Shell Island Shuttle Hours

Ferry Service


Shell Island is only accessible by boat. The Shell Island Ferry makes it easy, safest and fastest to get there. The official Shell Island Ferry service for St. Andrews State Park has been operating since many years.

Park —


The natural preserve of St. Andrews State Park, located in Panama City Beach Florida, includes a part of Shell Island (a barrier island measuring 7 miles). This stretch of undeveloped beach, coast scrubland and pine hammocks seperates St. Andrew Bay with the Gulf of Mexico. Shell Island is a refuge for wildlife, marine mammals, and beach lovers seeking a day away from the condominiums or resorts along the shore to the north.

Shell Island Ferry 4th Of July


Begin and end your Shell Key adventure at historic Fort De Soto, a military outpost constructed during the Spanish American War, listed in the “National Register of Historic Places”, and Pinellas County’s largest park. Fort De Soto Park includes 1,136 acres of five interconnected islands.. Explore the fort that is still equipped with 12-inch rifled mortars and two British breech-loading 6-inch Armstrong rapid-fire guns. Fort De Soto has been rated the number one beach in the entire United States.

Shell Island Ferry 4th Of July
Are there shark attacks in Destin Florida

Are there shark attacks in Destin Florida


Not available at this time. You are welcome to bring your own. We offer beach chairs and umbrellas for rent. You can also buy sun block and other accessories along with drinks and snacks at the store where you purchase Ferry tickets.

Shell Island Sc Boat Tour


In the early 1990's the Shell Island sandbar, located just south of Pass-a-Grille Beach, was joined to form one contiguous Island. Pinellas County obtained a lease from Florida in 2000 to create Shell Key (a.k.a. Shell Island was established in 2000 as a Wildlife Preserve. Today, Shell Key is a beautiful white strip of Florida paradise.

Edisto Beach

Edisto Beach


Yes. You may bring your own umbrellas, coolers, beach chairs and umbrellas. If you are leaving the Island, make sure to take your beverage containers and food packaging.

Kayaking


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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Go Where the Dolphins are

Shell Island is 7 miles of incredible beach bliss located across the water from Saint Andrew's Park. This natural wonder is one of your best bets for finding and swimming with dolphins in Panama City Beach.

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!

When you visit Shell Key, you are essentially in the wilderness. There are no toilets – there is no running water – no trash cans or any other modern conveniences. It is up to you to bring everything you need to survive – and, more importantly – to leave nothing behind except footprints