Shell Key is a great place to shell and swim once you're on the island. Shell Key also has a large nature preserve where almost half the island is closed to give the native seabirds access to a small section of undeveloped beach. Enjoy a day of sunbathing and fun!


This is an exceptional trip. In spring and summer, the ferry boat runs almost every day and in winter it operates nearly every day. The ride to the island takes only twenty minutes. It offers excellent opportunities to spot dolphins and sea turtles as well as manatees. You may also spot seabirds while riding the green ferry boat to Shell Key.

Taxi


In the 1990's, a sandbar located south of Pass-a-Grille Beach became Shell Island. It joined its neighboring island to make one contiguous Island. Pinellas County received a lease agreement from the State of Florida in 2000. This lease allowed them to establish Shell Key, a.k.a. Shell Island) to preserve wildlife. Shell Key, today, is a Florida paradise made of pristine white sand.

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Shell Island Ferry Jacksonville Florida

Shell Island Ferry Jacksonville Florida


Not available at this time. You are welcome to bring your own. We offer beach chairs and umbrellas for rent. You can also buy sun block and other accessories along with drinks and snacks at the store where you purchase Ferry tickets.

St Andrews


Your Shell Key adventure begins and ends at Fort De Soto. A military outpost, Fort De Soto is Pinellas County’s most famous park. Fort De Soto Park consists of 1,136 acres spread across five interconnected island. Discover the fort, which still houses 12-inch rifled mortars along with two British breech-loading 6-inch Armstrong rapidfire gun guns. Fort De Soto has been named the #1 beach in the United States.

Hammocks

Hammocks


Shell Island cannot be reached by water. Visitors must travel by boat to reach it. Shell Island Ferry is the simplest, most reliable, and fastest way to get there. The Shell Island Ferry serves as the official Shell Island Ferry provider of St. Andrews State Park. Since many years, it has been ferrying visitors between Shell Island Marina and St. Andrews State Park Marina.

Shell Island Ferry Vs Blockade Runner


You can keep any shells you do not believe to have living creatures in them. You can find intact shells by snorkeling and wading below the boat landing or beach areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shell Island is a nature preserve with no restrooms or any other visitor facilities such as trash receptacles, picnic tables, or shade pavilions. There is no trash removal service. Island visitors are asked to be responsible and take everything they bring to the Island with them when they leave.

Shell Island is on the west coast of Wales about 7 miles north of Barmouth. There is a road leading to there that you drive on, but at certain high tides the sea covers the road.

Snorkeling is safe and easy for people of all ages. One of the best things about Shell Island is that the calm shallow water behind the jetty is the perfect place for first-time snorkelers to try the sport.