THE BARRIER ISLANDS OF ST PETE

Shell Key, Egmont Key, and Passage Key

While there are over 10 barrier islands along the Pinellas County coast, the "three" most frequently grouped together near the mouth of Tampa Bay are Egmont Key, Shell Key, and Passage Key. Although they have a shared geological history, they each have their own distinctions that make them very different. These islands act as the gateway between the Gulf and Tampa Bay.

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The barrier islands near St Petersburg are some of the most beautiful and unique natural destinations along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Located at the entrance to Tampa Bay and stretching along the Gulf of Mexico, these islands offer pristine beaches, crystal-clear water, abundant wildlife, and outstanding opportunities for snorkeling and boating.

Unlike the developed beach towns along the mainland, many of these barrier islands remain protected natural areas. Visitors can explore untouched beaches, watch dolphins swimming offshore, snorkel over submerged ruins and rock formations, or simply relax on quiet sandbars surrounded by turquoise water. Or visit our famous sandbar parties.

Some of the most popular barrier islands near St Petersburg include Egmont Key, Shell Key Preserve, and Passage Key. Each island offers its own distinctive landscape and wildlife, making them ideal destinations for boat tours and day trips on the water.

Egmont Key

A 260-acre remote state park and wildlife refuge, centrally located directly at the mouth of the bay.

Highlights: Home to a historic lighthouse built in 1858 and the 100+ year old remains of Fort Dade. Wildlife includes the famous gopher tortoises, Florida box turtles, and nesting sea turtles. The southern half of the island is a reserved bird sanctuary.

Access: Only accessible by private boat, tour boat, or ferry.

Activities: The very best snorkeling in the region, featuring the artificial reefs created by the Sunken Ruins. The history walk through the old town structures and gun batteries is fascinating.

See our visitors guide for Egmont Key.

Egmont Key is one of the most historically significant and scenic barrier islands in the Tampa Bay region. Located at the entrance to Tampa Bay near Fort De Soto Park, the island combines beautiful Gulf beaches with fascinating historic landmarks.

Visitors to Egmont Key can explore the ruins of Fort Dade, a former military installation built in the late 1800s to protect Tampa Bay. The island is also home to the historic Egmont Key Lighthouse, which has guided ships entering the bay for more than a century.

In addition to its history, Egmont Key is known for excellent wildlife viewing and snorkeling opportunities. Submerged ruins and rocky areas create habitat for fish and marine life, making the surrounding waters a popular spot for snorkelers.

Because the island is only accessible by boat, visiting Egmont Key feels like discovering a hidden coastal paradise just offshore from St Petersburg.

Shell Key

A 1,828-acre preserve featuring one of Pinellas County’s largest undeveloped barrier islands. It is a popular destination for those looking to experience Florida’s natural beauty without the crowds of developed beaches.

Highlights: The preserve is a critical habitat for nesting shorebirds (like American oystercatchers and least terns) and sea turtles (nesting May–September). Dolphins, manatees, and rays are frequently spotted in the surrounding shallow seagrass beds.

Access: Only accessible by private boat, tour boat, or ferry.

See our visitors guide for Shell Key.

Shell Key Preserve is one of the most pristine and ecologically important barrier islands in the Tampa Bay area. Located just south of St Pete Beach, the preserve protects more than 1,800 acres of coastal habitat including beaches, seagrass beds, mangroves, and tidal flats.

The island is especially well known for its clear shallow water and excellent shelling. Visitors often find a wide variety of seashells along the shoreline, particularly after tides or storms.

Shell Key is also a prime location for wildlife viewing. Dolphins are frequently seen swimming in the surrounding waters, while shore birds such as pelicans, herons, and ospreys are common along the beaches.

Because Shell Key Preserve is protected land, there are no buildings, restaurants, or commercial facilities on the island. Visitors typically arrive by private boat or guided boat tours that depart from nearby Tierra Verde or St Petersburg.

Outback Key (Ft DeSoto Park)

A 1,136-acre horseshoe-shaped island known for its award-winning beaches and historic fort. Accessible by car, except for its sandbars (accessible only by boat).

Highlights: Features the historic Fort De Soto and its gun batteries and bunkers. There is a small museum with many fascinating and educational artifacts. Visitors love the 1,000-ft fishing pier, and the dog park. The outer sandbars (only accessible by boat) hosts sandbar parties and many sand dollars. The boat ramps are the very best in Pinellas County.

Access: Accessible by car via the Pinellas Bayway to its beaches and historic fort. The sandbars are.accessible only by boat.

Activities: Offers camping and camp sites, boat ramps, a fishing pier, and a dog beach. Many sand dollars on the sandbars, as well as the locals' parties.

Originally a 65-acre island located south of Egmont Key, Passage Key is a highly restricted sanctuary with a volatile history.

Highlights: Established in 1905 by Theodore Roosevelt, it is one of the nation's oldest wildlife refuges.

Access: Only accessible by private boat, or tour boat.

Activities: Because of its fragile ecosystem, the island itself is closed to all public use; visitors must remain in the water. Largely frequented by the local "clothing-optional" folks. A visitor's guide to Passage Key is useful.

Passage Key is a small barrier island located near the entrance to Tampa Bay between Anna Maria Island and Egmont Key. Known for its soft white sand and shallow surrounding waters, Passage Key is a favorite destination for boaters looking for a peaceful sandbar environment.

