From there, Passage Key and Egmont Key are both visible (Passage looking like a sand bar in the distance, Egmont slightly to its left). Bird sanctuaries at the south end . Snorkeling the ruins just outside Egmont Key is a guest favorite! We were here for Thanksgiving week and had a gorgeous day of sailing with Flip Flops. Learn more about national wildlife refuge is established to the recreational activities offered to the resource management tools used. 2023. Coastline Excursions on Anna Maria Island takes passengers on boating trips to . 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. We highly recommend a private tour with him. It is one of the three Tampa Bay Refuges and is administered as a part of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Anna Maria Island - Cortez Boat Tours - Egmont Key Express Egmont Key Express Duration: 4 Hours (approx.) Located at the mouth of Tampa Bay, northwest of Anna Maria Island. The information in this article was accurate when published but can change without notice. Among the fauna are gopher tortoises, hummingbirds, and seabirds. Nature Coast Excursions. 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. 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. Free Activities in Tampa Bay, Clearwater & St. Pete, Tampa Hidden Gems to Explore on Your Next Date, 10 Natural Springs Near Tampa Bay You Must Visit At Least Once, Sparkman Wharf: One of Tampas Best Waterfront Hot Spots, Your Culinary Map of Central Avenue Restaurants in St. Pete, The Best SoHo + Hyde Park Tampa Restaurants for Date Night, Tropical and Authentic Tiki Bars for Unforgettable Date Nights, Crystal River Voted as One of USA TODAYs Best Summer Travel Destinations. The submerged ruins of the fort provide a haven many different species of sea life. We have a minimum of 3 skis per tour and can accommodate up to 5 skis per tour. Walking the forts beautiful red brick roads, which are now lanes through a jungle. Please enable JavaScript on your browser and try again. Then dive into the ocean for a snorkeling adventure, where you'll swim near sunken ruins of Fort Dade, and spot dolphins, turtles and fish. The captain was very kno, What a delightful way to spend an afternoon! The birds were gone and the boaters had moved in. After some time on the quieter side of the island, we walked along the shoreline and came to the ruins of Fort Dade. We walked through some seagrape tree canopies and saw multiple gopher turtles, which are a protected species. Great way to spend an evening on Anna Maria Island, Thank you so much for your kind words. The standard view does overlook the parking lot and street, but it also offers views ofNeal Preserve, a lovely nature preserve right across the street from the hotel. It was first an internment camp for captured Seminoles during the Third Seminole War in the 1850s. Egmont Key State Park | Florida State Parks Sunbathe and swim, stroll on the beach searching for shells and snorkel around the submerged historical batteries of the fort. Including Wild & Beautiful Bottlenose Dolphins. Located in Egmont Key at the mouth of Tampa Bay is Egmont Key State Park, a Florida State Park that features many recreational activities and wildlife. Egmont & Passage Keys in Florida | Paddling.com Recommended Reading: Marine Mechanic Salary Florida, The Florida Online Park Guide is the States official page on Egmont Key and contains valuable information and special notices. Come aboard the M/V Minnow and join us on our cruise to explore this beautiful historic site. M/V Minnow offers excursions to Egmont Key. The clear and shallow waters makes this a great tour for all skill levels. There are no facilities on the island. The tour of the old fort was wonderful. Encountering so many gopher tortoises. Some of the amenities include beaches, nature trails, and picnic tables. The boat is large and comfortable and being a catermeran very quick, we almost hit 8 nauts. Located in Egmont Key at the mouth of Tampa Bay is Egmont Key State Park, a Florida State Park that features many recreational activities and wildlife. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 203023P3, 5325 Marina Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217, USA. We saw lots of dolphins, had a great captain who made accommodations, Four of us went out with Chad and had an amazing experience! 75 Minute Parasailing Adventure above Bradenton Beach & Anna Maria Island, Parasailing Adventure in Anna Maria Island, Clear Kayak LED Night Glass Bottom Tour - Anna Maria Island, Half Day Private Fishing Trip with Site Seeing Around Anna Maria Island, Private 4 Hours Fishing Trip in Anna Maria Island, Private Transfer from Anna Maria to Orlando (MCO) Airport, Private Transfer from Anna Maria to Port Canaveral, Private Transfer from Anna Maria to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport. We even saw dolphins as well as a beautiful sunset. The ferry will not wait for you. My friend and I staked out our spot and immediately realized we did not come prepared for a day at the beach. Egmont Key is a small barrier island on the Gulf Coast of Florida just south of St Petersburg and North of Bradenton. Click here to Learn more about private charters, Click here to Learn more about private pontoon tours, Click here to Learn more about gift cards, Click here to Learn more about directions, Click here to email info@islandboatadventures.com, Click here to view location Island Boat Adventures We did the morning