Anclote Key Preserve State Park

A private boat or ferry service is required to reach the Anclote Key Preserve State Park, which is located three miles off the coast of Tarpon Springs and is only accessible by boat.

Float gently along the white sand beaches of Anclote Key State Park, which consists of the four islands – Anclote Key, North Anclote Bar, South Anclote Bar, and Three Rooker Island – as the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico lap gently against their shores. A total of 43 bird species have been identified in the park’s 11,773 acres, including the American oystercatcher, the bald eagle, the piping plover, and others.

On the southernmost point of the island, a picturesque lighthouse built in 1887 serves as a sentinel. Visitor activities include swimming and sunbathing on the beach, grilling and having a picnic, and pitching a tent and spending a night of primitive camping beneath the stars.

Because there are no provisions available on the island, you should plan on bringing your own water and supplies with you.

Ferry service to the island is provided by the following companies:

Sponge-O-Rama: 727-943-2164
Odyssey Cruises can be reached at 727-934-0547.
Private Island Charters can be reached at 727-534-8818.
These ferries depart from the historic Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs, Florida:

Windsong Charters can be reached at 727-859-0213, and Island Paradise Charters can be reached at 877-774-0589.

Private Island Charters (phone: 727-534-8818) operates charters out of Pasco County, Florida.

Visitors who plan to camp overnight are not dropped off by ferry services. If you plan to stay overnight, you must provide your own transportation. Dogs are only permitted on North Anclote Bar’s patio.

GPS coordinates for the park:

The location of the lighthouse is as follows: N 2810.020 W 08250.687.