Shell Key Beach - St. Pete Beach, Florida

Address:St. Pete Beach, Florida

Sit on the sands of Shell Key and you will feel as if you've somehow landed on the shores of a tropical desert island. Just a quick 10 minute ferry ride from the Pass-a-Grille section of St. Pete Beach, tourists who make the day trip to Shell Key Beach often feel as if they have rented a private island for just the nominal ferry fee. Trek off the beaten track, away from the ferry drop-off to stake out a section of this barrier island for yourself and you can swim, snorkel, bird watch, or search for shells, all without another soul in sight. Kayak through canopied mangroves, shallow water grass flats, and around Shell Key's mini islets, or wade the clear waters near waterfowl nesting grounds. Secure a Shell Key camping permit, spend a starry night under the vast Florida sky and count the notches on Orion's Belt as the sound of lapping waves lulls you into dreamland; astronomers and stargazers are among Shell Key's biggest fans. Shell Key Beach is a 2.5 mile long, 180 acre (practically) personal island retreat for the shoestring budgeted beach bum.

So what would you do if you found yourself stranded (well, at least for the hour until the next ferry) on a desert island? Soak up the sun, meditate on the meaning of life while looking out into the blue beyond, wade and swim. Bring along your snorkeling gear or ask the shuttle staff about their equipment rentals, Shell Key's warm, clear waters offer views of stingrays, manatee, and clouds of fish. True to its name, Shell Key Beach is also a shelling hot spot. Stroll the shores after high tide for the widest selection of ocean treasures. On Shell Key Beach sand dollars are a common find.

To poke around the Shell Key Beach bird scene, try the mangrove tunnels on the northwest side of the island, follow them into the center of the island for an up-close-and-personal encounter with Shell Key herons and pelicans. And if you want a little company on the tranquil sands you can scan the shores further for more of your feathered friends. Shell Key Beach is also home to protected bird species including the American Oystercatcher, Least Tern, Snowy Plover and Black Skimmer. Surfers who are in on the Shell Key surf secrets head to the Gulf side of Shell Key for the biggest swells and plenty of elbowroom.

Keep in mind that Shell Key Beach is rustic and uninhabited so you won't find lifeguards, a snack bar, or restrooms, should nature call. Bring along plenty of snacks or a bag lunch for a lovely little picnic on the sands. The Shell Key Shuttle generally offers sun umbrellas for rent if you'd rather not eat a sun-warmed salami sandwich. To catch the Shell Key Shuttle, head to Merry Pier, a small marina in the Pass-a-Grille section of St. Pete Beach—shuttles leave every hour during daylight hours in peak summer months. If you are traveling without four wheels, the Beach Trolley at St. Pete Beach will drop you off at Merry Pier. For a break from the St. Pete beach bustle, Shell Key is a mini-paradise practically a stone's throw from the Florida mainland. Have fun!