Butler Hole (Tierra Verde)

Locals' secret: no sign, no parking lot, no facilities. You pull off along the Pinellas Bayway, find a gap in the mangroves, and slide your board through to a hidden put-in that opens straight onto the water leading to Shell Key. Shell Key itself is a protected barrier-island preserve, accessible only by boat or paddle, and central portion is closed October through April for shorebird nesting. Give it wide berth even when open. The water is Gulf-fed and clear on a flood tide, and you can see sand-dollar shells littering the bottom. No restrooms, no shade, no rescue. This is a put-in for paddlers who know what they're doing. If you're new, start at Fort De Soto next door and work up to this.

Where do I park, and is it free?

Cost

Free

Parking

Very limited

A free roadside pull-off that fits maybe a dozen cars, with no sign, no restrooms, no shade, and no rescue nearby. Paddle-craft only, and best for experienced paddlers. If you are new, launch at Fort De Soto next door instead. Park considerately, it gets crowded.

How clear is the water?

Incoming tide makes the Shell Key water crystal-clear

What will I see?

• Shell Key shorebird nesting. Give the closed-off central island wide berth
• Dolphins and rays right under the board

What's the fishing like?

Sheepshead and mangrove snapper around structure; trout and redfish on the nearby flats. Better for confident paddlers.

What about the current?

Current readings come from Pass-a-Grille Channel (NOAA, about 1.7 mi away).

How do I share the water here?

Shell Key is a protected barrier-island preserve, and the central core is a posted bird preservation area that is off-limits, so give that closed ground a wide berth and land only where landing is allowed. It is one of the most important shorebird nesting and wintering sites on this coast, so when birds are using the beach, arc around any resting flock instead of paddling them up off the sand.