Egmont Key State Park: Historical Florida Island

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty:     Very Easy    EASY    Moderate    Hard    Very Hard   

KEY FEATURES

Distance: 0.25 to 3 miles depending on where you go on the island
Elevation Gain: Flat
Terrain: Ocean, beaches, sandy paths, stone paths, military ruins
Time Needed: Half day
When to Go: Anytime of the year 

COST

Entrance onto Island is free, however it is only accessible by boat. Here are the 2 companies I used to get to Egmont Key State Park. There are other companies out there. 

Egmont Key Ferry from Fort Desoto Park

$25 Adults

$12.50 Children

Free Children (2 and under)

Dolphin Snorkeling Cruise to Egmont Key State Park

$40 Adults

$30 Children (4 – 12)

Free Children (3 and under)

Egmont Key Snorkeling Adventure

AMENITIES

• No water, food or bathrooms located on the Island

• Bathrooms on the Ferry or Dolphin Snorkeling Cruise Boat

• Bathrooms at Fort De Soto Park before getting on boats

THINGS TO BRING

• Water, snacks

• Sunscreen

• Swim suit

• Backpack to easily carry items on the island

• Floaties/life jackets for kids who need them if playing in water on the island

DETAILS 

Egmont Key State Park is a beautiful, serene and secluded historical island beach, perfect for swimming, exploring, shell collecting, discovering military history and viewing wildlife.

Getting to Egmont Key State Park

Private boaters love Egmont Key because of the seclusion and beauty. However, most residents and visitors to Florida don’t own boats. The two companies I used to access Egmont Key are below. Each offer a different experiences.

Egmont Ferry Cruise

This ferry departs from Fort DeSoto Fishing Pier usually mid-morning and returns mid-afternoon. On our boat ride we saw a sea turtle and a large school of Tarpans coming out of the water. There are snacks to buy and a restroom available on the boat. Reservations are highly recommended and a snorkeling option is available to add on to your ticket for $15. Using the Egmont Ferry Cruise option gives you three to four hours on the island. 

Dolphin Snorkeling Cruise

This option is about four hours and is a great way to see dolphins, snorkel and get a quick tour of the island. Because of the activities offered by this cruise, time is minimal on the actual island, but it is still a fun adventure. According to the Dolphin Snorkeling Cruise 95% of the time dolphins will play and swim and jump close to the boat in the boat’s wake. I was able to see dolphins on my cruise but I was part of the 5% that did not see the dolphins up close.

The boat parks and stays on the island so there is a bathroom available here to those on the cruise. 

Things to Do at Egmont Key State Park

The Lighthouse

I am a lover of lighthouses and loved seeing a historical lighthouse still in operation. The lighthouse on Egmont Key State Park has been operating since 1858 and is 87 feet tall. 

Wildlife Viewing

Egmont Key State Park is a National Wildlife Refuge. Keep your eye out for box turtles, gopher tortoises, manatees, dolphins, osprey, pelicans, white ibis, and other shorebirds. My favorite part of the island was finding gopher tortoises. They were everywhere!

Explore Military Ruins

Egmont Key was home of early American military camps and was the home of Fort Dade until 1923. The old military town and fort remains were fun to explore. 

Swimming

The water at Egmont Key State Park is clear and picturesque. We visited in May and the water was at least 80 degrees.  

The summer beaches on Egmont key are lined with private boats. Despite the many boats, the beaches still feel remote and not crowded. 

I wished that our boat options let us have more time on the island. I was a little jealous of the private boats that could spend an entire day enjoying all this beautiful island has to offer. 

Shelling

Because of the remoteness of the island there is better shelling than other crowded beaches in the Tampa area. Shelling will vary on tide and time of year. Take a walk along the beach and see what you discover. The beach is natural and isn’t groomed or filled with sand from somewhere else. 

Snorkeling

Bring your own snorkeling gear of rent them from your boat ride. Some of the boat rides include snorkeling gear with your fees.  There are tall water grasses fish love to hid in. The boat companies I used did not take us to the submerged ruins to snorkel through but I have heard some do. Call ahead to find out where you will snorkel. 

Hiking/Nature Paths

Walk along the old brick paths that once were home to a busy Fort Dade where more than 300 people once lived. There are more than 6 miles  of paths that explore the island. Keep your eyes out for wildlife and ruins while walking. I loved all the red brick paths lined with palms. 

PROS & CONS

PROS

• Secluded beach

• Good shelling

• Wildlife viewing on Egmont Key and on boat to Key

• Exploring old military ruins and town

CONS

• No amenities on the Island, unless using the Dolphin Snorkeling Cruise

• Would prefer to spend an entire day on the Island, not just a few hours.

DIRECTIONS

Egmont Key is located at the mouth of Tampa Bay and is only accessibly via boat. Two options that I used for transportation to the Island are Egmont Key Ferry that departs from Fort De Soto Bay Pier at Anderson Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33715 and the Dolphin Snorkeling Cruise which departs from 4630 29th Ave S Gulfport, FL 33711.

MAPS

MORE INFO

Egmont Key State Park Official Site

Egmont Key Ferry

Dolphin Snorkeling Cruise

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Fort De Soto Beach (just a few minutes from the Egmont Key Ferry depature point)

Tampa (45 mintues)

Anna Maria Island (1 hour)

Bush Gardens (1 hour)