Stump Pass Sandbar (Englewood, Manasota Key)
+ Milton Pass Guide

The Stump Pass Sandbar Experience

The Stump Pass sandbar is one of the most unique and underrated spots on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Located at the southern tip of Manasota Key, this area forms where Lemon Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico, creating shifting sandbars, shallow water, and constantly changing conditions.

This is not a typical beach. It’s more of a natural, moving sandbar system that changes with tides, storms, and seasons — which is exactly what makes it interesting.

Stump Pass Sandbar is a beautiful destination you can reach by boat. You can also get there by kayak or take the long walk from the Stump Pass State Beach parking lot, but boat Is the way to go.

Stump Pass Sandbar is a very popular boating hangout, where people park their boats on the shore or on the sandbar and have some fun.

On weekends there could be a hundred boats out there, all listening to music, enjoying the water and enjoying some cool drinks.

Where do the boats hangout?
Stump Pass? Milton Pass?

There are plenty of hangout spots where boat pull up onto the sand or moor on a sandbar.

Originally most people would hangout on the southern tip side of Stump Pass State Park. They would "park" their boats on the pass side and the area where the sand wraps into ski alley.

There is also a shallow sandbar on the point of the little key across from Stump Pass. There you need to anchor your boat in the water and you can walk around the shallow, clear waters. Just north of this spot, there is a small stretch of sand you can beach you boat.

After Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton sand was shifted, vegetation was lost and a new pass or cut was created, now known as Milton Pass.

This created places to beach your boat where before it was impossible. So now there are plenty of spots that stretch from Stump Pass to Milton Pass which is about just under a mile long.

Make sure you know your tides, because some boats may become high and dry as the tide moves out. Also, the direction of the water may change, causing mooring issues if you anchored you boat. Its best to ask for help even if you don't think you need it when you are "parking" you boat.

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What Is Milton Pass?

After recent storms (including Hurricane Milton), a new break in the land formed, commonly referred to as Milton Pass

It temporarily cut through part of Stump Pass State Park, just south of the parking lot

At one time boats were able to go into and out of lemon bay using this new pass.

As time goes by, the pass is being naturally filled back in with sand. As of April 2026, there is now a small cut that goes diagonal from north to south. This has turned into a very cool lazy river. The tides gently move the water in and out, so if you grab a floaty, you can jump in on one side and get out on the other.

Since May 2026, Milton Pass has now closed (naturally).

Not saying you can't go there, just saying the water does not connect from the Gulf to the Bay anymore.

No Boat? No problem! Have Sonny's Boat Tours take you there.

Drone Footage from about September 2026

by: Charlotte Harbor Fisherman

Ski Alley Between Stump Pass and Milton Pass

There is a place you can wakeboard, water ski or pull your friends in inflatable toys, known as Ski Alley.

It is located in between Stump Pass State Beach and Peterson Island and is about one (1) mile long and the last 1/4 mile on the southern side is where all the boaters hang out at Stump Pass.

Just be mindful of swimmers and boaters in there area, since Ski Alley is fairly narrow and shared with other enthusiasts.