Egmont Key Boat Charter
Fort Dade ruins, an 1858 lighthouse, and the clearest snorkeling water in Tampa Bay. A 5-hour private charter aboard a 52ft Marquis Flybridge, about 30 minutes south of our St. Petersburg dock, for up to 13 guests.
A Ghost Town, a Lighthouse & a Wildlife Refuge
Egmont Key sits alone at the very mouth of Tampa Bay, between Fort De Soto and Anna Maria Island, reachable only by boat. Around 1900 the U.S. Army built Fort Dade here to guard the bay during the Spanish-American War, and by the 1910s it was a working town of more than 300 people with brick streets, a power plant, a hospital, and a movie theater. Today the fort is abandoned: red-brick roads run straight into the sand, concrete gun batteries sit half-swallowed by sea grape, and the 1858 lighthouse still stands watch over the channel.
This is a history and snorkeling trip, not a sandbar hang. Most of the island is Egmont Key State Park and a National Wildlife Refuge, so gopher tortoises wander the brick paths in the open, shorebirds nest along the dunes, and sea turtles use the beaches in summer. The Gulf side has the clearest water in the bay, and the old fort structures now sit submerged in a few feet of it. If your group wants shelling and knee-deep shallows instead, book our Shell Key boat trip.
Fort Dade Ruins
Walk the brick roads of an abandoned military town. Gun batteries, foundations, and the old railway bed are all open to explore on the northern and central parts of the island.
The 1858 Lighthouse
One of the oldest active lighthouses on Florida's Gulf coast. It survived the Civil War as a Union outpost, is still maintained today, and is the first thing you see as the island rises out of the Gulf.
Snorkel the Submerged Batteries
Concrete fortifications that slid into the Gulf now sit in shallow, glass-clear water with seagrass and fish around them. We anchor right over them; bring your own masks and snorkels.
Refuge Rules, Explained
Take nothing, leave the tortoises alone, stay off the closed south end, and keep pets aboard. Your captain briefs the group before anyone goes ashore so the day stays simple.
How an Egmont Key Day Actually Runs
Egmont is the farthest island stop we make, and the one with the most to do ashore, so we plan it as five hours rather than four. Here is the timeline your captain works from.
0:00: Depart Maximo Marina, south under the Skyway
Board, stow the coolers, and head south down the shipping channel. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge passes overhead early in the run, and the water turns from bay green to Gulf blue as the mouth of Tampa Bay opens up. Dolphins often ride the bow through here.
0:30: Anchor on the Gulf side, snorkel the batteries
The lighthouse comes into view first. We round the north end and anchor close in over the submerged gun batteries and seagrass, where the visibility is the best in the bay. Swim off the platform, snorkel the ruins, and float. The yacht stays right there as your shade, bathroom, and galley.
1:45: Wade ashore for the fort and the lighthouse
Guests swim or wade to the beach and walk the brick road inland. The loop past the batteries, the old power plant foundations, and the lighthouse takes 45 minutes to an hour at a relaxed pace. Watch for gopher tortoises on the path and give nesting birds room.
3:00: Lunch aboard, second swim
Back on the boat for food from your cooler in the air-conditioned salon or on the flybridge, then a second swim if the group wants it. There are no restrooms or concessions on the island, which is exactly why a private yacht is the right way to visit.
4:00: The run home past Fort De Soto
Weigh anchor and cruise back up the bay with Fort De Soto and the Skyway on the port side. Golden-hour light on the return leg makes the best photos of the day. Dock at 5:00.
Want both islands in one day? See the Shell Key & Egmont Key Island Day signature charter.
What Makes Egmont Different
Three things to know before you book that separate this trip from a sandbar afternoon.
Open-Gulf Water
The island sits where the bay meets the Gulf of Mexico, so there is more swell than at the protected inside spots. The 52ft Marquis handles it easily, and your captain picks the calm side of the island to anchor on for the day's wind.
Going Ashore
There is no dock for private boats, so everyone swims or wades in from the anchorage. Bring water shoes for the brick roads and a dry bag for phones. Guests who would rather not get wet can enjoy the view of the lighthouse from the flybridge.
