Shell Island Ferry has operated since 1928. It is family-owned and managed. We are the official ferry service from and to Egmont Key and Shell Key.
Shell Key is also an important nature preserve. Nearly half the island is closed to visitors, giving the local seabirds and turtles access to a portion of undeveloped beach. The nature preserve is home to a lot of nesting birds as well as nesting turtles.
There is no limit to how long you can stay on the island, but at the end each day you must take the last ferry off. You should always check the Ferry schedule when you purchase your Ferry ticket.
* We pick up at the State Park docks approximately 2.2 miles from the island.
This service is currently unavailable. Shell Island Ferry provides transportation services. A concession boat is also available during summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This is the only concessional service on the island.
Shell Island Ferry is family owned and operated since 1928. We are the only official ferry service to and from Egmont Key and Shell Key.
The Shell Island Ferry offers a discount of 20% off the price of each ticket for groups of 20 or more people when you pay as a group.
Once you get there it is all worth it, as it is the most beautiful water I've ever seen. It is like you are swimming in a pool it is so crystal clear. We didn't know what to expect with this so we went planning to spend a few hours on the island. Come expecting to spend all day!
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.
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.
About an hour drive
Shell Island is an actual island in the St Andrews Bay off of Panama City Beach, about an hour drive from Destin.