Snorkeling in St Petersburg: Private Islands & Egmont Key

Four and a half hours island-hopping between sandbars, clear water and sand dollars

A private snorkeling activity in St Petersburg where you spend 4.5 hours exploring the Gulf's islands (Egmont Key with its old fort ruins, Shell Key's endless sandbars, and Passage Key's clear waters) on a 27-foot center console boat with all snorkeling gear provided. You choose the stops and the pace. The boat and guide handle the navigation and safety.

The experience

The boat is a 2019 Robalo R272, 27 feet long with twin 200-horsepower engines, roomy enough that large groups book multiple vessels as a single coordinated experience. Captain Scott confirms your preferred start time based on availability and tides. You bring whatever food and drinks you want, including alcohol, and the crew helps you move between islands, manage the snorkeling gear and find the best spots for shelling or just floating in the sand.

Each stop serves a different reason to get in the water. Egmont Key holds the ruins of old Fort Dade and draws snorkelers to its shallow reefs. Shell Key is a sandbar where sand dollars wash up in numbers. Passage Key offers the clearest water in the group. Outback Key and Johns Pass sandbars round out the options, depending on conditions and what you want to see. The guide steers the boat and knows where the fish are running and where the shells collect, but the day is yours to shape. You decide how long to stay at each place and whether you want to snorkel, shell, grill or just sit on the deck.

This is a private charter, so no strangers share the boat. Families with infants and small children are welcome. The boat has room for strollers and the crew knows how to keep everyone safe on the water. Service animals travel free. Start times shift based on tides and availability, so contact the operator early to lock in the hour that fits your schedule.

What’s included

• Use of snorkeling equipment.
• private boat charter with captain and crew.
• access to Egmont Key, Shell Key, Passage Key and other Gulf islands and sandbars.
• you're welcome to bring your own food and beverages including alcohol.

Options for this experience

2 options

3.5-hour adventure with Aqua SolGuide in English · No fixed timePrivate charter

Private 4.5-hour trip with Aqua Sol Adventures featuring snorkeling, dolphin watching, and shellingGuide in English · No fixed time

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Aqua Sol Adventures

Is this one for you?Choose the 4.5-hour option if you want time to explore multiple islands without rushing: three or four stops fit comfortably inside the window, so you're not racing between them. The 3.5-hour version works if you have less time but still want the core experience of clear water and island-hopping.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's actually at Egmont Key that makes it worth snorkeling there?

Egmont Key holds the ruins of old Fort Dade, a historic structure that sits in shallow water where snorkelers can see it and the reef life around it. The site draws both history and marine interest in one stop.

Can I bring my own snorkeling gear, or do I have to use theirs?

The operator provides all snorkeling equipment as part of the charter, so you don't need to bring your own. If you prefer your own gear, contact the operator to confirm whether that's an option.

How many people can fit on the boat, and what happens if my group is really large?

The 27-foot center console is roomy, and the operator creates a coordinated two or three-boat experience for large groups, so everyone stays together as one charter while traveling on separate vessels.

What time does this start, and can I pick the time I want?

Start times are issued based on availability and tides, so you'll need to contact Captain Scott directly to confirm whether your preferred time works. The operator builds the schedule around water conditions, not a fixed departure.

Is this snorkeling activity suitable for kids and families?

Yes, the charter is family-friendly and private, so your group has the boat to yourselves. Infants and small children can travel in a stroller or pram, and the crew is trained to keep everyone safe on the water.