| The places you can go to see pristine Florida | | | | DeSoto to Tierra Verde and St. Pete Beach. If |
| beaches and unadulterated wildlife are few and far | | | | you're visiting the area, you definitely want to |
| in between, making Tampa Bay's Fort DeSoto | | | | take a ferry. It allows you to explore the waters |
| Park a must-see attraction for those vacationing | | | | of Tampa Bay and see places like Egmont Key |
| in the area. It's why the famous Dr. Beach named | | | | and the Egmont Key lighthouse. |
| it "America's Most Beautiful Beach" in 2005. | | | | If you're staying in a Condo on Madeira Beach, a |
| With 1,136 acres of soft, powdery white sand, an | | | | Treasure Island Rental, or a St Pete Beach Condo |
| abundance of hiking trails, a canoe trail, a large | | | | Rental, Hubbard's Marina right on John's Pass |
| campground, and not a hotel in sight, Fort DeSoto | | | | offers a charter boat to and from Fort DeSoto |
| Beach allows visitors to explore Florida as it was, | | | | and Egmont Key, and you can rent snorkel |
| and as it was meant to be. | | | | equipment. You may even see the bottle-nosed |
| Nature-lovers will enjoy the opportunity to snorkel | | | | dolphin while you're there so keep an eye out! |
| in the clear waters, seeing the seagrass beds, the | | | | In-season the ferry boat departs at 10 and 11 am |
| gopher tortoise, and other birds unique to the | | | | and returns at 2 and 3 pm. Off-season, during the |
| island that can't be found anywhere else. On | | | | Fall months, it departs from 11 am and returns at |
| nearby Egmont Key there is even a Seabird | | | | 3 pm. The service is closed Dec 1st through Feb |
| Sanctuary. | | | | 14th. It's an affordable trip for the family at just |
| History-lovers will take pleasure in exploring this | | | | $20, and sure beats trying to find transportation |
| island once inhibited by the Tocobaga Indians and | | | | down there. Plus you get a great view the entire |
| used by the military in the Civil War and World | | | | way there! |
| War II. Fort DeSoto boasts the only four 12-inch | | | | Just be mindful of the currents. The park has |
| seacoast rifled mortars in the continental U.S. | | | | specific rules about where visitors are allowed to |
| There's an on-site museum, the Quartermaster | | | | swim because of strong currents at certain parts |
| Storehouse Museum, for those who are | | | | of the island. As long as you follow the rules and |
| interested in learning more about Fort DeSoto's | | | | obey what the signs say, you'll have a great time |
| role with the military. | | | | and you'll get to see a rare glimpse of natural, Old |
| You can get to Fort DeSoto by boat or by car, | | | | Florida. |
| thanks to the Pinellas Bayway that connects Fort | | | | |