Gr, We had an amazing time on this private tour! You can actually see a lot of wildlife here by kayak, however, as the large sand flat around Passage Key is a popular cruising spot for manatees, rays, dolphins, sharks, and sea turtles. You may park in the large black top parking lot in front of the restaurant Eat Here, there will be signs that say Main Sail Maria Parking. Our goal is to provide a fun, affordable and memorable vacation experience that the whole family can enjoy.This trip is great for all ages. Or, make it part of your plan for a weekend getaway in St. Pete or Indian Shores. We customize each and every trip to fit your needs and bucket list. M/V Minnow offers excursions to Egmont Key. Having a captain at your disposal allows all of the passengers to relax and take in the scenery. Parking at the designated lot was already becoming scarce at that time, so I suggest booking the 11:00 a.m. ferry, especially on weekends. You can also book a snorkeling cruise through the Egmont Key Ferry, with rental masks, snorkels and fins available. Still, we enjoyed our first stop. Fort Dade was established in 1899 on Egmont Key to help protect the entrance to Tampa Bay from Spanish battleships during the Spanish American War. The forts we will explore are left over from 100+ year's ago. islandannamaria.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. Coastline Excursions offer guided tours from Anna Maria Island to Egmont Key. WE HAVE A 100% TRACK RECORD FOR DOLPHIN SIGHTINGS IN 2018! You will get off the boat and be guided through the island of Egmont Key. It is one of the three Tampa Bay Refuges and is administered as a part of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex. He was interactive, very go with the flow, and top notch! Breakfast is included with each reservation, or I should say in the modest resort fee. Bay2Bay Tours in Anna Maria Island. Some of the amenities include beaches, nature trails, and picnic tables. Kitesurfing has become a popular sport in St. Pete/Clearwater, and you can often see kitesurfers and their acrobatics off Egmont Key and near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. We pride ourselves inproviding our guests with premiumsnorkelingequipment to help maximize the underwaterexperience in Egmont Key. A cruise on our boat is perfect for a birthday party, memorial service, or just a beautiful relaxing day on the water near Tampa Bay. No question is too small, we are always happy to answer. Egmont Key is a small barrier island on the Gulf Coast of Florida just south of St Petersburg and North of Bradenton. For over 70 years, Egmont Key has been the location of a pilot station serving ship traffic into and out of the port of Tampa. Our son was so excited about finding sand dollars. So we really wanted to do it again this year. Biking, hiking, fishing and relaxing by the beach are a few of the amenities. The coolest Cat On The Beach! Welcome aboard the Calypso Cat! Egmont Key lies southwest of Fort De Soto Park and can only be reached by boat or ferry, so this is your opportunity to check out this neat, historical site! We offer private boating tours to local sandbars, dolphin tours, Egmont Key tours, snorkeling tours and . After touring the historic sites and trails, visitors can enjoy swimming, wildlife viewing, and picnicking. We will customize your excursion from your base tour choice. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Egmont Key is a secluded island acting primarily as a wildlife refuge part of the island is inaccessible to visitors. Holmes Beach, Florida Features animals Contact Awards Travelers' Choice 2023 The captain always has a cooler stocked with extra water. This pristine key is a gem that should be added to your must-do list this summer. Three-hour excursions cost $75 per person and four-hour excursions cost $85. We went on a private sunset sail and saw dolphins and thee most spectacular sunset you could imagine! 4905 34th St. South, #5000 St. Petersburg FL 33711 Get directions Contact Info 727-644-6235 Park Menu Experiences & Amenities History Download Park Map Welcome to Egmont Key State Park Although this park is primarily a wildlife refuge, it can be a personal refuge - a place to relax and collect shells along secluded, pristine beaches. My husband and son enjoyed exploring the ruins. Located at the mouth of Tampa Bay, northwest of Anna Maria Island. The Hubbards Marina Ferry does have snacks like chips and cookies as well as canned soda and bottled water for sale on board the ferry. Egmont Key is a Florida state park and a wild life refuge providing a safe home to many Florida native birds, gopher turtles, and box turtles. Metrocon and Tampa Bay Comic Convention Coming this Summer! The Northern Prarie Wildlife Research Center has a bird checklist available for Egmont Key, as well as a map of Egmont Key, a mammal checklist and a reptile checklist. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Including Wild & Beautiful Bottlenose Dolphins. We particularly enjoyed the trip out to Egmont Key. Exploring Fort Dade, which is in a state of romantic ruin. Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Its best to book in advance. You may also see manatees on our trip. Staff monitors bird populations and collects and records observational data. Tampa Bay Date Night Guide is a free guide to the best of the Tampa Bay area! Acceptable ID forms include: name, address, date of birth, name of issuing organization, and a recent photo such as a drivers license or passport. 