You can get out and wade in the gorgeous beaches surrounding this Key. The traverse itself is beautiful: shallow, crystalline waters, over white quartz sand. We saw rays and dolphins, and schools of fish. Much of the paddle from Passage to Egmont is over deep water.
How long does it take to kayak to Egmont Key? Just like Egmont, I would give this trip 45 Minutes to an hour to make it to this island. The water however is much more shallow than the channel you cross to get to Egmont, and offers great snorkeling or scuba diving. I would also recommend bringing 1-2 Gallons of water per person for this trip as well.
Similarly, Can you kayak from Fort Desoto to Shell Key? As part of the Shell Key Preserve, Shell Island (or Key) can only be reached by boat. Located in Pinellas County, between Fort Desoto Park and Pass-A-Grille Beach, you can load your kayak or boat off State Road 679 by taking the Pinellas Byway South through Terra Verde.
Can you take your own boat to Egmont Key?
Welcome to Egmont Key State Park
Accessible only by boat, Egmont Key has a unique natural and cultural history, including a lighthouse that has stood since 1858.
Can you kayak to passage key?
There’s public access there (parking on side streets), and you can carry your kayak to the beautiful beach you can launch from. Passage Key is visible two miles or so to the north, looking like little more than a sand bar.
Can you stay on Egmont Key?
But be prepared, because while plenty of people may be on the island, Egmont Key is remote. It has no cars, no drinking water and no bathrooms. You must arrive by boat and, no, you can’t camp overnight.
Is Passage Key clothing optional? It is clothing optional out there but there is no clothing side/nude side. Plenty of sunscreen, plenty of water, and feet wet.
How do you get to Egmont Key by boat? Getting to Egmont Key
Take the Egmont Key Ferry from the Bay Pier inside Fort De Soto Park to the island. Plan on starting your wildlife viewing from the boat—dolphin sightings are common. It’s best to book in advance. See the roundtrip schedule and make a reservation here.
Is Egmont Key worth visiting?
Worth the trip to this beautiful Island. This was a really fun way to see some of Florida’s great coast and parks. We took a ferry out of the Fort De Soto State Park. Very easy to get too.
Can you go in the lighthouse on Egmont Key? That’s the best time to visit Egmont Key because the lighthouse is open for touring, historians will guide you around the island, food is available, etc. I’m planning to take my homeys with me that weekend for an unforgettable outing. Call the Park Service 727-398-6577 for further information. over a year ago.
Who lives on Egmont Key?
The pilots association currently inhabits the island, along with one Florida State Park staff member. The second lighthouse keeper’s residence and the lighthouse on Egmont Key in 1941. The Coast Guard took over operations of the lighthouse in 1939, leaving the keeper’s residence vacant.
Are people allowed on Passage Key? Nonetheless, Passage Key is a nationally protected area for shorebirds, which means no walking is permitted on the sand, Garner said. “It’s a meandering sandbar,” he said.
Who owns Passage Key?
The Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) System, located offshore from St. Petersburg. The 64-acre (0.26 km2) refuge was established in 1905 by President Theodore Roosevelt to preserve nesting colonies of native seabirds and wading birds.
Can you go on Passage Key?
The island is accessible only by boat and public entry is prohibited. Why is the refuge closed to public use? Passage Key NWR is a designated Wilderness Area and is closed because of its small size and importance to nesting and roosting sea birds and other sensitive bird species. What wildlife species use the island?
How much does it cost to go to Egmont Key? The cost (now) is $20 for each passenger. You pay as you board the boat. Please make sure you bring cash. (If you go on the Egmont Key Walking Tour in the fall, you can get a discount.)
Is Egmont Key good for snorkeling?
Egmont Key snorkeling is particularly well suited for the novice, because the water is so frequently clear, calm, shallow, and full of life. People of all ages and experience levels will take home wonderful memories about their time in the water with us.
What buildings are on Egmont Key?
Egmont Key lies southwest of Fort De Soto Park and can only be reached by boat or ferry. Located within Egmont Key State Park are the 1858 Egmont Key Lighthouse, maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, and the ruins of Fort Dade, a Spanish–American War era fort that housed 300 residents.
How long is the boat ride from Anna Maria Island to Egmont Key? Anna Maria Island – Cortez Boat Tours – Egmont Key Express. Duration: 4 Hours (approx.) Our Egmont Key Express is one of our most popular trips for swimming, shelling, beachcoming, and exploring. Egmont Key is a Florida state park which is a barrier island separating Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Can you fish on Egmont Key?
Egmont Key State Park is a secluded island at the mouth of the Tampa Bay, for a relaxing saltwater fishing experience. The island has designated fishing areas, where seatrout, tarpon, snook, grouper and flounder are often found. A saltwater fishing license may also be required. …
Where is Naked island in Tampa Bay? Naked Island is located between Anna Maria Island and Egmont Key in the mouth of Tampa Bay.
What two islands is Passage Key in between?
Though the vast majority of both residents and visitors consistently make it a priority to protect these areas by visiting them responsibly or keeping a safe distance, when it comes to Passage Key (an island located between Egmont Key and Anna Maria Island) for some, confusion remains about its history, current status …
Can you snorkel at Fort Desoto? One of the main reasons that Fort De Soto offers some of the best snorkeling in Florida is that this park is one of the only places where you can swim with families of manatees. … North Beach is the most popular area to snorkel, but you can start exploring just about anywhere.
How far is Egmont Key from Anna Maria Island by boat?
Egmont Key is located 3 miles north of Anna Maria island in the middle of the Tampa Bay area.
Can you rent a boat and go to Egmont Key? Visit Egmont Key Florida with a Boat Rental from Sunset Boat Rental. Egmont Key State Park is a fabulous place to visit to see wildlife and beautiful waters. The park is only accessible by boat.
How do you get to Egmont State Park?
Getting to Egmont Key
Take the Egmont Key Ferry from the Bay Pier inside Fort De Soto Park to the island. Plan on starting your wildlife viewing from the boat—dolphin sightings are common. It’s best to book in advance. See the roundtrip schedule and make a reservation here.
Is there a ferry to Anna Maria Island? Hubbard’s Ferry (previously Tampa Bay Ferry) is family owned and operated since 1928. We are the only official ferry service to and from Egmont Key and Shell Key.
Can you go on passage key? The island is accessible only by boat and public entry is prohibited. Why is the refuge closed to public use? Passage Key NWR is a designated Wilderness Area and is closed because of its small size and importance to nesting and roosting sea birds and other sensitive bird species. What wildlife species use the island?