Cruise from John’s Pass to Shell Key for island shelling
3 Hours
Boat cruise, island shelling
Head out from Hubbard’s Marina in John’s Pass for a 3-hour Shell Key shelling trip with time on the island and a relaxing cruise through protected bay waters. On the return, you may cruise along Gulf beaches when weather allows.
$7 all-day parking is available in the garage across from the office when you check in, and it will be added to your booking. Carts are not allowed unless they are collapsible and fully broken down before loading the boat.
Cancel 24+ hours before your scheduled trip for no charge. Cancellations within 24 hours incur a 50% fee. No-shows are charged in full.
Arrive 30–45 minutes before departure for check-in and boarding.
Park in the garage across from the office and take a ticket on entry. At check-in, the crew adds an all-day parking fee to your booking and gives you a dashboard voucher.
Park oversized vehicles in the Shell Lot (next to Yogurt City) and ask for a parking voucher at check-in.
Hubbard's consistently delivers memorable outings on the water, with guests praising both the dolphin cruises and fishing trips. The crews stand out as the real stars here—captains and first mates like Steve and Kirsten, Captain Jim and Mate Tracy, and Captain Sal with Tim earn rave reviews for being knowledgeable, entertaining, and genuinely passionate about what they do. People appreciate learning about the local dolphins and ecosystem while enjoying plenty of laughs along the way. Even when weather conditions aren't ideal or dolphin sightings are limited, the staff goes the extra mile to ensure everyone has a great time. The whole operation runs smoothly from check-in through the end of your trip. Guests love the extra touches: crews reposition boats for better views, offer blankets on chilly days, take photos for groups, and share interesting facts about the area's history and wildlife. The sunset cruises get particular praise for their stunning views and relaxed atmosphere. Whether you're fishing and hoping for a good catch or simply wanting to see dolphins play alongside the boat, the experienced teams here know how to create an experience that's both fun and educational.
The three hour shelling cruise was a great way to experience Florida nature. Before the actual boat ride to the island, there were an array of different birds waiting near the docks. As soon as the boat set sail, there was fun music played on the speakers, and fun-facts about St John’s Pass, the location of the tour. The crew on the boat, Captain Mike and First-mate Ellie, were very kind and knowledgeable. Our daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids had a great time seeing the sights of the ocean, from a dolphin “chuffing” to a small Fiddler crab. At the island, there was sufficient amount of time to find shells and other unique things on the beach. The girls had a lot of fun diving in the water looking for shells and even found several sand dollars! And on the boat ride back, the captain and first mate surprised us by drilling holes in any of the shells we wanted, all free of charge. After the drilling, they would either turn them into necklaces or earrings. One thing we would recommend: if you want to go in the water, bring goggles and a swimsuit. The experience was great and we would definitely recommend it again.
Bill & Annette Hennip
April 6, 2026
The three hour shelling cruise was a great way to experience Florida nature. Before the actual boat ride to the island, there were an array of different birds waiting near the docks. As soon as the boat set sail, there was fun music played on the speakers, and fun-facts about St John’s Pass, the location of the tour. The crew on the boat, Captain Mike and First-mate Ellie, were very kind and knowledgeable. Our daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids had a great time seeing the sights of the ocean, from a dolphin “chuffing” to a small Fiddler crab. At the island, there was sufficient amount of time to find shells and other unique things on the beach. The girls had a lot of fun diving in the water looking for shells and even found several sand dollars! And on the boat ride back, the captain and first mate surprised us by drilling holes in any of the shells we wanted, all free of charge. After the drilling, they would either turn them into necklaces or earrings. One thing we would recommend: if you want to go in the water, bring goggles and a swimsuit. The experience was great and we would definitely recommend it again.
Bill & Annette Hennip
April 6, 2026