400 2nd Ave NE For a trip to Egmont Key that also includes a dolphin sighting experience, the Dolphin Snorkeling Cruise leaves daily from the city marina in Gulfport. See the roundtrip schedule and make a reservation . The beach also is a great spot for gathering sea shells. Hopefully, when the work is completed a trip to the island will be more enjoyable. Hang onto the ladder or grab a line from your boat if you want to get in and cool off. We grabbed some craft beer and delicious smoked fish dip to kick off our arrival. Although it never saw any battles it was occupied as a military reservation protecting the inlet of Tampa Bay until 1923. and last updated 6:07 AM, Apr 29, 2022 PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. Accessible only by private boat or ferry, Egmont Key is one of the most secluded state parks in Florida. The snorkeling trip explores the marine life in the grass flats and the sunken portions of Fort Dade. Along the trails you may encounter gopher tortoises, box turtles, yellow rat snakes, and of course many species of birds including ospreys, herons, skimmers, egrets, bald eagles, and more. You paid to enter the park in order to board the ferry, so enjoy it. Interested in visiting Egmont Key? Located within Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge and State Park are the 1858 Egmont Key Lighthouse, maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, and the ruins of Fort Dade, a SpanishAmerican War era fort that housed 300 residents. Located in the Heart of Holmes Beach, we offer custom private and public charters for Sightseeing, H Egmont Key Adventures | Holmes Beach FL Would not recommend if you are only interested in the shells. Learn more in ourCookie Noticeand ourPrivacy Policy. VISIT FLORIDA is a service mark of the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, d/b/a VISIT FLORIDA, registered in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Hubbard's Ferry | Visit St Petersburg Clearwater Florida Silent gun batteries testify to a time when mighty battleships reigned supreme on the worlds oceans, and a brick carriage road meanders across the island recalling the days when mules and horses carried military personnel and their dependents on sunny picnics to the beaches. Egmont Key was beautiful, and the water was nice and clear., Amazing experience. Learn how your comment data is processed. In 1761, the English named the island Egmont Key for the Earl of Egmont. Boat Tour Service - St. Pete Pier to Egmont Key | The Pelican St. Pete Depart from the beautiful St. Pete Pier and go on a dolphin site seeing tour directly from downtown. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. You cannot bring alcohol, glass, pets, kites, or drones to the island because it is a wildlife preserve and these items are prohibited. Mans presence was limited to a lighthouse, Seminole Indians imprisoned here during the Third Seminole War and the Union Army occupying it during the Civil War. Amenities & Facts; Buy Now; BUY TICKETS. Trip Type: Family Friendly (no smoking allowed on this trip) Location: This trip is departs from the Ft Desoto Boat Ramp A ramp is used to disembark the ferry, and depending on the water it can be a little bouncy to walk down the ramp onto the island. Heres a FloridaRambler.com story about the park. Exploring Fort Dade, which is in a state of romantic ruin. Cross Bay Ferry The crew at Island Boat Adventures are dedicated to keeping Egmont Key beautiful. We saw dolphins jumping in the wake playing. The information in this article was accurate when published but may change without notice. Booking the ferry gives you three hours to explore the island, which is plenty of time to see it all and have time to relax. She even said, "Do you know where you are going now and are you on the right boat?" Egmont Key is located at the entrance to Tampa Bay between Fort Desoto and Shell Island on the north and Anna Marie Island on the south. The Egmont Key Lighthouse near St. Petersburg, Fla., has guided thousands of sailors back to the safety of their homes, but people with a sense of adventure could almost say it serves an opposite purpose. We chose the 11:00 a.m. time slot and arrived around 10:15 a.m. on a Sunday. The state park entered into cooperative management of the island with U.S. Call 727-393-1947 for the latest information. Egmont Key State Park is one big tropical island playground Make a reservation by calling (727) 398-6577. The water is lovely. When we disembarked the ferry, the bulk of the crowd headed up the main walkway that bisects the island, ultimately walking less than ten minutes to the other side of the island. We chose Anna Maria Sound because of great deal I found at Compass Hotel. Being the family that likes to chart our own path, we headed to the right. Take a 60-minute ride to the 1.6-mile island and enjoy two hours surrounded by crystal clear water, seashells, and white sand. We want to keep the island unspoiled so it can continue to be a treasure. [3] Egmont Key is one of the three 'Tampa Bay Refuges', along with Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge, and the Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge, that was administered as a part of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex but changed to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex headquartered in Crystal River, Florida. People come to Egmont Key for the beach, to explore the ruins of a century-old fort, to observe the shore birds and gopher tortoises and to walk wooded trails wending through the island. You can rent snorkeling gear on the ferry from For tDeSoto. So out of line. Hubbard's Marina runs a daily ferry service from the Fort De Soto boat ramp. Egmont Key is about 1.6 miles from Fort De Soto Park at the bottom of St. Pete Beach, and its also about 1.6 miles long. My family and I were booked wrong by Hubbars Marina accidently and did not get to go on