Blueways Paddling Trail - Map 7

 

 

	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

 

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) 893-7441.

 

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: (727) 893-7441.

 

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: (727) 893-7441.

 

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: (727) 893-7441.

 

41. WEEDON ISLAND PRESERVE Coordinates

 

 

This preserve, managed by Pinellas County, contains approximately 3,100 acres of natural habitat, including mangrove swamps, intertidal flats and pine flatwood uplands. Home to many different species of wildlife and plants, wildlife and nature viewing is at its best here. Tortoises, shorebirds, dolphins, manatees, mangrove crabs, stingrays, jellyfish and jumping mullet are just a few among the many species of animals found among the Weedon Island ecosystem.

 

On land, Weedon Island Preserve has an extensive network of boardwalks and trails throughout the various habitats, as well as an Interpretive Center where people can learn about the natural and cultural history and environment of the Preserve. A marked canoe/kayak trail is available that leads through the groomed mangrove tunnels and into the shallow waters among the mangrove islands. The tunnels open into small, shallow lagoons in several places, offering excellent fishing opportunities.

 

Combustion engines are prohibited on the east side of the Preserve, allowing a very diverse natural ecosystem to thrive. Keep an eye out for manatees in the shallow waters around the island, especially near the power plant on the northern part of the island. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated part of the surrounding area to the north of the power plant as a manatee sanctuary. Boating of any kind is restricted there, and watercraft are not allowed in the area between November 15 and March 31. Please observe regulatory signs. The mangrove tunnels through Weedon Island are very tidally influenced, and it is possible to become trapped in them during a receding tide. Mosquitoes can also be a problem within the tunnel system. The launching area offers a floating dock and a small, sandy beach to the left of the launch site. Parking is available during daylight hours only and only in designated parking areas.

 

Preserve Telephone: (727) 453-6500.

 

42. GANDY BOULEVARD CAUSEWAY Coordinates

 

 

This Causeway is under the management of Pinellas County and offers sandy beach areas for launching along both the northern and southern sides. There is also a bait shop and boat ramp access at the nearby Gandy Bridge marina, which charges a $5 fee for use. This launch offers direct access to the north Weedon Island area. If launching from the south side of the Causeway, head south towards the power plant for possible manatee viewing, especially in the winter months. Please heed regulatory signs and avoid the access-restricted manatee sanctuary. Head west among the spoil islands and look out for numerous horseshoe crabs, snook, sting rays and a variety of shorebirds in the area. Mangrove tunnels are located at marker #3, where you can spot mangrove crabs along the prop roots on each side of you and above your head. If launching from the north side of the causeway, follow the coast along the Pinellas County Gateway Preserve. Here, there are wide areas of seagrass beds, encouraging the diverse ecosystem. Dolphins, manatees, and a variety of fish and shorebirds reside here. There are also a number of oyster bars in the area which can be exposed in times of low tide. Parking is undesignated and along the causeway.

43. 4TH STREET NORTH/GATEWAY PRESERVE

Coordinates

 

 

Under the management of the Florida Department of Transportation, launching is available along 4th Street North in any of the breaks in the mangroves. Each break offers a sandy beach surface and access to the Pinellas County Gateway Preserve. The protected waters close to the roadway are rich in seagrasses, fish and shorebirds. In those waters a bit further out, manatees and dolphins can often be seen. Paddle to the west along the shoreline and you will come to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport and the entrance to the northern end of the Cross Bayou Canal. Parking is undesignated along the causeway and launching is available wherever there is a break in the mangroves. Please do not disturb the mangroves or bird life.

 

 

 

 

 

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