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Anclote Key Preserve State Park

Photo: User:Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer) / CC BY 4.0 · source

Beaches

Anclote Key Preserve State Park

Tarpon Springs, FL · Tampa Bay

About

The 1887 Anclote Keys Light, a 102-foot cast-iron tower, stands on the south end of Anclote Key, about three miles off Tarpon Springs and reachable only by boat. Tour boats leave from the Sponge Docks on Dodecanese Boulevard; some stop for 30 to 45 minutes of shelling, and others leave you on the beach for three or four hours. Bring all the water you'll want. The island has none, and no garbage cans either, so your trash goes back on the boat with you. Campers reserve the primitive campground on the north tip by calling the resident ranger, and they need a private boat, because the ferries won't drop off anyone staying the night.

Highlights

Getting there

Anclote Key, off Tarpon Springs (boat/ferry access only)

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Secluded Florida Gulf Coast Beaches9 places

Secluded Florida Gulf Coast Beaches

Cayo Costa, Caladesi, Anclote Key and St. Vincent Island have no road to them, so you go by ferry or your own boat. You can drive to the other five, and none of the nine has a high-rise on the beach. Pack water and shade either way.