The ferry departs from the boat ramp before you enter Fort De Soto park. Please arrive 30-45 minutes prior to departure. As you pull in the boat ramp, take your first right and park in the far back corner.
Description
If you want to spend some time on a beautiful pristine island paradise, the ferry to Egmont Key State Park from Fort De Soto is a great choice for the whole family! Get ready for a day of fun in the sun. Our ferry boat operates from the Fort De Soto Bay Pier daily in the spring and summer and nearly every day in the fall and winter. The ferry ride to the island is about 45-60 minutes and offers great chances to spot dolphins, sea turtles, and sometimes even manatees! We often spot sea birds on the ride to and from Egmont Key Island aboard the Hubbard’s Ferry, our big blue boat.
Once on the island (3hrs), Egmont Key offers great shelling, swimming, and opportunities for adventures. Including Fort Dade, a fort that dates back to the Spanish American war for to explore. Egmont Key is also home to a large population of endangered native gopher tortoise!
Snorkeling is sold separately on the day of the trip and not always guaranteed. Dependent on water quality, weather, predator fish.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
Next available
Thu, Oct 8
Adult (ages 12+)
$49
Child (ages 3–11)
$29
Infant (ages 0–2)
Free
In demand: 30 of the next 60 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park
What's included
Included
Restroom on Board: while the boat is docked you'll have access to bathroom and galley for snacks
Not included
Snacks, soda and water available for purchase from the galley on board.
Gratuities
Parking available nearby for a fee
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
393 reviews
5
361
4
18
3
7
2
3
1
4
How it compares in St Petersburg
No. 16 by number of reviews among 210 tours in St Petersburg
Starting price $49 is 38% below the typical $79 for tours of similar length in St Petersburg
Excurgo comparison of 210 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park take?
Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park lasts about 5 hours.
How much does Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park cost?
Prices start at $49 per person for this St Petersburg experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
How much does Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park cost for children?
Children aged 3–11 pay from $29, adults from $49. Infants go free.
Does Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park sell out?
It can: 30 of the next 60 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is The ferry departs from the boat ramp before you enter Fort De Soto park. Please arrive 30-45 minutes prior to departure. As you pull in the boat ramp, take your first right and park in the far back corner. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 49 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 393 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Hubbard's Marina.
Reviews(393)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
U
U6070LVlaurav
September 28, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great tour guides
Colin and captain Zip were great guides they were friendly and informative. Made sure we saw dolphins on the ride back to marina.
Operator response
A friendly, informative crew can make the ride to and from Egmont Key just as enjoyable as the island itself. We’re glad Colin and Captain Zip made your trip such a positive experience and took the time to help everyone spot dolphins on the return ride.
Thanks for joining Hubbard’s Marina on the Egmont Key Ferry from Fort De Soto, Laura. We appreciate the kind words and hope you’ll come back for another island adventure soon!
S
samantharC3689TO
September 26, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
3yr Leather anniversary trip
Ok, so this review is strictly about the island and damn was it amazing!!!! Being able to explore on your own, going into Fort Dade and exploring ( sadily nasty people left bunch of trash in almost every hole atop the fort), finding the gopher turtles, following the red brick road ;) of the ghost town and just i mean i could go on. It was awesome and the weather was perfect. Oh and there is a dredging project going on on the north end of the island which kinda sucks but not entirely horrible. Everyone has their own opinion, bit i do say go and check this island out!
Operator response
Egmont Key really does reward anyone who likes to explore at their own pace. From the historic remains of Fort Dade and the old red-brick roads to spotting gopher tortoises and wandering through the island’s quieter areas, there’s a lot packed into one visit.
We’re glad the weather cooperated and that your anniversary trip gave you the chance to really experience the island beyond just the ferry ride. We also appreciate you mentioning the current dredging activity and the litter you encountered. It’s always disappointing to see trash left behind in such a special place.
Thanks again, Samantha, for choosing the Egmont Key Ferry from Fort De Soto and for encouraging others to discover the island for themselves.
X
X27RFeb
September 19, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Hubbard's Ferry Tampa Bay FL.
The Captain and Co-Captain were very professional and very knowledgeable about the Gulf and the Island. Hands down this was the best decision my wife and I made visiting Tampa Bay FL. Two (2) thumbs up..!!!
Operator response
Calling the Egmont Key Ferry the best decision of your Tampa Bay visit is a pretty incredible compliment! We're glad the captain and crew made such a strong impression with their professionalism and knowledge of the Gulf and Egmont Key.
That combination of local history, wildlife, and time on one of the area's most unique barrier islands makes the trip from Fort De Soto a special way to experience this part of Florida.
