Over 7 miles of waterfront, includes almost three miles of beautiful white sandy beach. Island Ferry offers the finest Shell Key kayaking tours in St Pete! Emerging from the wealth of bird life, sea life, wildlife and plant life is the majestic tapestry called Fort De Soto. Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, A good experience not a great experience for the price, Ask TravelingGraces1 about Hubbard's Marina. The National Weather Service gives this area their lowest hazard rating of No unusual risk from rip currents. Nevertheless, weak swimmers or families with small children should remain vigilant. The property was repurchased from the United States in 1948 for $26,500. Snorkeling is certainly allowed although you will mostly find sandy bottom without many features. They also offer a delicious meal plan which we would highly recommend. Are you running ferries on Christmas Day? This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Enter your email address to stay updated on the latest county news, events and opportunities. You pay as you board the boat. Arnold loves to share his passion for the sport with others and enjoys teaching beginners how to get started. Location: Pier 32 Marina Resort, Tierra VerdeWebsite: https://www.islandferry.biz/. Please contact the Ferry providers directly or visit their websites for costs and schedules. See a problem in your community? See the included picture for the full schedule of times and dates. Shell Key Shuttle departures: 10:00 AM 12:00 Noon 2:00 PM Return when you wish: 12:15 PM 2:15 PM 4:15 PM (Schedule may vary, please call to confirm) Round Trip fares are $25.00 for adults $12.50 for children 12 and under (plus tax) Parking passes for the meters may be purchased when checking in for the shuttle. If you want to travel to an uninhabited barrier island with white sand, warm water, and shelling galore, our ferry to Shell Key Skip to main content More travel 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. Largo, FL 33774 No restroom facilities are provided. This was our 30 th trip. Or head over to the flats off the east tip of the park, put the anchor down, and do some fishing. This trail is great for paddle sports. Hi My family would like to visit in August Week of the 8th we have questions, 800-foot-long boat launching facility with eleven floating docks. The Ft. De Soto historical batteries have been on the National Register of Historic . Nonetheless, its beaches, lighthouse and the ruins of long gone Fort Dade welcome visitors to walk the grounds and discover the past. Each of the ferries have different policies. The closest boat ramps, trailer parking and restroom facilities are at Fort De Soto Park. If you take the last exit which is Skyway lane I believe and then turn left at the bottom of the exit you will find Maximo park and their ramp is free and not as crowded. The 12-inch mortar battery, located at the fort for which the park was named, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. There are no passes or check-in requirements for day visitors. Today, the island is once again inhabited only by its caretakers. The beach also provides refuge to the loggerhead sea turtle, which nests between April and September. Plan on starting your wildlife viewing from the boatdolphin sightings are common. Bay Pier at Fort De Soto Park will be closed to the public through Winter 2023 as Pinellas County completes the Bay Pier Replacement Project. Table of Contents show . As the official Shell Island Ferry service of St. Andrews State Park, the Shell Island Ferry has been ferrying guests between the St. Andrews State Park Marina and Shell Island for many years. 5. Well worth the price. The lighthouse was built in 1858. Fort De Soto Park Kayaking In The Shell Key In Pinellas County, Florida, you can kayak through the pristine waters of Fort De Soto Park. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. I don't have any info about overnight parking at Shell Point Marina in Ruskin. We want to go to the shell beach as visitors. This adventure tour strolls past the multi-million dollar mansions of the West Shore enclave of Tierra Verde, then continues through . Day pass and Cost? - See 2,068 traveller reviews, 2,186 candid photos, and great deals for Madeira Beach, FL, at Tripadvisor. It serves as an important study area for these species. That said, if youre into sand dollars, Shell Key is definitely worth a look. Open 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Visit the website for more details. All you have to do is pack your tent and gear for an amazing night under the stars. 