the Shelling trip to Egmont as planned but they tried to make it right and gave us a free boat ride over there. [2] Egmont Key is located in Hillsborough County Florida on a narrow strip of the county that extends along the Tampa Port Shipping Channel. page L2. The island is only accessible by boat, is roughly 440 acres and has a beautiful beach that runs along the entire western shoreline. Land Experiences. . Take a 60-minute ride to the 1.6-mile island and enjoy two hours surrounded by crystal clear water, seashells, and white sand. PRICES INCLUDE ALL YOUR SNORKELING GEAR FOR THE DAY! 032 W 82 45. Begin and end your adventure at historic Fort De Soto, a military outpost constructed during the Spanish American War, listed in the "National Register of Historic Places". The ferry rents beach umbrellas and snorkel masks. The boat is an experience in itself. $69.00 FOR ADULTS 13 & UP. Since the island is only accessible by boat, and since becoming a Florida State Park and National Nature Preserve in 1974, the island has become home to plenty of local wildlife and migratory birds. While we chose to save money by taking the ferry to Egmont Key and opting for a longer drive, private charters are available from the Safe Harbor Marina directly behind the hotel. Tampa Bay Union troops were stationed on uninhabited Egmont Key during the Civil War, and you can visit Egmont's ruined Fort Dade by ferry from Fort DeSoto Park. Thank you for your support! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Snorkeling is another option while out on Egmont Key Island with us at Hubbards Marina. We saw a few sandy paths leading toward the beach and decided to follow one. Egmont Key Florida - Things to Do Snorkeling Option: Snorkeling is sold separately on the day of your trip, and not always guaranteed. Insider's Guide to Egmont Key State Park: Taking the ferry, the beach This page may include affiliate links from which we earn modest commissions. NO CHARGE FOR INFANTS 2 & YOUNGER. 2023 Visit St. Pete/Clearwater. This fort dates back to the Spanish American war era and is spread out along the islands interior. Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1974. Other species include royal and sandwich terns, which you mentioned, brown pelicans, black skimmers, and American oystercatchers. (I bet the longer trip from the pier has stunning scenery.). 170 Johns Pass Boardwalk, Madeira Beach, FL 33708, Copyright 1928 2023 |Hubbards Marina. The ferry trip costs $45 for adults, $25 for children 3-11 and free for 2 and under. Hubbard's Marina | Deep Sea Fishing | Dolphin Watching Tours | John's Pass Madeira Beach FL. Unlike ospreys, human visitors are not allowed to go up, except during an annual festival held in November. Some 25,000 bird pairs nested on Egmont Key in 2020 with 20,000 of those being laughing gulls. Egmont Key is located at the mouth of Tampa Bay, southwest of Fort De Soto Beach. Bring bug spray. If you want to spend some time on a beautiful pristine island paradise, the ferry to Egmont Key State Park from Fort De Soto is a great choice for you and your family! There are now only 3 buildings left standing: the light house, the guard house, and the rangers home (I don't think this was original). Privacy Notice: We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. While the Fort De Soto Park Bay Pier is under construction, the ferry departs from the Fort De Soto Park boat ramp multiple times a day, depending on the season and the days weather. Thanks so much for that additional information. Egmont Key State Park (Florida) - What to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor In addition to visitors who arrive by ferry, other visitors arrive by power boat, anchoring off the beaches. Fish and Wildlife Service as a national wildlife refuge to protect the island's diverse natural, cultural, and historical features. Numerous private charters from other companies depart from various points on Anna Maria Island. Departure times are at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 2:00 p.m. Egmont Key was home mostly to birds up to the middle of the 1800s. Hubbards Ferry (previously Tampa Bay Ferry) is family owned and operated since 1928. Go sight seeing on, Duration: 4 Hours Total | 3 Hours Island Time | 30 mins to & from dock, Trip Type: Family Friendly (No Smoking Allowed On Trip). At St. Pete Beachs luxurious Don CeSar Hotel, which stands like a pink palace overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the Maritana Grille is renowned for locally sourced seafood dishes. In fact, snorkelers love to explore old fortifications which are now submerged, because the island has eroded over decades. Come aboard the 60-foot passenger boat and relax in comfort with: Come aboard The Pelican, and enjoy the ride as much as the destination. The island is situated between Fort de Soto and Anna Maria Island. The cost is $40 per person ages 12 and up ($20 for kids ages 3 -11). Keep in mind that the boat ramp and the island are not wheelchair accessible. Egmont Key is only accessible by boat and has no drinking water, restrooms, or shops due to the remote nature. Explore Florida's beaches and backwaters, islands and prairies, campgrounds, trails and historic sites. E. Madeira Beach FL 33708. Home \ Places To Go \ Central West \ Egmont Key Egmont Key As a refuge for wildlife, the Tampa Bay island known as Egmont Key is home to gopher tortoises and myriad seabirds. Lighthouse ticket price: $12 per person +11 per extra passenger under 16 years old| Camping fee at Egmont key: $25 for two people | The total cost of all entry points into Egmont Key will cost around 30$ (excluding Egmonkey ferry cost). History of Egmont Key | Florida State Parks I had always imagined Egmont Key, an island in the mouth of Tampa Bay, to be a place far from the crowds: remote, wild and natural, and it has always intrigued me. Tampa Bay Date Night Guide is a free guide to the best of the Tampa Bay area! Hours. The shelling is only average and unless you are a real history buff the old ruins aren't much to see. Call (727) 345-4500. NO boat landing or foot traffic is permitted anywhere on the southern half of Egmont Key. