It has no cars, no drinking water and no bathrooms. Immediately after saying so, we saw the mantees in the marina. Sadly, many of the historic structures on the island are slowly being claimed by the sea due to erosion and sea level rise. Had an amazing sunset dolphin cruise with captain Chris Bailey of Egmont Adventures. C/O Koreshan State Park The trips start and end at the Sea Dog Brewing Companys premises, with the promise of a free pint of beer at the end of your experience. In 1898, at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, a large defensive military complex was built on the island. If for some reason you do have to paddle across a strong tidal flow, use the following technique: Rather than making your destination (near your car) the point you actually want to arrive at, pick another point far upcurrent and by far I mean as much as a mile or more if the current is ripping. 115 Reviews #15 of 94 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Anna Maria Island Outdoor Activities, Boat Tours & Water Sports, Tours, More 5500 Marina Dr, Anna Maria Island, FL 34217-1557 Open today: 9:00 AM - 5:00 AM Save "Fantastic Group Excursion!" JeriGR Grand Rapids, Michigan "Eg-cellent Service" Chris was our Captain for the day. It was a brutal paddle and I was exhausted in the end, but I was never in danger and felt in control of the situation at all times. As you paddle up to the ruins you cant help but marvel at the impressiveness of the fortification. The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce describes this pristine place perfectly: "Anna Maria Island is a place where 'old' Florida charm can still be found, flip-flops are a way of life . Yes, experienced paddlers with the right kind of kayak in the right weather and knowledge of tides and currents do make the trip. Chris for a great trip. A. The birds were gone and the boaters had moved in. Beyond the hour or so of paddling through strong currents and boat traffic to get to the main island, paddling safely around (and landing on) a concrete ruin that is being hit by waves takes an even higher degree of skill. As it turned out, we would have liked more time on Egmont, but we also made a brief stop at Passage Key. We could have done with more time to explore, but the restricted timing of ferry makes this fairly impossible. The ferry will not wait for you. Many of these details are beneath the surface of the usually clear water and are plainly visible from a kayak. Hope to see y'all again soon! Reviews have stated that the restroom is clean and kept in good order. Wear your PFD at ALL times while making the crossing. He knew people would love to go on an organized cruise to see the sea life in the Gulf of Mexico. Egmont Key was home mostly to birds up to the middle of the 1800s. We are happy you enjoyed your trip and appreciate you calling us! The tiny island has served as a Seminole prison camp during the Third Seminole War, a Union naval base in the Civil War, and as a defensive fortification during the Spanish American War. Dont let this phase you. It is easy to be so absorbed in your sightseeing on the island that you lose track of time. While you are on the island you can explorethe ruins of Fort Dade (aka Egmont Key). A. The information in this article was accurate when published but may change without notice. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Park GPS coordinates: Ranger Station: N 27 36. Seeing the simple historic cemeteries by the picturesque lighthouse, where Civil War veterans are buried on one side and lighthouse keepers and their families on the other. On the way back they then started with the 'tip bucket' advising us that $4-5 pp would be an average tip! As mentioned above, a kayak cart will make the arduous journey of getting your kayak from you car to the water much easier. In the end you may be tired from all the extra paddling, but you wont be as tired as you would be had you tried to fight the current in a panic and got washed out to sea. You should also be able to recognize when conditions are worsening and have the judgement to turn around. It burned after a lightning strike recently [ 8 2016 ] but the lighthouse that you cannot tour is still there.The ferry wants a reservation by credit card to charge if you no show,but when you do show up on time your reservation has been given to a walk up customer and you will have to wait for the next boat losing about an hour of your time.If you think this sucks by the way, well you can just lump it.They really do not care.They seem almost desperate to wring every cent possible out of you while being as rude as possible.Very odd combination.Dire warning about being late for returns were emphasized ""If you get left,call Sea Tow"" You do not stay until 3oclock as it states in the brochure that's when the boat has to be back at the dock.Miller time I suppose.One crew member was drinking beer on the way back as I recall.Do you want to snorkel? Sunscreen, bug spray, a towel, and water shoes. Did some snorkeling. As I got closer and closer, I noticed that they too, were naked. Are life jackets provided for children on the boats? If you cant afford to hire a guide on your own, find or make some friends and split the cost. Give Us A Call This trip was from Anna Maria Island Florida to Egmont, and then Passage Keys at the mouth of Tampa Bay. But because of the holiday weekend, they had added several other trips, including a 10 a.m. ferry and an 11:30 a.m. ferry. