Egmont Key Snorkeling Charters | Scuba Ethan
Egmont Key island is the best kept secret spot for snorkeling!
Discover the unmatched beauty and history of Egmont Key with Scuba Ethan's Outdoor Adventures. Just a short boat ride from Anna Maria Island, this serene and scenic destination offers an immersive experience into Florida’s coastal wilderness and rich heritage.
Step ashore and embark on an engaging guided tour through Egmont Key’s natural and historic treasures. Encounter native wildlife such as the slow-moving Gopher tortoises, watch majestic Ospreys hunt effortlessly, and marvel at Bald Eagles soaring overhead. Explore forts that have stood for over a century, providing fascinating insights into military history and coastal defense. Don’t miss the iconic lighthouse, a steadfast beacon for more than 160 years, continuing to guide sailors safely through these waters.
Dive into the clear waters surrounding the island during your snorkeling adventure, where you can discover sand dollars resting on the sandy floor and vibrant subtropical fish swimming around the submerged forts beneath you.
Our charter offers a unique way to explore the picturesque waterways of Anna Maria Island, including stops at nearby hidden gems like Passage Key. Along the way, enjoy the thrilling sight of playful dolphins leaping through the waves, peaceful manatees gliding near the surface, and curious sea turtles navigating the shallow waters.
We’ll also visit local sandbars, perfect for searching for sand dollars and gorgeous sea shells, creating unforgettable moments for the entire family. Book your trip with Scuba Ethan’s Outdoor Adventures today and experience an inspiring journey through one of Florida’s most remarkable coastal treasures.
What We Provide For Egmont Key Snorkeling Charters
Good quality mask, snorkel, fins, & defog for best visibility.
We will provide a cooler with plenty of water for everyone. Feel free to bring your own cooler with food or drinks.
Alcohol is allowed on this trip if you are over 21 years of age. We prefer plastic or cans please!
There will be dry storage space available for a small carry on bag for personal belongings & towels.
Scuba Ethan’s Egmont Key Snorkeling Charter Prices
4-Hour Private Egmont Key Snorkeling Tour
Explore and snorkel Egmont Key Island
Full boat rental: $495 / Up to 6 people
3-Hour Private Egmont Key Snorkeling Tour
Explore and snorkel Egmont Key Island
Full boat rental: $395 / Up to 6 people
2-Hour Private Egmont Key Snorkeling Tour
Explore and snorkel Egmont Key Island
Full boat rental: $325 / Up to 6 people
A Storied Island: History of Egmont Key
Pre-Colonial and Early European History
Origins & Indigenous Presence: Egmont Key emerged as a distinct island roughly 11,000 years ago as sea levels rose. The Tocobaga people used it transiently, as artifacts like spear points attest. A canoe discovered in 1757 suggests their intermittent presence.
Colonial Era Naming: Spanish surveyors—who first mapped it in the 1750s—called it Isla de San Blas y Barreda. After Britain took control of Florida in 1763, a British cartographer renamed it "Egmont" after the Earl of Egmont, a prominent figure in the British Admiralty.
19th Century: From Lighthouse to Internment
Lighthouse Establishment: As shipping traffic increased in the 1830s, the U.S. Congress funded a lighthouse—the first along Florida's Gulf Coast between St. Marks and Key West—completed in 1848. A devastating hurricane that same year washed 15 feet of water across the island, damaging it, prompting reconstruction. The current lighthouse, built in 1858, was designed to withstand powerful storms.
Seminole Internment: In the late 1850s, at the end of the Third Seminole War, captured Seminole individuals—including Chief Billy Bowlegs—were detained on Egmont Key before being forcibly relocated to Oklahoma. It functioned as a grim internment camp, with at least 300 individuals held there.
Civil War Period
Military Occupation: Confederate blockade runners briefly used the island, but it fell to the Union Navy in July 1861. They fortified Egmont Key and used it as a base for operations in the Gulf, including a prison for Confederate prisoners, Union sympathizers, and escaped slaves. In 1864, a cemetery was established, though remains were relocated in 1909.
Spanish‑American War and Fort Dade
Creation of Fort Dade: In anticipation of conflict in 1898, the U.S. built Fort Dade to protect Tampa Bay. Completed in 1906, it supported a thriving military “town” with 300 inhabitants, complete with a hospital, electric grid, shops, and recreation. The fort was deactivated in 1923.
Pilot Village: In 1926, the Tampa Bay Pilots Association established a village on the island’s eastern shore to aid navigation into Tampa Bay. This remained in use for decades and even today, pilots—along with a lone state park ranger—are the only overnight residents.
WWII Use: Egmont Key supported harbor patrol operations and served as ammunition storage during World War II.
photos of Egmont Key State Park
