Egmont Key Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Egmont Key. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Private Boat Tours for Dolphin-Watching Near Treasure Island

• 4-Hour Egmont Key Island Tour With Dolphins & Snorkeling Included

• 4-Hour St. Pete Pier to Egmont Key Experience by Ferry

• Parasailing Adventure In Bradenton Beach & Anna Maria Island, FL

• Egmont Key Snorkeling Dolphin Tour

There’s no entrance fee for Egmont Key—you’ll only need to budget for the cost of getting there, as the island is only accessible by boat. Public ferries are available from Fort De Soto Park, with tickets from US$45 for adults, US$25 for children aged 3–11, and kids aged 2 and under are free. Guided tours are a convenient way to explore the island: Snorkeling excursions hover around US$80 per person, while private tours start at US$285 for a group of up to six people.

Yes, Egmont Key is worth visiting, especially if you love beach time and wildlife. Egmont Key is a protected state park and National Wildlife Refuge in Tampa Bay, home to gopher tortoises, shorebirds, and dolphins. The reserve offers a respite from the more crowded mainland beaches, with plenty to explore, including a 19th-century lighthouse and the ruins of Fort Dade. Half-day boat tours offer the chance to spot dolphins and to snorkel alongside manatees and turtles. You can also try fishing, parasailing, and jet-skiing here.

Per one customer who booked the Private Boat Tours for Dolphin Watching Near Treasure Island, "Captain Allen was excellent. We will be coming back in a couple of months to enjoy another adventure! We saw dolphins, and the family water tubed. Best experience so far in St. Pete's!!"

No, due to the remote nature of the island, there are no restrooms. The Egmont Key ferry from Fort De Soto does have an onboard restroom that can be used when it's docked. Some private boat tours, including the Pelican boat from St. Petersburg, may have restrooms onboard.

The ferry from Fort De Soto allows for three hours on the island and has snorkeling gear for rent. Private boat tours include half-day and full-day tours from Anna Maria Island, St. Petersburg, and Tampa Bay, and may include stops like Outback Key and Shell Key. Most include snorkeling gear.

No, Egmont Key State Park is only open for primitive day use (8am–sunset), and camping overnight is not permitted. You can camp at nearby public campgrounds, including De Soto Park Campground, Fort De Soto County Park and Beach Campground, Shell Key (primitive camping), and Little Manatee River State Park Campground.

Yes, there are rattlesnakes on Egmont Key, and visitors should be aware of their surroundings when exploring the island—including its 6 miles (9.6 kilometers) of trails—particularly given its remote location. Other wildlife that visitors may see include box turtles, gopher tortoises, dolphins, manatees, and many birds.

Yes. The clear waters offer excellent swimming. There are no lifeguards at Egmont Key so you swim at your own risk. Personal flotation devices are recommended for children and unsure swimmers. Be mindful of the dilapidated structures that have sunk into the sea, and avoid the water during inclement weather.

Yes. With its clear waters, Egmont Key offers great snorkeling opportunities. The grass flats are ideal for beginner snorkelers, while more advanced snorkelers can explore sunken structures offshore, which have created artificial coral reefs that attract marine life. Avoid snorkeling when there are storms, high winds, or heavy surf.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Egmont Key. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in St Petersburg:

• Salvador Dalí Museum

• St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts

• North Straub Park

• Sunken Gardens

• Fort De Soto Park

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in St Petersburg.