We caught a lot of grey snapper and a few porgies. They also offer a delicious meal plan which we would highly recommend. 3. Whether you are enjoying the beach, exploring the fort, or paddling out on the water there is an activity here for everyone. Shell Island can only easily be reached by boat. Your email address will not be published. If you take the last exit which is Skyway lane I believe and then turn left at the bottom of the exit you will find Maximo park and their ramp is free and not as crowded. Since 1999, the Shell Island Ferry, which is officially the Shell Island Ferry service provided by St. Andrews State Park Marina to Shell Island has been transporting guests there for many years. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 6.8 mile, 12-foot-wide asphalt recreation trail connects the campground with the North and East Beach Swim Centers and the historic fort. Can you walk to Shell Key from Fort Desoto? 1901 Pass a Grille Way Located at Pass A Grille Marina, Next to the Warf Resturant, St. Petersburg, FL 33706-4141. Our ferry boat operates daily in the spring and summer and nearly every day in the fall and winter. It serves as an important study area for these species. We are the only official ferry service to and from Egmont Key and Shell Key. See crystal-clear water, diverse marine life, and the underwater world below your clear kayak. Day pass and Cost? 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. It is listed in the "National Register of Historic Places" and Pinellas County's largest park. Great experience, staff is friendly and knowledgeable. This trail is great for paddle sports. I joked with Bobbie at the end that they all deserve a jewel in their crown for their constant patience and graciousness while running back and forth around the boat getting lines untangled, helping people if they got stuck on the bottom, taking fish off, etc. Once you get there it is all worth it, as it is the most beautiful water Ive ever seen. How long does it take to kayak from Fort Desoto to Shell Key? https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/shell-key-camping/, contact the Ferry providers directly or visit their websites, National Weather Service gives this area their lowest hazard rating, Camping on hold during Coronavirus beach closures, New Land Bridge Underscores Need For Impact Awareness, Shell Key Campfires Banned During Summer Nesting Season. Explore Fort DeSoto Park and ride the ferry to Shell Key for the ultimate beach day! Open 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. July 21, 2022 by Arnold Lynn. Distance from Mad Beach to either of the 3 Ferry providers would be roughly similar. This adventure tour strolls past the multi-million dollar mansions of the West Shore enclave of Tierra Verde, then continues through . Shell Key can be accessed by kayaks that can be rented. Snorkeling is certainly allowed although you will mostly find sandy bottom without many features. I wanted to spend day at shell beach ; need time please and thank you , its late notice ( or call me? As I mention earlier, when taking a kayak out, be sure to review your map prior to departure. The National Weather Service gives this area their lowest hazard rating of No unusual risk from rip currents. Nevertheless, weak swimmers or families with small children should remain vigilant. Shell Island can only be accessed by boat, and the Shell Island Ferry is the easiest, safest, and quickest way for visitors to reach Shell Island. Not spending the night just day time how do we get back last ferry out? The park property was first purchased from the federal government in 1938 for $12,500. Anyone who finds Fort De Soto interesting should make a point of . We want to go to the shell beach as visitors. Again we all had a good time and fish are not guaranteed, I think we could have changed things up instead of using the same tactic for the entire 12 hours. This is an incredible opportunity to camp out on a remote island. The Ft. De Soto historical batteries have been on the National Register of Historic . But, as I did not get in the water until 2:00 pm on a late June Florida day, that . The 20-minute ferry will then travel to Shell Key, an uninhabited barrier island with white sand, warm water and shelling galore. Shell Island Ferry offers visitors the best, most secure, and fastest way to reach Shell Island. Egmont Key Ferry from Fort De Soto Park. Coral Cove State Park boasts of over 200 different types of shells as being found. The dolphins are fun to watch and to see some baby dolphins is a great thing to see.. Not every sunset is great but the ones ( and it is most of them) are fantastic,. Our clear kayak tours to Shell Key can accommodate from 2 persons to 16 people, and are approximately 2 -1/2 hours long, depending on conditions, and the pace of the group. I have read that it is a 10 mile trip, beginning and ending at the Boat Ramp. The shelling and dolphin watching are superb. Table of Contents show . Fort De Soto Park Kayaking In The Shell Key In Pinellas County, Florida, you can kayak through the pristine waters of Fort De Soto Park. Well worth the price. This service also operates right at Egmont key, which means that upon arriving back through Ft. DeSoto, you can stay in your vehicle during the short shuttle ride over to Pelican lot, where they will take down all personal information before sending everyone on their merry way! Shell Key is an uninhabited barrier island that is part of a preserve north of De Soto's North Beach accessible only by water. First time taking the ferry from the Fort Desoto boat ramp to Shell Key today. