Shell Key offers a camping adventure for those who love to camp! All you need for an unforgettable night is a "camper" ferry tickets, a Shell Key camping permit and all your camping gear. This is an amazing opportunity to camp on a small island.
For groups of 20 people or more, the Shell Island Ferry offers a 20% discount on all tickets when you pay as one group.
This is a unique experience! The ferry boat operates every day in spring and summer and almost every day in autumn and winter. The journey to the island takes around twenty minutes. You have great chances of seeing dolphins, sea turtles and manatees. Seabirds are often seen on the boat ride from Shell Key to the island.
If you want to travel to Shell Key by ferry, you should pack as though you were spending the day at sea. Make sure to bring sunscreen, towels and any other gear such as sun protective hats. Shell Key is a private island. You won't find a shop or bathroom on the island. So bring plenty of water, food, drinks, and a cooler.
* We pick up at the State Park docks approximately 2.2 miles from the island.
Any shells with no living creatures inside can be kept. For empty shells that aren't broken, you can snorkel or go knee-deep in the water away from the beach landing and main boat landing.
Shell Key is also home to a large nature preserve. Guests are restricted from half the island, which allows for the turtles and seabirds to enjoy a section unaffected beach. This area is home countless nesting birds and nesting tortles.
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 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.
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!
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.