Private Boat Tour to Egmont Key State Park — Dolphins, Fort Dade & Historic Lighthouse
Difficulty
easy
Duration
4 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal fitness required; you should be able to walk on uneven ground for up to a couple miles at a relaxed pace.
Overview
Leave the mainland behind for a private four‑hour run to Egmont Key State Park: a short boat ride, three hours ashore among Fort Dade’s brick ruins and a working 19th‑century lighthouse, plus near‑shore dolphin encounters. Practical and private, it’s an efficient history‑and‑wildlife day trip from Gulfport/St. Petersburg.
Private Boat Tour to Egmont Key State Park — Dolphins, Fort Dade & Historic Lighthouse
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The engine eases and the shoreline peels away. Salt spray drifts over the bow as the channel opens and the mainland blurs into a line of palms and marinas. In less than half an hour you’ll spot Egmont Key — a low, rumpled island at the mouth of Tampa Bay where a 150‑year‑old lighthouse keeps watch over ghostly brick ruins and white sand that seems to push back at the sea.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Arrive early at Gulfport Marina
Plan to be at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before departure to allow for check‑in and a quick safety briefing.
Bring reef‑safe sunscreen and water
There’s limited shade and few facilities on Egmont Key—protect your skin and carry 1–2 liters of water per person.
Wear shoes suitable for ruins and shell beaches
Closed‑toe sandals or light hiking shoes protect your feet from uneven brick, barnacle shards and hot sand.
Prepare for seasickness if prone
The trip can be 30–40 minutes each way over choppy water—take motion‑sickness meds beforehand if you’re sensitive.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Bottlenose dolphin
- shorebirds (egrets and piping plover)
History
Egmont Key hosted coastal defenses from the Seminole Wars through the Spanish–American War; Fort Dade was built in 1898 and its remnants frame much of the island’s visitor route.
Conservation
The island is a protected state park and nesting habitat—stay on marked paths, pack out trash, and use reef‑safe sunscreen to reduce ecological impact.
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Adventure Hotspots in St. Petersburg
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Reusable water bottle
Keeps you hydrated during shore time—there’s no reliable fresh water on the island.
Reef‑safe sunscreen
Protects skin and the local marine environment during exposed, sunny shore walks.
summer specific
Binoculars
Helpful for birding and scanning dolphin pods and distant shorelines.
Light daypack with dry bag
Carries water, camera, and layers while keeping valuables dry on the boat.