Passage Key

National Wildlife Refuge

Passage Key NWR is closed to public use year-round.

C/O Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Crystal River, FL 34429-4661

Plan Your Visit

Passage Key NWR is closed to public use year-round.

Interactive Map

Safety Policies

For emergencies: 911

Get Involved

Learn how to get involved with Pinellas NWR

The Friends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife Refuges support the refuge in many different ways, one of which is surveying the islands monthly for nesting bird species.

Visit the Friends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife Refuges here

About

Passage Key is located at the mouth of Tampa Bay in Manatee County, south of Egmont Key. President Theodore Roosevelt established Passage Key NWR in 1905 to preserve nesting colonies of native seabirds and wading birds. In the early 1900's Passage Key was a 60-acre mangrove island with a freshwater lake. Today, Passage Key is a low-lying sandbar that fluctuates in size, and is found often completely below water during high tide. More than 50 species of birds have used this small area including nesting American oystercatchers, black skimmers, royal and sandwich terns, and laughing gulls.

Our Mission

Passage Key NWR will strive to preserve, restore, and enhance the exceptional diversity of native fauna of Passage Key and its surrounding waters for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

Passage Key provides essential wildlife habitat with opportunities for research, and quality environmental and outdoor recreation. Passage Key NWR is a vital link in the Tampa Bay area for nesting, resting, and wintering migratory birds. Protecting this refuge with its diverse and abundant wildlife is critical for ensuring the enjoyment of the island by future generations.

To meet these challenges, the Service will seek partnerships with other agencies, interest groups, and local communities. These efforts will result in greater protection of wildlife, fish, and plant resources throughout west-central Florida.

Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System is established to serve a statutory purpose that targets the conservation of native species dependent on its lands and waters. All activities on those acres are reviewed for compatibility with this statutory purpose.

The purpose of the refuge is as follows:

Provide nesting, feeding and resting habitat for colonial water birds, including laughing gulls, royal terns, black skimmers, sandwich terns, brown pelicans and oyster catchers.
Provide critical habitat and protection for thousands of shore birds and water birds.

Other National Wildlife Refuges in the Complex

Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge is managed through the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Learn more about the other refuges below:

Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge

C/O Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Crystal River, FL 34429-4661