Waterway Guide | Reviews

Review Now

These are observations from the boating community. Waterway Guide information is verified regularly and all efforts will be made to validate any new updates submitted here. Thank you for taking the time to share comments about your experience.

Waterway Guide reserves the option of editing reviews and comments for grammar, clarity and the removal of defamatory or potentially slanderous language. When appropriate, reviews are forwarded to businesses for response prior to being made public. We will make every effort to be objective and impartial when posting reviews, but do not publicize details of disputes between parties.

Thanks for your valuable feedback!

Egmont Key - Tampa Bay

Location: Egmont Channel
Mile Marker: Mile 95 - GIWW
Lat / Lon: N 27° 35.000' / W 082° 45.520'
Depth: 7-11 Feet
Description:
NOTE: Per Florida Statute 327.4109

The owner or operator of a vessel or floating structure may not anchor or moor such that the nearest approach of the anchored or moored vessel or floating structure is:
1. Within 150 feet of any marina, boat ramp, boatyard, or other vessel launching or loading facility;
2. Within 300 feet of a superyacht repair facility. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "superyacht repair facility" means a facility that services or repairs a yacht with a water line of 120 feet or more in length; or
3. Within 100 feet outward from the marked boundary of a public mooring field or a lesser distance if approved by the commission upon request of a local government within which the mooring field is located. The commission may adopt rules to implement this subparagraph.

4.50

(6)

4.50 out of 5 stars

Holding:

4.00

Excellent, Sand

Wind Protection:

2.80

Open and Exposed North Through South, Protection W

Current Flow:

2.20

Wake Protection:

2.20

Open and Exposed North Through South, Protection W

Scenic Beauty:

4.67

Ease of Shopping:

1.00

Shore Access:

3.20

Pet Friendly:

2.33

Cell Service:

4.00

WiFi:

1.00

Review for Egmont Key - Tampa Bay

Reviewed by: Marvin Eleazer, Dv’Ocean, on Nov 22, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

2

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

4

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

4

WiFi:

1

We've anchored here numerous times and spent the night. We anchor just south of the pilot dock a couple of hundred feet from shore and really enjoy the calm peace the key provides. Our delta anchor holds well in the grass sea bed. Have seen lots of wildlife including manatee, sea turtles, and spotted rays.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Egmont Key - Tampa Bay

Reviewed by: Michael Wozniakowski, Ukrainian Sea Goddess , on Feb 5, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 54'
Draft: 4.1'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

3

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

5

Shore Access:

5

We spent night about 150 feet away from Pilot docks. So peaceful and beautiful. You can view the color changing Sunshine Skyway Bridge out of stern. I'd do it again. Win condition was 5 mph. If high winds it's a rocky night hold

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Egmont Key - Tampa Bay

Reviewed by: Lawrence Wolfenden on Nov 6, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

2

Wake Protection:

1

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

3

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

3

WiFi:

1

The southern end of Egmont Key is a bird sanctuary and you cannot be on the beach there, either Gulf-side or bayside. On the bayside, there is a No Anchoring zone extending about 150 feet out from the shore for the lower half mile of the key. The park personnel routinely chase people off the sanctuary beach and out of the No-Anchor zone.

There are ruins of gun batteries along the north gulf side of the island. Also at the north end is the remains of a lighthouse and various buildings and brick-paved roads from the military outpost built in the late 1800s.

Ruins from gun batteries at the southern end of the island sit 700 feet or so from shore in 8-10 feet of water. People frequently climb upon them and swim/snorkel around them. It is actually surprising that they haven't been restricted, but caution is warranted: they can be slippery and--with plenty of broken-off pieces iron/steel concrete reinforcement--injuries are certainly possible.

Overall Egmont Key is a marvelous location to explore. One could easily spend a full day or two there if the winds hold true to a single direction so that anchoring on one side or the other is in the lee of the island for the entire time.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Egmont Key - Tampa Bay

Reviewed by: Jeffrey Womack, SV Mischievous Mermaid, on Oct 24, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 44'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

2

Current Flow:

2

Wake Protection:

2

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Cell Service:

4

WiFi:

1

Stopped in on the SE side of the island. Anchor was very easy to set. Pretty rolly, but much better than the gulf on the other side! Considering dingying-in in the morning & checking out the key.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Egmont Key - Tampa Bay

Reviewed by: Robert Meyers on Mar 12, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 41'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Scenic Beauty:

5

Egmont Key is a outstanding destination of the greater Tampa Bay area. Notes: The North side of the island is subject to Port traffic, i.e. cargo and pilot vessels. The North side of the island has a dramatic depth change of 100ft to 3ft which can create strange occurrences even in calm conditions. The Shallows on the N.W. side of the island can stretch up to 1/2 mile from shore. Submerged structures on the S.W. side of the island make for excellent diving for strong swimmers. The East side of the island has dockage for staff of the island, which are not open to the public, but in an emergency who would stop you?

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Egmont Key - Tampa Bay

Reviewed by: Michael Hamilton on May 14, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

3

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

1

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

3

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

This is a beautiful place to spend some time. The north side of the island offers a nice beach and place to anchor. The main issue is the current which can be very dangerous.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer