The CupofMood Beach Bucket List – Stop #1: Egmont Key
I often tell people I’m not from Florida, but I got here as quickly as I could. Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, I always loved the water, even though beach days weren’t really part of my childhood.
I means, sure, Lake Erie has beaches, but I do not come from a beach loving family so I wasn’t spending my summers exploring shorelines and collecting shells. Yet somehow, I always felt drawn to the water. Maybe it’s because I’m an Aquarius.
But all of that changed when Michael took me to my first Florida beach when we were both teenagers at The University of Tampa. I quickly discovered something many people don’t realize: not all Florida beaches are the same.
In fact, depending on where you are along a Florida coastline, you can have a very different beach experience. They vary in all kinds of ways. From the water color, to the style of sand to the shelling, to the whole beach vibe.
The more beaches I visited, the more fascinated I became by those differences. Before long, visiting as many Florida beaches as possible became part of my bucket list, and that’s exactly how The CupofMood Beach Bucket List was born.
Now, I must admit, this beach bucket list has been a long time coming. For years, I’ve talked about creating something like this and I’m thrilled the journey starts today.
I’ll be sharing beaches, islands, and hidden coastal gems. I’ll also share the beaches I think are overrated and why. And since y’all know I love a little waterside restaurants, I’ll even add in some restaurants if I’ve had a chance to check them out.
Some of them will be in Florida. Some will be in the Caribbean. All of them will earn their place on my list. And what better place to start than Egmont Key?
❤️ Celebrating Forty Years Together
My visit to Egmont Key started because Michael and I were celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. We had planned a weekend getaway and rented an Airbnb in the area, but we couldn’t check in until later in the day. So I started looking for something fun we could do before check-in.
Now, fun for us doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes we’re perfectly happy spending a day at the beach. However, since this was our anniversary weekend, I wanted to find something we had never done before. That’s when I came across an excursion to Egmont Key. The moment I learned the island could only be reached by boat, I was intrigued.
There is something about traveling across the water to reach a destination that immediately makes it feel more special. The fact that the excursion was located so close to our Airbnb made it feel like the perfect choice. Between a new beach, a boat ride, dolphin sightings, and beautiful Gulf water, all of the things described in the excursion, I was sold.
One of my favorite photos from the day was taken before we ever reached the island. Michael and I were sitting together in the back of the boat with the water stretching out behind us and the excitement of the day still ahead of us.
🐬 Dolphins, Beautiful Water, And A Great First Impression
One of the reasons I chose this particular excursion was because it promised dolphin sightings, and I absolutely love dolphins. Fortunately, it delivered. We spotted dolphins on the ride out and again on the ride back. There is something magical about watching them appear alongside the boat. Every time I see dolphins, I feel like I’ve been given a little gift from nature.
As wonderful as the dolphins were, they weren’t the only thing capturing my attention. The water was putting on quite a show too. One thing you’ll quickly learn if you follow this series is that water color matters to me. A lot. In fact, water color will eventually become one of the categories in my Beach Bucket List rating system because I genuinely believe it is part of the beach experience.
The water shifted through beautiful shades of deep turquoise, to green to clear as we moved across the Gulf and into Egmont Key.
I’ve visited beaches throughout Florida and the Caribbean, and what struck me most was that water at Egmont Key felt like it belonged somewhere in the Caribbean. Yet it was right here in Florida.
🌊 My First Look At Egmont Key
The moment I got my first good look at Egmont Key, my reaction was immediate and almost visceral. It was an immediate, YES!!! It was exactly what I hoped it would be.
The island felt like a little oasis surrounded by beautiful water. The clear water practically begged you to put on a snorkel mask and see what was beneath the surface. At the same time, everything about the island felt peaceful and unhurried.
As I stood there taking it all in, I was focused on the water. The colors were stunning, the temperature was perfect, and the water looked calm enough to float in for hours. If there’s one thing I love almost as much as visiting beaches, it’s floating in beautiful water. And Egmont Key looked like the perfect place to do exactly that.
Little did I know that floating would become one of my favorite memories from the entire day.
🌊 Floating, Recharging, And Connecting To My Source
If you’ve spent any time around me, you already know one of my favorite things to do at the beach is float. I enjoy snorkeling, shelling, swimming, and exploring, but floating is different for me. When I saw that beautiful calm water at Egmont Key, I knew almost immediately that floating would become one of the best parts of the day.
For me, floating is one of the few times in life where I can completely let go. Salt water supports my body, and that support allows me to relax in a way that doesn’t happen anywhere else. Once I trust the water, the process happens in stages. First I settle in. Then I connect with the water. My muscles begin to relax, and eventually the sounds of the ocean take over.