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. This 1,800-acre preserve protects sensitive marine habitats. Whether you are sitting on the beach or kayaking near the still waters edge at Fort De Soto, you find yourself absorbed in the abundance of natural beauty as far as the eye can see. Refreshments and snacks are available on . Does Fort DeSoto beach have shells? Two fishing piers each pier has a food and bait concession Gulf & Bay Pier Hours: 7 a.m. sunset. This area is not known for particularly strong rip currents. Shellkey.org is not affiliated with any of the ferry services listed on this page. Piers & Boardwalks, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Boat Tours, Eco Tours, Sightseeing Tours, Dolphin & Whale Watching, Nature & Wildlife Tours. The ferry to Egmont Key runs twice each day during the regular season It returns back to Fort DeSoto at 2:00pm and 3:00pm. Have a glass of wine or beer and make new friends Hope see you in next October and sit down and make a new friend. The oldest continuing ferry to Shell Key, the Shell Key Shuttle takes visitors from Merry Pier in Pass-a-Grille Beach to the North Public Use area. Shells, both large and small, can be found along the gulf side of the park from the fishing pier to the tip of North Beach. When a group of six book a 12 hour trip they want to catch BIG fish not something they can typically catch inshore. The only camping allowed in the Shell Key Preserve is within the South Public Use Area of the main island (Shell Key). It is like you are swimming in a pool it is so crystal clear. The tourism site Visit St. Pete/Clearwater is the countys main resource for visitors, Parks and Conservation Resources How far from Maderina Beach? 123K views, 426 likes, 147 loves, 244 comments, 1.6K shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Zack Perry: LIVING IN PARADISE Explore Fort DeSoto Park and take the ferry to Shell Key for the ultimate. A ferry also departs from the Fort DeSoto bay pier to Shell Key, a barrier island between Mullet Key and Pass-a-Grille in St. Petersburg. Very customer focused. Shell Key: Pristine island complements Fort De Soto Park. 2. If you collect shells regularly (or even just snap pics of them for your IG feed), then you probably have visited beaches that offer just as many shells without the extra step of hopping on a boat to visit. Or head over to the flats off the east tip of the park, put the anchor down, and do some fishing. The trip between is a great chance to spot dolphins, sea turtles and even manatees! Location. Because of the rods/reels we were using were to catch big fish, you could barely tell you had one of our snapper or porgies on the line. This is a beautiful kayak trip with crystal clear water and soft sand through mangroves. The largest park within the Pinellas County Park System, Fort De Soto park consists of 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected islands (keys). If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The ferry service does not include camping permits so campers must obtain permits from the county website before booking passage to the island. Bay Pier at Fort De Soto Park will be closed to the public through Winter 2023 as Pinellas County completes the Bay Pier Replacement Project. We saw Dolphins twice during the trip. This is a paddle route meant for kayaking, canoeing, or other forms of paddling- it is not a hiking route. Plan on starting your wildlife viewing from the boatdolphin sightings are common. Emerging from the wealth of bird life, sea life, wildlife and plant life is the majestic tapestry called Fort De Soto. Note: No restrooms available. 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! How far from Maderina Beach? 2.25-mile recreational canoe trail. As you pull into the boat ramp, take your first right and park in the far back corner. Funding for this project is provided by the Federal Transit Authority and the Penny for Pinellas. The cost is $20 for each passenger. You'll paddle along mangroves, enjoy white sand beaches and sandbars, and explore a secluded beach. 3500 Pinellas Bayway S. Take an adventurous ride to beautiful Egmont Key on a 46-foot, U.S. Coast Guard Certified Tour Boats ferry. Arnold Lynn has been an expert kayaker and paddler for over 20 years. Speed Boat Adventures. Ferry cost for children and adults? *NEW* Ferry Service from Fort De Soto Boat Ramp to Shell Key. Location: Pier 32 Marina Resort, Tierra VerdeWebsite: https://www.islandferry.biz/. 