Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail

Segment 8

Pinellas

Emergency Contact Information:

911

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office: 727-582-6200

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 24-hour wildlife emergency/boating under

the influence hotline: 1-888-404-3922

Begin: Anclote Key State Park

End: Fort De Soto Park

Distance: 45.5 miles

Duration: 3 days

Special Considerations: Open water stretches around Anclote Key may pose a hazard in

windy or stormy weather. Currents and tidal influences in passes, especially Hurricane Pass,

can pose a threat, too. As always, proceed with caution. Rats are known to inhabit some of the

spoil islands and raccoons can always be problematic, especially at Fort De Soto Park, so do

not leave food or fresh water unattended.

As with most South Florida segments, boat traffic can be heavy, especially on weekends.

Advance reservations are recommended for motels and campgrounds, especially during

holidays and the spring season. The situation regarding motels may change as motels in some

locations are being converted to condominiums and resorts that require multi-day rentals.

Introduction

The rich history of Pinellas County began thousands of years ago when Tocobaga Indians and

their predecessors hunted, fished and later farmed the area. About 1,800 years ago, the area’s

native people created a more sophisticated social and ceremonial structure that was reflected in

their art forms. This “Weedon Island culture,” (sometimes spelled “Weeden”) lasted about 800

years and was marked by exquisitely decorated pottery. The 3,164-acre Weedon Island

Preserve on the west side of Tampa Bay protects a large shell midden and burial mound

complex associated with this time period and is open to the public.

Panfilo de Narvaez landed along Tampa Bay with about 300 soldiers in 1528. The Spaniards

treated the Indians cruelly in a futile search for gold and silver. Most of the Indians eventually

died from European introduced diseases and Seminole Indians inhabited the area for a brief

period before and during the Second Seminole War, before being driven south or removed to

Oklahoma.

Odet Phillipe is credited with being the first white settler of the area, establishing a plantation

and citrus grove in the 1830s. Philippe is believed to have spawned Florida’s citrus industry.

The area began to boom in the 1880s with completion of the Orange Belt Railroad to St.

Petersburg. Large motels, such as the famous Belleview-Biltmore, were built to accommodate

tourists. Many visitors who came for health reasons and balmy weather decided to stay. From a

population of 13,000 during the county’s inception in 1912, the residential population now

stands at almost a million. In addition, more than four million tourists visit Pinellas County each

year. The word “Pinellas” reflects the area’s rich history, having been derived from the Spanish

words Punta Pinal, and meaning “point of pines.”

Although this segment marks the beginning of a long stretch of urbanized coastline as you head

south, you’ll be able to enjoy several scenic state and county parks reminiscent of original

Florida. Three premier Florida state parks are situated along the route: Anclote

Key, Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island.

The Pinellas County park system, totaling more than 4,000 acres, is unrivaled. Several “green

space” and beach parks are spaced out along the route. Some of the larger parks have viewing

towers, hiking trails, paddling trails, kayak launches and unspoiled tracts of land. Birdwatching

possibilities abound.

The paddling trail in this segment traverses the Pinellas County Aquatic Preserve. Established

in 1972, the preserve’s 336,265 acres of seagrass beds, hard and soft bottoms, oyster reefs,

spoil islands and mangrove areas helps to protect wildlife species such as manatees, roseate

spoonbills, bald eagles, sea turtles, indigo snakes and a host of fish and marine creatures.

Leave No Trace principles should be followed when camping on Anclote Key, or on any spoil

island. Bear in mind that some spoil islands are bird colonies and should be avoided. These

many spoil islands and their designations are described in the Boater’s Guide to Clearwater

Harbor and St. Joseph Sound. To obtain your free copy, call 727-893-2765 or 813-623-6826.

1. Anclote Key (north end) to spoil island # 13, 12 miles

At Anclote Key, three miles from the mainland near Tarpon Springs, primitive camping is at the

north end of the island. There is a composting toilet, but no other amenities. You can explore

this three-mile long undeveloped island on a series of hiking trails or along the Gulf side beach.

