Blueways Paddling Trail - Map 2

 

 

	Points of Interest			Go to Map Coordinates

 

	Beach Shower		Motor Boat Launch		Restaurant
	Camping		No Landing		Restrooms
	Canoe/Kayak Launch		Parking		Wildlife Observation
	Canoe/Kayak Rentals		Pay Phone		BBQ Grill
	Concessions		Picnic Table		Water Fountain
	Grocery		Point of Interest		Shelters
	Hotel/Motel		Post Office

 

	Marked Paddle Trails
	Unmarked Paddle Trails
	Florida Circumnavigational Salt Water Paddling Trail

 

9. LIVE OAK PARK Coordinates

 

This is a Pinellas County neighborhood park located on the Intracoastal Waterway, with easy access to the Gulf of Mexico. Kayak launching is available only in designated areas on the beach; look for signage. This facility is located within a short distance of many wildlife-viewing areas, including numerous spoil islands, a bird rookery where landing is not allowed, and expansive beds of seagrasses. There are also many homes lining the waterfront with various types of architecture. If you paddle north from this park, you will come to Pinellas County’s Wall Springs Park. Wall Springs does not currently have any take-out points, but with a number of mangrove islands along its shoreline, there are excellent wildlife viewing opportunities in the area. Be aware of tide levels in this area as it is possible to become grounded here in an outgoing tide. South of Live Oak Park is the Seaside Point Pier and the Crystal Beach public waterfront. Live Oak Park offers limited facilities. A post office is located within a short distance of the park (420 Crystal Beach Avenue) and there are several restaurants located along US Alternate 19, only a few blocks from the water. Pinellas County Parks Dept: (727) 464-3347.

 

10. POP STANSELL PARK Coordinates

 

Pop Stansell is a Pinellas County neighborhood park offering direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway. Launching at this park is available from the sandy beach. Many power boats use this area also, creating a potential parking and safety issue on weekends. Leaving the launch area, and heading west, paddlers will encircle a number of spoil islands, one of which is reserved for bird nesting - please observe from a distance. The water surrounding these islands is a great area to look for fish, such as mullet, which jump from the water, and other aquatic wildlife. The seagrasses in the area also provide important habitat and feeding areas for aquatic life, including the manatee and dolphin. The shores running both north and south of this launch point are lined with large homes of varying architectural backgrounds, offering views of local and imported styles.
Pinellas County Parks Department: (727) 464-3347.

 

11. HONEYMOON ISLAND STATE PARK Coordinates

 

Maintained by the State of Florida, this park boasts several nature trails and bird observation areas. A $1 fee is required if entering the park via kayak, $8 for a vehicle. This park features such wildlife as sea turtles, which come onshore to lay their eggs from May through October, and shorebirds, where species such as least terns and oyster-catchers come to lay their eggs. Park managers may rope off some areas in an effort to protect the birds and their nests. Shelling can also be very good because of the island’s location in the currents of the Gulf. Parking is only available within the park during daylight hours. This island can be circumnavigated, but be aware of potential rough water on the Gulf side of the island and strong currents in the passes. The eastern side of the island is rich in seagrasses and mangroves, offering a great opportunity for wildlife viewing. Head north from the island and you will come to Three Rooker Bar, a totally natural and undeveloped barrier island only accessible by watercraft. Three Rooker is important for bird nesting and represents how barrier islands shift and change over time. Please observe wildlife from a distance.
Park Telephone: (727) 469-5942.

 

12.DUNEDIN CAUSEWAY Coordinates

 

 

This causeway connects the City of Dunedin mainland to Honeymoon Island State Park and is under the management of Pinellas County. The causeway features parking and sandy beaches stretching almost its entire length, providing plenty of water access for canoe and kayaks. Camping is available on nearby spoil islands, but be aware of ‘no landing’ signs indicating off-limit bird rookeries. Rental facilities are available on the causeway’s southern side. Overnight parking is allowed through the Dunedin Parks & Recreation Dept (call 727-812-4530) permit process, for a small fee. North of the causeway is Honeymoon Island State Park. This island is home to a large bird-nesting population and a number of other sea animals, including the sea turtle. South of the Causeway is Caladesi Island State Park. Accessible only by watercraft, Caladesi is an undeveloped island covered in native vegetation and surrounded by mangroves. On the northeastern side of the island is an entry for the Caladesi Marina. Follow this trail (be careful to stay outside of the boat channel) to the southeastern portion of the marina. Here, you will find the beginning of a three-mile marked canoe and kayak trail through the mangrove tunnels. There are excellent wildlife viewing opportunities; look out for mangrove crabs and the occasional manatee outside of the tunnels.

 

13. DUNEDIN YOUTH GUILD PARK Coordinates

 

 

A City of Dunedin Park, this facility features a canoe and kayak launching dock located on a canal with access to the Intracoastal Waterway. Tides heavily influence this launching area. Some portaging may be necessary when the tide is low. Parking is available during daylight hours only. Once you launch, turn west and head out of the canal into the Intracoastal Waterway. To the south and the west of the canal entrance, you will find a series of spoil islands. One of these islands is a bird rookery, so please, enjoy from a distance. These islands offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, as well as the surrounding waters which are rich with seagrass beds and provide vital habitat to a variety of shorebirds and fish. (727) 812-4530.

