Private Boat Charter to Johns Pass, Shell Key & Egmont Key — Gulfport Sunset Cruise
Difficulty
easy
Duration
4 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires basic mobility for boarding and occasional shallow landings.
Overview
A private four-hour boat charter from Gulfport takes you to Johns Pass, Shell Key and Egmont Key — beaches, sandbars and a historic lighthouse in one flexible trip. Expect dolphin sightings, shell-strewn shores and a sunset run to Pass-a-Grille.
Private Boat Charter to Johns Pass, Shell Key & Egmont Key — Gulfport Sunset Cruise
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When the engine hum drops to an easy purr and the marina slips behind you, the Gulf of Mexico opens like a page of movement: whitecaps that dare your camera to keep up, a band of pelicans winging low, and the salt-sweet air pushing at your hair. A private charter from Gulfport Municipal Marina turns those elements into a four-hour loop of beaches, sandbars and historic ruins — a nearshore odyssey that can end with the sun melting behind Pass-a-Grille.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a brimmed hat
The Florida sun reflects off water; use reef-friendly sunscreen and a hat to avoid burns and protect marine life.
Pack a small cooler with water and snacks
Although the charter can supply a cooler on request, bring extra water and light snacks to stay hydrated and comfortable for 4 hours.
Prepare for shallow landings
Shell Key and parts of Egmont Key have sandbars and shallow approaches — wear water shoes and coordinate with your captain for safe offboarding.
Book sunset cruises early in high season
Sunset slots fill quickly on weekends and holidays; reserve at least a week in advance for prime timing and routes.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Bottlenose dolphin
- West Indian manatee
History
Egmont Key hosted a military fort and a lighthouse first lit in 1858; the island later functioned as a quarantine site and now preserves coastal military and natural history.
Conservation
These barrier islands rely on seagrass beds and shell ridges; practice leave-no-trace, avoid collecting live shells or disturbing nesting birds, and observe posted manatee zones.
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Adventure Hotspots in Gulfport
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects skin and local seagrass and coral communities while out on the water.
summer specific
Polarized sunglasses
Cuts glare for better visibility of wildlife and clearer photos through surface glare.
Non-slip deck or water shoes
Helpful for boarding, walking on hot decks, and wading on sandbars or beaches.
Light windbreaker or fleece
Evenings on the water can be cool; a thin layer blocks wind chill during sunset cruises.
winter specific