That is when I feel closest to God. The best way I can describe it is that floating feels like plugging into an electrical outlet to recharge my battery. Life gets busy, and we all carry responsibilities, worries, and distractions. Floating gives me a chance to release all of that for a little while and simply be present.
Egmont Key turned out to be the perfect place for that kind of peace. The water was clear, warm, calm, and inviting. Honestly, I could have floated there all afternoon, which is probably why I only spent a few minutes snorkeling before the water called me back.
🐚 Shell Hunting Between Adventures
One thing I quickly discovered about Egmont Key is that it is almost impossible to stop looking down because there are shells everywhere. Rather than dedicating one specific block of time to shell collecting, I found myself doing it naturally throughout the day. As I walked, floated, explored, and attempted to snorkel, beautiful shells kept appearing along the shoreline.
Some shells caught my attention because of their shape. Others stood out because of their coloring. A few simply seemed to speak to me, which is usually how I decide which shells are coming home.
By the end of the afternoon, I had collected a beautiful assortment of shells that immediately became one of my favorite souvenirs from the trip. Those shells represented far more than what I found on the beach. They reminded me of the water, the island, the dolphins, the peace, and the joy of celebrating forty years with Michael.
❤️ The Fighting Conch That Stole My Heart
Of all the shells I collected at Egmont Key, the one that stands out most is the partially broken Fighting Conch. The shell caught my eye because of its beautiful coloring, size, and shape.
In fact, one of my favorite things about the shell is the opening that allows you to see straight through it. And you can see there’s another shell that made it’s way inside the larger shell. So, it was kind of two treats in one.
Ironically, I didn’t use to keep broken shells as part of my collection. But I learned a lesson years ago while collecting shells on another beach. And actually it was Michael who taught me the lesson.
We were on some beach and I picked up a shell that was beautiful but not whole. My first instinct was to put it back because I thought I wanted a perfect shell. Then Michael asked me why I was putting it back. And I told him because it was broken and I only wanted whole shells.
He reminded me the shell doesn’t have to be whole for it to be worth keeping. It was such a simple statement, yet so powerful. (Such a Michael moment). And I realized he was right! There is beauty even in broken pieces. That lesson stayed with me because it applied to far more than seashells.
The older I get, the more I appreciate that truth. Perfection is not what makes something beautiful. Sometimes the things that have weathered storms, survived challenges, and changed along the way end up carrying the greatest beauty of all. That’s one of the reasons the Fighting Conch means so much to me. Well, that and the cute little shell stuck inside of it.
If you’re anything like me and can’t resist bringing home a few beautiful shell treasures, you’ll probably understand why seashells have become one of my favorite beach themes. In fact, many of the beach and shell-inspired drinkware pieces in my Beach Collection and Seashell Collection remind me of afternoons exactly like this one. 🐚❤️🌊
🐚 Rebuilding A Collection One Memory At A Time
Shell collecting became even more meaningful after our house fire in 2023. Unfortunately I lost all of the shells I had spent years collecting from beaches all over.
So now I’m creating new memories. Every shell I bring home represents a specific place, a specific day, and a specific experience. Some sit together in collections, while others are large enough to stand on their own. Whenever I see them around my home, they remind me of beach adventures with Michael and/or our family.
More importantly, they remind me how I felt. Looking at those shells takes me back to the water, the peace, and the feeling of reconnecting with my source. In a way, every shell becomes a tangible reminder that I can still pause, recharge, and appreciate the beauty around me.
That is why shell collecting has never really been about collecting shells. For me, it has always been about collecting memories and bringing a small piece of those moments home. ❤️
Maybe that’s why I’m so drawn to beach and shell-themed drinkware. Just like the shells I collect, they remind me of special places, meaningful moments, and the peace I find near the water. That’s one reason I created dedicated Beach Collection and Seashell Collection here at CupofMood. 🏝️🐚❤️
❤️ A Picnic, A Hidden Oasis, And Forty Years Together
At one point during the afternoon, Michael and I found a shady spot and settled in for the little picnic lunch I had packed. We enjoyed homemade chicken salad, watermelon, drinks, and a chance to sit together and appreciate where we were.
Looking back, what I remember most was the peace and serenity of sitting there surrounded by nature with my favorite person in the world. We were simply enjoying the moment and appreciating the fact that this beautiful little island had become part of our 40th anniversary celebration.
Those are often the moments that stay with me the longest. The quiet moments give us a chance to slow down, look around, and realize we’re exactly where we want to be.
🏝️ Where Egmont Key Ranks On My Beach Bucket List
For years, if someone asked me to name my favorite beach in the Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Bradenton area, my answer would have been Anna Maria Island. In fact, I almost feel a little disloyal saying this, but Egmont Key belongs in that same conversation.
