7 AM
Fort De Soto Fishing Pier
Gulf Pier, Fort Area · Family
Free to fish from the 500-ft Gulf pier — early morning is best for pompano, snook and snapper. No fishing license required from the pier.
8 AM
Birding — Fort De Soto
Throughout the park · Family
Fort De Soto is one of Florida's top migration birding sites — spring (Apr–May) brings hundreds of species through the park's hammocks and shores.
9 AM
Kayak the Bay Side
East Beach Boat Ramp · Family
Launch a kayak from the east beach ramp and paddle the protected Tampa Bay side — mangroves, sea turtles and calm, clear water.
10 AM
Historic Fort Tour
Fort De Soto (Spanish-American War) · Family
The 19th-century coastal defense fort with original Rodman guns — walk-through exhibits open weekends.
10 AM
Egmont Key Ferry
North Beach boat dock · Family
Seasonal ferry to Egmont Key — an uninhabited barrier island with a historic lighthouse, sea turtle nesting and snorkeling.
6:39 PM
sun-timed
Gulf Sunset at North Beach
Fort De Soto North Beach · Sunset
No structures, no vendors — just seven miles of unobstructed Gulf waterfront and the sunset that earned Fort De Soto its #1 US beach ranking.
Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Festival (nearby)
The statewide birding event — Fort De Soto is a primary site, considered one of the best spring migration spots in the eastern US.
Holiday Campground Events
The Fort De Soto campground runs seasonal events for campers during the holidays — check Pinellas County Parks calendar.
see you out there
Every week is the beach’s recurring lineup. Times shift and seasons end, so check the venue before you go. Sun-timed events track each day’s real sunset and the countdown runs on the live local clock.
At Fort De Soto Park, the sun sets at 7:40 PM today — about 12h 23m of daylight. Sunrise was 7:16 AM. Live water temperature, surf height, UV index, wind and tide for Fort De Soto Park update at the top of the conditions page.