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. Suggest edits to improve what we show. We are so appreciative of the time to took to leave us this review. You cannot bring alcohol, glass, pets, kites, or drones to the island because it is a wildlife preserve and these items are prohibited. I highly recommend Egmont Key Adventures, and will definitely be back! And we headed back to Anna Maria, via Passage, with a following wind. It is wise to pack as you would for any beach trip. The forts were active during the Seminole War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War and World War One. All rights reserved. Sunscreen, bug spray, a towel, and water shoes. Thank you for taking the time to leave this awesome review. Read our. We estimate the entire length of the paddle to be seven or eight miles. EGMONT KEY; PASSAGE KEY; BEER CAN ISLAND; Yes. . It is still operational today but inaccessible unless the Alliance volunteers are present. This tour can be combined with a sunset cruise. Anna Maria Life Vacation Rentals 9908 Gulf Drive Suite A Anna Maria, FL 34216 Our Mailing Address. Heres an excellent kayak trip report. You can rent snorkeling gear on the ferry from For tDeSoto. Old Florida in St. Petersburg. Staff tried selling snorkelling trips, rental equip, food etc as you leave, & this lasted pretty much all way. Tom loves that Egmont Key is a slice of paradise, and he works hard to protect and preserve the island. Egmont Key served as an internment camp for Seminole Indians during the Third Seminole War (1855-1858), when native Floridians fought back against the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Walking further, you come to the red brick roads through the ghost town of the community built around the fort. The large fort consisted of a wide array of batteries, bunkers, posts, and dining halls, and there was even a power station and narrow gauge railroad to keep it all running smoothly. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Categories Tampa Bay, Beaches in Florida, Historic Florida. Beyond coming in handy for launching your kayak and returning to your car at the end of the day, a kayak cart can make exploring the island a lot easier. My family was vacationing in Anna Maria Island, and we wanted to do some sort of boat trip while we were there. Egmont Key State Park | Florida State Parks While still in calm water, paddle parallel to the heavy current headed against it in the milder current. St. Pete is a city of museums and art: Heres our story on the many excellent museums that have opened. You must be able toeasily manage your own body weight on and off the bow (front) of the boat. Capt. After 6ppl, adults $80.00 and kids under 10years of age $75.00 per person. Landing a kayak on the battery can be tricky at times due to waves and wind direction. Americas Most Important Paddling Rivers, And Why They Matter, Fathers Day Paddling Gift Ideas And Ways To Celebrate. EXCURSIONS. What if I told you that you could launch a kayak from a Gulf Coast Florida beach and paddle out to have an adventure picnic on the ruins of a half-submerged Spanish-American fort? The best thing to sit on while picnicking on the battery is simply a beach towel. Egmont Key Florida - Things to Do in Egmont Key State Park FL Home \ Places To Go \ Central West \ Egmont Key Egmont Key As a refuge for wildlife, the Tampa Bay island known as Egmont Key is home to gopher tortoises and myriad seabirds. Hope to see y'all again soon! This is a trip that is tailor-made for the more experienced snorkeler as well as offering opportunities for beginner-level snorkelling. Heres more about the Pelican tour to Egmont Key. The first was a private dolphin tour for 4 of us and the second one was a private sunset tour to Egmont key. If you miss it, you will have to wait for the next one and that could be the following day! Chris was our Captain for the day. (Well, one is falling into the Gulf.) The site has remained part of the iconic identity of the island. They will provide life jackets if requested. Come on board with AMI escapes and experience a full service boating adventure . They also are present on the island every third Saturday of the month. During our 3 week stay on Anna Maria Island we were able to have 2 boat cruises with Chris at the Salty Dolohin. St. Petersburg FL 33711. Alternatively, you can take a ferry to Egmont Key from the Fort Desoto side. Florida. The calmer water around Passage Key also makes for a nice break from the two distinct sections of current, Passage Key Inlet and the Southwest Channel, that you must cross on your paddle to and from Egmont Key. When nearing the key I noticed a