Protected Refuge
Egmont is managed as part of Egmont Key State Park and a National Wildlife Refuge. Shells, artifacts, and wildlife stay where they are, and the south end is closed to protect nesting birds.
Egmont Key Charter Pricing
All-inclusive with captain, crew, and fuel. Five hours is the sweet spot for Egmont; the hourly rate is available if you want to build your own day.
5-Hour Egmont Key Plan
Fri-Sun · $2,500 Mon-Thu · all-inclusive
- The full timeline above: snorkel, fort walk, lunch, run home
- Captain, crew & fuel included
- Bring your own snorkel gear
- Up to 13 guests, all 3 decks
- BYOB: bring the cooler, we bring the ice
$600/hr weekends · $500/hr weekdays
Priced as five hours at the standard rate. No hidden fees.
Build Your Own
Mon-Thu · $600/hr Fri-Sun · 4-hour minimum
- 4-hour Egmont run: $2,000 weekdays, $2,400 weekends
- Add hours for a longer shore walk or a second snorkel spot
- 2 cabins & 3 decks, climate-controlled salon
- Premium stereo & Starlink WiFi
- Captain, crew & fuel included
Four hours is tight for Egmont.
It works if you skip the shore walk and just snorkel.
Shell Key & Egmont Key Island Day
Fri-Sun · $2,500 Mon-Thu · 5 hours
- Fort ruins & snorkeling at Egmont
- Sandbar swim & shelling at Shell Key
- Dolphins on the run home
- Two islands, one private charter
- All-inclusive, up to 13 guests
Our most-booked island itinerary.
Full details are on our pricing page.
Overnight and Bahamas itineraries start at $9,500+ and are quoted per route. Prices shown are estimated and may vary with demand, seasonality, and holidays; final all-inclusive pricing is confirmed at booking.
From Guests Who Went Out to the Gulf
"Absolutely world-class experience. The yacht is incredible: spacious, well-maintained, and perfect for an extended trip. The captain's knowledge of the waters and his professionalism made us feel completely safe and at ease the entire time. We are already planning our next voyage!"
"Top-notch from start to finish. The captain was incredibly knowledgeable and made the entire experience smooth and enjoyable. The yacht is beautiful and perfectly maintained. We felt safe, pampered, and totally relaxed. Cannot recommend Yacht Away Now highly enough!"
"Professional, friendly, and experienced crew! Definitely a wonderful experience. We can't wait for our next yachting adventure."
Egmont Key Charter FAQ
How long is the boat ride to Egmont Key from St. Petersburg?
About 30 minutes from our dock at Maximo Marina, running south under the Sunshine Skyway to the mouth of Tampa Bay. We plan Egmont Key as a 5-hour charter so there is time to snorkel, go ashore to the fort and lighthouse, and eat aboard without rushing.
Can you walk to the Egmont Key lighthouse and Fort Dade?
Yes. We anchor close in on the Gulf side and guests swim or wade ashore. Fort Dade's old brick roads run from the beach past the gun batteries to the 1858 lighthouse. The southern end of the island is a closed bird sanctuary, so the walk stays on the northern and central sections.
Is there snorkeling at Egmont Key?
Egmont Key has the clearest water in Tampa Bay. The best snorkeling is over the submerged gun batteries and seagrass on the Gulf side, where the old fort structures now sit in a few feet of water. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and your own masks and snorkels.
What are the rules on Egmont Key?
Egmont Key is a state park and a national wildlife refuge. Take nothing from the island, including shells, and give gopher tortoises and nesting birds a wide berth. The south end is closed to visitors, pets stay aboard the yacht, and there are no restrooms or concessions ashore, which is why the yacht stays anchored steps away as your base.
How much does an Egmont Key boat charter cost?
Our 5-hour Egmont Key plan is $2,500 on weekdays and $3,000 on weekends, all-inclusive with captain, crew, and fuel. Hourly charters are $500 on weekdays and $600 on weekends with a 4-hour minimum. Overnight and Bahamas itineraries start at $9,500 and are quoted per route.
Book Your Egmont Key Charter
Five hours is the default for Egmont. Tell us your date and group size and we'll confirm within 24 hours.
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Departing from St. Petersburg, FL
Yacht Away Now · 38th Way S, St. Petersburg, FL 33711
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