We appreciate the two thumbs up and are happy Hubbard's Marina could be part of such a memorable day for you and your wife!
J
John_B
September 17, 2026 · via Viator
Cool Key!
Bring lots of liquids and bug spray if you leave the beach. The beach is beautiful, but there is some construction going on…
T
Travis_P
September 15, 2026 · via Viator
Good times! Beautiful day...
Good times! Beautiful day on the water and the crew was outstanding. Came face to face with a manatee while snorkeling. Would be better with your own boat to move around but otherwise, a fun trip.
J
Jeanne_D
August 25, 2026 · via Viator
Great Ferry and Key day!
Zip and Collin were great guides! We saw a “herd” of cowhead rays and some spotted rays on the way out to the island, and dolphins on the way back. Once you’re on the island you have several hours to explore, shell, or sun. Make sure to bring sunscreen and also bug repellent if you want to go to the lighthouse. If you don’t bring your own snacks and water they sell those onboard.
C
C5544ZVpeterb
August 18, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Fabulous day at Egmont Key
It was a wonderful day. The staff were great and knowledgable about the waterways, islands and history of Egmont Key. We saw a shark, two spotted eagle rays and about 30 dolphins in one large pod. We also saw hundreds of seagull, pelicans and frigate birds flying over the water and feasting on bait. The most we have ever seen in 40 years in Florida. We would highly recommend this for tourists and local Floridians. It was a great day at the beach and we found plenty of shells.
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Forty years of Florida adventures and this wildlife experience still stood out, that's quite a day at Egmont Key! From a shark and spotted eagle rays to a pod of roughly 30 dolphins and hundreds of seabirds feeding over the water, it sounds like nature put on an incredible show during your trip.
We're also glad you enjoyed learning about the waterways, islands, and history of Egmont Key while still having plenty of time for the beach and shelling. Thank you for recommending the Egmont Key Ferry from Fort De Soto to both visitors and Florida locals, Peter. We truly appreciate you choosing Hubbard's Marina and hope your next island adventure brings just as many memorable sightings!
D
dustinlU5347IT
August 11, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Zip and Colin Rule
The co-captains were great. Zip and Colin. They gave us good advice, provided a pleasant trip to and from the key, and the key itself was well-worth visiting. I would recommend this to anyone visiting the area. Even better than the kayak trip we took to Shell Key, though that was great as well.
Operator response
There's something special about making the trip across to Egmont Key and having plenty of time to experience the island for yourself. We're glad the ride was relaxing, the advice along the way was helpful, and Egmont Key lived up to the adventure you were hoping for, Dustin.
Zip and Colin will appreciate the enthusiastic shoutout! Thank you for recommending the Egmont Key Ferry from Fort De Soto to others visiting the Tampa Bay area. We're honored this experience stood out among your Gulf Coast adventures, and we hope Hubbard's Marina gets to take you exploring again on your next visit!
D
Dwill1211
August 11, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Zip and Collin!
Zip and Collin were amazing Captains! We saw dolphins and manatees! The snorkeling was a lot of fun and the beach time was great! Would definitely recommend to all ages . They even let my granddaughter drive!
Operator response
Dolphins, manatees, snorkeling, beach time, and getting to help drive the boat! It sounds like your granddaughter came away with a pretty great story to tell from her day at Egmont Key. We're thrilled your whole group had such a fun experience and that Zip and Collin helped make the adventure memorable.
One of the things we love about the Egmont Key Ferry is how much there is for different generations to enjoy together, from wildlife sightings on the water to exploring the island. Thank you for recommending Hubbard's Marina to visitors of all ages. We hope to welcome your family back to Fort De Soto for another Egmont Key adventure!
D
DayTrip103153
August 5, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Fun day at Egmont Key
Zip and Colan made it a great trip. Stopping to view dolphins on the way back. Definitely a great afternoon on Egmont Island swimming I would advise that the rocks in the water are sharp.
Great value
Operator response
A relaxing afternoon at Egmont Key topped off with dolphins on the ride back sounds like a great way to spend a Florida day! We're glad you enjoyed swimming, exploring the island, and found the Egmont Key Ferry to be a great value.
We'll be sure to share your kind words with Zip and Collin. Our crews love taking the time to enjoy wildlife sightings when the opportunity arises, and dolphins are always a fun bonus. We also appreciate you sharing the helpful note about watching for rocks along the shoreline. Thank you for choosing Hubbard's Marina for your Egmont Key adventure from Fort De Soto, and we hope to welcome you aboard again!
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