Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge
Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge
Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge
4.5
This location was reported permanently closed
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Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
26 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
1
John B
Palmetto, FL37 contributions
Mar 2020
I travel to this little sandbar almost everyday. The water around it is crystal clear most of the time. The shelling at the waterline is world class. I highly recommend a visit to this little slice of paradise.
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MLeeTPA
Tampa, FL109 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
Passage Key, also known as Naked Island is about a mile from the Skyway Bridge, just off Anna Maria Island. What was once a small sand island that would disappear at high tide has recently (last couple of years) become a beautiful exposed sand island with some new growth vegetation.
It still is the popular place for boaters that opt for a clothing optional (why it's called Naked Island) area for socializing. Although you now must keep off the sand island and be in at least ankle deep water at all times. Most folks anchor their boats and socialize in knee to waste deep water anyway... On any given weekend you can find 100+ boats! It's a ton of fun for the open minded and those that don't get offended by social nudity.
*Please note that the nudity is not technically permitted in Pinellas/Manattee counties, however, even though this area is routinely patrolled by the Sheriff's Office, Fish and Game Officers and the Coast Guard, they don't seem to have an issue with the nudity as long as it remains non-sexual.
It still is the popular place for boaters that opt for a clothing optional (why it's called Naked Island) area for socializing. Although you now must keep off the sand island and be in at least ankle deep water at all times. Most folks anchor their boats and socialize in knee to waste deep water anyway... On any given weekend you can find 100+ boats! It's a ton of fun for the open minded and those that don't get offended by social nudity.
*Please note that the nudity is not technically permitted in Pinellas/Manattee counties, however, even though this area is routinely patrolled by the Sheriff's Office, Fish and Game Officers and the Coast Guard, they don't seem to have an issue with the nudity as long as it remains non-sexual.
Written 29 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Craig S
83 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
The only way to get to this island is by boat or Jet ski. The easiest way it to dock out of Either Fort De Soto or Anna Marie Island. The Water is crystal clear and there were several boats docked close to the island when we were there! Fantastic time!
Coordinates are 27°33′20″N 82°44′35″W
Coordinates are 27°33′20″N 82°44′35″W
Written 23 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
big10bill
Indianapolis, IN1 contribution
Mar 2018 • Couples
Very nice place for mature adults- great sandbar for anchoring and wading for naturalists and those who like a full body tan. Don’t make it creepy by pulling out your cell phone and taking photos and videos- it would be a much better place if pontoons and fishing boats full of guys weren’t ruining it that way. Go get a life. And please don’t bring kids and teenagers here- there are plenty of other beaches around.
Written 19 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom E
Tampa, FL42 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
The very best day trip in Tampa Bay. Crystal clear water, lots of bird life, and a crowd of laid back liberal people who like to party naked. What's not to like?
Written 28 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BoilerWilliam
Indianapolis, IN5 contributions
Jul 2019
We have been visiting Passage Key for years - we are not rednecks and neither are our friends (who all have very nice yachts) but we stay in shape and enjoy tanning clothing-free. We have NEVER seen sex acts going on as one reviewer stated - and asked where the Sheriff is. What a crock! If you do not enjoy the beauty of the human body and are a prude, got to some of the other thousands of miles of beach and complain about Passage Key, and we are not all liberals as one reviewer stated, we enjoy our God-given temples and we enjoy some good times in the sun! There have been creepers who are recognized pretty quickly - they ruined Mardis Gras with their cell phone photography - put your phones away, pour a drink, have a cigar, and enjoy the area and the comradery and you will be welcomed!
Written 19 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sara e
St. Petersburg, FL2 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
We enjoy going out to Passage Key to see all the beautiful birds on the island and the snorkeling is fabulous. I have no problem with nudist until they start performing sexual acts in front of everyone else including children. Where is the Manatee Sheriff's Dept.?
Written 19 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele M
St. Petersburg, FL107 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
This is a pretty unique place to go, but you can only get there by boat as it lies about 1.5 miles north of Anna Maria Island and a mile south of Egmont Key. Just be warned that most of the boats who do visit here are crewed by naked people (naturists), and they certainly seem to enjoy letting their freak flags fly. The small sandbar island is surrounded by a large sand flat area that extends about a quarter mile eastward into Tampa Bay, and about 2 miles out into the Gulf of Mexico. During the drier months of the year, the water gets very clear, particularly on an incoming or high tide when the Gulf water floods into the bay. We've seen water visibility top 20 feet or more on some days, and it is really quite beautiful...........reminds us of the Bahamas. The sand bar surrounding the little island is pretty shallow (chest deep), so it's a lot of fund to go there with friends and drink a few beers while you enjoy the water, particularly during the late Spring, Summer, and early months of the Fall before the water gets to cold to swim in. Certainly worth a trip if you have a boat, but if you do have children, you'll want to anchor on the very far southwestern side of the island so they don't get surprised by all of the naturists (nudists) who anchor up near the shore of the island on both it's east and western sides.
Written 14 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
313maureens
Bradenton, FL96 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
You'll enjoy a nice day in the sun with clear waters refreshed by the Gulf on this small island just a mile away from St Pete and Ft DeSoto Park. Accessible only by boat, visitors are NOT PERMITTED on the island and must remain on ankle-deep water, as it's a bird sanctuary that disappeared until only months ago this summer. Beware parents, this is a thriving nude beach and about 70% or its visitors are totally naked; men and women alike.
Written 31 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
msciuga
Apollo Beach, FL2 contributions
Oct 2016
This is one of the most beautiful sandbars in the Tampa Bay area. It is clothing optional and usually about 80% are nude. Nothing untoward happening, just a lot of really awesome people having a great time. No tan lines!
Written 14 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I know nude beaches come and go frequently, so in 2019 is it still a gathering place for nudists ? I have been looking for a beach in the Bay Area that is legal but there is nothing outside of Miami or on the space coast which I don’t want to travel that far unless I absolutely have to. I have always wanted feel the freedom of being in the nude on a beach. My next question is what is the best transportation to get there? I have a kayak, but wasn’t sure if there was a public transportation of some kind.
Written 26 August 2019
We were just there and were told that it is currently used as a nude beach.
Written 26 August 2019
I realized that this is a national wildlife refuge, and also carries the name of Naked island. My question is, is it legal to be there naked like Haulover Beach in Miami Or do they just look the other way?
Written 22 October 2018
Officials simply look the other way. I don't think it is a legally designated nude beach.
Written 23 October 2018
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