Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge

Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area at the entrance to Tampa Bay with a small sandbar that shifts in size with the tides. This natural formation provides critical nesting and resting habitat for coastal birds and marine species.

President Theodore Roosevelt established this refuge in 1905 when the landscape included a larger mangrove island with a freshwater lake. The terrain has evolved significantly since then due to natural environmental processes.

This refuge holds deep importance for understanding Florida's coastal bird populations and marine life, serving as a place where scientific observation of natural systems happens year-round.

This area remains closed to visitors year-round to protect nesting colonies and preserve the natural habitat. The closure allows birds to breed and rest without human disturbance.

This refuge is the only nesting place in the United States for hawksbill sea turtles and supports the largest royal tern colony in Florida. These two distinctions make it renowned among marine scientists worldwide.

Location: Florida

Website: https://fws.gov/chassahowitzka/passagekey

GPS coordinates: 27.55556,-82.74306

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:01