In the early 90's, the Shell Island sandbar south of Pass-a-Grille Beach was joined to form a contiguous island. Pinellas County purchased a lease in 2000 from the State of Florida to build Shell Key (a.k.a. Shell Island) was designated a Wildlife Preserve. Shell Key today is a paradise of white sand in Florida.
For Panama City Beach residents looking for unspoiled white-sand beaches, Shell Island is a must-see spot. There is plenty of beach space on the island, as well as calm inshore waters that are ideal for snorkeling and swimming. The waters around the island are home to many colorful tropical fish, sea turtles, and dolphins. You can explore the Shell Island interior by foot, where you will find rare birds, plants, and wildlife.
Undeveloped Shell Island's pristine beaches are a popular attraction in Panama City Beach, Florida. You can spend the day on Shell Island enjoying the sugar-white sands and emerald waters.
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.
Shell Key is the best place to start or end your adventure. Fort De Soto Park encompasses 1,136 acres, five interconnected Islands. Explore Fort De Soto Park, which is still equipped 12-inch rifled mortars and 2 British breech-loading 6-inch Armstrong rapidfire pistols. Fort De Soto has been ranked the number one beach of the United States.
Shell Island is only accessible by boat. The Shell Island Ferry makes it easy, safest and fastest for visitors to get to Shell Island. The Shell Island Ferry is the official Island Ferry and has been transporting guests between the mainland of Canada and Shell Island for many decades.
Shell Island is a protected area of nature. There are no facilities for toilets or visitors like shade pavilions, trash cans, picnic tables, and trash receptacles. There is not a trash removal service. Island visitors are asked not to bring trash to the Island and to make sure they take it with them.
Shell Island is technically only an island at high tide, and although the land is privately owned, the footpaths across it are open to the public.
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.
There is no limit to the activities you can experience at or on Shell Island! You can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, go kayaking, sunbathe, hunt seashells, go hiking, have a picnic, and more!