Kayaking along the mangrove-lined bay side is inviting as well. The south end, open for day

use, has picnic shelters, grill and a composting toilet, along with a 19th century lighthouse that is

still operational. Due to bird nesting, dogs are not allowed on the island. Camping is free on

Anclote Key, but you must first check in by calling (727) 469-5942.

Another more sheltered option along the coastline is to visit Eagle Point Park where local Eagle

Scouts built a platform for an overnight stop. There is a platform with corner posts to hang tarps,

tents, hammocks, along with a fire ring and picnic table. There is a restroom on site, but visitors

need to walk about 100 yards. Call and get confirmation to stay overnight and ask for the

restrooms to be left unlocked/open. Phone number is 727-834-3278.

Be wary of crossing open water stretches to and from the island as winds can cause dangerous

paddling conditions.

Howard Park is directly east of Anclote Key and a good stopping point for water, restrooms and

a picnic. The park also offers a paddling trail through sheltered mangrove areas, and the

mainland section of the park covers an impressive live oak forest grove.

On your way south, be sure to stop at Honeymoon Island State Park and hike through the 80-

acre old-growth slash pine forest. Viewing these majestic trees is worthy of a visit, but the forest

also supports an unusually high density of active osprey nests.

After Honeymoon Island, you’ll cross Hurricane Pass. Due to currents, tidal influence, boat

traffic, and breakers on the Gulf side, crossing Hurricane Pass should only be attempted by

experienced paddlers in favorable weather conditions along the bay side. If you cross under the

Dunedin Causeway along the Intracoastal Waterway, you should be safe.

For camping, there are several spoil islands to choose from along the route, but the one near

channel marker #13 is of good size and it features a marked interpretive trail, fire ring and picnic

tables. The island has been impressively landscaped with native plants.

2. Spoil Island #13 to Island #BC 21, 17 miles

A cultural stop along the route is historic downtown Dunedin, which features a museum, shops,

galleries and several restaurants. You can access this area by entering a sheltered marina of

boat slips and hanging a right until you come to the Dunedin boat ramp (see map). Here, you

can carry your kayak across the road and leave it at Edgewater Park.

Roughly a mile across from Dunedin is Caladesi Island State Park, accessible only by boat.

Here, you can enjoy three miles of unspoiled beaches on the Gulf side and a three-mile round

trip paddling trail on the bay side through mangroves. You can obtain maps for the trail at the

marina near the boat docks, where you can land on a low kayak dock adjacent to the ferry dock.

The park also has a snack bar and gift shop near the docks. Channel markers will lead you to

the marina. Kayakers must pay a $1 admission fee.

Many paddlers access the park’s marina from the Dunedin Causeway, where there are

numerous launch points and a kayak concessionaire. From channel marker #14, just west of the

Dunedin Causeway Bridge, take an approximate 212´degree heading on your compass for

approximately one mile to the marked channel to the marina.

As you proceed south, you have the option of remaining on the bay side en-route to Island BC

21, or, if the weather is favorable, paddling on the Gulf side by traversing Clearwater Pass and

arranging for a motel stay at a beachside motel along Indian Rocks Beach or other coastal

communities to the south. Advance reservations are recommended, especially in springtime

beginning around February 1st.

It is about 13 miles from Island #13 to Indian Rocks Beach, and another 19 or so miles from

there to Fort De Soto Park Campground along the Gulf, so plan accordingly. There are

numerous public beaches along the route that make for ideal rest stops, most of which are listed

on the maps. Supermarkets are located near the Memorial Causeway to Clearwater Beach on

the north side and across the street from the St. Petersburg Beach Park (see map).

In the bottom half of the bay route, you will proceed through “The Narrows,” where the width

between the mainland and barrier islands is very narrow, thus the name. Be wary of boat traffic

as there is not as much room for maneuvering. At the Bellair and Park Boulevard Causeways,

you can find public boat ramps, restrooms and potable water. There are at least two marinas

along this stretch as well. Numerous small spoil islands are available for rest stops all along the

route.

As you leave the narrows and enter the first stretch of Boca Ciega Bay, Island #BC 21 will come

into view. Campsites are on the southwest side of the island. For a break, you can land at Boca

Ciega County Park near the viewing tower just to the east of the island. Stretch your legs on

scenic boardwalks through mangrove forests. Restrooms are about 200 yards from the kayak

launch area. The area is very shallow at low tide.

