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You Are Here: Home » Things to Do » Boating » Kayak St. Pete/Clearwater »
Paddler's Paradise
Warm sunshine and calm winds make Spring the perfect time of year to explore the variety of kayaking alternatives in the St. Pete/Clearwater area. Whether you want to discover the mangrove trails of Caladesi Island, cruise the coastline along the beaches, lose yourself for the day in the intracoastal waterways, or cast a line a little bit closer to the fish, kayaking is a great way to soak up some fresh air and experience firsthand the natural beauty of the area.
If you are looking for a secluded kayaking excursion, Caladesi Island is a great place to start. One of the few pristine barrier islands along Florida's Gulf Coast, this award winning beach is accessible only by private boat or public ferry. The island features abundant wildlife and over three miles of lush mangrove kayak trails to adventure through in the intracoastal waterway. Maps to guide you on your journey are also available. Don't fret if you don't have a kayak, rentals are possible on the island. As a bonus, the Caladesi Cafe serves up a mean burger after a long day out in the wild.
Weedon Island Reserve, an expansive 3,000-acre region on Tampa Bay comprised mostly of marine habitats, is also a kayakers' delight. The history of Weedon Island goes back 10,000 years when early peoples such as the Timucuans and Manasotas made the island their home. Paddlers visiting Weedon Island Preserve can rent a canoe or kayak from Sweetwater Kayaks and enjoy natural Florida by leisurely floating along the shores of Riviera Bay or on the South Paddling Trail. The South Trail, however, is the signature one and by far the most intriguing. Featuring several long, dark and narrow corridors of thick mangroves, the trail periodically leads into open areas where sunlight penetrates the water's surface, revealing lush seagrass beds. The mangrove swamps and seagrasses are the prime habitats for dozens of marine species and provide roosting and feeding areas for wading birds. Endangered birds seen by kayakers at Weedon Island include wood stork and bald eagle. The preserve is also home to a year-round population of West Indian manatees which are sometime spotted by paddlers. For the full experience, twice monthly tours with professional biologists are available.
Another popular destination for kayakers is Ft. De Soto Park. Made up of five separate islands, the park is home to a 2-1/4 mile self-guided trail that takes about two hours to paddle, taking you through mangrove communities, sea grass beds and oyster bars. Be sure to follow the guidebook, it tells about the rich history of this area, the vegetation, the wildlife and sealife. Manatees are seen March through November, and dolphins visit the trail almost every day.
If you are looking to get off the trails and explore on your own, boat ramps to launch your kayak or canoe are available all over the St. Pete/Clearwater area. Maximo Park in south St. Petersburg puts you right at the mouth of Frenchman's Creek as it opens up into Tampa Bay. To access the intracoastal waterways, try the Park Boulevard boat ramp and beach access park, located mid-peninsula just south of Park Boulevard on Gulf Boulevard. These are just two of the many boat launches available in the area. For more information, please check local listings.
Caladesi Island
Off the Gulf Coast, 1 mile west of Dunedin
Dunedin, FL 34698
727-469-5918
www.floridastateparks.org/caladesiisland
Ft. De Soto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway S.
Tierra Verde, FL 33715-2528
727-582-2267
www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto
Maximo Park:
34th Street & Pinellas Point Drive South
St. Petersburg Fl, 33711
727-893-7335
www.stpete.org>www.stpete.org
Weedon Island
1800 Weedon Island Dr.
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
727-453-6500
www.weedongislandpreserve.org
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Copyright ©2009 St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. All rights reserved.