9 Egmont Key Adventures You Can’t Miss
Egmont Key State Park in Florida is made for adventure!
This beautiful park resides on an island in the mouth of Tampa Bay and offers up everything from easy hikes to incredible shelling opportunities.
Accessible only by boat, Egmont Key takes some work to get to, but that means you’re sharing the island with a small group of people at any given time.
The beautiful water views, historic buildings, and peaceful island interior are well worth getting here.
Below, you’ll hear about the can’t-miss Egmont Key adventures that await you and your family, as well as my tips on how to make the best of your time ashore.
This day trip is one of the best in St. Petersburg, Florida, and I hope you love it as much as my family and I do.
The lighthouse and pier on Egmont Key
This post contains affiliates. If you purchase through one of the links below, I will receive a commission at no charge to you.
What to Know about Egmont Key Before Your Visit
It’s remote.
While the island is less than 2 miles from Fort De Soto County Park and about 5 miles from the Don CeSar Hotel on St. Pete Beach, Egmont Key feels as if it’s a world away.
Part of this isolation is due to the fact that you can’t casually get to this state park. You’ll need to find a friend with a boat, charter a boat, or hop on the ferry.
This means that you might be sharing the island with around a 100 people on the day you visit—and once everyone spreads out to the different areas on Egmont Key, it’s likely you won’t see many people at all.
Come prepared with all of the food and water you’ll need for your day. You won’t find a convenience store or cafe (or even a water fountain) anywhere on the island.
Prepare for the Elements.
The Camping Kiddos are prepared with long sleeved sun shirts, comfy hiking sandals, and hats.
While the beaches are protected from the near constant breeze off of the Gulf of Mexico, the interior of the island can get down right stuffy on even mild days.
And this means that the bugs are out.
If you plan to hike into the island to see the historic buildings (something I HIGHLY recommend!), you’ll want to be prepared.
Take plenty of water, sunscreen, and bug spray with you as none of these are available on the island.
I would even recommend packing a long sleeved sun shirt for your journey. They’re great at keeping those harmful UV rays off when you’re shelling, and they serve double duty as additional bug and sun protection when you’re hiking in the interior.
Stop by the ranger station.
If you’re interested in learning more about the island’s history or wildlife, stop by the ranger station with your questions.
During our visits, there’s always been a ranger hanging around the station waiting for someone to come by.
One ranger on our last visit even told us that he wants people to stop by since he sees so few visitors each day!
There are definitely perks of being a ranger on an island, but it’s got to be tough if you’re outgoing.
So, tell the rangers hello or bring your questions.
9 Fun and Easy Egmont Key Adventures
Wildlife viewing
The Camping Kiddos say hello to an island tortoise.
For a small island, there’s so much to see here.
As you walk around, you’ll see everything from crabs to tortoises, and, on the bay side, even a dolphin or two!
Keep your eyes open as you stroll the beach and as you roam the interior trails.
We found some lively little crabs on the beach near our ferry drop-off site, which tried to attack my husband’s shoe.
Further into the northern part of the island, near the Civil War ruins, we found a tortoise who happily plodded past my kids for a photo.
There are also plenty of tortoises near the lighthouse if you’d like a spot to see them close to the ferry drop-off.
The island is also home to lizards, snakes, osprey, piping plovers, doves, and sea turtles.
You might see terns, gulls, and pelicans and tens of thousands of other birds nesting elsewhere on the island.
Part of Egmont Key is a protected national wildlife refuge, and these areas are clearly defined with signs. Don’t attempt to head into these areas or you could destroy important nesting habitats.
Shelling
The Camping Kiddos look for the perfect shell among the thousands on Egmont Key.
Did you know that the Gulf Coast is excellent for shelling?
Egmont Key, nearby Shell Key, Sanibel Island, and Captiva Island are known for their incredible array of shells found on their beaches.
