Tampa Bay Ferry
Tampa Bay Ferry is family owned and operated since 1928. We are the only official ferry service to and from Egmont Key and Shell Key.
Begin and end your adventure at historic Fort De Soto, a military outpost constructed during the Spanish American War, listed in the “National Register of Historic Places”. Explore the fort that is still equipped with 12-inch rifled mortars and two British breech-loading 6-inch Armstrong rapid-fire guns. Fort De Soto has been rated the number one beach in the entire United States.
Here you can view all the Island Trips we offer! Go sight seeing on Egmont Key and visit historic Fort Dade, or a lighthouse built in the 1800’s. Go Snorkeling and experience the what the bay holds beneath the surface. Explore the beautiful pristine barrier island Shell Key only accessible by boat. Want to stay longer? Go camping and have an epic night under the stars!
- Duration: 4 Hours Total | 3 Hours Island Time | 30 mins to & from dock
Departure Times: 10:00 Am, 11:00 AM, Daily
2:00 PM trips only on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
- Capacity: 49 Passengers
- Trip Type: Family Friendly (No Smoking Allowed On Trip)
- Location: This trip departs from the BAY PIER inside Fort De Soto.
- Snorkeling Option: Snorkeling is sold separately on the day of your trip, and not always guaranteed.
Snorkeling is dependent upon water clarity, strong winds/currents, or predators/jelly fish.
- Duration: 2-6 hours | Options of pick up times
- Departure Times (from Ft. DeSoto): 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM Friday – Monday Only
Pick-up Times (from Shell Key): 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM Friday – Monday Only
- Capacity: 49Â Passengers
- Trip Type: Family Friendly (No Smoking Allowed On Trip)
- Cruise: Travel to an uninhabited barrier island with white sand, warm water, and shells galore, you can even spot dolphins, sea turtles, and maybe even some manatees!
- Camping Available: we offer an overnight experience on Shell Key! All you need is your “camper” ferry ticket, a camping permit from Shell Key, and all your camping gear to have an epic night under the stars!
- Duration: Overnight | Options of pick up times
- Departure Times (from Ft. DeSoto): 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM Friday – Monday Only
Pick-up Times (from Shell Key): 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM Friday – Monday Only
- Cruise: Want to experience primitive, overnight camping at Shell Key Preserve? Your overnight camper ticket includes your ferry ride out to the island, and your ferry ride back on the date of your choosing! Stay one night, or a few.
- Camping :Â Make sure to bring your camping permit for Shell Key, and all the essentials/gear you’ll need to have an epic night under the stars!