2. Amenities: Beautiful beaches; Bird watching - Designated as one of the state's most important areas for shorebird nesting and wintering. We come to Madeira Beach for the pass 6 years. The trip between is a great . You will see some fish, mollusks and plenty of seashells. In 2005, Dr. Our first time we didn't know what to expect. Adding to the historical interest at Fort De Soto, two British breech-loading, rapid-fire rifles of 1890 vintage were installed in March 1982. Chat live with the county information desk. Coral Cove State Park boasts of over 200 different types of shells as being found. The park property was first purchased from the federal government in 1938 for $12,500. The shelling and dolphin watching are superb. How far from Maderina Beach? 6.8 mile, 12-foot-wide asphalt recreation trail connects the campground with the North and East Beach Swim Centers and the historic fort. The ferry to Egmont Key runs twice each day during the regular season It returns back to Fort DeSoto at 2:00pm and 3:00pm. Our ferry boat operates daily in the spring and summer and nearly every day in the fall and winter. You'll paddle along mangroves, enjoy white sand beaches and sandbars, and explore a secluded beach. We booked a 12 hour private charter, spending a lot of money. Your email address will not be published. Getting to Egmont Key Take the Egmont Key Ferry from the Bay Pier inside Fort De Soto Park to the island. Located in Pinellas County, between Fort Desoto Park and Pass-A-Grille Beach, you can load your kayak or boat off State Road 679 by taking the Pinellas Byway South through Terra Verde. Please arrive 30-45 minutes prior to departure. Overnight primitive camping is allowed but a permit is required. They worked TIRELESSLY the entire trip to ensure everything went off without a hitch. Whether you are sitting on the beach or kayaking near the still waters edge at Fort De Soto, you find yourself absorbed in the abundance of natural beauty as far as the eye can see. Tilt up your outboard and go right in to the shallows. We are pleased to offer our citizens, businesses and visitors online access to permitting, inspection scheduling, fee payments and other services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Highly recommended. 1. The 20-minute ferry will then travel to Shell Key, an uninhabited barrier island with white sand, warm water and shelling galore. The Topwater Kayak Outpost at Fort Desoto Park offers canoe and kayak rentals to both newbies and experienced paddlers. The Egmont Key Ferry transports visitors from Fort DeSoto Park, the most southern point of Pinellas County, to Egmont Key State Park. For more information, visit the project page. For $20 more they will take you on a snorkel tour. Again we all had a good time and fish are not guaranteed, I think we could have changed things up instead of using the same tactic for the entire 12 hours. Begin and end your adventure at historic Fort De Soto, a military outpost constructed during the Spanish American War, listed in the "National Register of Historic Places". The ferry service does not include camping permits so campers must obtain permits from the county website before booking passage to the island. The south public use area is about a mile and a half from the Ft. Desoto Boat ramps. more. Great experience, staff is friendly and knowledgeable. There is also a ferry to Shell Island, with is a unihibatied island inbetween Fort De Soto North Beach and Pass-a-grille. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. 4. Hubbard's does a great job. Day pass and Cost? The 1,800-acre Preserve is home to many diverse marine habitats, including a barrier island that is undeveloped, numerous mangrove islands, and expansive seagrass beds. Refreshments and snacks are available on . Board our ferry at Fort De Soto boat ramp, at the historic Fort De Soto, a military outpost constructed during the Spanish American Ware. Can you get in the water at Letchworth State Park? 3 out of the 4 of us were 1st timers, so was a little unsure of how a large tour would go. Captain Art was very knowledgeable. The Ferry will drop off campers and return at set times the following day to pick them up. Don't go if you don't want to make friends but if you do you will meet someone from other cities and even other countries. Hubbard's Marina not only allow kids to join in on the fun, they welcome it! I would call to make sure. The trip to Shell Key took about 2 hours. All rights reserved. White sand great for sunbathing and crystal cle. In addition, Fort Dade controlled the channel on the other side of Egmont Key as well. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Take a run over to Egmont Key. Anyone who finds Fort De Soto interesting should make a point of . https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/shell-key-camping/, contact the Ferry providers directly or visit their websites, National Weather Service gives this area their lowest hazard rating, Camping on hold during Coronavirus beach closures, New Land Bridge Underscores Need For Impact Awareness, Shell Key Campfires Banned During Summer Nesting Season. 