Yes, you can bring your own coolers and beach chairs. You should bring your own beverage containers and food packets when you leave the island.


Start and finish your Shell Key adventure at Fort De Soto. This historic military outpost was built during the Spanish American War and is listed on the "National Register of Historic Places". It's Pinellas County’s largest park. Fort De Soto Park covers 1,136 acres and five interconnected islands. The fort still has 12 inch rifled mortars as well as two British breech-loading 6-inch Armstrong rapid fire guns. Fort De Soto is the most popular beach in America.

Do great white sharks come close to shore


For groups of 20 people or more, the Shell Island Ferry offers a 20% discount on all tickets when you pay as one group.

Do great white sharks come close to shore
Shell Island Beach Tours Photos

Shell Island Beach Tours Photos


Once on the island, Shell Key offers great shelling and swimming. Shell Key is also home to a large nature preserve, where nearly half of the island is blocked to allow the native seabirds a section of undisturbed beach. Come out and enjoy a beautiful day of fun in the sun!

Shell Island Shuttle


A portion of Shell Island, a barrier-island that measures 7-miles long, is found at the south-eastern tip of Panama City Beach Florida's natural preserve St. Andrews State Park. This undeveloped stretch of white sandy beach, coastal scrubland & pine hammocks divides St. Andrew Bay and the open oceans of the Gulf of Mexico. Shell Island is an oasis for wildlife and marine life, as well as beach lovers who wish to escape the resorts, condominiums, and other developments that line the coast to the north.

Shell Island Ferry 16b

Shell Island Ferry 16b


Shell Island Ferry has been in the family since 1928. We are the only official ferry service between Egmont Key & Shell Key.

Shell Island Ferry St Pete


The scenic ride to Shell Island takes just a few seconds and passengers are dropped off in the peaceful cove next Shell Island Ferry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shell Island is seven miles of undeveloped scenery between the Gulf and St. Andrew Bay. At one point, Shell Island was inhabited by Native Americans, Spanish Settlers, and even pirates.

Sand dollars, moon snails, conch shells, pin shells, periwinkles, whelk and olive shells are just a few of the indigenous seashells found here. And, as long as there are no creatures living in them, there is no limit to how many of these one-of-a-kind souvenirs you can take home with you

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.

When you visit Shell Key, you are essentially in the wilderness. There are no toilets – there is no running water – no trash cans or any other modern conveniences. It is up to you to bring everything you need to survive – and, more importantly – to leave nothing behind except footprints