Another excellent island for camping is CB #9, about 3.5 miles farther south (see map).

Camping is on the east side. Just northwest of the island campsite is another scenic county

park--War Veterans’ Memorial Park on Turtlecrawl Point. Restrooms and fresh water are near

the kayak launch site.

3. Island #BC 21 to Fort De Soto Park Campground, 16.5 miles

As you head south, you may want to skirt around the end of Long Key to Pass-A-Grille

Beach. Pass-A-Grille is an historic coastal village with a lot of charm. There is also a post office

on 8th Avenue if you want to use it as a mail stop (zip code 33706). It is open Monday through

Friday from 9-4 with a break for lunch. A downtown museum is open Thursday through

Saturday from 10-4 and from 1-4 on Sunday.

The Spanish Explorer Panfilo de Narvaez was believed to be the first European in the area

when he anchored off Pass-A-Grille Pass in 1528. Since then, the island was long used by

fishermen to obtain fresh water and to grill their catch, thus the reason for the name (likely from

the French Passe aux Grilleurs). Beginning in 1857, John Gomez, a self-proclaimed pirate,

opened the way for tourism by bringing in excursionists from Tampa. A section of Pass-A-Grille

was declared a National Historic District in 1989.

Fort De Soto Park, your destination for the day and the end of this segment, also has a rich

history. You can tour Fort De Soto, built to protect Tampa Bay during the Spanish-American

War. The fort was named after Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto, who began his tumultuous

three-year march from Tampa Bay in 1539 to find gold and subjugate the native population.

Fort De Soto Park is known for its birdwatching, one reason it is a featured stop on the Great

Florida Birding Trail. Flocks of shore and migratory birds seem to pose for visitors as they feed

or rest. Two hundred and ninety-six avian species have been sighted in the 1,136-acre park.

Exploring the park is easy. You can kayak through mangrove-lined lagoons in its interior to a

kayak livery facility that also rents bicycles (see map). By bicycling or hiking, you can tour the

park’s off-road trails that lead to beaches, coastal hammock forests, a small museum, and the

historic fort.

Numerous campsites at Fort De Soto Park are easily accessible by kayak, especially tent sites.

A small seawall surrounds most of the RV campsites, which may prove difficult for kayaks, so

make sure you reserve one of the tent sites (sites 1 through 85). Advanced reservations are

highly recommended, so call (727) 552-1862 up to six months in advance of your trip.

Primitive camping is available at no charge on Shell Key, which is just offshore from North

Beach in Fort De Soto Park (see map). This island is also managed by Pinellas County. Leave

No Trace principles should be followed on the island.

Anclote Key

Tampa

St. Petersburg

Dunedin

Clearwater

Bradenton

Tarpon Springs

St. Petersburg Beach

New Port Richey

Port Richey

PASCO

HILLSBOROUGH

PINELLAS

MANATEE

F l o r i d a C i r c u m n a v i g a t i o n a lS a l t w a t e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l

S e g m e n t 8P i n e l l a s

F l o r i d a C i r c u m n a v i g a t i o n a lS a l t w a t e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l

S e g m e n t 8 P i n e l l a s

M a p 1 - AM a p 1 - A

Disclaimer: This guide is intended as an aid to navigation only. A Gobal Positioning System (GPS) unit is required, and persons are encouraged to supplement these maps with NOAA charts or other maps.

M a p 1 - BM a p 1 - B

M a p 2 - AM a p 2 - A

Drinking Water CampingKayak LaunchShower FacilityRestroom Restaurant Grocery Store Point of Interest Hotel / Motel