Since fewer people visit Egmont and Shell Keys, you’re much more likely to find large, varied caches of seashells here.
The shelling is especially good after a big storm, when the rough waves toss hidden treasures up onto the shore. Our ferry captain on our most recent trip to Egmont Key had a large bin of conch shells, oyster shells, and sharks’ teeth—and more!—that he passed around on our trip to the island.
For the best shelling, head to the northern tip of the island, where piles of shells can be found along the tideline.
You’ll also have good luck on the northern tip of the island on the Gulf side.
Bring a mesh bag like this one to carry your selected shells. We love these bags since they allow the sand to quickly fall off while protecting our found treasures.
Old Lighthouse
At nearly 170 years old, the Egmont Key lighthouse could tell some stories. Built in 1858, the squat white lighthouse once helped ships thread the narrow entrance to Tampa Bay.
Today, it serves as an focal point of the island, and it’s the one thing you’ll be able to see distinctly on the island from your ferry pick up point at Fort De Soto.
It also serves as a visual reminder of where you are on the island, and that’s why the ferries always drop off visitors in front of the lighthouse.
You can see it from just about anywhere on the island if you need to reorient yourself.
The lighthouse is currently in the process of being restored, so you can’t go into the property for tours.
It’s still worthy of a photo or two as you explore the island!
Gun Batteries
At the northern end of the island, just around the corner from the lighthouse are a collection of gun batteries.
These date to the late 1800s when the island was used an important defense location for Tampa Bay in the Spanish-American War.
Today, these buildings are open to the public, and you’re welcome to explore throughout.
We found the empty buildings, staircases, and rooftops to be excellent vantage points for viewing the Gulf—and we found lizards and tortoises here.
All things considered, the historic gun batteries are one of the most interesting places on Egmont Key.
They’re conveniently located near both the lighthouse and the ranger station. Take the interior trails from the lighthouse to get to the gun batteries, or walk along the beach to the northern tip to walk through the dunes along the well-worn path.
Fort Dade
The older Camping Kiddo checks out one of the buildings in the Fort Dade area.
Fort Dade is located on the southern half of the island, though it’s mostly in ruins today.
Since most visitors to the island stick close to the ferry drop off for sunbathing, shelling, and snorkeling, you’re likely to have this area to yourself.
The overgrown buildings can feel a bit eerie in those moments, almost as if you can hear the hustle and bustle that once existed here.
The brick pathway around this area is kept clear for those exploring, but the buildings are less groomed.
It looks as if the island is slowly overtaking the historic buildings, but, in reality, there is a fine balance by the island’s caretakers between keeping the area looking natural and retaining important island history.
Thanks to the combination of historic military buildings and incredible ocean views, Fort Dade reminds me so much of the Dry Tortugas National Park further south in Florida. (If you get the chance to go there, too, you should! It’s one of the best national parks on the East Coast.)
Snorkeling
The water here is blue and crystal clear.
PIN ME!
You might find sea urchins, schools of fish, sand dollars, starfish, and more as you swim along the warm waters of Tampa Bay.
While you can swim anywhere around the island, I think that the bay side provides the gentlest snorkeling experience.
There’s nothing worse than swimming where there are waves, which means you’ll get seawater down your snorkel. (Yuck.)
Even the Gulf side of the island is pretty gentle, but if there’s been a recent storm (or one is coming later on), that’s the side that’s going to get more waves.
For the best viewing experience, catch the first ferry of the day—or head out early if you’re taking a private charter or personal boat.
Getting to the snorkeling areas around the island first means you’ll be able to swim in water that hasn’t been churned up, which translates to higher visibility.
Picnicking
Since the island doesn’t offer any food or refreshment options, you’ll need to come prepared.
This means you’ll need to stop by a grocery store in St. Pete Beach or St. Petersburg to pick up sandwiches, chips, drinks, and other snacks to keep your energy up.
On our first trip to the island, we made the mistake of hauling around a cooler the entire time we were exploring.
