As shipping/trade/commerce increased into the 1830s, the number of ships coming into Tampa Bay also increased and many would run aground around Egmont Key. ADDED SAILINGS: For Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 25 we have added the following departures : From Cape May 3:30 pm. Book your ferry ride to Shell Key today and experience a unique and unforgettable day in the sun! DAY EGMONT KEY CRUISE - Dolphin snorkelling cruise Did see some dolphins. You pay as you board the boat. Got some cool pics too. Departure point: Detailed check-in instructions - including the address and parking information if applicable - will be included in your final confirmation email. We are the oldest and largest Egmont key, snorkeling, dolphin boat company. A cemetery for Union and Confederate dead was opened on the island in 1864. Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park - Cool Destinations These trips can by physically challenging and are for agile and flexible adults and kids. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, From its sandy beaches, rich wildlife, and stunning sunsets, Egmont Key has something for everyone. The island was great to see sooo many things and this adventure was our highlight of our vacation. Or, sign up for an LCT Ferries Commuter Card and save 30% off regular fares!*. All you need is your camper ferry ticket, a camping permit from Shell Key and all your camping gear to have an epic night under the stars. There was a 30min. The highlight of the trip was the dolphins that chased the boat and played in the wake. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear())2021 VISIT FLORIDA. For each person over 6 the charge is $80. Whether youre looking to relax on the beach or explore miles of unspoiled nature trails, this Florida oasis is sure to delight! Once at Egmont Key, you are free to explore this tropical island with ruins dating to the 1700's a working lighthouse, shelling where an abundance of sea shells constantly wash onshore. The tour, We offer spacious and fully-equipped Class C motorhomes with flexible booking. Join us on a daily ferry ride to Shell Key and enjoy a day of fun in the sun. This service also operates right at Egmont key, which means that upon arriving back through Ft. DeSoto, you can stay in your vehicle during the short shuttle ride over to the Pelican lot, where they will take down all personal information before sending everyone on their merry way! Experience a one-of-a-kind adventure with Hubbards Ferry the exclusive ferry service to and from Egmont Key and Shell Key, a family-owned and operated business since 1928. Rates are subject to change without notice. I highly recommend this don't get sucked into the local port cruises cause this is so much better quality. Take advantage of the opportunity to camp overnight on the island, with just your camping gear, ferry ticket, and a camping permit from Shell Key. Vermont - New York Lake Champlain Ferry Crossing Overview - Lake DAY EGMONT KEY CRUISE - Dolphin snorkelling cruise We would be staying at the Howard Johnson on Gulf Blvd. Egmont Key Island State Park | St. Petersburg, Florida Get the Prime Rewards VISA CardApply Now! Visitors to Egmonts Key can take a boat tour of the island, or hike to the top of the lighthouse for a view of the surrounding area. The three-hour sunset cruise costs $79. Passengers board the ferry to Egmont Key State Park. We often spot sea birds on the ride to and from Egmont Key Island aboard the Hubbards Ferry, our big blue boat. The ferry to Egmont Key was fund , and the island itself beautiful. Trip Type: Family Friendly (No smoking allowed on trip). Discover the hidden gem of Shell Key, an uninhabited barrier island with pristine white sand, warm water, and abundant shelling opportunities. Fort De Soto Park - Egmont Key Make a reservation by calling (727) 398-6577. There is over 1190 miles of coastline is statutory in Florida. Lake Champlain Ferries is looking for a friendly, outgoing person who can work with the public in a courteous manner. Its a beautiful and unique place that is definitely worth a visit. By 1910, the island boasted about 300 residents which quickly grew to 600 along with 70 buildings including amenities such as a bowling alley, cinema, and tennis courts. new google.translate.TranslateElement({pageLanguage: 'en', layout: google.translate.TranslateElement.InlineLayout.SIMPLE}, 'google_translate_element'); Took us out for snorkeling. While you are on the island you can explorethe ruins of Fort Dade. Note, however, that you must get to the Marina at least 45 minutes before . Egmont Key State Park is a secluded island at the mouth of the Tampa Bay and offers a relaxing saltwater fishing experience. Camping Available:we offer an overnight experience on Shell Key! Capacity: 49 Passengers Trip Type: Family Friendly (No Smoking Allowed On Trip) Location: This trip departs from the Fort De Soto Boat Ramp. Zippy and Robin made it fun with great music, making a necklace out of one of our shells, and had us stop many times to see the dolphins. Book now from $49.95! Then after the island they took us snorkeling. Our ferry boat operates from the Fort De Soto Boat Ramp daily. 