tour which we liked because it was cooler and the water was calm. ST. PETERSBURG, FL A badly decomposed body was discovered Thursday after two people having breakfast noticed alligators dragging it through the mangroves at a St. Petersburg lake. A small percentage of the sale will go to the person who generated the link. Its best to book in advance. (844) 264-3474 Cruise Details Egmont Key Departs: 10am Duration: 4 hours Passengers: 1 - 6 Rates from: Anna Maria Island Boat Tours to Egmont Key MV Minnow offers excursions to Egmont Key. Although you can swim in the waters, and its often calm, be aware that there are no lifeguards on duty, so swimming is at your own risk. 4110 127th Street West, Cortez, FL 34215 (941) 538-4290. . Process was very easy! After captains go over boat safety and the tour route, you will begin the fun, breezy ride to the island. experience. The company does not accept passengers who have heart conditions or other serious medical problems. You cannot go into the lighthouse, since it is still a functioning lighthouse. We have large coolers with ice for you to share or you can bring your own. Take an adventurous ride to beautiful Egmont Key on a 46-foot, U.S. Coast Guard Certified Tour Boats ferry. The Charters Finders team pride themselves on being able to find dolphins on almost every trip. Re-publication without written permission is against the law. islandannamaria.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. One essential item to bring is a watch, or some other means of knowing the time. OUR EGMONT KEY TOUR IS TRULY A REMARKABLE ADVENTURE! 4 Fun Filled Hours Of Adventure! This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Some of the amenities include beaches, nature trails, and picnic tables. The Coolest Cat On The Beach! We enjoyed the calm waters with our little guy who is still learning to be a strong swimmer. Numerous private charters from other companies depart from various points on Anna Maria Island. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 58. We walked across the pool deck to Floridays Woodfire Grill and Bar. The pathways are plentiful and well marked. As a customer, you do not pay any more or less because of an affiliated link. Many people also take to the beaches to hunt for shells or other interesting finds in the sand. A ramp is used to disembark the ferry, and depending on the water it can be a little bouncy to walk down the ramp onto the island. The calmer water around Passage Key also makes for a nice break from the two distinct sections of current, Passage Key Inlet and the Southwest Channel, that you must cross on your paddle to and from Egmont Key. Test must be completed by all operators that need a boat license prior to any reservations. If you wish to leave from Anna Maria Island, which is on the south side of Tampa Bay, there are other trips available. It is easy to be so absorbed in your sightseeing on the island that you lose track of time. Recreational activities include sunbathing, swimming, shelling, picnicing, touring the fort, and as mentioned before, wildlife viewing. SNORKELING! Join us for a day of excitement and adventure that you will not soon forget! Each tour is customized to your speed, ability and expectations. The whole trip lasts for between 3 and 4 hours, with one hour spent on Egmont Key and one hour on Passage Key. Located in Egmont Key at the mouth of Tampa Bay is Egmont Key State Park, a Florida State Park that features many recreational activities and wildlife. Being the family that likes to chart our own path, we headed to the right. All cruises embark from 200 Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. Coastline Excursions offer guided tours from Anna Maria Island to Egmont Key. If you prefer, you can opt for a different date instead. All tours are subject to weather. Other research projects include studying gopher tortoises, box turtles, and beach erosion. We went first thing in the morning so didn. FYI: There are no facilities for snacks, drinks, or beach equipment rental on the island. It is a designated State Park. The charter leaves from Marina Drive, Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island. We supply your mask, snorkel, and fins. On our last night we decided to have dinner here. Island Boat Adventures | Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Egmont Key After touring the historic sites and trails, you can enjoy swimming, wildlife viewing, and snorkeling. THINGS TO DO AT EGMONT KEY Please enable cookies on your browser and try again. Theres a spur north of Dunedin that goes out to beautiful Honeymoon Island. We saw approximately 15 dolphins, snor, Wonderful. Next time we will to a trip to Egmont and Passage Keys as well! We pride ourselves inproviding our guests with premiumsnorkelingequipment to help maximize the underwaterexperience in Egmont Key. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 203023P3. Be sure to print that one. The island used to be a substantial plot of solid earth and served as a rookery to a variety of bird life, but erosion and storms have taken their toll and the last time I was near the island it didnt appear to be much more than just a sandbar. Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it? Egmont Key was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on December 11, 1978. Like much of this part of the state, Egmont Key State Park has some wonderful opportunities for viewing some of the wildlife that calls Florida home. Egmont Key Florida - Things to Do The morning sun sparkled on the water as Jimmy Buffett songs and tropical music filled the air. They are cool to spot as they graze the grass fields looking for dinner. In between Anna Maria and Egmont Key is a tiny island and large sandbar called Passage Key. Staff is awesome. Captain Kit Baxter is a very pleasant, capable (and understanding; pay particular attention to his explanation of the differences between sunscreen and tanning lotions) skipper. After touring the historic sites and trails, visitors can enjoy swimming, wildlife viewing, and picnicking. PRICES INCLUDE ALL YOUR SNORKELING GEAR FOR THE DAY! Boat License must be on board as well as the Gov issued photo ID. Rather than beckoning you to spend all your time at a sprawling resort, the Compass Hotel serves as a splendid jumping off point to go explore. If you get left, it is nobodys fault but yours. Captain Tristan was a delight! The pool is pretty basic, but it does overlook the water. Be sure to bring your snorkeling gear with you, as the waters are an attraction for more than just swimming and cooling off. The leeward side of this 400-acre island has a mooring area for private boats. 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. Egmont Key Snorkeling Adventure | Island Boat Adventures You will be redirected once the validation is complete. Candidate Conservation Agreements (CCA & CCAA), Coastal Barrier Resources Act Project Consultation, Coastal Barrier Resources System Property Documentation, https://www.facebook.com/CrystalRiverComplex/, Learn more about national wildlife refuge. Enjoy covered, comfortable seating or the open air on the deck. As a Florida native I absolutely loved the fried fish and grits. The jetski tours are both educational and fun. This Florida-themed restaurant is named after a Jimmy Buffett song and is open to the public, not just hotel guests. Strollers, however, can be taken on board. When we arrived on Saturday afternoon, a live musician was performing poolside. No question is too small, we are always happy to answer. Click here to Learn more about egmont key adventure! Take the Egmont Key Ferry from the Bay Pier inside Fort De Soto Park to the island. Read more in this Florida Rambler article: Treasured St. Pete bike trail. Plenty of birds nest here, so even though you cant enter, you still have a good chance of seeing osprey, brown pelicans, black skimmers, American oystercatchers and so many other species. Search for volunteer opportunities around the country, News about wonderful wild things and places, FWS is taking steps to mitigate climate impacts, Search employment opportunities with USFWS. more, #3 of 44 Outdoor Activities in Holmes Beach, Scuba & Snorkelling Boat Tours Sightseeing Tours Private Tours. Kit is a great captain, good fun, played some goth music for my daughter, and full of facts about Egmont. The boat used does not have wheelchair access, although service animals are allowed to accompany their owners. You can snorkeling some more from the shoreline. We will customize your excursion from your base tour choice. In the spring it is not uncommon to see large groups of randy male manatees following a beleaguered female. At last, this is where everyone had headed to in the first place. 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! 4 Fun Filled Hours Of Adventure! It is important to note there is no shade along the beach at Egmont Key. We chose Anna Maria Sound because of great deal I found at Compass Hotel. Click here to Learn more about find shark teeth! Backwater & Eco Tour around the Island (3 hour minimum), Backwater & Eco Around the Island (2 hour minimum). Egmont Key is another beautiful island in the Gulf of Mexico and Anna Maria Island's neighbor to the North. Theyre everywhere and when you meet them on the brick roads, they stand their ground. The Key is Picking The Right Boat!! Island Boat Adventures is your destination for an unforgettable experience! Youll love every minute! You choose how long you want to explore. Among the fauna are gopher tortoises, hummingbirds, and seabirds. Some of the features of a big resort are missing, but it did not feel lacking. Our son is a photographer and thanks to Chads efforts, We were recommended by a friend and told this was a great dolphin tour. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. But, there is no direct way to get to Egmont Key from Anna Maria Island other than a handful of private (and expensive) ferries. 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. Flip Flops Sailing (Holmes Beach) - What to Know BEFORE You Go Egmont Key Tours Anna Maria Island | Bay2Bay Tours Egmont Key Excursion 4-hour tour starts at $575 Book Now Highlights What We Provide What To Bring Requirements Pricing Highlights Private boat tour up to 6 passengers Guided excursion and fun at the beach Lookout for dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, or other marine wildlife as we make headway We offer private boating tours to local sandbars, dolphin tours, Egmont Key tours, snorkeling tours and . We were able to see dolphins, a manatee, turtles, birds, lizards, and fish. Thank you for your support of my blog! We do not guarantee that the websites we link to comply with Section 508 (Accessibility Requirements) of the Rehabilitation Act. Please confirm details when planning your trip by following the links in this article. 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.