Blueways Paddling Trail - Map 6

 

 

	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

 

 

29. DOWNTOWN GULFPORT Coordinates

 

 

The City of Gulfport maintains a small beach park in its downtown. There is plenty of free parking along the streets of this quaint, Old-Florida style community. This beach area offers direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway and numerous opportunities for wildlife viewing. Pelicans, shorebirds, manta rays and dolphins have all been seen in this area. This beach park offers many amenities, along with nearby restaurants and a convenience store, all within walking distance. The nearby Clam Bayou Nature Park offers even more potential for wildlife sightings. To reach to park, paddle east along the shoreline and you will find the bayou before the shoreline turns to the south. Next to the park is the Gulfport Municipal Marina, with such amenities as restrooms and a bait shop.

City of Gulfport Parks Department: (727) 893-1067.

 

30. CLAM BAYOU NATURE PARK Coordinates

 

 

Clam Bayou is an estuary where freshwater flows into the salty water of the bay. Here, you can view hermit crabs, ducks, pelicans, nesting egrets, mangrove crabs, manatees, dolphins and a wide variety of fish. Alligators and gopher tortoises have also been spotted in this area. Be aware of oyster beds, especially at low tide. This park is maintained by both the City of Gulfport and the City of St. Petersburg, with launching areas on both Miriam St. S. in Gulfport, and across the water on 34th Ave. S. in St. Petersburg. Both launches offer crushed shell surfaces. These launches also offer access to Indian Key, part of the Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge, where you can paddle through the mangroves and observe the mangrove crabs and numerous varieties of shorebirds. When launching, follow the shoreline to the south and under one of the Pinellas Bayway bridges. Southeast of these bridges you will see an island covered in mangroves; this is Indian Key. Be aware of motorized boat traffic in the area, especially on the weekends.

Clam Bayou Nature Park Telephone: (727) 893-1067 or 893-7326.

 

31. MAXIMO PARK Coordinates

 

 

Maximo Park, owned and operated by the City of St. Petersburg, was built on an ancient Indian Mound, still visible in the southern end of the park. This park offers both a sandy beach for launching and a boat ramp that accesses Frenchman’s Creek. There can be heavy motorized boat traffic from this site, especially on the weekends. From this park, it is an easy paddle south to Indian Key, part of the Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge (PNWR), where you can view numerous shorebirds and mangrove crabs. The area surrounding the refuge contains large quantities of seagrasses, contributing to the high numbers of fish, dolphins and manatees in the area. Frenchman’s Creek is also known to have large numbers of manatees, especially in the winter months. Tarpon Key is the next large island south of Indian Key and, as part of the PNWR, offers paddlers additional wildlife viewing opportunities. (727) 893-7335.

 

32. FORT DESOTO PARK Coordinates

 

 

The largest park within the Pinellas County Park System, Fort De Soto Park consists of 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected islands. The park’s North Beach was named the #1 Beach in America in 2005. The park also features a 238-site campground and a historic fort used in the Spanish-American War. Launching here offers numerous wildlife-viewing opportunities. Paddle the park’s 2.5 mile marked trail and view shorebirds, fish, dolphins, manatees and three different types of mangroves. Shell Key Preserve is north of Fort De Soto, and here you can view nesting shorebirds and turtles, or camp in the primitive camping areas on the northern or southern ends of the island (the central section is off limits due to the bird rookery).

From Shell Key, continue around Tierra Verde to the north and then to the east and you will come to the Tierra Verde Marina. Entering the small channel just east of Shell Key will bring you to Billy’s Restaurant and some small shops. There are also numerous spoil islands in the area north of Fort De Soto and east of Shell Key where wildlife is plentiful. This area is also rich in seagrasses, contributing to the abundance of wildlife.

 

South of Fort De Soto is Egmont Key State Park. Reaching this site requires the crossing of a major shipping channel that is subject to strong currents and is only recommended for experienced paddlers. Launching from North Beach is suggested for this trip. When crossing to Egmont Key, be aware of rough water. Check the local weather forecast before putting-in. In the summer months, fast-moving storms can quickly develop, often doing so in the afternoon, and case pose a threat to those paddling in such open water. Be prepared to be off of the water before early afternoon if planning this trip.

Launching is also available from the park’s 30-lane boat ramp facility, the largest in the County. This boat ramp is used heavily by motorized boats, as is the channel leading to the Gulf. Be aware of the heavy traffic, especially on the weekends. A 35¢ toll is required to drive to the park. There is also a short, unmarked mangrove trail only open at high tide (see GPS locations). Park Telephone: (727) 582-2267.

 

33. BLACKTHORN MEMORIAL Coordinates

 

 

Located on the North Pier of the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, this site is maintained by the Florida Department of Transportation. The memorial commemorates the sinking of the Coast Guard cutter Blackthorn near this location in 1980. There is a sandy beach area next to the parking lot on the western side of the pier where launching is available. There is a $1 toll to access the pier. Paddle northwest from this launch to Tarpon Key, part of the Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge. Seagrasses surround this key, creating a diverse ecosystem featuring dolphins, manatees, and a number of shorebirds and fish.

