Along the northeast tip of Anna Maria Island,
the beach is eroding away.
Steps leading to "beach"
The Skyway Bridge crossing Tampa Bay lies to the northeast.
Passage Key, between Anna Maria Island and Egmont Key,
was underwater during high tide.
was underwater during high tide.
"Less than a mile to the north lies Passage Key, marking the southerly entrance into Tampa Bay. Since Ponce de Leon explored this coast in 1513, this island has served to guide ships into the great bay beyond called by early Spanish explorers "Bahia del Espirto Santo". After being named "Isla de Sanfrancisco y Leon" by the Spanish in 1757 and renamed "Burnaby Island" by the English in 1765, it was later named "Pollux Key", corresponding with the name "Castor Key" given to nearby Egmont Key. The island finally became known as "Cayo de Pasaje" in 1783, during the second Spanish occupation. This is the origin of today's name - Passage Key. Formerly much larger than it is today, the island contained a fresh water lake surrounded by large trees."