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear())2021 VISIT FLORIDA. Thank you for also mentioning what you cannot bring to the island including pets, alcohol, drones, and kites. The most affordable ferry option to get to Egmont Key is Hubbard's Marina Ferry. Other than a few picnic tables near the lighthouse, there are no formal facilities on the island, which means no restrooms, snacks, etc. Fish and Wildlife Service and Florida Park Service cooperatively manage the entire island. The ferry ride to the island offers great chances to spot dolphins, sea turtles, and sometimes even manatees! This is a multi-purpose trail for hikers, bikers and roller skaters. The standard view does overlook the parking lot and street, but it also offers views ofNeal Preserve, a lovely nature preserve right across the street from the hotel. The morning sun sparkled on the water as Jimmy Buffett songs and tropical music filled the air. In the heart of Florida's Tampa Bay is the picturesque Egmont Key, with its beautiful emerald-green waters, sugary white sand beaches, and . Tomalin, Terry. The crew were friendly and allowed plenty of time to enjoy the sunset. A visitor center, staffed by volunteers, is located in the guardhouse and is open on special occasions. Departure times are at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 2:00 p.m. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. We enjoyed the calm waters with our little guy who is still learning to be a strong swimmer. Other species include royal and sandwich terns, brown pelicans, black skimmers, and American oystercatchers. Egmont Key Ferry docked on the beach :) Light House Part of one fort half buried in sand dunes Egmont Key Guard House Egmont Key Lighthouse Beach front. In fact, a portion of the island has been set aside as a national wildlife refuge. Also be sure to check out the lighthouse, circa 1858. And watch for these notable museums set to open soon: the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement and the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art. The 50-mile Pinellas Trail starts in Tarpon Springs and runs south through downtowns and neighborhoods in Dunedin, Clearwater, Largo, Pasadena and into downtown St. Petersburg. 623 Heres more about the Pelican tour to Egmont Key, Charlotte Harbor Freedom Swim: Unusual July 4th tradition, Kelly Park at Rock Springs: Beautiful park, cool swimming, shady campground. After the storm had passed, the keeper rowed to Fort Brooke and tendered his resignation. Florida Rambler was founded in 2010 by Bonnie and fellow journalist Bob Rountree, two long-time Florida residents who have spent decades exploring the Florida outdoors. For years, downtown St. Petersburgs best-known galleries were the Dali Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, and both of these thriving institutions have expanded in recent years. Friends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife Refuges, Visitors to Egmont Key can view the abundant wildlife, walk the roads of the abandoned town, explore the ruins of the gun batteries and visit the Guardhouse, Interested in visiting Egmont Key? FYI: There are no facilities for snacks, drinks, or beach equipment rental on the island. Egmont Key - Lazy Locations - Florida Ferry Connections . One of the joys of the Tampa Bay area is close proximity to an abundance of islands and keys. This ferry is the most affordable option I found when researching our trip. Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge and State Park is a National Wildlife Refuge and State Park located on the island of Egmont Key, at the mouth of Tampa Bay. Photos. | Contact Us. The ferry departs daily at 10am and 11am for a 4 hour trip; 3 hours on the island and 30 minutes travel each way. The island is largely uninhabited except for park rangers and the Tampa Bay ship's pilots. Egmont Key is a Florida State Park and a barrier island separating Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. All rights reserved. Maybe a dose of fine art, and St. Petersburg offers surprisingly diverse choices. A weekend getaway to beautiful Egmont Key combines the splendor of the beach, wildlife, and history. Snorkeling gear can also be rented. 623, This page was last edited on 11 June 2023, at 15:39. Click the link below to learn more about. The southern end of Egmont Key and a section of the east beach are closed year-round to all public use to provide nesting habitat for the laughing gulls, terns, white ibis, brown pelicans, and American oystercatchers. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Where can I find the best art attractions. After parking, we unloaded our beach bags and walked over to the trailer to check in for our ferry time. Can you kayak to Egmont Key? Fish and Wildlife Service in 1989. Beach with dead palm trees on west side of island. Check out this Amazing Video from some Great Locals, Skylar and JAmie from EXPLORCATION on YOUTUBE! Much of the bayside waterfront and the southern half of the island is off-limits as part of the bird habitat of Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge. However, youll be asked to arrive 45 minutes prior to your departure time in order to get through the parks entry gate ($5 per car), park by Bay Pier, and check in. Ferry tickets are $45.00 for adults 12 and up, $25.00 for youth ages 311, and free for those under age 3. The Complete Guide to the Egmont Key Ferry - Eiko's Beach House Visitors who use the ferry typically have a trip lasting five or six hours, which leaves plenty of time for other activities in the area such as exploring St. Petersburgs thriving art gallery scene, or enjoying a dinner of fresh seafood.