In the middle of the mouth of Tampa Bay lies the small (350-acre), largely unspoiled but critically eroding island Egmont Key, now a state park, national wildlife refuge, national historic site, and bird sanctuary. On the island are the ruins of Fort De Soto's sister fortification, Fort Dade, built during the Spanish-American War to protect Tampa Bay. The primary inhabitants of the less-than-2-mi-long island are the threatened gopher tortoise and box turtles. Shelling and nature-viewing are rewarding. The only way to get here, however, is by boat. Dolphin Landings Tours (727/367-4488. www.dolphinlandings.com) does a four-hour shelling trip, a two-hour dolphin-sighting excursion, back-bay or party-boat fishing, and other outings.
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