Feriehus i Cabbage Key

Our guided kayak tour of beautiful Shell Key Preserve (incl beach walk :) ) begins at the public launch area just north of the bridge to Fort De Soto Park. My team and I will meet everyone here, do introductions, hand out waterproof bags, and then get everyone prepped for kayaking (lifejackets are provided, but not required for guests over 16). No experience needed as we'll give everyone a little paddling overview/refresher! We use primarily tandem kayaks for ease and comfort. (Your booking time is the planned arrival time). After that we'll head out onto the water & into the Preserve! The Preserve is a beautiful shallow environment with plenty of wildlife & a very interesting ecosystem! We'll discuss both the ecosystem and history of the Preserve. From the shallow seagrass flats to the large mangrove islands to the pristine beaches of Shell Key itself we'll try and cover it all! Including traveling through some mangrove tunnels (with friendly tides, primarily March-October) We'll also look for and talk about some of our incredible wildlife in the Preserve including dolphins, manatees, & other various fish & bird life! From our kayaks we'll be able to see a few different St. Pete landmarks & we'll discuss their history as well as some recommendations for places to eat & things to do while you're here! If you enjoy your tour please consider tipping your guide thank you!

We are Shell Key's #1 kayak tour. We provide 2 guides on every tour to ensure your safety and enjoyment. Upon arrival, guests will be offered a paddle instruction, making this experience perfect for both experts and first-timers. We use comfortable sit-inside kayaks and paddle at a leisurely pace through the preserve while I tell about the local history, and wildlife & nature we find along the way. Depending on tidal conditions, we will explore one or more of the hidden mangrove tunnels tucked away in the preserve. Approximately half-way through the tour, we will stop at one of several possible landing sites at the island of Shell Key to stretch our legs, swim, snorkel, or collect shells. After enjoying the island, we will make our way back through the preserve, possibly visiting areas or tunnels we did not see before, always keeping a watchful eye out for dolphins, manatees, and the many species of birds that live in the area. We will arrive back at the launch site approximately 3 hours after launch time. Other things to note Contact me before booking if you need a tandem kayak. Anyone under the age of 12 must be in a tandem with an adult. Children 5 and older are welcome on the tour. If you have any questions or are interested in larger groups or other dates, please call, text or Facebook message us before reserving.

One of our guides (Chris, Jenna, Raven, Charlie, Hannah, Grace, or Matt) will get you checked in right when you arrive to allow for the most possible time on the water! Once you're all checked in, we'll give some basic paddle instructions and information about the tour ahead. We'll get you loaded up into your tandem clear kayak and off we go! The paddle will last about 2 hours depending on the speed of our group and any wildlife we may see along the way. We will be sure to take plenty of pictures and give some awesome unique facts about the area on our several picturesque stopping points! There will even be a couple chances for you to get out and explore Florida's unique marine habitats! The first half of the paddle will be along side of the beautiful mangroves with our first stop being a mangrove tunnel (tide permitting) , the second half will be a paddle across the blue waters to Shell Key where we will take time to enjoy the pristine sandbars and beach, finally we will paddle along the wildlife sanctuary to catch a glimpse of some native coastal birds! Be ready for lots of great local nature and wildlife along the way!

For this guided eco kayaking adventure we will meet at a public launch site just North of Fort De Soto State Park. In order to provide a great experience for our guests, we focus exclusively on small groups (8 guests). We will provide all the necessary equipment, dry bags, and instruction before heading out. We use stable sit-inside kayaks which are more comfortable and easier to paddle than sit-on-top & clear kayaks. This allows us to explore more of the preserve at an easier pace and provides better wildlife viewing opportunities. Once we depart, we'll explore the various ecosystems of the Shell Key Preserve highlighting the beauty of this coastal habitat. We'll kayak through mangrove tunnels (tides permitting), over shallow seagrass meadows, and look for wildlife along the way. Once we reach Shell Island you will have time to swim, explore, look for shells, or just relax and enjoy the beauty of this uninhabited barrier island. The preserve is home to a variety of shorebirds, nesting sea turtles, dolphins, manatees and much more. It is a great way to get out and see the natural side of St Pete. Please note: alcohol and pets are not permitted in the Preserve. Other things to note Moderate physical activity required. We mainly use double kayaks, kids 3 and up are welcome with an adult for each child under 13. Kids under 13 must be in a double with an adult.

Your 1.5+ hour interactive experience with a bee colony will begin with an overview of the life of a bee and the different jobs a bee does as they mature. Learn the parts of the hive. You’ll see an empty hive and learn how to hold a frame (without squishing the bees -they don’t like that). We’ll observe a hive (from a distance), and get suited up. Light a smoker. Do a safety check, and then approach the hive. At the hive you’ll see and feel the power of propolis (a supplement for people as well as) -- its the glue bees use to seal up the hive. We’ll lift the lid and go inside. For some, that’s might be as far as they want to go. But, if you want to see more, we will do a complete hive inspection. Pull each of the frames to see how the bees create honey and keep the colony alive. You’ll see open “wet cells” of nectar that are still in the process of transforming into honey. You’ll see capped honey (ready for harvest), tiny freshly laid eggs and all the stages of bee development ( larvae, caped brood, and newly emerging “baby bees”). I’ll show you how beekeepers help control pests (other insects and diseases) and keep the bees healthy so they can do their important work. You’ll hold frames of bees and feel the weight of a full frame of honey when compared to a frame of bees. There’s always time for selfies! You’ll sample honey and enjoy a cold beverage