Anna Maria Island sits in a stretch of water that most visitors only see from the beach. The Gulf is right there, Sarasota Bay wraps around the east side, and Tampa Bay opens up to the north. What a lot of people don't realize is that scattered across these waters are a handful of islands, sandbars, and hidden shorelines that you can only reach by boat.
Three of the most popular are Jewfish Key, Egmont Key, and Beer Can Island. Each one is a different kind of stop, and all three are within easy reach on a day charter from Anna Maria.
Jewfish Key
Jewfish Key sits in the shallow water between Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, just east of the Longboat Pass bridge. The island itself is privately owned and off-limits, but the sandbar that forms around it at lower tides attracts visitors.
The water here is calm and clear, protected from the Gulf by the surrounding keys. It is one of the most popular sandbar stops in the area for good reason. Families can wade in the shallows while kids hunt for hermit crabs, sand dollars, and small shells along the edges. Dolphins are common in the surrounding channels, and it is not unusual to see them while you are standing in waist-deep water.
Jewfish Key is the kind of place where you can spend 30 minutes or three hours and be equally happy with either. Bring a cooler, a floating mat, and some sunscreen. If you are chartering for a half day, your captain will likely suggest timing your stop around the tide, since the sandbar is at its best when the water is low.
Egmont Key
Egmont Key is is a full island, roughly 1.5 miles long, sitting at the mouth of Tampa Bay where the bay meets the Gulf of Mexico. It is a Florida State Park, a national wildlife refuge, and a place with more than 150 years of history, all accessible only by boat.
The most visible landmark is the Egmont Key Lighthouse, which has been standing since 1858 and is still maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. Beyond the lighthouse, the island holds the brick and concrete remains of Fort Dade, built during the Spanish-American War in 1898. Paved paths wind through the fort ruins, past old gun batteries, and through corridors that feel far removed from a Florida beach day. The island also served as a detention camp for captured Seminoles during the Third Seminole War, a piece of history that is easy to miss without a knowledgeable captain pointing it out.
Wildlife is everywhere. Gopher tortoises are the most visible residents, and you will see them slowly making their way along the trails and through the underbrush. Nesting seabirds use the southern half of the island, which is closed to the public to protect their habitat.
Egmont Key is farther out than Jewfish Key, roughly seven miles from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge across open water. The ride takes some time, and conditions in Tampa Bay can be choppy, so this is a stop where having a capable boat and an experienced captain matters. The beaches on the island are pristine, the water along the north shore is good for wading and snorkeling in the right conditions, and the shelling is consistently good. There are no facilities on the island, so you will want to bring everything you need: water, food, sunscreen, and towels.
For anyone interested in history, nature, or just stepping onto an island that feels nothing like a typical Florida beach, Egmont Key is worth the trip.
Beer Can Island
Beer Can Island, officially named Greer Island, sits at the very northern tip of Longboat Key, right at the south side of the Longboat Pass bridge. It is technically accessible on foot from a small parking area on Longboat Key, but the walk is long, parking is extremely limited, and the neighborhood enforces it strictly. By boat, you can anchor in the shallows and walk right onto the beach.
What makes Beer Can Island stand out is its look. The shoreline is scattered with weathered driftwood and the sun-bleached skeletons of dead trees. The white sand is soft and the water is clear.
This is not a manicured public beach. There are no restrooms, no lifeguards, no facilities of any kind. The mangrove side of the island can be buggy, especially in warmer months, so bug spray is a must. But that is the beauty of the place- it gives a different feel than most Gulf Coast beaches.
Beer Can Island is also close to Jewfish Key, which makes it easy for your captain to combine the two on a single outing. A typical half-day charter from Anna Maria might include a sandbar stop at Jewfish Key for swimming and a cruise over to Beer Can Island for exploring and photos.
One note: parts of Beer Can Island have historically been clothing-optional, particularly on the Gulf-facing side, something to be aware of if you are visiting with family.
Combining Stops on a Charter Day
All three of these islands are within range of a charter departing from Anna Maria Island. The best combination depends on your group and how much time you have.
A half-day charter (four hours) comfortably fits two stops. Jewfish Key and Beer Can Island pair well together since they are close to each other. A full-day or six-hour charter opens up the possibility of adding Egmont Key, which requires more travel time but gives you something entirely different from the sandbar experience.
Your captain can plan the route around the tides, the weather, and your group's interests. Some days the water at Jewfish Key is perfect at mid-morning and Egmont Key is best visited in the afternoon. Other days, conditions will shift the order around.
Visiting These Islands with SeaEO
SeaEO Luxury Boat Charters operates out of Anna Maria Island and Bradenton, with captains who know these waters and can build an itinerary around any combination of these stops. Their vessel, the Axopar 37 XC Cross Cabin, is well suited for this kind of island-hopping day. It has the range and capability to handle the open-water run to Egmont Key and the shallow draft to pull up close to the sandbars at Jewfish Key. The enclosed cabin, bathroom, and sunbeds also mean your group stays comfortable for the full trip, whether you are out for four hours or six.
You can browse charter options and book at sea-eo.com.