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Most people, like my family, instead book the popular Hubbards Marina Ferry, which departs fromFort De Soto Park near St. Pete. If you have questions about accessibility, wed be happy to help. Book Now! Our private only jet ski tour adventures are 1.5 to 2 hours in length. Next, we will pull the boat up to the beach at Egmont Key. Passage Key is beautiful year round and offers some of the clearest water in the area. No questions have been asked about this experience, Flip Flops Sailing, Holmes Beach: Hours, Address, Flip Flops Sailing Reviews: 5/5. He explained everything about what to expect as we traveled to Egmont Key. We are just minutes away from the Tampa Bay Area. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC. On a recent weekend getaway to the Compass Hotel at Anna Maria Sound, a budget-friendly Margaritaville hotel, my husband, son, and I booked the ferry to Egmont Key State Park. The boat is large and comfortable and being a catermeran very quick, we almost hit 8 nauts. The jetski tours are both educational and fun. Coastline Excursions on Anna Maria Island takes passengers on boating trips to the 1.6 mile-long island, where tourists can explore the Fort Dade lighthouse, watch tortoises soak up the sun and snorkel with dolphins and subtropical fish. It was first an internment camp for captured Seminoles during the Third Seminole War in the 1850s. No vacation in Florida is complete without the thrill of a boat trip! Captained Public or Private 2 to 6 passenger day sails, sunset sails, Passage Key Adventures, Egmont Key Adventures ranging between 2 to 6 hour long excursions on a 30 foot catamaran sailboat named Flip Flops. 1255 N. Gulfstream Avenue, Suite 101, Sarasota, FL 34236, Let's Go on a Snorkeling Trip to Egmont Key, There's a New Farmers Market in Wellen Park, 10 Neighborhoods Where Everything Is Changing, Colorful New Murals Pop Up in Downtown Wellen, A New, Multi-Generational Neighborhood Is Headed to Wellen Park. Egmont Key is managed by the U.S. Alternatively,Coastline Dolphin and Snorkeling Excursions offers three and four hour excursions to Egmont Key, also departing from Safe Harbor Marina. I absolutely fell in love with this hotel. You pay as you board the boat. On your adventure, you will experience the sights of many different species of wild life. Still, we enjoyed our first stop. The crew at Island Boat Adventures are dedicated to keeping Egmont Key beautiful. Please make sure you bring cash. Visiting Egmont Key is a fun excursion to tack onto a local staycation. The beaches here are prime for shelling, but always check what you are picking up, as collecting live shells is prohibited. 4 Fun Filled Hours Of Adventure! Locally this is known as Naked Island and if you paddle close enough on a day when lots of boats are there, you will soon see exactly why. You choose how long you want to explore. We highly recommend a private tour with him. FYI: There are no facilities for snacks, drinks, or beach equipment rental on the island. Cheers, Fish and Wildlife Service. Book Now Adult (13+) $ 69 Child (3-12) $ 59 Infant (2 & under) Free Enjoy Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling, Shelling, Exploring, Wildlife Sightings, and Picnicking on Egmont Key Island. AMI Escapes provides an ultimate boating experience around the pristine waters of Anna Maria Island. The one downside of this side of the island is that due to erosion, there is a drop off of a few inches when stepping into the water. Bring towels and a change of clothes for the boat ride back to Anna Maria Island. Time to head back to port! Accessible only by private boat, Egmont Key has a unique natural and cultural history, including a lighthouse that has stood since 1858. All opinions are my own and I do use affiliate links. Click Here to Obtain Your FL Boat Course Temporary Certificate, Boat Rentals Tours Deep Water & In Shore Fishing Carters. Snorkeling Anna Maria Island is a one of a kind experience. A truly super e xperience. A national wildlife refuge since the 1970s and a state park, Egmont covers 440 acres and its average elevation is just 3 feet 1 inch above the surrounding sea, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Encountering so many gopher tortoises. Quite a few boats had pulled up to this shore as well. Around Anna Maria Island, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and to our local sandbars including Jewfish Key, Passage . The highlights of our evening were stopping at the bird sanctuary, Passage Island, and seeing the birds silhouetted a. . When checking in for the ferry, a staff member will also review a map of Egmont Key with you. Get back to the dock at least 10 minutes before the boat even docks for the return trip. Bing Maps has a collection of great trails with directions to trail heads as well as photos. We have a minimum of 3 skis per tour and can accommodate up to 5 skis per tour. The ferry is about 46 feet in length and has both covered and open area seating. As a sailor, with considerable miles under my hull, I can only say that this 4-hour tour was a welcome treat, here at what is, hopefully, the end of a VERY STRESSFUL YEAR! We have experienced them swimming right up next to our guests at the ruins. They are cool to spot as they graze the grass fields looking for dinner. The trip over is highlighted with a running narrative by the Captain, which is part historicalpart comedywith background music from an old Jimmy Buffet CD. Adult beverages are permitted. As a customer, you do not pay any more or less because of an affiliated link. We spent a few weeks on AMI and were able to join Captain Kit for both the Egmont Key sail and a Sunset sail while we were here. Lizardcheck gopher tortoisecheck. Used during the Spanish-American War, Fort Dade saw lots of battles and was also used during the Civil War. Two additional charter boat companies provide excursions to Egmont Key: You May Like: Freedom Boat Club Chicago Cost. Is Banana Boat Protective Spray Oil For Tanning, How To Remove Mold And Mildew From Vinyl Boat Seats. 