 

34. BAY VISTA PARK Coordinates

 

Bay Vista is part of the City of St. Petersburg Parks system. It offers access to Tampa Bay and the southeastern Pinellas County shoreline. There is a concrete boat ramp within the park, and a sandy area just to the left of the entrance for launching. There can be heavy boat traffic from this site, especially on the weekends. This area can be heavily influenced by the tides, especially to the southeast of the park where there are a number of salt flats. Manatees are common in this area, along with dolphins and a wide variety of fish and shorebirds, including pelicans, osprey and sting rays. The salt flats to the southeast offer some of the best fishing opportunities in the area. There is a bird rookery to the north, just south of Coquina Key at the entrance to Little Bayou. This island is home to a large population of pelicans, please observe from a distance. Coquina Key Park is located on the northern side of the Key and offers an excellent location to rest. Parking at Bay Vista is available during daylight hours only. (727) 893-7124.

 

35. GRANDVIEW PARK Coordinates

 

 

A City of St. Petersburg passive park featuring boat ramp access to the water, Grandview offers direct access to Tampa Bay through a waterway known as Big Bayou. There is a small sandy area where launching is possible; look for the break in the mangroves where a number of dinghies are sitting. These boats are used by those mooring in the Bayou to reach the mainland. This area experiences some heavy motorized boat traffic, especially on the weekends. Just outside of Big Bayou lies a large field of seagrass beds, encouraging a variety of fish and shorebirds along the water’s edge. Dolphins and manatees are also known to frequent the area. Not far from this location is downtown St. Petersburg, where there are a number of restaurants, hotels and attractions within walking distance of the water. Parking is allowed during daylight hours only. Coquina Key is located right across the Bayou from the launch, and the park on the northern side offers an excellent place to rest.

City of St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department: (727) 893-7335.

 

36. LASSING PARK (No Facilities) Coordinates

 

Lassing Park is a waterfront beach park maintained by the City of St. Petersburg, without amenities or designated parking. Parking is available along the street in the neighborhood. This park provides access to Tampa Bay and a number of other St. Petersburg locations, including the downtown area where paddlers can find a number of restaurants and hotels within walking distance of the water. This site can also be a great picnic or resting site if launching from other locations in the area.

City of St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department: (727) 893-7335.

 

37. DEMEN’S LANDING Coordinates

 

 

This City of St. Petersburg Park is located downtown next to the St. Petersburg Pier. This site features many amenities and is within walking distance of numerous hotels, restaurants and attractions. The historic open air post office is also located within walking distance at 76 4th St. North. Boat ramp access is available for launching and there is ample free parking within the park. Overnight parking is available. After launching, paddle north of the marina and you will see the St. Petersburg Pier. North of the Pier, you will pass North Shore Park and enter Coffee Pot Bayou where you will see a pelican island just past the first bridge; please observe this rookery from a distance. South of Demen’s Landing is the Port of St. Petersburg. In the southwest corner of the port is the entrance to Salt Creek. This creek once flowed through to Lake Maggiore, currently a freshwater Lake. Along the sides of the creek you will see the heart of St. Petersburg’s ship and boat repair industry. Continue further south from the port, and you will pass Lassing Park, Big Bayou and Coquina Key. The coastlines here are rich in seagrass beds and offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. The homes along the coast are also impressive and are of varying architectural styles.

City of St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department: (727) 893-7335.

 

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38. NORTH SHORE PARK Coordinates

 

 

Maintained by the City of St. Petersburg, this park features a large sandy beach area where launching is available. Parking within this park is plentiful, free and available during daylight hours only. This park offers access to Tampa Bay and gives paddlers great views of downtown St. Petersburg from the water. One can view the St. Petersburg Pier, the Vinoy Hotel, and other historic views. Travel north from the park and enter Coffee Pot Bayou. In this body of water, you can find a bird rookery consisting of a large pelican population, please observe from a distance. Manatees, dolphins and a wide variety of fish and shorebirds also frequent the area. Motorized boat traffic is low in the bayou because of low bridges, but can be quite high near the launch point. South of the launch point you will pass downtown St. Petersburg and the Port of St. Petersburg.

City of St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department Telephone: (727) 893-7335.

 

39. COFFEE POT BAYOU PARK Coordinates

 

 

Owned and operated by the City of St. Petersburg, this park offers boat ramp access at the top of Coffee Pot Bayou. This area is a common place to find manatees, and a wide variety of fish and shorebirds. About 0.75 mile south of the launch is a bird rookery, “Pelican Island”, that is home to large population of pelicans, please observe from a distance. Boat traffic within this area is light because of low bridges, but can become quite heavy when entering Tampa Bay. Be aware of the channel crossings. South of Coffee Pot Bayou is downtown St. Petersburg. Once entering the bay, St. Petersburg Pier and the Vinoy Hotel can be seen to the south. There are restaurants and a grocery store within walking distance of Coffee Pot Park, further north on 1st Street.
City of St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department Telephone: (727) 893-7335.

 

40. CRISP PARK Coordinates

 

 

This City of St. Petersburg Park offers boat ramp access to Tampa Bay. Travel first through the channel and out along the residential coastline of Snell Isle and Shore Acres. Follow the channel to the east and then the south to reach Tampa Bay. A number of species of fish and birds inhabit these channels, co-existing with the large population of people along the water’s edge. If you head north in Tampa Bay, you will come to Weedon Island Preserve, home to countless numbers of fish, shorebirds, dolphins, manatees and other animals. Head south in the bay and you will come to downtown St. Petersburg. Parking is available in Crisp Park during daylight hours only.
City of St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department Telephone: (727) 893-7335.

 

 

 

 

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