You may keep any shells that do not have living creatures inside. Try snorkeling or wading knee-deep away from the main boat landing and beach use areas to find empty, unbroken shells.
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. As the official Island Ferry, the Shell Island Ferry has been ferrying guests between the mainland and Shell Island for many years.
Camping enthusiasts will love our overnight camping experience on Shell Key. To have an unforgettable night under the stars, all you need to do is get your ferry ticket for "camper", a Shell Key camping permit, and your camping gear. This is a rare opportunity to camp on an isolated island.
This trip is one of a kind… 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! Our ferry boat operates daily in the spring and summer and nearly every day in the fall and winter. The ride to the island is about twenty minutes and offers great chances to spot dolphins, sea turtles, and even manatees! We also often spot seabirds on the ride to and from Shell Key aboard the green ferry boat.
Unfortunately, not at the moment. You can bring your own. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent. In the same store you can buy Ferry tickets, sun block, and other accessories.
Shell Key offers excellent swimming and shelling opportunities once you get to the island. Shell Key also houses a large protected area that allows native seabirds to have a stretch of unspoiled beach. Enjoy a wonderful day in the sun.
You may be able to see dolphins on the Ferry ride. Or, you might even spot them while snorkeling around Shell Island. These are wild dolphins and we don't offer scheduled dolphin encounters. Our Panama City Beach Dolphin Tours offer a great opportunity to see dolphins.
Shell Island is technically only an island at high tide, and although the land is privately owned, the footpaths across it are open to the public.
Visitors to your pitch may come on site, after paying the daily admission fee, £10.00 per car, between 8am till 8pm. During busy times when the site is full no day visitors will be admitted on to site.
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. As the official Island Ferry, the Shell Island Ferry has been ferrying guests between the mainland and Shell Island for many years.
You may arrive anytime between 8.00am and 8.00pm (9.00pm on Fridays) no admittance will be given outside of these times. Sites must be vacated by 3.00pm on the day of departure, if you wish to extend you stay please bring your car pass back to reception to book back in.