large number of birds, and a lot of nude people on boats. We spotted dolphins and conch shells, and the captains were quick to stop and let us explore. Once at the end of the island, you could see Egmont Key in the distance. Egmont Key Adventures, Anna Maria Island: Hours, Address, Egmont Key Adventures Reviews: 5/5. Nothing to see move along move along.Best part was the trip back as the Captain kicked back, steering with his feet with all due diligence of a seasoned Professional, was the pleading begging explanation that they were paid like restaurant workers and tip were part of the pay.YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS POOR PAYING JOB IN PARADISE. If making the kayak trip is out for you, the best way to see Egmont Key and even Battery Burchsted is by boat. It was a beautiful day for a paddle. If you require immediate use of your pass, this is the best option. The main attraction is the lighthouse originally built in 1848 and repaired in 1858 after a hurricane. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. The whole trip lasts for between 3 and 4 hours, with one hour spent on Egmont Key and one hour on Passage Key. Yes, people do make the trip in recreational kayaks all the time, but it is neither wise nor safe. March 14, 2023 by The Florida Guidebook. Egmont Key is a Florida state park which is a barrier island separatingTampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Trees, some exotic like the strangling fig, offer abundant shade. Highly recommended for the adventurous paddler. Thank you for your support! Kayaking to Egmont Key: Have an Adventure Picnic on a Sunken Fort Travel Time. Confirm details when planning visits. Distance from Anna-Maria-Island to - Distance calculator The game and fish will stop kayakers, as I found out. Cooking up a fun meal on the ruins of a sunken fort off a tropical beach is a truly awesome experience, however as noted above, it is an experience every boater in the area wants to have as well. Much of Battery Burchsted is still above water and is visible from quite a long way off. Anna Maria Island to Ellenton Outlet Mall - 4 ways to travel - Rome2rio The park, from which the ferry leaves, has terrific camping, beaches, bike paths and more. Egmont Key is an island north of Anna Maria that is only accessible by boat. It left us with 3 hours to explore on the island, allowing an additional 1.5 hours to return. Keep in mind that there is no restroom. Thank you so much for leaving us this amazing review. Anna Maria is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. Otherwise, the island is vacant but accessible year round with one lonely park ranger living there. more, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The lighthouse has long served as a centerpiece of Egmont Key, guiding ships safely past its beautiful shores. Except when the volunteers are present, there are no facilities so one needs to consider bringing their own supplies sans alcohol. guest-paddler. PASSAGE KEY Passage Key is located between Anna Maria Island and Egmont Key in the mouth of Tampa Bay. We can head over to a sand bar, bring out the nets and have them explore the area. We found shade in the trees that line the beach and spread our beach towel on the sand, enjoying the picturesque scene of waves and ruins. Some have been moved to Fort De Soto, the park from which the ferry leaves. Sipping a hot cup of coffee with a belly full of food, staring out at the shimmering Gulf of Mexico, as you sit on a sunken fort surrounded by water is simply sublime. This is no joke. A beautiful day during the winter months can mean crowded beaches and congested boat traffic not always the best scenario for a kayaker. If you dont find what you are looking for, just fill out the webform and well get back to you as soon as we get home from the trail. Took a charter rather than the ferry so didn't have a lot of time to check out everything as we would have liked. I also have a Competition Kayak tandem, but I was alone on this trip. Anna Maria Island is a little known oasis in the mostly over-developed shoreline of Florida. To house the many troops defending Egmont Key and Tampa Bay, a small town was constructed on the island with red brick streets connecting the many homes, barracks, storehouses, gymnasiums, and other buildings. Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. A. There are picnic benches for public use at various points around the island. Salty Dolphin Tours run a private Egmont Key Charter. If If you have a snorkel and mask, bring it with you! You can get more information on the ferry here. Other species include royal and sandwich terns, brown pelicans, black skimmers, and American oystercatchers. The good news is that it isnt very far from your car to the water and Ive hoofed it with my kayak on my shoulder on quite a few occasions. Location: Parallel in the waters to 105 7th St N, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217. Egmont Key is a small barrier island on the Gulf Coast of Florida just south of St Petersburg and North of Bradenton.