Paddle Shell Key after dark in a clear LED-lit kayak
1.5 - 2 Hours
Clear kayak, guide, lifejacket
Explore Shell Key Preserve after dark in a 100% clear tandem kayak with color-changing LED lights. Sunset tours include a beach stop, while glow tours paddle through a mangrove tunnel.
All sales are final; cancellations are not permitted. Arrive 15 minutes early; arriving after tour time is a no-show with no refund or rescheduling. Unsafe weather: reschedule or full refund.
Product ID: GVXN2U
Arrive 15 minutes before your tour time.
Yes. Sign your waivers before the tour and watch the required safety video as part of the waiver process.
Wear long sleeves and/or long pants, and apply bug spray before you go out on tour.
Billy's Stone Crab, 1 Collany Rd, Tierra Verde, FL 33715
Reaching Shell Key Preserve means stepping onto a stretch of sand that looks much as it did long before the Gulf Coast was developed. Accessible only by boat, this undeveloped barrier island off Tierra Verde rewards visitors with powdery white shoreline, shallow turquoise flats, and the quiet company of nesting shorebirds. Shell Key Preserve earns its name honestly, with wave-sorted shells lining the tide line at nearly every turn.
This kayaking operation has clearly assembled a fantastic team of guides who genuinely love what they do. Reviewers consistently rave about guides like Jenna, Jesse, Raven, Less, and Ben, praising their infectious enthusiasm and deep knowledge of local wildlife and ecosystems. These aren't just paddling instructors taking you from point A to point B – they're passionate naturalists who spot dolphins, manatees, stingrays, and various bird species while sharing fascinating insights about the preserve's environment. The wildlife encounters seem to be the real highlight here, with nearly every review mentioning multiple sightings during their tours. Guides go the extra mile by taking photos to share with guests and remembering everyone's names within minutes, creating a personal touch that transforms a simple kayak trip into something more memorable. The sunset tours get special mentions for combining beautiful scenery with excellent wildlife viewing. With an incredibly consistent track record across thousands of reviews, this appears to be one of those rare operations that delivers exactly what it promises every single time.
Very fun!
Kate Frankford
July 8, 2026
Very fun!
Kate Frankford
July 8, 2026

Enjoy a spacious 24’ deck boat with watersports allowed and seating for up to 12
Island-hop, visit sandbars, or fish the flats from a capable center-console boat
Cruise the Gulf Coast on a 22' premium center console with 4, 6, or 8-hour options
Paddle Shell Key Preserve in a 100% Clear Tandem Kayak
Private clear kayak tour with mangrove tunnels, beaches, or birding
Snorkel and shell at Shell Key Preserve on a small-group cruise
Semi-private 2-hour sunset cruise through Tierra Verde canals
Snorkel Shell Key’s shallows while looking for dolphins and marine life
Snorkel and shell at Shell Key while looking for dolphins from a shaded boat