The water is absolutely gorgeous. The shelling is wonderful. The island feels peaceful and cozy. You can float, snorkel, explore, enjoy a picnic. Or simply sit and appreciate the scenery. Every part of the experience felt special. Which is why Egmont Key immediately earned a place near the top of my personal Florida beach rankings.
The one advantage Anna Maria Island still holds for me is accessibility because you can simply drive there. However, there is something incredibly appealing about taking a boat to an island that many people never experience. That journey across the water adds to the adventure and helps make Egmont Key feel like a true hidden gem.
🌊🏆 The CupofMood Beach Bucket List Scorecard
After spending the day at Egmont Key, there was no way I could leave without giving it an official score. One of the things you’ll see throughout this series is that I don’t judge beaches on just one thing. A beautiful beach is about the total experience. Water color matters. Water clarity matters. The overall vibe matters. And yes, the ability to recharge your soul absolutely matters too. ❤️
Here’s how Egmont Key scored on my very first official CupofMood Beach Bucket List Scorecard:
🌊 Water Color: 10/10
💎 Water Clarity: 10/10
🌡️ Water Temperature: 10/10
😊 Water Temperament: 10/10
🐚 Shelling Opportunities: 9/10
🤿 Snorkeling Potential: 9/10
📸 Scenic Beauty: 10/10
❤️ Soul Recharge Factor: 10/10
🚤 Accessibility: 7/10
⭐ Overall Experience: 9.5/10
The only category that lost a few points was accessibility because you need a boat to get there. However, that same exclusivity is also part of what makes Egmont Key feel so special. The moment you step onto the island, you realize you’re somewhere different. For me, that’s part of the magic. 🏝️
🧳 Planning Your Own Egmont Key Adventure
If reading about Egmont Key has you ready to start planning your own visit, I completely understand. Between the dolphins, the shell collecting, the snorkeling opportunities, and that beautiful turquoise water, this little island quickly became one of my favorite Florida beach experiences.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a beach vacation, or simply looking for something different to do around Tampa Bay, Egmont Key is absolutely worth considering.
Here’s a link to the Island Boat Adventures tour we took. ❤️🌊🐚
🚢🌴 A Tampa Cruise Excursion Idea
🚢🌴 A Tampa Cruise Excursion Idea
One thing that occurred to me after visiting Egmont Key is how perfect it would be for cruise passengers sailing from Tampa.
If you’re arriving a day or two before your cruise and looking for something memorable to do, Egmont Key is a wonderful option. Between the dolphins, the beautiful water, the shelling opportunities, and the chance to completely relax, the island offers the kind of experience many travelers hope to find once they arrive in the Caribbean. 🌊🐬🏝️
After spending the afternoon there, I realized I already felt like I was on vacation. The turquoise water, peaceful atmosphere, and island setting created the perfect transition into a weekend of celebrating and exploring.
As someone who loves cruising, that’s probably one of the reasons Egmont Key impressed me so much. It gave me the same relaxed vacation feeling I’ve experienced during some of my favorite cruise adventures, including the beautiful waters of Cozumel at Playa Uvas, a memorable Flamingo Encounter in Curaçao, and exploring Nassau Cruise Port in the Bahamas. 🚢❤️🌊
If you’re cruising from Tampa and have a few extra hours available before embarkation, an Egmont Key excursion might be one of the most relaxing ways to start your vacation before you ever step onboard the ship. 🚢☀️❤️
☕🌊 The Final Sip
When I started planning our 40th anniversary weekend, I was simply looking for something fun for Michael and me to do before checking into our Airbnb. What I found instead was one of the most memorable beach experiences I’ve had in Florida. ❤️
Egmont Key gave me beautiful turquoise water, playful dolphins, peaceful moments floating in the Gulf, and a collection of shells that now sit in my home as reminders of a truly special day. More importantly, it gave me time to slow down, recharge, reconnect with God, and enjoy another adventure with my favorite travel partner. 🥰❤️
As the inaugural stop on The CupofMood Beach Bucket List, Egmont Key set the bar incredibly high. The water was gorgeous, the atmosphere was peaceful, the shelling was wonderful, and the entire experience felt like discovering a hidden Florida treasure. 🌊🐚☀️
Would I go back? Absolutely. ❤️
Next time, I’ll bring extra bug spray, spend more time exploring the island, and finally make my way to that lighthouse. Until then, every shell I brought home will remind me of dolphins swimming beside our boat, turquoise water stretching to the horizon, forty years of marriage, and one unforgettable day in paradise. 🐬🐚🏝️
🏝️✅ Egmont Key, you’re officially CupofMood Beach Bucket List Approved! ✅🏝️
Until Next Time,
Namaste,
Khadeeja ❤️🌊🐚