Cruise from Fort De Soto to Shell Key on a narrated ferry with covered seating and a clean restroom
2-6 Hours
Narrated ferry, Clean restroom
Travel from Fort De Soto Boat Ramp to Shell Key on a 46 foot ferry. Enjoy covered seating, a clean restroom, and fully narrated commentary.
Alcohol, glass, pets, kites, and drones are prohibited on the island. Carts must be collapsible and fully broken down before loading. Trips are subject to weather and minimum passenger count.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled trip. 50% fee for cancellations within 24 hours. No-shows charged in full.
Fort Desoto Boat Ramp
Discover what we've curated for you
Hubbard's consistently delivers memorable outings on the water, with guests praising both the dolphin cruises and fishing trips. The crews stand out as the real stars here—captains and first mates like Steve and Kirsten, Captain Jim and Mate Tracy, and Captain Sal with Tim earn rave reviews for being knowledgeable, entertaining, and genuinely passionate about what they do. People appreciate learning about the local dolphins and ecosystem while enjoying plenty of laughs along the way. Even when weather conditions aren't ideal or dolphin sightings are limited, the staff goes the extra mile to ensure everyone has a great time. The whole operation runs smoothly from check-in through the end of your trip. Guests love the extra touches: crews reposition boats for better views, offer blankets on chilly days, take photos for groups, and share interesting facts about the area's history and wildlife. The sunset cruises get particular praise for their stunning views and relaxed atmosphere. Whether you're fishing and hoping for a good catch or simply wanting to see dolphins play alongside the boat, the experienced teams here know how to create an experience that's both fun and educational.
The three hour shelling cruise was a great way to experience Florida nature. Before the actual boat ride to the island, there were an array of different birds waiting near the docks. As soon as the boat set sail, there was fun music played on the speakers, and fun-facts about St John’s Pass, the location of the tour. The crew on the boat, Captain Mike and First-mate Ellie, were very kind and knowledgeable. Our daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids had a great time seeing the sights of the ocean, from a dolphin “chuffing” to a small Fiddler crab. At the island, there was sufficient amount of time to find shells and other unique things on the beach. The girls had a lot of fun diving in the water looking for shells and even found several sand dollars! And on the boat ride back, the captain and first mate surprised us by drilling holes in any of the shells we wanted, all free of charge. After the drilling, they would either turn them into necklaces or earrings. One thing we would recommend: if you want to go in the water, bring goggles and a swimsuit. The experience was great and we would definitely recommend it again.
Bill & Annette Hennip
April 6, 2026
The three hour shelling cruise was a great way to experience Florida nature. Before the actual boat ride to the island, there were an array of different birds waiting near the docks. As soon as the boat set sail, there was fun music played on the speakers, and fun-facts about St John’s Pass, the location of the tour. The crew on the boat, Captain Mike and First-mate Ellie, were very kind and knowledgeable. Our daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids had a great time seeing the sights of the ocean, from a dolphin “chuffing” to a small Fiddler crab. At the island, there was sufficient amount of time to find shells and other unique things on the beach. The girls had a lot of fun diving in the water looking for shells and even found several sand dollars! And on the boat ride back, the captain and first mate surprised us by drilling holes in any of the shells we wanted, all free of charge. After the drilling, they would either turn them into necklaces or earrings. One thing we would recommend: if you want to go in the water, bring goggles and a swimsuit. The experience was great and we would definitely recommend it again.
Bill & Annette Hennip
April 6, 2026