Island Hopping & Snorkeling from St. Petersburg: Egmont Key, Shell Key and Sand Dollar Flats
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
6 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness: ability to step on/off a boat, enter shallow water while wearing snorkel gear, and walk short stretches on soft sand.
Overview
Spend six hours island‑hopping from Maximo Park boat ramp to Egmont Key, Shell Key and sand dollar flats. Choose snorkeling among Fort Dade ruins, shell collecting on uninhabited islands, and dolphin‑watching on this customizable Gulf of Mexico tour.
Island Hopping & Snorkeling from St. Petersburg: Egmont Key, Shell Key and Sand Dollar Flats
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The bow cuts a low wake as the sky lightens over Boca Ciega Bay. Salt spray finds the back of your neck and the engine sighs into a steady rhythm; on the horizon, a low green rim of islands waits. On this six‑hour outing from Maximo Park boat ramp, the water itself drives the itinerary — where the sea is clearest, where sandbars have formed, and which wreck or relic begs to be snorkeled. Guests choose their focus: historic ruins at Egmont Key, tidal sandbars thick with sand dollars, or the quiet shell fields of Shell Key Preserve.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring reef‑safe sunscreen
Use only reef‑safe sunscreen and a sun shirt; the operator emphasizes marine protection and long sun exposure is likely on sandbars.
Wear quick‑dry shoes for landings
Water shoes or reef sandals protect feet on pebbly shores and when walking sandbars to find shells or sand dollars.
Prep for seasickness
If you’re prone to motion sickness, take preventative medication or bring ginger—there’s no shelter during crossings.
Respect protected areas
Do not disturb shorebird nests or collect live shells; the islands are nesting and nursery habitats for many species.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Bottlenose dolphins
- West Indian manatees
History
Egmont Key holds the ruins of Fort Dade and a 19th‑century lighthouse; its defenses were part of Tampa Bay’s coastal network through the Spanish‑American War era.
Conservation
The islands are protected habitats; operators emphasize no‑take rules for live shells and avoiding disturbance to nesting birds and seagrass beds.
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Adventure Hotspots in St. Petersburg
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Reef‑safe sunscreen
Protects skin and the bay’s seagrass and coral communities.
summer specific
Water shoes
Protects feet when landing on rocky or shelly shores and walking sandbars.
Light rashguard or sun shirt
Provides sun protection during prolonged exposure on the boat or sandbars.
summer specific
Small dry bag
Keeps phone, keys and snacks dry while you move between boat and shore.