Instead, we should’ve picnicked first at the tables near the lighthouse, then put our bags back on the ferry.
The ferry and crew stay on the boat the entire time you’re on the island, so no one will mess with your stuff.
See below for more information in the FAQs on our favorite picnicking spots on Egmont Key.
Fishing
Bring your fishing gear to the island to try your hand at besting the saltwater fish here.
While you’re welcome to bring your gear on the ferry with you, a dedicated Tampa Bay fishing charter is the best way to fish in this area.
With a fishing charter, you’ll have a captain that knows the waters around Egmont Key and will be able to maneuver you in the perfect locations to reel in redfish, sheepshead, cobia, and more.
If you’d rather take your chances on shore fishing, you can set up anywhere along the beaches of Egmont Key. Just watch out for snorkelers and swimmers. 9
Hiking
As I’ve mentioned throughout this post, there are interior trails ringing Egmont Key.
You can start and stop anywhere as it is a big loop, but I recommend checking out the lighthouse, and then working clockwise.
Exploring Egmont Key’s interior trails
This route will take you down to the Fort Dade ruins first, then bring you up on the Gulf side of the island, which usually has a good breeze.
You’ll then end your hike at the northern point of the island near the gun batteries. You’re also the perfect location to finish off your trip with some great shelling.
The island, being where it is in Florida, is buggy, hot, and humid. Start earlier in the day so you can hike when temperatures are lower, and chug that water to avoid dehydration.
The island is flat and the hiking is quite easy.
The path itself varies from sandy trail to brick paths to sections of concrete.
Wearing a hiking sandal is recommended over a traditional hiking shoe or tennis shoe for a couple of reasons.
The hiking sandals let sand and dirt flow in and out. Hiking shoes and tennis shoes trap the dirt, so you’re more likely to get blisters.
The design of the hiking sandals allows for more air flow, so your feet stay comfortable.
The hiking sandals double as great water shoes for when you want to take a dip in that beautiful Gulf water.
Need recommendations on hiking sandals and gear for the entire family?
Egmont Key State Park FAQs
How can I get to Egmont Key?
Egmont Key State Park is only accessible by boat.
If you don’t have your own craft, you’ll need to jump on one of the regularly scheduled ferries between Fort De Soto County Park and Egmont Key State Park.
NOTE: the Egmont Key ferry is just one of the many incredible things to do at Fort de Soto. Check out our guide to see how else to spend your time in this area.
What amenities are available on Egmont Key?
You’ll find restrooms available on the island, but that’s about it.
Unlike nearby Fort de Soto County Park, Egmont Key State Park doesn’t offer a store, cafe, or water fountains. You’ll want to ensure that you’re self-sufficient for the duration of your visit by packing plenty of water, snacks, towels, and clothing.
Where is the best snorkeling on Egmont Key?
The island is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico on the west side, and the mouth of Tampa Bay on the east.
The bayside stays much calmer, which translates to less silt and debris in the water. This means you’ll have clearer waters to see fish, mangrove roots, and old structures that remain in the water.
The Gulf of Mexico side can be rough at times, especially if there was a recent storm, or if a storm in heading in.
Where can I rent snorkeling equipment?
If you don’t have your own snorkeling equipment and you’re taking a private boat to the island, you’ll want to first stop by Walmart, Target, or a sporting goods store to pick up a basic mask and snorkel. These basic sets are inexpensive.
If you’re taking a tour, you will likely have the opportunity to borrow some of their snorkel gear for the time you’re on the island.
Where is the best place for a picnic on Egmont Key?
If the weather is sunny, head for the beach at the northern tip of the island. You’ll find a wide, sandy beach here that’s great for laying out a picnic blanket.
If you’re planning on hiking the interior of the island, I’d suggest eating before you leave. There are several tables near the ranger station and lighthouse. Then, you can leave your picnic basket with the tour company boat while you explore.