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. We ended our time on Egmont Key by checking out the lighthouse. The Egmont Key Lighthouse and the ruins of Fort Dade, a Spanish-American War era fort, are also located in . I was fantastic, a great day out with some amazing snorkeling and a a fascinating visit to the reserve. We had strong wind and cruised around at a steady 7 knots. Pack everything you would need for a beach day: lunch, drinks, water, sunblock and towels. We book the 3 hour to passage key the water felt good especially on a hot day. The Key is Picking The Right Boat!! . There is public beach access there (with parking on a side street), and a short carry to the beach. Each charter will be exclusive to a group of family or friends. Capacity: 49 passengers, Groups larger than 4 require 1 form of payment. You will be exploring the historic Egmont Key island located off the north end of Anna Maria island. Captain Chris and Captain Andrew are very friendly and were flexible with wher, Captain Chris was great! If you missed last weeks post, A Complete Guide To Floridas Fort De Soto Park, I covered all the ins and outs of visiting Fort De Soto, including entrance fees and the many activities available in the park. Learn more about the adventures awaiting you. He even located some dolphins for us on our way out. Get a Weekly List of the Tampa Bay Areas Hottest Date Spots by Email or Text! All operators must be present for the safety orientation prior to operating any of our equipment. The Captain was very welcoming and knowledgeable. Compass Hotels pairs the tropical flair associated with Margaritaville and Jimmy Buffett with the spirit of adventurous travel. Learn more about national wildlife refuge is established to the recreational activities offered to the resource management tools used. The Meeting location is at the water line hotel, however please do not park in their brick parking lot. With no shelter from the summer heat, I was praying for a cloud to cover the scorching sun. Here you will see lots of fish, hermit crabs, conch and plant life. Other research projects include studying gopher tortoises, box turtles, and beach erosion. We're supported by our advertisers when they buy digital ads & listings, sponsored content, and through affiliate links, so some things you read might be paid for or if you buy something thru a link on our site we might get a commission. This ferry is the most affordable option I found when researching our trip. PRICES INCLUDE ALL YOUR SNORKELING GEAR FOR THE DAY! It is cash only. Egmont Key lies southwest of Fort De Soto Park and can only be reached by boat or ferry, so this is your opportunity to check out this neat, historical site! The couple spotted the body surrounded by about 10 alligators on the southeast corner of Lake Maggiore, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Please enable cookies on your browser and try again. The first beach that we came to was quiet with only one other family in sight. Awesome time! Andrew was our guide and did a great job. The story of Egmont Key and Fort Dade Egmont Key is about 1.6 miles from Fort De Soto Park at the bottom of St. Pete Beach, and it's also about 1.6 miles long. The information in this article was accurate when published but can change without notice. The company does not accept passengers who have heart conditions or other serious medical problems. Captain Kit explains where the life jackets, bathroom and cooler of water was before we set out on our journey. All cruises embark from 200 Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. The service requires full JavaScript support in order to view this website. experience. - Lori H. "This trip is SO worth the money. The trip from Anna Maria to Egmont Key is a 3-mile paddle across a major channel. Theres no adventure like an Egmont Key adventure! Guided trips will take you to the sunken ruins of Fort Dade or the grass flatbeds, depending on the weather and conditions of the island. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment,your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable. 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. We had a great time with Captain Kit who was friendly and professional. Learn more about national wildlife refuge to protect the islands diverse natural, cultural, and historical features. In the spring it is not uncommon to see large groups of randy male manatees following a beleaguered female. Most people head to Egmont Key to swim, snorkel, hike, see wildlife (including dolphins, sea turtles and marine birds), and view the Egmont Key lighthouse and ruins from Fort Dade. Dont hesitate booking a trip! Recommended Reading: Is Banana Boat Sunscreen Good. Sarasota Magazine Click here to Learn more about wild bottlenose dolphins! Dont get left on the beach unprepared. The whole trip lasts for between 3 and 4 hours, with one hour spent on Egmont Key and one hour on Passage Key. We always have a surprise or two in store for you! Highly recommend this business. This process is automatic. If you wish to leave from Anna Maria Island, which is on the south side of Tampa Bay, there are other trips available. Had all of the history knowledge, was funny, kind, and very accommodations. The island is kept in immaculate shape by the rangers and volunteers. Book your tour online. I could feel the excitement and anticipation of everyone on board. You do NOT want to spend a night out on the island. I am already trying to figure out when we can do it all again. Highly recommend, great