Egmont Key is a boat-only state park at the mouth of Tampa Bay, reached by ferry from Fort DeSoto or a private boat. There are no cars, no concessions, and limited shade. Fort Dade ruins and a lighthouse sit on the island; the Gulf side has a long undeveloped beach. Bring water, and check ferry hours before you go.
Amenities:
Restrooms
Activities:
Historical Tours
Rentals:
Boats
Crowd Levels:
Remote and uncrowded, ideal for solitude seekers.
Beach Access:
Boat access only; no direct car parking.
Sand Description:
Undeveloped island sand with shells and wrack. No raking; watch for steep drop-offs on the pass side.
Nearby Activities
Featured Nearby Activity
Your business could be here
We feature six local businesses on every beach in this coast — rentals, charters, restaurants, and water sports. One featured slot is $100/month.
East Beach is the Tampa Bay side of Fort DeSoto Park, not the Gulf. The water is usually calmer than North Beach, with a view toward the Sunshine Skyway. Same park entrance fee. Better for kids who want quieter water; the open-Gulf swim beach is North Beach on the other side of the park. Read more...
North Beach is the main Gulf beach at Fort DeSoto Park in Tierra Verde, at the south end of the Pinellas barrier islands. The park charges an entrance fee and has a large parking lot, restrooms, and a long swim beach that faces the open Gulf. East Beach (bay side) and the ferry to Egmont Key are elsewhere in the same park. Come early on weekends; the lot fills. Read more...
Bean Point is the northern tip of Anna Maria Island, where the Gulf meets Tampa Bay. Parking is limited along N Shore Drive, and amenities are thin compared with Manatee or Coquina — expect a quieter strip and fewer facilities. Good for a walk or a low-key swim when you want space; bring what you need. The busier county parks sit farther south on Gulf Drive. Read more...
Anna Maria Bayfront Park faces Tampa Bay, not the open Gulf — the bay side of the City of Anna Maria at 316 N Bay Blvd. You get picnic tables, grills, restrooms, and free parking, with views toward the Sunshine Skyway. For Gulf swimming, walk or drive a few blocks west to Anna Maria Beach or Bean Point. This park is the bayfront stop for picnics and calm water, not a barrier-island swim day. Read more...
Anna Maria Beach is the town’s main Gulf access near Spring Avenue on Anna Maria Island — low-rise, free parking, and a short walk to the village shops and cafes. Lifeguards and restrooms are typically on duty in season. It is quieter than Manatee Beach or Coquina farther south, and it faces the open Gulf (unlike Bayfront Park on the bay). Come early on weekends; street and lot spots fill. Read more...
Manatee Beach is Anna Maria Island’s busiest county beach park at 4000 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach. It has a large parking area, restrooms, showers, playgrounds, volleyball, seasonal lifeguards, and a concession vibe that draws families all day. Wheelchair access is better here than at the street-end Holmes accesses. Arrive early on weekends — this is the island’s default “meet at the beach” lot. Read more...
