The Sunshine State is filled with history. Florida’s coastline is sprinkled with relics from centuries past, each telling its own story of times forgotten. From shipwrecks resting beneath our tropical waters, historic ruins hidden inland, and more than 300 historic forts and batteries, Florida’s past lingers all around us.
Just south of Fort De Soto sits a small island once home to Fort Dade. Built to defend Tampa Bay during the Spanish-American War, the fort later served a variety of purposes before being turned over to the state in 1989. Since then, this remarkable site has been preserved as a state park. Egmont Key is both a family-friendly day trip and a step back into Florida’s history. It’s also home to one of only 30 remaining lighthouses in the state. It was first lit in 1848 and is still standing as Tampa Bay’s oldest operational structure.
Stretching about two miles long and a quarter-mile wide, the island is accessible only by boat or ferry. If you choose the latter, Hubbard’s Marina launches multiple trips daily from Fort Desoto Park in Tierra Verde. The 25-minute ride is a
sightseeing wonder, with dolphins chasing the boat’s wake, and seagulls flying above, hoping for an easy meal. The crew is knowledgeable about the vast history of the island and is happy to share it with those on board. Its white sand shores can hold their own against any beach in the state, yet it’s the history that makes the island truly special. When Fort Dade was active, up until 1923, it supported around 300 residents, and remnants of their world still scatter the landscape. Brick pathways weave through palms and dunes, where cannons once stood. Today, those same roads serve as a superhighway for gopher tortoises that call the island home. Though Hurricanes Milton and Helene dwindled their numbers, they still thrive on the island. On the western shore, the old power plant is now reclaimed by the sea, and the beaches are dotted with whimsical “shell trees” made by visitors. A short hike inland reveals the island’s cemetery, the resting place of Seminole Tribe members, Civil War soldiers, and lighthouse keepers and their families. Further south lies a bird sanctuary where thousands of nesting birds arrive each year, a dream come true for bird watchers who flock to the island each season.
If history isn’t your calling, Egmont’s natural beauty will easily win you over. The beach stretches for miles along the turquoise Gulf, where manatees, rays and the occasional shark glide by. Each summer, loggerhead turtles come ashore to nest. Shell collectors can hunt for treasures like nutmegs, whelks, sand dollars, starfish and Florida’s state shell, the horse conch, hidden along the wrack line. The highly coveted Megalodon tooth has even been found by visitors. For those seeking underwater adventures, a snorkeling trip is available and offers visitors the opportunity to explore a submerged section of Fort Dade. The sunken structure is now transformed into a vibrant artificial reef teeming with sea life. Snorkeling from shore is an equally awesome experience, as the turquoise waters are teeming with life. There are no facilities on the island, nor a visitor center, so you must bring everything for your day trip with you. While visiting, I recommend a wagon to carry your belongings on the 10-minute walk to the beach, along with plenty of water and a source of shade, as it can get quite hot while traversing the island.
Whether you’re drawn by history, sunshine or the open water, Egmont Key promises a day of discovery, beauty and connection to Florida’s remarkable past.