Paddle to Paradise in Southern Pinellas County!
Shell Key Preserve is one of the most beautiful places to paddle in the Tampa Bay area! Follow this advice to make the most of your adventure.
Locals love Shell Key Preserve in southern Pinellas County and it’s easy to see why: there are white sand beaches and the water is crystal clear!
The preserve stretches nearly 2,000 acres and includes the water, barrier island, and mangrove islands. The public is only allowed on the northern and southern sections of the barrier island. The central core is used for conservation because Shell Key is one of the most important places in the state for Shorebird nesting and wintering!
Some people chose to launch from the Fort De Soto campground and paddle across Bunces Pass to the southern part of the island. However, I would not recommend this unless you are a seasoned paddler because of the amount of boat traffic.
Instead, launch from the local spot: Butler Hole!
When you roll up to 2800 Pinellas Bayway S in Tierra Verde, you’ll find a bunch of cars parked on the side of the road and a few holes in the mangroves.
Here are a couple other things to keep in mind:
Check the tide before you paddle to Shell Key. High tide will give you the best experience. Plus, there’s a better chance of seeing dolphins at high tide.
Wind more than 10 mph will make the journey difficult, especially when it’s from the north or south.
If you don’t have your own boat, you can arrange a rental ahead of time with a variety of vendors, including Nauti Kayak Adventure Tours. However, you should book your boat *before arriving at Butler Hole due to county rules.
As you paddle north from Butler Hole, you’ll pass Sawyer Key (on your left) and Oceanview Drive (on your right). It’s considered to be one of the most expensive spots in the bay area! I always get a kick looking at home prices in the area. Wild!
You’ll also likely gather a few friends as you continue on your adventure! Double-crested cormorant’s will swim alongside you, in hopes that you’ll stir up some fish and make their lunch easier to catch!
As you continue paddling northwest, you’ll see a stretch of white sand on the distance that’s separated by Irma’s Pass (where Hurricane Irma sliced through the barrier island in 2017 and helped solve a water quality issue).
The beach to the south of Irma’s Pass used to be a more popular spot, but due to erosion, the north side is now the better spot to stop. A path will take you to to the Gulf side of the island. From there, you can see the Don Cesar and Pass-a-Grille Beach in the distance. Be sure to go for a dip!