 

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14.DUNEDIN MARINA Coordinates

 

Owned and operated by the City of Dunedin, this marina provides boat ramp, sandy beach and floating dock access to canoes and kayaks. Launching from this location offers access to Caladesi Island State Park to the west, Honeymoon Island State Park to the northwest, and a number of spoil islands throughout the Intracoastal Waterway. Kayak racks are available adjacent to the floating dock for storage of kayaks. There is both a hotel and a restaurant within the marina and overnight parking is allowed near Edgewater Park (eastern edge of the marina). There are also a number of restaurants and local shops within walking distance of the launching area. This area is popular with motorized boaters and there can be very heavy traffic, especially on the weekends. Primitive camping is available on certain spoil islands in the Intracoastal Waterway, but be aware of ‘no landing’ signs indicating a bird rookery on some of them. (727) 298-3030.

 

15. CALADESI ISLAND STATE PARK Coordinates

 

 

Named the #1 natural beach in the nation in 2008, this Florida State Park is one of only a few remaining natural islands in Florida. The island is accessible only by watercraft via a 108-slip marina with sandy beach and floating dock access for canoes and kayaks. The marina creates a high volume of motorized boat traffic, especially on the weekends. Be aware of channel crossings. The island features a three-mile marked canoe and kayak trail through the mangrove tunnels, which begins at the southeast corner of the marina and travels through the eastern side of the island. If you would like to circumnavigate Caladesi, there is a short portage on the southern tip of the island. A hurricane closed this pass a few years ago and the island is now connected with Clearwater Beach to the south. There is also a three-mile upland nature trail and a number of surrounding spoil islands. The waters along the eastern side of the island are lush with seagrass beds, encouraging the presence of marine mammals and numerous species of fish. The island itself is home to a number of nesting birds, including pelicans, snowy egrets and blue herons. There is a $1 fee for landing within the park. Park Telephone: (727) 469-5918.

 

16. STEVENSON CREEK Coordinates

Public Access is no longer available at the Stevenson Creek launch point.

17. SEMINOLE BOAT RAMP Coordinates

 

 

This public boat ramp facility is owned and operated by the City of Clearwater and offers direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway. There is a sandy beach area off to the right of the boat ramps for canoe and kayak access. From here a number of spoil islands can be explored, along with Caladesi Island State Park. This facility can see large numbers of motorized water craft, especially on the weekends, and a channel crossing is necessary to reach Caladesi Island, so use caution. Parking is available during daylight hours only and may be limited on the weekends because of the high traffic volume at this site.
Clearwater Parks Department: (727) 562-4800.

 

18. MANDALAY PARK/CLEARWATER RECREATION COMPLEX Coordinates

 

 

This park is owned and operated by the City of Clearwater and offers boat ramp access to the Intracoastal Waterway and a sandy beach for access to the Gulf. Turn north from the boat ramp and head towards Caladesi Island and multiple spoil islands. Caladesi is actually connected with Clearwater Beach because of a hurricane which closed this pass several years ago. The island and the surrounding islands are lined with mangroves on its eastern side and offer a multitude of wildlife viewing opportunities. There is metered parking available at the launch site during daylight hours only. A post office is nearby, at 45 Causeway Blvd.
Park Telephone: (727) 462-6138.

19. MEMORIAL CAUSEWAY Coordinates

 

 

This Causeway is under the management of the Florida Department of Transportation and offers a sandy beach for canoes and kayaks to launch from on its southern side. Parking is undesignated and free on the side of the causeway. From here, exploration possibilities include a number of spoil islands (including a few bird rookeries) where landing is not allowed and Caladesi Island. To reach Caladesi, paddle north from the causeway, following the Clearwater Beach eastern coastline until you reach the unspoiled nature of Caladesi. Once two separate islands, Caladesi Island and Clearwater Beach were connected following a hurricane several years ago. The spoil islands in the Intracoastal Waterway offer opportunities for bird watching, but be aware of those islands marked as bird rookeries and please observe from a distance. South of the launch site is Pinellas County’s Sand Key Park. Be cautious if crossing the pass because of strong currents. Also be aware of posted channel markers and motorized boats. The marina facility near the launch site can create a high volume of traffic in the area, especially on the weekends.
Clearwater Recreation Park Telephone: (727) 462-6138.

 

20. SAND KEY PARK Coordinates

 

 

This Pinellas County park’s natural communities include a beach where sea turtles annually deposit eggs. A salt marsh with viewing benches further enhances the park, where heron, roseate spoonbill, great horned owl, anhinga, and common moorhen nest and feed. North of this park is Clearwater Beach and the Memorial Causeway. If you paddle east under the bridge and towards downtown Clearwater, you will come to a number of spoil islands. These islands offer excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, including a number of fish and shorebirds. One of these islands is a bird rookery, so please look for signage and observe from a distance. Paddle south through the Intracoastal Waterway and you will come to more spoil islands, including two more bird rookeries. On the eastern bank of the Intracoastal Waterway, look for the historic Belleview Biltmore Hotel. There is no landing allowed on the Biltmore property, but the site can be observed from the water. Lining the coast you will also see a great number of impressive homes of varying architectural styles. Sand Key Park provides direct access to the Gulf of Mexico. Please be aware that launching is from the beach and requires portage from the parking lot. Access to the Intracoastal Waterway is via Clearwater Pass. Boat traffic in the Pass can be heavy and currents strong. Metered parking is available during daylight hours only.
Sand Key Park Telephone: (727) 588-4852.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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