar vessel if needed. The boat carries a cooler stocked with ice and water for the day, a floating mat if you want to drift in the shallows, and an optional Bimini top for shade when the sun gets intense. Infants and small children can come along, and the boat and nearby transportation are wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

• A cooler onboard with ice and water.
• a floating mat for the shallows.
• optional Bimini top shade.

Information

Lasts 4h, runs every day at 09:00 and 13:30, from US$ 699 per group, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 13:30Another time? ›

Book up to4h before

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Float your boat tours

Is this one for you?Private tours let you set the departure time and pickup location to match your schedule, and your captain adjusts the route based on what you want to do: shelling, wildlife watching, or simply drifting in the shallows. This works best if you're traveling with family or a small group and want the boat and timing to yourself rather than joining other passengers.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What will we actually see and do on a Shell Key cruise?

Shell Key is a shallow barrier island where you'll stop to wade and hunt for shells in the sand. The tour also includes scenic stops at The Hangout and Sandy Shoals, where dolphins often appear. You spend time in the water and on the boat, moving between the shallow areas your captain knows best.

Can we pick what time the tour starts and ends?

Yes, message the operator with the hours that work for your day, and they'll confirm availability. The standard tour runs four hours, but the start and end times are yours to set.

Where do we get picked up, and is it the same spot every time?

You choose your pickup location anywhere within Madeira Beach or St. Pete Beach, and it can change from day to day depending on where you're staying or what fits your schedule best.

What's included to keep us comfortable on the water?

The boat carries a cooler with ice and water for the day. You can also use the floating mat to drift in the shallows, and an optional Bimini top provides shade if you need it.