THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
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.
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.
Book with Beachside Charters
Book directly with Beachside Charters for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
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Operated by Beachside Charters · St. Petersburg, Florida
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.
moderate.
6 hours.
Moderate fitness: ability to step on/off a boat, enter shallow water while wearing snorkel gear, and walk short stretches on soft sand.
Yes, snorkeling equipment is included, but you may bring your own mask or fins if you prefer a custom fit.
The boat meets passengers at the Maximo Park boat ramp; the operator provides exact meeting coordinates when you book.
Families are welcome; children should be able to follow water safety instructions and are the responsibility of their guardians.
Common sightings include bottlenose dolphins, manatees, shorebirds and a variety of shallow‑water fish around wrecks.
You can collect empty, uninhabited shells where allowed, but live shells and protected areas must not be disturbed.
Full refunds are available if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure; trips may be canceled for bad weather.
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.
The islands are protected habitats; operators emphasize no‑take rules for live shells and avoiding disturbance to nesting birds and seagrass beds.
Beachside Charters operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Book with Beachside Charters
Book directly with Beachside Charters for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
Reserve Now