Shell Key offers an overnight camping experience for campers! You will need a ferry ticket to "camper" Shell Key and a permit from Shell Key for camping. All you have to do is pack your tent and gear for an amazing night under the stars. This is an incredible opportunity to camp out on a remote island.


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.

Coastline


The 7-mile-long barrier island Shell Island is located at the south-eastern tip of Panama City Beach Florida's natural reserve, St. Andrews State Park. This undeveloped stretch of white sandy beach, coastal scrubland, pine hammocks, and sandbars seperates St. Andrews Bay form the Gulf of Mexico. Shell Island is an oasis for wildlife, marine mammals, and beach lovers who seek a day away from the condominiums, resorts, and condos along the coast.

Coastline
Shell Island Ferry Zillow

Shell Island Ferry Zillow


Shell Island can only easily be reached by boat. Shell Island Ferry offers visitors the best, most secure, and fastest way to reach Shell Island. Since 1999, the Shell Island Ferry, which is officially the Shell Island Ferry service provided by St. Andrews State Park Marina to Shell Island has been transporting guests there for many years.

Tour


The fun, scenic ride over to Shell Island takes only a few minutes and passengers are dropped off in the peaceful cove behind Shell Island Ferry, a great play spot for children and just a short walk from the Gulf of Mexico beachfront.

How far is Shell Island from shore

How far is Shell Island from shore


Shell Key is also considered a large nature reserve. The island's nearly half is locked to guests. It allows native seabirds as well as sea turtles to have a small section of undisturbed beach. This preserve is home of many nesting birds, nesting turtles.

Panamacrab Island


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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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!

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.

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