WHAT’S IN THIS GUIDE
If you’re searching for the best Shell Key Island trips while staying in one of our St. Pete Beach vacation rentals, we’ve got you covered in this blog.
We took the 3-hour Shell Key Island trip with Hubbard’s Marina and honestly… it was a full-on vibe from start to finish. Not overhyped, not touristy, just super cost-effective, informative, and fun. A really solid experience that we’d send our own guests to without thinking twice.
Getting to Shell Key Island
(Two Easy Options)
One of the things we liked right away is that you’ve got options depending on where you’re staying.
- Depart from John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk in Madeira Beach
- Or take the ferry from Fort De Soto Park
Since we were over in Isla del Sol, we went with the Fort De Soto option. Super easy, quick ride… felt like maybe 15 minutes on the water and you’re there.
If you leave from John’s Pass, you get more of a scenic cruise. You’re rolling past Upham Beach, The Don CeSar, and through Pass-a-Grille. So if you want more of a sightseeing ride, that’s the move.
Full day option available
Skip the afternoon heat
Relaxed, scenic, and genuinely fun
Families, shell hunters, nature lovers, all ages
Scenic cruise past Upham Beach, The Don CeSar, and Pass-a-Grille
Quick ride, about 15 minutes to the island
- Water shoes, the sandy bottom and shells make them worth it
- Sunscreen and a hat, the sun is no joke out there
- Cash for tips, the crew earns them
- A bag for shells, you will want one
- No drones allowed, it’s a preserve
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The Shell Key Island Experience
Shell Key Island is a preserve, so no drones are allowed, but trust me… You won’t feel like you’re missing anything, especially if you like creating content as we do.
The water is insanely clear, the sand is that bright white Florida look, and shells are everywhere. We grabbed a bunch to bring back to the condos, and Macy and her friend Julia were on a full shell hunt the entire time.
We went with the 10 a.m. trip. Traveling with Nana and Pappy, we were not messing around with that afternoon heat. Good call. That sun hits hard out there, so go prepared.
You can stay longer if you want to. A lot of people took the later ferry back and made a full day out of it. For us, the 3 hours was perfect.
The Unexpected Highlight? Dolphins Everywhere!
This part was wild.
On the way out, we hit a full dolphin show. The captain mentioned there are around 300 dolphins in the area, and it felt like we saw half of them. The crew didn’t rush it either. They let everyone take it in, get photos, and enjoy the moment.
That alone made the trip.
The Crew, The Vibes, and… Nana Doing Nana Things
The staff at Hubbard’s Marina was awesome. Super laid-back, helpful, and informative.
They even gave us a free shell necklace, and the drinks and snacks were very affordable, which we loved. A lot of places try to overcharge in situations like this, but they kept it reasonable.
Pappy showed up in light khaki shorts that were basically the same color as the beach. He was blending in like he was part of the shoreline. Those legs haven’t seen the sun since his softball days back in New Rochelle. We’re working on it… baby steps.
And Nana… of course… made friends with half the island. She was chatting with strangers about their shells and where they were from. Give her another 10 minutes, and she’s calling everyone “hun.”
Classic Nana. She’s the best.
Is It Worth It?
Short answer… yeah, 100%.
And honestly, it beat the time we kayaked over to Shell Key Island. That was a grind.
If you’re staying in one of our St. Pete Beach vacation rentals, this is exactly the kind of trip you want to mix in. Easy, memorable, and something different from just sitting on the beach all day.
Why We Recommend Shell Key Island Trips to Our Guests
We take recommending experiences seriously. That’s kind of the whole point of St Pete Vibes.
When people stay with us, we’re not just handing out random suggestions. We’re doing these trips ourselves with our family and sending guests to places that consistently deliver.
Hubbard’s Marina checks that box every time.
They’ve got a ton of other options too, and we’re big fans of pairing Shell Key Island trips with some time over at John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk after. Food, shopping, and just a great family day.
Final Take
If you’re visiting St. Pete Beach and you do one water-based excursion, make it the Shell Key trip with Hubbard’s Marina.
Book in advance, especially in peak season, because these boats do fill up. And when the dolphins show up, put your phone down for at least thirty seconds and just watch.
Everything you need is at Hubbard’s Marina. Both departure locations are listed there along with the current schedule and pricing.
If you’re staying in one of our St. Pete Beach vacation rentals, just know this is exactly the kind of stuff we’ll be pointing you toward.
It’s what St Pete Vibes is all about.
