Yacht party cruise to Shell Key Preserve from St. Petersburg

Four hours on the water: cruise, swim, paddleboard, and hunt shells on an undeveloped barrier island

A 36 ft. power yacht cruise from St. Petersburg to Shell Key Preserve, a 195-acre undeveloped barrier island at the mouth of Tampa Bay. The boat carries up to 18 passengers with a USCG captain and crew, reaching the island in about 25 minutes. Once there, you swim, paddleboard, float on the splash pad, or walk the shore to find shells and watch wading birds (reddish egrets, great blue herons, great egrets, snowy egrets, gulls, terns and Wilson's plovers), that tolerate close approach because so few people reach the island.

Step-by-step itinerary

Yacht cruise and Shell Key visit

• Board the Nauti 'N' Free yacht
• Cruise to Shell Key Preserve
• Enjoy party on the yacht
• Swim and play on splash pad
• Paddle on stand-up paddle board
• Explore Shell Key island
• Cruise back to marina

The experience

The Nauti 'N' Free is a 2016 twin-engine power cruiser built for a full day on the water. The cabin is air-conditioned with a full kitchen, two refrigerators, a grill and bathroom. Topside there's a dining table, wet bar, sun pad on the bow, and Bluetooth sound system. The boat holds up to 18 passengers, so groups travel together without splitting across multiple vessels. A USCG captain and crew handle navigation and safety while you settle in for the 25-minute run to Shell Key.

Shell Key sits at the mouth of Tampa Bay as one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands on Florida's Gulf Coast. No vehicle access and protected status mean the shells haven't been picked over and the wildlife, especially the wading birds, stays calmer around visitors than at busier beaches. You have roughly three hours to swim in the shallow water, paddle the stand-up paddleboards, float on the 18-foot splash pad, or walk the island hunting for shells and watching for egrets, herons, gulls, terns and black skimmers. The crew stays aboard to manage the boat and keep drinks cold. You decide how to spend your time on and around the island.

The return trip takes another 25 minutes, so plan for a full four-hour outing from marina to marina. Bottled water and ice-filled coolers are provided. Bring your own snacks and lunch if you want to eat during the day. The boat has the kitchen and grill but no prepared food service. Infants must sit on an adult's lap, and the crew welcomes service animals aboard.

What’s included

• USCG captain and crew for the full four hours.
• bottled water and ice-filled coolers.
• stand-up paddleboard and 18-foot splash pad for use at the island.
• air-conditioned cabin with full kitchen, grill, two refrigerators and bathroom.

Information

Lasts 4h, runs every day, 8 start times, from US$ 800 per group, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate4 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Party On Yacht Charters

Is this one for you?Book this if your group stays together on one boat. You'll have a private yacht with a wet bar, sound system, and sun pad, rather than splitting across multiple vessels.

Traveler reviews

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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 wildlife will I actually see at Shell Key?

Shell Key hosts wading birds year-round including reddish egrets, great blue herons, great egrets and snowy egrets, plus gulls, terns, black skimmers and Wilson's plovers. The lack of vehicle access means these birds tolerate closer approach than at developed beaches, so photography and observation are usually better than at crowded public shores.

How much time do we spend at the island versus traveling?

The cruise out takes about 25 minutes, you stay at Shell Key for approximately three hours, and the return takes another 25 minutes, totaling four hours for the full outing. The timing depends partly on sea conditions and how fast the captain runs the boat.

Can we bring food and drinks aboard?

The boat has a full kitchen, grill, two refrigerators and a wet bar, so you can bring your own food and prepare it onboard. Bottled water and ice-filled coolers are included. Alcoholic beverages, snacks and lunch are not provided, so bring what you want to eat and drink during the day.

What's included in the paddleboard and splash pad time?

A stand-up paddleboard and an 18-foot splash pad (Splash Island Lily Pad) are provided for your use while at Shell Key. The crew can show you how to use them, and you're free to paddleboard around the shallows or float on the pad as long as you're at the island.

Is this suitable for young children or infants?

Infants are required to sit on an adult's lap throughout the cruise. The boat is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and service animals are allowed aboard. The shallow water at Shell Key is generally safe for swimming, though children should be supervised closely.