value. Egmont Key NWR, located on a remote 250 acre island situated at the mouth of Tampa Bay, provides important habitat for nesting sea turtles, gopher tortoises, over 30,000 nesting pairs of birds, and other wildlife. Some of the features of a big resort are missing, but it did not feel lacking. OUR EGMONT KEY TOUR IS TRULY A REMARKABLE ADVENTURE! Jet ski drivers must abide by FL law so a valid photo ID is required for all operators. We were able to see dolphins, a manatee, turtles, birds, lizards, and fish. We saw lots of dolphins, had a great captain who made accommodations, Four of us went out with Chad and had an amazing experience! The one downside of this side of the island is that due to erosion, there is a drop off of a few inches when stepping into the water. It is easy to be so absorbed in your sightseeing on the island that you lose track of time. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Pack only what you need (food, lots of water, beach gear, sunscreen). Charter boats were anchored to the shore bobbing in the water while their guest enjoyed time on the key. 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. My daughter enjoyed the peaceful sailing experience so much that she asked while on the boat if we could go again the next day! The service requires full cookie support in order to view this website. On your adventure, you will experience the sights of many different species of wild life. We saw a few sandy paths leading toward the beach and decided to follow one. Our boat tour will take you from Anna Maria Island, right to the heart of this historical and environmental jewel where you can walk trails and visit the ruins of Ft. Dade by trail or snorkeling, seek for land turtles, take amazing pictures, enjoy a day at the beach and more! After captains go over boat safety and the tour route, you will begin the fun, breezy ride to the island. DOLPHIN WATCHING! We pride ourselves inproviding our guests with premiumsnorkelingequipment to help maximize the underwaterexperience in Egmont Key. You will also stand a very good chance of seeing manatees and a wide range of fish species. On our last night we decided to have dinner here. Test must be completed by all operators that need a boat license prior to any reservations. Enjoy Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling, Shelling, Exploring, Wildlife Sightings, and Picnicking on Egmont Key Island. We walked through some seagrape tree canopies and saw multiple gopher turtles, which are a protected species. We would recommend these trips to anyone long for a sailing experience while on the island. Chris and the Salty Dolphin are spectacular. If you miss it, you will have to wait for the next one and that could be the following day! The cost is $40 per person ages 12 and up ($20 for kids ages 3 -11). Come aboard the MV Minnow and join us on our cruise to explore this beautiful historic site. The morning sun sparkled on the water as Jimmy Buffett songs and tropical music filled the air. This product is unavailable to book via Tripadvisor. Located on the south end of the island is the Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge, which was established in 1974. If you prefer, you can opt for a different date instead. Some of the amenities include beaches, nature trails, and picnic tables. All Rights Reserved. His explanation of the area and wildlife was very interesting. We really appreciate you taking the time out to share your experience with us. We enjoyed the calm waters with our little guy who is still learning to be a strong swimmer. We had a GREAT time with Captain Tristan! It is important to note there is no shade along the beach at Egmont Key. Those born in 1987 or before are exempt from needing the boating license. After some time on the quieter side of the island, we walked along the shoreline and came to the ruins of Fort Dade. Strollers, however, can be taken on board. Egmont Key tours, snorkeling tours and sunset cruises. The refuge was established in 1974 to protect the significant natural, historical, and cultural resources from the impending threats of development. We have large coolers with ice for you to share or you can bring your own. The Charters Finders team pride themselves on being able to find dolphins on almost every trip. We soon learned the beach is nicer on the opposite side, where most of the crowd headed initially. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. 4 Fun Filled Hours Of Adventure! Your was the full, Our captain was really knowledgeable and friendly! "This boat tour is a must do Today was a blast and our family loved it. Our king bed room gave us plenty of space and comfort. During your 4-hour excursion to Egmont Key, you will learn about he history of the park, as well as get to observe the abundant wildlife. Knowledgeable about the area, wildlife, and the history of thee island. But we enjoyed taking photos and reading the historical plaques. Skip to content. At check in, a staff member will review the map of Egmont Key with you and answer any questions. It felt secluded and special. It felt like the perfect way to cap off our time here. Egmont Key is an island at the mouth of Tampa Bay, accessible only by boat. It's incredible to see these amazing creatures in their natural habitat. Snorkeling Egmont Key is a one of a kind experience. The clear and shallow waters makes this a great tour for all skill levels. This Florida-themed restaurant is named after a Jimmy Buffett song and is open to the public, not just hotel guests. What a beautiful afternoon on the water! Many people also take to the beaches to hunt for shells or other interesting finds in the sand. 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