
Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 396 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park worth booking?
Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park is a 5-hour experience in St Petersburg, United States, from $49 per person. It scores 84 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 396 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 84 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (396)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $49 per person
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.
What you get
About this experience
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.
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
- Gratuities
- Parking available nearby for a fee
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
St Petersburg
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
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
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.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Hubbard's Marina
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos





What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 394 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
394 verified traveler reviews for Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Not worth the $ during dredging
Our guides were phenomenal, however they knew there was sand dredging on and near Egmont when we booked the excursion so our experience was not that great, low visibility, pipeline running across the beach, etc.. I wish they would have been a little more forth coming with that information during the booking process as we maybe would have spent our money on a different excursion.
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.
Response from the operator: 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!
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!
Response from the operator: 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.
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..!!!
Response from the operator: 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!
via Tripadvisor
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…
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 139
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Hubbard's Marina, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 80.0.
See everything Hubbard's Marina runsWhy this scores 84
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for St Petersburg.
How much does Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park cost?
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Prices start at $49 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in St Petersburg usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in St Petersburg is not rushed.
Is Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 84 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 396 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in St Petersburg, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park?
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Around 139 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in St Petersburg can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in St Petersburg and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central St Petersburg within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in St Petersburg?
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St Petersburg pairs beach time with a dense arts district: Dali Museum entry, mural walking tours, clear-kayak paddles through mangrove tunnels and boat runs out to Egmont Key and Shell Key. On Outty we rank every St Petersburg experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include St. Petersburg Jungle Prada Site History Tour, Small Group Kayak Tour of the Shell Key Preserve, Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit St Petersburg?
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October to April, before the summer heat and afternoon storms. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in St Petersburg?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park?
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Included: Restroom on Board: while the boat is docked you'll have access to bathroom and galley for. Not included: Snacks; Gratuities; and Parking available nearby for a fee. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park?
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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 included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park?
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Across 396 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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