Fort De Soto to Shell Key

And so it came to be that I found myself in the calm waters on the leeward side of Fort De Soto once again, heading north towards Shell Key out for a day of relaxation.  My third trip out to the island was just as enjoyable as my prior visits -- there is nothing as peaceful as floating in sea after partaking of a picnic lunch on the beach.  After coming ashore on the island, I planted and raised the flag of the great state of Florida which was not so much a stake of claim as it was a declaration that that I really love this place.

The route I take is a modest paddle -- a little over two miles -- and only requires caution when crossing the east-west channel that separates the two islands, as boat traffic can be a bit heavy on busy weekends.  The rest of the trip goes through water shallow enough that powered boats cannot follow.

What You Can Expect

Arriving in the morning is a good option, so as to avoid the peak hours of sun and heat while on the water if you elect to come in the summer months.  More important on the note of arriving early in the warmer seasons is avoiding the typical late afternoon thunderstorms that could prove to be a hazard while boating.

United Park Services offers kayaks for rent  and provide the required safety equipment for each person.  It is up to you on what type of kayak you want to rent, but the sit in boats seem to be more popular for crossing the open waters and seem to offer an easier paddle.

Wildlife is plentiful on both of the islands and in the water.  On this journey alone I saw a pod of dolphins, several sting rays, countless birds, and a even a baby sea turtle.  Tiny crabs scurry across the sand and fish nibble for any stray crumbs of bread from your sandwich.  The best encounter I had occurred after following the advice of another boater to sit still and remain quiet in the water just fifty yards or so north of the kayak launch point.  By doing this, I was rewarded with a close up visit from one of two manatees that take shelter from the open water there.


The beach of Shell Key is simply amazing, consisting of white quartz sand that gives way to the crystal clear warm bath water of the gulf.  Unlike De Soto, you can swim here and the depth is ideal on the eastern tip of the island.  The amount of peace and quiet you get to enjoy on your visit will vary with the day you elect to explore the island -- Saturday afternoons and three day weekends can see a beach so packed that finding a place to land your boat can be a challenge.  Saturday mornings and most other days you might find yourself and just a few other explorers to be the only ones around.

What You Should Bring

• Five dollars admission fee to Fort De Soto -- an increase from prior years
• Payment for kayak rental
• Sunblock
• Comfortable attire you can get wet, including a hat
• A packed lunch
• A small dry bag for storing anything you don't want exposed to seawater (cellphone, camera, etc) -- the dry storage on a kayaks rarely remain dry
• At least two liters of water per person
• A valid Florida saltwater fishing license, should you be inclined to test your patience

What You Should Beware

• Windy days.  The renters won't permit you to use their boats on days where gusts might cause a paddler to struggle or not be able to maintain control of their boat.  Check the weather forecast before you depart for De Soto.
• In the summer and fall:  any part of Shell Key that is not an exposed, sand covered beach.  While you won't encounter any issues on the beach, the leeward side of the island has enough vegetation to provide enough wind shelter for the eastern saltmarsh mosquito.  If you set foot into the area of trees on the northeast side of the island, be prepared to run back to your boat in terror.