A new service is now offering round trip boat rides from downtown St. Pete to Egmont Key every day of the week. The Pelican, promising “pier to paradise” transportation, is a sleek new ship making daily trips from the St. Pete Pier to Egmont Key (and back), offering gorgeous views through Tampa Bay and into the Gulf of Mexico.
Riders have their choice of two types of excursions, either spending a couple hours playing and exploring on Egmont Key during the day, or taking a three-hour sunset cruise in the evening. Dates are now open for booking as soon as this weekend for both. The 60-foot catamaran holds up to 49 passengers, complete with air conditioning and generously sized bathrooms, and is also available for special private charter events like weddings, corporate parties, reunions, and birthdays.
On the “Explore Egmont Key” journey, The Pelican provides a four-hour excursion from the St. Pete Pier to beautiful Egmont Key. The ride to Egmont Key is roughly one hour each way, and includes two hours on the secluded State Park island where guests can enjoy exploring the historic lighthouse and fort, snorkeling, fishing, or relaxing on the sandy beaches. Two tours take place daily from 9 am – 1 pm, and 2-6 pm. Prices are $69 for adults, and $49 for children ages 5-12.
Take in stunning sunsets on the relaxing Sunset Cruise
On the Sunset Cruise, guests are invited to sit back, relax and enjoy BYOB and food during the three-hour journey from The St. Pete Pier through paradise. Sail by the beautiful shorelines of St. Pete, pass under the stunning Sunshine Skyway bridge and perhaps even see a dolphin or two. Prices for the 18+ excursions are $79 per person or $150 per couple, and currently take place from 7-10 pm. Cruise times will adjust throughout the year as necessary.
On either excursion, guests are welcome to bring and enjoy their own food, drink and coolers on the boat and on Egmont Key, though alcohol is only allowed on the boat as it is prohibited on the island. The Pelican also offers complimentary single-piece snorkeling masks on a first-come, first-served basis.
With both indoor seating and outdoor observation decks, guests have their option of where and how to enjoy the ride. For those enjoying an afternoon of exploration, Egmont does not have a boat dock, so The Pelican anchors in the water and all guests will exit and re-enter the boat using a custom ladder into the shallow water.
Learn more about the only ferry service from downtown St. Pete to Egmont Key at thepelicanstpete.com.
