Snorkeling at Egmont Key State Park in Tampa Bay

Egmont Key State Park is one of the most fascinating snorkeling destinations in Tampa Bay, offering visitors a chance to experience clear waters, abundant marine life, and historic ruins beneath the waves. The park, accessible only by boat, provides a secluded environment ideal for snorkeling enthusiasts. With its combination of rich history and diverse underwater ecosystems, Egmont Key is a must-visit spot for those looking to experience Tampa Bay’s underwater beauty.

Adventure Guide to Snorkeling at Egmont Key State Park

Ruins of Fort Dade

Location: Off the western shore of Egmont Key
What Makes It Special: The submerged remains of Fort Dade’s structures create an artificial reef that attracts fish, rays, and the occasional sea turtle. These ruins offer a one-of-a-kind underwater adventure where history meets nature. Visibility here is typically excellent on calm days.
Features: Schools of baitfish, coral growth, and historic rock formations offer an interesting backdrop for snorkeling.

Seagrass Beds and Sandbars

Location: East side of the island, near the ferry landing
What Makes It Special: This area supports Tampa Bay’s delicate marine ecosystem, including seahorses, crabs, and stingrays. The shallow depths and gentle currents make it a great spot for beginners.
Features: Wide expanses of seagrass provide shelter for marine creatures, making it a prime area for wildlife spotting.

Egmont Key’s Nearshore Reefs

Location: Shallow waters off the southern point of Egmont Key
What Makes It Special: The reefs are home to a variety of colorful tropical fish such as sergeant majors, parrotfish, and angelfish. Dolphins are often seen nearby.
Features: Clear turquoise waters, shallow reef formations, and minimal boat traffic create an ideal snorkeling environment.

Local Insights

Egmont Key has a history dating back to the Spanish colonial period and later served as a Civil War outpost. Snorkeling here offers a unique blend of ecological and historical exploration.
Sea turtles often nest on the island’s beaches—respect protected areas when visiting.

Visitor Tips

Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall offers warm waters and optimal clarity. Morning visits often have the calmest conditions.
What to Bring: Snorkel gear, reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, and a waterproof bag for belongings.
Getting There: Accessible only by private boat or ferry from Fort De Soto Park (20-minute ride).

Adventure Map

Reviews

Kelly Elliotta year ago

This island has a lot to do with there is an old fort you can going into and discover, turtles, snorkeling, shelling, or just lay on the beach in brilliant white sand. This is a family friendly discovery! We went with Island Boat Adventures and had the time of our lives.

Jonathan Mcleroy6 months ago

Just trying to provide honest feedback: The ferry cost is $45 per person. It is not $20/30 like some older posts state. Also runs on a very strict / limited schedule. See pics below. Would love to explore the park more, sadly cannot justify seeing a park with the price to get there being $90 for two people, not including parking at desoto. If ferry prices lower I’ll give it a shot and update the review.

John Baileya month ago

The park was hit hard by this years hurricanes and work is still being done around the island. The beach is beautiful and would be a nice visit all by itself. Wandering around the old fort ruins and batteries was very interesting.

Barbara V.a year ago

We took a 1 hour boat ride to the island, then had 2 hours to explore. We ate our picnic at a secluded table, then walked around the lighthouse, saw 8 gopher tortoises, then splashed in the water and relaxed on the soft, fine sand on the opposite side of the island. Lots of pretty, small shells adorned the beach. Another 1 hour boat ride, complete with dolphin sightings, returned us to the St. Pete pier. Perfect day! P.S. When you take a boat out, bag and strap everything down that you want to keep! Hats, bags, shoes, sunglasses, water bottles... Windy!

Sarah Mae7 months ago

My friends & I went on a snorkeling tour to the island & we all had so much fun here! We saw manatees, fish, a few tortoises & collected so many sea shells! We even saw nesting areas for sea turtles along the beach! Exploring the jungle and fort was exciting. My only thing is the state park is a little more rough. No bathrooms. No running water. Just a remote island with a fort, so you need to come prepared. You definitely need solid shoes & will experience spiders & mosquitoes. I got bitten ALIVE!! I was there for over an hour & by the time I left, I was covered with bites! If you’re more prone to getting bit, please bring bug spray!!! Also bring snorkel gear & plenty of sunscreen. The island is worth exploring!