Fort DeSoto Florida is an island located in the center of Tampa Bay. To get there, take 679 off Hwy 682 which heads towards St Pete Beach from St Petersburg. Fort De Soto is a busy state park – there’s lots to do, including camping, fishing, kayaking, and hiking.
Gorgeous white sandy beaches encircle the whole island. Two areas are specifically set aside for swimming, with lifeguards during popular times. One area is the East beach, which faces the Bay, and the other North beach, which faces the Gulf. If you venture in to swim elsewhere, be careful, as seemingly calm waters may hide strong currents running between the Bay and open sea.
Fervent fishermen will love the two long piers – pick from either the 500′ long Bay pier on East Beach, or the 1000′ pier next to the old Fort. Both are great fishing venues – you’ll have a great chance of catching a large Red or two.
If you’re camping at Fort De Soto, a good day out is the trip to nearby Egmont Key island. A boat service operates from the Bay jetty. On Egmont Key you’ll find the ruins of Fort Dade, a fort dating from the Spanish-American war (now with a fascinating reconstructed guard house).
Best Beach’s rating : Wilderness feel 2 stars out of 5, Warm water 4 out of 5, Facilities 3 out of 5. Happy times 4 stars out of 5. Not surprisingly for many, it’s the Best Florida Beach.
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