4 of the Cheapest Places for Seniors to Live in Florida? We swam , snorkeled and walked the island. Explore Egmont Key During Your AMI Vacation! This island has been called the most beautiful little key I ever saw by John James Audubon when he was here to paint the birds of America back in 1831. There are also some Egmont essential day trips & Egmont key tours that you can take to visit the Egmont National Wildlife Refuge, enjoy picturesque views of Egmont Key, and get up close to nature at its finest. See the link below to book online! The remains of the homes, buildings and brick roads are fascinating to explore. If you are not on time, you get left. We love dolphins, beaches, shells, and boats as much as you. Lighthouse ticket price: $12 per person +11 per extra passenger under 16 years old| Camping fee at Egmont key: $25 for two people | The total cost of all entry points into Egmont Key will cost around 30$ (excluding Egmonkey ferry cost). Artillery barracks, mess hall, administration, and a hospital were also included. Collecting shells, exploring the island. Do you like to snorkel or scuba dive? They took time to explain everything. It was too cold to snorkel but it didnt seem like there would have been much to see in the water. We also saw dolphins on the way to the island which was really neat but we were told that on this tour you would see more than on other dolphin tours but they only looked for them on the way to the island. Its also a great place to find some peace and quiet, as the island is relatively untouched by tourism. The friendly and experienced crew will gladly answer your questions. It is home to a bird sanctuary and wildlife refuge while the northern end is where the ruins of the Spanish American War Era Fort Dade remain along with the 1848 Lighthouse. The ferry ride to the island is about 45-60 minutes and offers great chances to spot dolphins, sea turtles, and sometimes even manatees! I would do it again!! If you love nature but still need creature comforts, staying overnight on Egmont Key allows you to enjoy all this while having access to modern amenities like hot showers, restrooms & even laundry facilities. A cemetery for Union and Confederate dead was opened on the island in 1864. Snorkeling is sold separately on the day of the trip and not always guaranteed. On the 30-minute ride to Egmont Key, the boat captain will relay insightful and fun facts about the area. From safety points to all of the attractions! Plan for future trips and explore things to do at your destination. There is a $5 fee per car, Payable by Plate with multiple kiosks available to enter Fort De Soto or the Shell Key Lot. Dolphins escort our Egmont Key Ferry much of the way to Egmont Key, an island that lies southwest of the Sunshine Skyway bridge. The advertisement said you would be snorkeling the ruins but there weren't any ruins at all where we snorkeled. If you get left, it is nobody's fault but yours. Passengers are given three hours to explore and enjoy the island. The trip over is highlighted with a running narrative by the Captain, which is part historicalpart comedywith background music from an old Jimmy Buffet CD. Copyright 2023 dolphinsnorkelingcruise - All Rights Reserved. Read our. Copyright 2009-2022 Florida-Beach-Lifestyle.com, Oceanside7LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,an affiliate advertising program designed for sites to earn advertising fees and linking to Amazon.com, The Ferry To Egmont Key State Park Leaves From Ft DeSoto Park, The cost (now) is $20 for each passenger. The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. These areas provide wonderful snorkeling opportunities as they have made habitats for a variety of native island wildlife. For an unforgettable adventure, try camping on Shell Key, accessible with a camper ferry ticket and a camping permit. 