Embark on the ultimate coastal adventure with the Charter Finders Egmont Key Tour, departing right from the heart of Madeira Beach, Florida at John’s Pass. This premium excursion takes you on a scenic cruise out to Egmont Key State Park, a secluded island paradise accessible only by boat. Along the way, our experienced captains utilize their local knowledge to spot wild bottlenose dolphins, and wildlife in their natural habitats.
Once you arrive at the island, you can explore historic fortress ruins, walk the pristine shorelines for rare shells, or dive into the clear waters for an unforgettable snorkeling experience among submerged structures. Our tour snorkels the ruins or grass flats. Designed to avoid crowded commercial tours, our trips offer a personalized, intimate setting perfect for families and groups looking to relax and discover the beautiful Gulf Coast.
Discover Historic Egmont Key
Accessible only by boat, Egmont Key sits southwest of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, guarding the entrance to Tampa Bay. This unique island is a National Wildlife Refuge, a Florida State Park, and a proud member of the National Register of Historic Places.
Unlike standard ferry services that simply drop you off, our crew stays on the island with you to ensure a seamless, fully guided experience.
🏝️ The Tour Experience
| Feature | What You Will Do |
|---|---|
| Dolphin Wake Jumping | Experience the ultimate highlight as wild dolphins jump and surf directly behind our boat, playing in the wake as we cruise. |
| Exploration | Walk through an inland ghost town, tracing historic brick roads and standing beside massive 19th-century artillery batteries. |
| Sunken Ruins Snorkeling | Swim through crystal-clear waters over the collapsed, submerged foundations of Fort Dade, which now act as a vibrant artificial reef. |
| Beachcombing & Shelling | Relax on pristine white-sand beaches where you can hunt for unique shells, sand dollars, and even fossilized shark teeth. |
🦤 Diverse Ecosystem & Wildlife
The island and its surrounding waters host an incredible variety of native, protected, and endangered species:
- In the Water: Manatees, tropical fish, sea turtles, rays, crabs, octopuses, and seahorses.
- On the Land: Friendly gopher tortoises roaming the brick paths.
- In the Sky: White pelicans, ospreys, bald eagles, and migrating hummingbirds.
📜 A Living History
| Era | Historical Significance |
|---|---|
| 1858 | The Egmont Key Lighthouse is completed. At the time, it was the only beacon functioning between Key West and Tallahassee. |
| 1860s | The island served a strategic role in both the Seminole Indian Wars and the Civil War. A dedicated military cemetery was established here in 1864. |
| 1899 | Fort Dade is constructed to protect the shipping channels from Spanish battleships during the Spanish-American War, creating a bustling island community of 300 military personnel and their families. |
| Today | Coastal erosion has washed some of the historic structures into the Gulf, creating the fascinating, shallow-water snorkeling ruins enjoyed by visitors today. |
📈 Why This is Tampa Bay’s Premier Eco Tour
By upgrading from a crowded public ferry to our Johns Pass boat charter, you secure an elite, small-group experience tailored to your pace. Our comfortable, performance-hull vessels provide smooth transit across the Gulf waters, putting you face-to-face with Florida’s most spectacular marine habitats.
An ideal family-friendly excursion, our Egmont Key snorkeling tour blends pristine natural beauty with a rich educational journey through military history. As you cross the shipping channels southwest of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, our knowledgeable captains share stories of the historic 1858 Egmont Key Lighthouse and the Spanish-American War legacy of Fort Dade.
We supply, clean snorkeling masks and safety gear for all ages, making it simple for swimmers of any skill level to explore the submerged brick foundations that now serve as a thriving artificial reef. Whether you are beachcombing along the secluded, wave-swept shoreline for rare keeper shells or capturing footage of wild dolphins surfing our wake, Charter Finders handles every logistical detail so you can relax.
Private and semi-private tours available on deck boat or our 30-passenger high speed catamaran. This tour can also be done in combination with TimeWarp luxury yacht for your special occasion. With TimeWarp 8 hours must be booked.
