Tampa/St. Petersburg Egmont Key
Tampa Bay, the state's largest estuary, has some of the best boating in Florida. Downtown Tampa has fine restaurants and hotels, as does the City of St. Petersburg, a short cruise across the bay.
But it is the hidden bays and rivers that are the true treasure of this metropolitan boater's paradise. Anchor up near Beer Can Island or Shell Key or cruise out to Egmont Key and explore the ruins of a 19th Century army fort.
Although this park is primarily a wildlife refuge, it can be a personal refuge - a place to relax and collect shells along secluded, pristine beaches. Accessible only by private boat, Egmont Key has a unique natural and cultural history, including a lighthouse that has stood since 1858. During the 19th century, the island served as a camp for captured Seminoles at the end of the Third Seminole War and was later occupied by the Union Navy during the Civil War. In 1898, as the Spanish - American War threatened, Fort Dade was built on the island and remained active until 1923. After touring the historic sites and trails, visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, wildlife viewing, and picnicking. Located at the mouth of Tampa Bay, southwest of Fort DeSoto Beach.
Due to remote nature of the island there is no drinking water on the island and there are no stores. So please remember to bring water, food and sunscreen when youi visit.
It is just a short run up Pinellas county's sugar-sand beaches to Caladesi Island, one of a few state parks that has docking facilities, and nearby Three Rooker Bar and Anclote Key, two wild barrier islands that are both havens for boaters. Head south out of the mouth of Tampa Bay and it is just a short run to Anna Maria Island and Sarasota, another Gulf Coast city that caters to cruisers.