Egmont Key Exploration: Scenic Ferry Journey & Island Adventure

Set sail on a scenic ferry to Egmont Key, where you'll explore historic sites, relax on pristine beaches, and immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature.

Last updated: Mar 2024

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$45/adult, $25/child (3-11), free for 2 and under
More than 500 Miles from you
National Star: Exceptional experiences within the country that are must-dos for adventurers
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Description

Combine a scenic ferry ride with the exploration of Egmont Key State Park's natural beauty, historic ruins, and serene beaches for a perfect day out. Set sail on a scenic ferry to Egmont Key, where you'll explore historic sites, relax on pristine beaches, and immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature. Your adventure begins with a 30-minute ferry ride from Fort De Soto Park boat ramp, where you'll enjoy covered seating, onboard amenities, and possibly spot wildlife like dolphins and sea turtles. Upon arrival at Egmont Key, you have about three hours to discover the island's wonders, from the historic Fort Dade to the working lighthouse and the abundant wildlife, including osprey and gopher tortoises. Remember, there are no facilities on the island, so bring everything you need for a comfortable day.

Perfect for

For solo

For two

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For families with kids

For parents and grownups

Outdoorsy

Chill

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Itinerary

Depart from Fort De Soto Park boat ramp aboard the ferry
Enjoy the ferry ride, keeping an eye out for marine life
Explore Egmont Key's attractions: the guardhouse, beaches, and Fort Dade
Relax on the beach, swim, or snorkel over the grass flats and sunken ruins
Return on the ferry, reflecting on a day well spent

Location

St. Petersburg, FL 33711

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Packing List

Food and plenty of water
Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses for sun protection
Comfortable walking shoes for exploring
Snorkeling gear, if interested (rentals available on the ferry)

4.8 ● Google reviews

My friends & I went on a snorkeling tour to the island & we all had so much fun here! We saw manatees, fish, a few tortoises & collected so many sea shells! We even saw nesting areas for sea turtles along the beach! Exploring the jungle and fort was exciting. My only thing is the state park is a little more rough. No bathrooms. No running water. Just a remote island with a fort, so you need to come prepared. You definitely need solid shoes & will experience spiders & mosquitoes. I got bitten ALIVE!! I was there for over an hour & by the time I left, I was covered with bites! If you’re more prone to getting bit, please bring bug spray!!! Also bring snorkel gear & plenty of sunscreen. The island is worth exploring!

Just trying to provide honest feedback: The ferry cost is $45 per person. It is not $20/30 like some older posts state. Also runs on a very strict / limited schedule. See pics below. Would love to explore the park more, sadly cannot justify seeing a park with the price to get there being $90 for two people, not including parking at desoto. If ferry prices lower I’ll give it a shot and update the review.

We took a 1 hour boat ride to the island, then had 2 hours to explore. We ate our picnic at a secluded table, then walked around the lighthouse, saw 8 gopher tortoises, then splashed in the water and relaxed on the soft, fine sand on the opposite side of the island. Lots of pretty, small shells adorned the beach. Another 1 hour boat ride, complete with dolphin sightings, returned us to the St. Pete pier. Perfect day! P.S. When you take a boat out, bag and strap everything down that you want to keep! Hats, bags, shoes, sunglasses, water bottles... Windy!

This island has a lot to do with there is an old fort you can going into and discover, turtles, snorkeling, shelling, or just lay on the beach in brilliant white sand. This is a family friendly discovery! We went with Island Boat Adventures and had the time of our lives.

Beautiful park to explore. From a lighthouse to an an old power plant and gun battery from the Spanish American war to see. Plus some gopher turtles and sea turtle nest. Then an amazing beach to walk and find sea shells 🐚 and even a sharks tooth. So catch a ride on the Pelican boat from St Pete, which is a great time in itself, and enjoy a great day.

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