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. This upgrade will replace cash transactions at the front entrance booth at Fort De Soto and alleviate traffic entering the park. These keys are home to beach plants, mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks, hardwoods and scores of native plants. Can you walk to Shell Key from Fort Desoto? Annual park attendance averages more than 2.7 million visitors. Find us on the web at theviewfromflorida.com Dolphin Watching Nature Cruise and Eco Tour Half Day Fishing Experience in Madeira Beach Alligator Attraction-Wildlife Discovery Center. The trip between is a great chance to spot dolphins, sea turtles and even manatees! Location: Ft. Desoto Boat Ramps, Tierra VerdeWebsite: https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/shell-key-camping/. The Ft. Desoto Boat Ramp seems like a bit of overkill to launch a small paddle boat, but it is the only location that allows overnight parking close to Shell Key. Each of these species plays a vital role in the preservation and protection of the natural environment. 1. Shells, both large and small, can be found along the gulf side of the park from the fishing pier to the tip of North Beach. We always love when we find great companies where we can book multiple tours throughout our stay with. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. The Ferry will drop off campers and return at set times the following day to pick them up. If you collect shells regularly (or even just snap pics of them for your IG feed), then you probably have visited beaches that offer just as many shells without the extra step of hopping on a boat to visit. Speed Boat Adventures. Come expecting to spend all day! Have a glass of wine or beer and make new friends Hope see you in next October and sit down and make a new friend. 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. Shell Key is an uninhabited barrier island that is part of a preserve north of De Soto's North Beach accessible only by water. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. It includes one of the County's largest undeveloped barrier islands (Shell Key) as well as numerous mangrove islands and expansive seagrass beds. Report it to Pinellas County Government using the web page below or via our mobile app. Explore Fort DeSoto Park and ride the ferry to Shell Key for the ultimate beach day! 4. How long does it take to kayak from Fort Desoto to Shell Key? Re: Shell Island via Fort Desoto. My parents , grand kids and great grand kids all had a wonderful time . This is a paddle route meant for kayaking, canoeing, or other forms of paddling- it is not a hiking route. You will need a ferry ticket to "camper" Shell Key and a permit from Shell Key for camping. This is a paddle route meant for kayaking, canoeing, or other forms of paddling- it is not a hiking route. We are going to be launching at Maximo park which is just off of I-275 before you go over the Skyway. Whether you are enjoying the beach, exploring the fort, or paddling out on the water there is an activity here for everyone. This is a beautiful kayak trip with crystal clear water and soft sand through mangroves. Where: Shell Key is an uninhabited barrier island that is located between Fort Desoto Park and Pass-A-Grille. The Shell Key Ferry will take day visitors and campers to the South Public Use Area of the island. How far from Maderina Beach? July 21, 2022 by Arnold Lynn. See the crew for your free parking pass to leave on your dashboard while taking the ferry. Piers & Boardwalks, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Boat Tours, Eco Tours, Sightseeing Tours, Dolphin & Whale Watching, Nature & Wildlife Tours. Ferry service to Egmont Key; Ferry service to Shell Key; Concession/snack bar/souvenir shop; Quartermaster Museum; 6.8 mile, 12-foot-wide asphalt recreation trail connects the campground with the North and East Beach Swim Centers and the historic fort. Ferry cost for children and adults? There is a section of waterfront campsites in the area that allows dogs that is on the bay boarding Shell Island. Markers showing the original building locations and aQuartermaster Storehouse Museumadd to the parks historic interest. He has competed in numerous competitions and has won several medals. The water seemed calm enough to paddle to it, and circumnavigate Fort De Soto. Fort De Soto Boat Ramp, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, FL 33715, USA The ferry departs from the boat ramp before you enter Fort De Soto park. In 1941 the property was sold back to the federal government for $18,404 to be used as a gunnery and bombing range during World War II. Beach named Fort De Soto the nations No. Apply for a Right-of-Way Utilization Permit, Apply to be a Small Business Enterprise Vendor, Occupational Licenses/Business Tax Receipts, Florida Small Business Development Center, Pinellas County Economic Development Data Center, Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County, Request to Hold a Special Event in a Park, Parks & Conservation Resources Department, Building and Development Review Services Department, Housing and Community Development Department.
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