Experiences & Amenities

Fishing is popular around Stump Pass and on the nearby grass flats. Catches can yield flounder, snook, trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead and tarpon.

• All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. 
• A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website Fishing in Florida.

Take a quiet stroll along the 1.3-mile hiking trail that stretches to the southern end of the park and through the park’s five distinct natural communities. Along this trail you may see a variety of wildlife such as ospreys, Southern bald eagles, fiddler crabs and wading birds, plus plants such as prickly pear cactus, indigo berry, bay cedar and coontie.

Kayakers, canoeists and stand-up paddleboarders like to launch from a quiet area with quick access to the Gulf of Mexico through Stump Pass.

The park has six covered picnic tables. One is located near the restroom facility and the five others are located along the hiking trail.

Scuba diving can be enjoyed off the beaches. You must provide your own equipment.

For everyone's safety, the following rules must be observed:

• All persons participating in scuba diving activities do so at their own risk.
• Each diver must dive within the limits of their certification.
• A dive party must consist of at least two divers.
• A diver-down flag must be displayed.
• Fossils and artifacts must not be disturbed or removed. Aquatic plants must not be trampled or disturbed.
• Do not carve or otherwise deface rocks or any other surfaces.
• Keep a minimum distance of 50 feet between you and manatees at all times.
• Dives must be completed one hour before sunset.
• Spearfishing is not permitted within state park boundaries.

Snorkel in the pristine blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. You must provide your own equipment.

• A diver-down flag must be displayed.

Swimming and snorkeling are popular activities in the Gulf of Mexico. During the winter months, shelling and bird-watching are very popular.

• Visitors are reminded that the taking of live shells is prohibited.

Park rangers offer programs that cover a wide variety of topics, including the history of the island and interpretation of the island's natural resources. Check the events tab for a list of scheduled programs.

You can walk the beach or take a quiet stroll along the 1.3-mile hiking trail that stretches to the southern end of the park and through the park’s five distinct natural communities. 

Some of the protected animal species that visitors might see at Stump Pass Beach are the West Indian manatee, gopher tortoise, snowy egret, osprey, black skimmer, least tern and magnificent frigate bird.