I took a $30 ferry ride to Shell Island, an unspoiled 7-mile beach in Florida. It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.

The ticket to ride the Shell Island Ferry cost me about $28 after taxes and fees. When buying my ticket online, I was prompted to choose an hourly departure time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

To board the ferry, I entered St. Andrews State Park and paid a $4 admission fee as a solo driver.

Upon entering the park, a staff member instructed me to check in at the park's Pier Store. I waited there until a tram arrived to take passengers to the St. Andrews State Park marina, where the ferry would depart.

After a bumpy, 10-minute tram ride, we arrived at the docks and followed signs to board our boat.

A few crew members, including a boat captain, greeted us as we boarded the ferry for the 15-minute ride to Shell Island.

Before taking off, staff members reminded us of the ferry's operating hours. We were told that ferries back to the state park would leave Shell Island at the bottom of the hour throughout the day.

The ferry's lower tier had plenty of shade, but I rode on the top deck to enjoy the views. Though it wasn't very crowded when I went, I'd estimate about 50 people could ride the ferry at once.

The guides warned us that the last few daily return trips tend to fill up quickly, so we might have to wait for a ferry when it was time to head back to St. Andrews State Park.

During the peaceful 15-minute ferry ride, I took in all the sights, from offshore fishermen on the beaches to high-rise hotels along the PCB shoreline.

As a frequent traveler, I always love seeing the area I'm visiting from the water, and this affordable ferry ride was a great way to do so.

After the ferry dropped us off at a jetty on one side of the island, it took about three minutes to walk along the wooden, boardwalk-style path to the beach.

I was amazed at Shell Island's pristine and untouched beauty, with white-sand beaches and coastal scrubland. There are no restrooms, stores, or shaded areas on the island, but after spending a few days in the thriving tourist town of PCB, it was nice to walk on quiet beaches where no hotels lined the shores.

In addition to strolling along the beach, guests can explore the walking trails or go snorkeling with their own equipment. Gear is also available to rent at the Pier Store.

I've lived in Florida for almost eight years, and Shell Island's beach was one of the prettiest spots I've seen in the state.

I spent most of my time enjoying the beautiful beaches, where the number of seashells blew me away. I also noticed sand dollars and washed-up driftwood along the shoreline.

This area was truly a beachcomber's paradise, with lots to explore and find.

I spent about two hours walking the beach and taking photos of the beautiful views.

Then, I sat on a blanket, quietly reading and soaking up the sun. There weren't many other people around, so it felt like an afternoon of true solitude.

It was incredibly easy to get back to the ferry when I was ready to leave, which I appreciated since I was traveling alone.

When we first arrived at Shell Island, our captain gave us thorough instructions on how to return to the boat. There were also clear pathways between the dock and the beach.

Taking the Shell Island Ferry allowed me to see the island and most of the PCB area by boat. In addition to stunning views along St. Andrews Bay, I admired the island's beauty as I collected shells and took a few much-needed deep breaths in a pristine setting.

Shell Island was a beautiful spot I'd visit again, and the $30 ferry ticket felt like a worthwhile expense to see a unique part of the area.