The island itself is a protected wildlife sanctuary, so visitors are not allowed to walk onto the main island. However, the shallow waters surrounding Passage Key create beautiful sandbars where boats often anchor and visitors can swim and relax in calm Gulf waters.

These sandbars are especially popular during the warmer months, when the clear water and expansive views create an unforgettable coastal experience.

Passage Key is also an excellent area for spotting dolphins and other marine wildlife, making the trip across the bay an adventure in itself.

Passage Key

St Pete Sandbar Parties

The sandbars near St. Petersburg are some of the most popular and unique features of the area’s barrier island system, offering shallow, crystal-clear water perfect for swimming, floating, and partying. Located around destinations like Shell Key, Passage Key, John's Pass, and Egmont Key, these sandbars form naturally along the Gulf and Tampa Bay, creating calm, waist-deep areas that are ideal for boaters and visitors looking to celebrate special occasions on the water. Because most sandbars are only accessible by boat, they provide a more secluded and scenic experience compared to traditional beaches, making them a favorite for both locals and visitors exploring the barrier islands near St. Petersburg.

Things To Do on the Barrier Islands of St Pete

The barrier islands of St Pete are unique in that all together they offer the full spectrum of experiences, including shelling, snorkeling, dolphin watching, sandbar parties, history walks, and lastly a bohemian sandbar encounter as well.

Snorkeling St Pete

Many visitors explore the waters around Egmont Key and Shell Key by snorkeling. Submerged rocks, ruins, and natural reef areas attract fish and marine life, making these islands some of the best snorkeling locations in the Tampa Bay region. The Egmont Key private snorkeling tour also provides a history walk, and the Dolphin Cruise to Shell Key takes you snorkeling and dolphin watching on the way.

Dolphin Watching

The waters around the barrier islands are home to pods of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that are frequently seen swimming and feeding in Tampa Bay and the Gulf. Boat tours and eco-tours often encounter dolphins along the way to islands like Shell Key and Egmont Key. the small-group Dolphin Cruise to Shell Key is the most economical tour that provides dolphin watching and shelling.

Sandbar Party St Pete

All barrier islands feature shallow sandbars where visitors can anchor boats and relax in calm, clear water. These areas are popular for swimming, floating, and enjoying the scenery. The Sandbar Private tour allows visitors to party with the locals crowd, or create their own secluded private party

Exploring Egmont Key's Historic Sites

Egmont Key offers a glimpse into Florida’s past with the remnants of Fort Dade and the historic Egmont Key Lighthouse. Walking the island trails reveals ruins from the island’s military history and former lighthouse keeper settlements. Fort DeSoto park as well offers fascinating history and remnant, and is accessible by car.

A Bohemian Experience

The far-flung island of Passage Key features the clearest water in the region, and also free-spirited naturist surroundings. The expansive sandbar has plenty of room for many boats to anchor for relaxing in the sun,

It's one of the most remote and least-visited barrier islands in the St. Pete area. Passage Key is known for its powder-soft sand, shallow turquoise Gulf water, and extraordinary sense of seclusion. The island has no infrastructure, no facilities, and no crowds — just open beach, clear water, and the kind of silence that's increasingly hard to find on Florida's Gulf Coast. It's a designated clothing-optional destination, making it a favorite among free-spirited visitors seeking a genuinely private island experience. Nesting seabirds colonize portions of the island seasonally, and dolphins are a frequent presence in the surrounding waters.

See our full Passage Key visitor's guide for detailed information on tides, access, and what to expect. Island Ferry offers a private Passage Key charter departing from Tierra Verde — the easiest and most reliable way to reach the island from St. Pete.

Kayaking St Pete

One of the best ways to experience the barrier islands up close is by kayak. Island Ferry's guided kayak tours to Shell Key take you through the calm, shallow waters of Boca Ciega Bay and into the hidden mangrove tunnel system within Shell Key Preserve — a route that's only accessible by small watercraft. Paddling through the mangroves brings you eye-level with the coastal ecosystem in a way no boat tour can replicate — herons standing motionless in the shallows, rays gliding beneath your hull, and the quiet rustle of the preserve's interior channels. The tour ends at Shell Key's open beach, where you can explore the shoreline, search for shells and sand dollars, and watch dolphins feeding in the clear Gulf shallows. Clear transparent kayaks and traditional coastal kayaks are both available, and no prior paddling experience is required. For visitors wanting an immersive, unhurried way to explore St. Pete's barrier islands, a guided kayak tour through Shell Key is the single best option on the water.

Boat Tours to the Barrier Islands

The following boat tours are operated by Masters-Captain Licensed professional operators, and are fully insured.

Dolphin Tour to Shell Key - Visit Shell Key and see dolphins on the way.

Kayak Tours to Shell Key - Choose a Clear kayak or a Coastal kayak to Shell Key.

Egmont Key Snorkeling - A private charter experience to Egmont Key, as well as Mullet Key and Shell Key.

Sandbar Party Cruise - A private charter to visit the locals' sandbar party at Mullet Key.

Passage Key Charter - A Private charter to visit the free-spirited atmosphere at Passage Key.

Please beware of the many illicit boat charter companies using the "bareboat" loophole, and operating tours with unqualified captains who lack the credentials and knowledge of standard safety practices. If there will be more than 6 people in your group, the Captain must have a Masters license, and the vessel must have a Certificate of Inspection.