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! There are just ruins around. Ferry cost for children and adults? The lighthouse was built in 1858. As the official Shell Island Ferry service of St. Andrews State Park, the Shell Island Ferry has been ferrying guests between the St. Andrews State Park Marina and Shell Island for many years. more. The tours will operate in the protected waters and mangroves tunnels of the Shell Key Wildlife Preserve in Pinellas County. The ferry ride to the island is about 60 minutes and offers great chances to spot dolphins, sea turtles, and sometimes even manatees! We always love when we find great companies where we can book multiple tours throughout our stay with. There is also a ferry to Shell Island, with is a unihibatied island inbetween Fort De Soto North Beach and Pass-a-grille. We often spot sea birds on the ride to and from Egmont Key Island aboard the Hubbards Ferry, our big blue boat. The trip between is a great . Come expecting to spend all day! Other shells can be found along the bay and the mud flats. Hubbard's does a great job. Fort De Soto is a true gem of the west-central Florida coast and definitely worth a visit should you find yourself in the area. See the roundtrip schedule and make a reservation here. Where: Shell Key is an uninhabited barrier island that is located between Fort Desoto Park and Pass-A-Grille. These keys are home to beach plants, mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks, hardwoods and scores of native plants. Please arrive 30-45 minutes prior to departure. I would call to make sure. Getting to Egmont Key Take the Egmont Key Ferry from the Bay Pier inside Fort De Soto Park to the island. 1. I don't have any info about overnight parking at Shell Point Marina in Ruskin. The Ferry will drop off campers and return at set times the following day to pick them up. Enter your email address to stay updated on the latest county news, events and opportunities. Shell Key Preserve is a natural and uninhabited barrier Island off Fort Desoto near St. Petersburg, Florida. There is a section of waterfront campsites in the area that allows dogs that is on the bay boarding Shell Island. The only way to get to Shell Key is by boat. Do you have to make reservations in advance? Adding to the historical interest at Fort De Soto, two British breech-loading, rapid-fire rifles of 1890 vintage were installed in March 1982. Kayaking St. Petersburg, Floridas Fort Desoto Park. Highly recommended. All their employees made a point to express to our kids that not only were they not in the way, but that they were so excited they were a part of the tour. Can you snorkel there and are there rip currents? Return details . White sand great for sunbathing and crystal cle. - See 2,068 traveller reviews, 2,186 candid photos, and great deals for Madeira Beach, FL, at Tripadvisor. As the official Island Shuttle, the Shell Island Shuttle has been ferrying guests between the mainland and Shell Island for many years. Cleaning and safety practices Enhanced cleanliness measures High-touch surfaces cleaned and disinfected Largo, FL 33774 The whole trip was a great time. Most of the ferries will take walk in customers, but it would be first come first serve. Fort De Soto is a great park and offers a wide range of possiblities. All rights reserved. Hi My family would like to visit in August Week of the 8th we have questions, The south public use area is about a mile and a half from the Ft. Desoto Boat ramps. Its an abandoned fort. We come to Madeira Beach for the pass 6 years. How To Visit Shell Key Shell Key Preserve The primary ways to reach Shell Key is by boat or by kayak, of which the Shell Key Ferry launches daily from Fort DeSoto and has a fee of $25 per person. Tilt up your outboard and go right in to the shallows. What are class rapids or on the Toccoa River? Find us on the web at theviewfromflorida.com If you want to travel to an uninhabited barrier island with white sand, warm water, and shelling galore, our ferry to Shell Key Skip to main content More travel Preserve is . Over 7 miles of waterfront, includes almost three miles of beautiful white sandy beach. Dolphin Watching Nature Cruise and Eco Tour Half Day Fishing Experience in Madeira Beach Alligator Attraction-Wildlife Discovery Center. We recently took our 6 and 8 year old along on a half day deep sea fishing trip with Hubbard's Marina and had such an amazing time. 775-746-2508, or text. Day pass and Cost? How long does it take to kayak from Fort Desoto to Shell Key? The breakfast sandwiches were AMAZING and eating in their air conditioned area in the middle of the boat helped pass the time on the way out. No restroom facilities are provided. This was our 30 th trip. The Egmont Key Ferry transports visitors from Fort DeSoto Park, the most southern point of Pinellas County, to Egmont Key State Park. Ferry 1 Beach. Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, A good experience not a great experience for the price, Ask TravelingGraces1 about Hubbard's Marina. North Beach and Pass-a-grille parking at Shell Point Marina in Ruskin back last out! 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