Are you looking for the perfect getaway? Look no further than Egmont Key! This beautiful island is located just off the coast of Florida and offers a tropical escape for anyone looking to get away from busy city life.
From its sandy beaches, rich wildlife, and stunning sunsets, Egmont Key has something for everyone.
Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach or explore miles of unspoiled nature trails, this Florida oasis is sure to delight!
It is also home to a very special kind of animal, the egret.
The egret is a beautiful bird with long legs and a long neck. It is very rare, and Egmont’s Key is one of the only places in the world where they can be found.
The island is also home to a small population of turtles. Visitors to Egmont’s Key can take a boat tour of the island, or hike to the top of the lighthouse for a view of the surrounding area.
How to Get To Egmont Key: Comprehensive Guide
Egmont Key is located just off the coast of Clearwater, Florida, in Egmont Key State Park. There are many different ways to get there, and this guide will help you figure out which option is best for your needs!
Is Egmont key free?
Egmont Key ferry fee cost: The answer to that question depends on how you plan on getting there and what type of access you would like once you reach Egmont island.
Several options are available to travelers looking for a way onto Egmont Island, including private boat rentals, state park kayak rentals, regional cruise line ferries, or US Coast Guard-approved commercial transportation providers who offer day tours well as overnight camping trips.
In addition, some people choose to swim ashore from Fort De Soto Park, which is located just across the Egmont channel.
Getting To Egmont Key
Description: Egmont key is a great place to visit. It was once used as a coaling station for steamships, and it has been one of the most visited places in Florida since then.
The island is also home to Egmont lighthouse, which stands on Egmont Key’s highest point overlooking Tampa Bay. This post will detail how you can get there using public transportation with your vehicle or taking an Eg-Monskey ferry ride from Fort Desoto Park (near St Petersburg).
Do I need a passport?
How do I get there Egmont’s key by boat or ferry from Fort Desoto Park with my vehicle (RV)?
What are the rates for Egmonkey Ferry & Egmond lighthouse entrance fees and camping on Egmonkey island?
Egmonkey Island Ferry – $15 per person, plus additional 11 dollars for each passenger over 12 years old.
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). Egmont Key is a great place to visit.
What to Expect When You Get to Egmont Key?
There Egmont Key is located on the Egmont side of Tampa Bay, about an hour and a half drive from downtown St. Petersburg.
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.
Egmont Road (route 580) runs right down through Safety Harbor, Clearwater Beach, Sand Key State Park, Indian Rocks Beach, and Belleair Shore up to Dunedin before it ends at its intersection with Blind Pass Drive on Honeymoon Island. The trip usually takes around an hour or so, depending on traffic conditions.
You can also take Tropicana westbound until you see Palm River Rd., go south for a couple of miles, and Egmont Road will be on your right.
The Egmont Key ferry is a very popular excursion for both locals and visitors alike, so it’s wise to arrive early, especially if you are camping or arriving by bike.
You can also park at Honeymoon Island State Park (Dunedin Causeway), where the Egmont key ferry leaves from as well, but this area fills up quickly during weekends/holidays too!
The Egmont Key Ferry operates out of two locations: Dunedin Marina & Honeymoon Island. The Dunedin location is closer (about four miles away), making it more convenient for those staying around downtown St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Sand Key State Park, etc.
This route, however, only services passengers with bicycles, kayaks, and small watercraft. Egmont Key is the second stop after Egmont Key State Park on this route, so you’ll have to pay another $12 for transport back from Egmont since it’s a different ferry company (Army Corps of Engineers).
The Honeymoon Island Ferry location services passengers traveling by car or motorcycle only as there’s no place to put your bicycle/kayak once boarded.
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!
The fee for pedestrians using either ferry service has remained the same since it was first initiated back in 1997, that being $12 per adult, and children between the ages of six months to 12 years old are free.
Where To Stay In Egmont Key?
Egmont Key is a small island off of the coast of Florida, near St. Petersburg in Pinellas County.
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).
It’s an uninhabited barrier island with pristine beaches that are great for fishing or sunbathing on white sand, shelling along scenic shores, or taking long walks to clear your head.
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.
Egmont Key is a great place to visit, and you can check out some of the best Egmont key hotels here.
What To Do On Egmont Key?
Egmont Key has several historic structures open for tours, fishing, or just admiring their beauty from afar. Fort De Soto Park is home to Egmont lighthouse, built in 1883, and still operates today (the light flashes every 20 seconds).
In addition, there are also the WWII bunkers at Fort DeSoto as well as Battery Laidley. Cannon batteries were located back during WWI & WWII, along with the Fire Control Tower #30A on Egmont Key.
These cannon batteries controlled artillery fire between Ft. Desoto and Mullet Key (now Egmont Key).
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.
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.
It’s a great place to spot dolphins or relax on one of their pristine beaches. Some non-profit organizations even use the island for educational purposes.
They bring school children over from St Petersburg, FL, to learn about nature in an interactive setting, including kayaking Egmont Key tours & Egmont key snorkeling.
Egmont Key Travel Tips:
- There’s a ferry between Egmont island and Fort DeSoto, but it only operates on the weekends (Friday thru Sunday).
- Parking is available for $12/day at Egmont Island in an open-air lot with about 200 spaces.
- The Egmont Ferry opens 30 minutes before the first departure until two hours after the last release from Egmont island to Fort Desoto, Florida.
- If you’re planning on driving over, then be sure to arrive early as there are long lines during peak season, especially on holidays like Memorial Day weekend or Labor Day weekend when the weather is in St Petersburg, FL!
- Egmont Key is a small island that doesn’t have any hotels or restaurants, so all you’ll find there are public restrooms and some vending machines.
- Egmont key tours & Egmont Key day trips aren’t typical because the island is too far off from St Petersburg, FL, to be a tourist destination, but they do exist!
- You can contact Egmont National Wildlife Refuge for more info on guided Egmont Key boat tours and Egmont Florida kayak rentals which will allow you to explore the mangrove islands at your own pace.
Where Can I Stay?
There’s no place to stay overnight in Egmnt key itself, though there are many options near Fort Desoto Park, such as Clearwater Beach resorts or St Petersburg Beach Hotels.
Egmont essential day trips are also available from several outfitters, such as Kayak Adventures of Tampa Bay. You can enjoy Egmont Key snorkeling & kayaking in the mangrove islands (rentals included).
It’s best to plan when you want to vacation on the island so that you can enjoy your stay and be safe while doing it!
In Conclusion
Egmont Key is a great place to visit if you want to learn more about the history of Florida. It’s a beautiful and unique place that is definitely worth a visit. It is a great place to enjoy the outdoors, relax, and take in stunning scenery!
It’s also a great place to find some peace and quiet, as the island is relatively untouched by tourism. If you’re looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Egmont’s Key is the perfect place for you.
If you are ever in the area, make sure to check out this hidden gem!