2023 Transfers & Ground Transport in St Petersburg: Check out 142 reviews and photos of the Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park. BOOKING ADVISORY: Reservations are required. This Crossing is open 24 hours a day and takes only 15 minutes to get from shore to shore. Any surcharges are excluded from discount. Egmont Key Express is available seven days a week at 10am by reservation. Egmont Key is the second stop after Egmont Key State Park on this route, so youll have to pay another $12 for transport back from Egmont since its a different ferry company (Army Corps of Engineers). Him yelling at me lasted for 10 minutes. Parking is available for $12/day at Egmont Island in an open-air lot with about 200 spaces. Cut-off times are based on the experiences local time. Before your ferry ride, make sure to pack for a day at the beach, including sunscreen, towels, and sun protective gear. Fort Dade was established in 1899 on Egmont Key to help protect the entrance to Tampa Bay from Spanish battleships during the Spanish American War. 1 King Street Dock, Burlington, Vermont 05401-5293 Phone: (802) 864-9804. Cannon batteries were located back during WWI & WWII, along with the Fire Control Tower #30A on Egmont Key. Our Top 5! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Please make sure you bring cash. Look Before You Lock. A relatively inexpensive way to get to Egmont Key and enjoy an afternoon boat ride. When snorkeling, watch for wildlife like manatees, tropical fish, sea turtles, and other wildlife, and sea birds and gopher tortoises on the island. The refuge includes five mangrove islands that provide nesting habitat for water birds like egrets & herons and other migratory species such as roseate spoonbills, little blue herons, reddish egrets, etc. This can be a nude beach from time to time but it is a popular destination for more snorkeling and swimming. We took our grandson on his 8th birthday and they made it so special for him and included his 5 yr old brother! Egmont Key Boat Tour (Gulfport) - What to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor Took the ferry to Egmont Key. Egmont Key was known as Egmont Island for over 200 years and was named after Lord Egmont, who had fought under William Duke of Cumberland at the Battle of Fontenoy during the War Of The Austrian War Succession (1740-48). We had younger kids with us, and when it was time to snorkel, I had asked for a life jacket for my 8 year old son. He acted like It was a terrible inconvenience to have to help me. Whilethere are no alcoholic beverages allowed on the island, you may bring them to consume on the boat as well as any other food and beverage. Crossing time is approximately 14 minutes; 2 miles across. The south end of the island is a bird sanctuary, but thenorth end is open to explore. This beautiful island is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a. Egmont Key was used in the Seminole Indian Wars and the Civil War. I was able to see a tortoise going for a stroll. It was a beautiful day for a ferry ride. Masksare no longer required onthe vessels (indoors or outdoors) or inside the terminals. your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable. We went to shell island and did find some nice shells. Egmont Key has several historic structures open for tours, fishing, or just admiring their beauty from afar. Your boat and its amenities are always with you, for your comfort and safety. * A large jug of water if you expect to be hiking for several hours. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Please arrive 30-45 minutes prior to departure. Dependent on water quality, weather, predator fish. Hubbard's Marina | Deep Sea Fishing | Dolphin Watching Tours | John's Pass Madeira Beach FL. (We have the only bathroom on the island.) Learn More About Us What We Do Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Our unique experience combines puzzle-solving and clue read more, Where 2 Now is Your Trusted Transportation Service. If its canceled due to poor weather, youll be offered a different date or a full refund, This tour/activity will have a maximum of 49 travelers, Confirmation will be received at time of booking. Duration:3-7 hours | Options of pick up times, Departure Times: (from Ft Desoto): 10am, 12pm, 2pm Daily, Pick up Times: (from Shell Key): 1pm, 3pm, 5pm Daily. Things to Do While Waiting for Your Ferry. Numerous artillery batteries still stand on the island and the big guns once mounted there pointed toward the shipping channel and St. Pete Beach. Learn more in ourCookie Noticeand ourPrivacy Policy. Family-friendly things to do in St Petersburg. The cost (now) is $20 for each passenger. Quick Details: Duration: 3-7 hours | Options of pick up times Departure Times: (from Ft Desoto): 10am, 12pm, 2pm Daily Pick up Times: (from Shell Key): 1pm, 3pm, 5pm Daily Capacity: 49 Passengers | Groups larger than 4 require 1 form of payment. Go to Florida Beach home from Egmont Key Ferry page.