M a p 2 - BM a p 2 - B

M a p 3 - BM a p 3 - B

M a p 3 - AM a p 3 - A

B Ft De Soto Campground

188

Howard Park Kayak LaunchN: 28.1554 I W: -82.7909

Anclote Key South EndN: 28.1658 I W: -82.8474

Sand Bay

Bird Key Sunset Key

Rabbit Key

North Keys

Snead Creek

Rocky Creek

Round Point

Piney Point

Hidden Lake

Anclote Key

Sunset Beach

Marshy Bayou

Holiday Cove

Dutchman Key

Cove Springs

Brady Island

Anclote Keys

SunsetLagoon

Sawyers Basin

Baileys Bluff

Anclote River

Whitcomb Bayou

Firnell Island

Danenman Point

The Sawgrasses

Ben Pilot Creek

Three Rooker Bar Klosterman Point

Klosterman Bayou

North River Point

North Anclote Key

Anclote Key Lighthouse

Tarpon Springs

Anclote KeyPreserve State Park

PINELLAS COUNTYAQUATIC PRESERVE

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SR55

SR 595

CR595

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SR 582

CR 595

CR 582

SR 54Map 1 A

Wall Springs ParkN: 28.1086 I W: -82.7758

Dunedin

Clearwater

Safety Harbor

Honeymoon IslandState Park

Caladesi IslandState Park

Anclote KeyPreserve State Park

Bird Key

Sand Keys

Dolly Bay

Jerry Lake

Grassy Key

Ward Island

Palm HarborOgden Bayou

Core Island

Cedar Creek

Malone Point

Greens Bayou

Curlew Creek

Smith Islands

Malone Island

Garden Island

Crystal Beach

Lone Oak Point

Hurricane Pass

Dunedin Marina LaunchN: 28.0109 I W: -82.7927

Bascule Bridge

Caladesi Island

Sutherland Bayou

Moonshine Island

Saint Joseph Sound

Indian Bluff Island

North Point Hog Island

SR595

SR55

SR 580

SR 586

CR 586

CR 584A

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Map 1 B

Segment 8: Pinellas

A West Point HoneymoonIsland State Park Access

North End AncloteKey State Park Campsite A

0 2 41 Miles

0 2 41 Miles

Segment 8: Pinellas

Fred HowardPark Beach

B

SW Honeymoon Island State Park B

C Island #13

Caladesi State Park DocksD

N: 28.0651 | W: -82.8334A N: 28.0588 | W: -82.8264B N: 28.0423 | W: -82.7997C N: 28.0322 | W: -82.8192D

N: 28.2132 | W: -82.8467A N: 28.1536 | W: -82.8060B

Belleair Beach

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em no e urc

Faith United Church

Clearwater

Largo

Belleair

Dunedin

St. Petersburg

Sand Key

Taylor Lake

McKay Creek

Harbor Lake

Pasadees Key

Malone Point

Point Pleasant

Stevenson Creek

Dunedin Channel

ClearwaterPass

Moonshine Island

Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Harbor

Prickly Pear Point

ClearwaterBeach Island

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PINELLAS COUNTYAQUATIC PRESERVE

Caladesi Island State Park

PINELLAS

SR59

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SR 688

SR 590

SR65

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SR 686

SR 60

SR60

SR59

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SR 60

SR 60

Map 2 A

PINELLAS COUNTYAQUATIC PRESERVE

BOCA CIEGA BAYAQUATIC PRESERVE

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SR699

CR694

SR 666

SR 688

CR695

CR697

St. Petersburg

Largo

Pinellas Park

Clearwater

Seminole

Tripod Key

Punkin Key

Long Bayou

Long Bayou

Johns Pass

Madeira Beach

Indian Shores

Crystal Island

S i l Ch h

Redington Beach

Little Bird Key

Redington Shores

Turtlecrawl Point

Indian Rocks Beach

North Redington Beach

Walsingham Park

Boca CiegaMillennium Park

Lake Seminole Park

Joe's CreekManagement Area

Map 2 B

Segment 8: Pinellas

0 2 41 Miles

Segment 8: Pinellas

Tiki Gardens Indian Shores Beach A

0 2 41 Miles

B Indian Rocks Beach

Park Blvd Kayak LaunchN: 27.8425 I W: -82.8392

Redington Shores Beach Access B C Boca Ciega Park kayak LaunchD

Primitive Campsite Island #BC21

War Veteran's Park Kayak LaunchN: 27.8004 I W: -82.7702

EPrimitive Campsite Island #CB9

Archibald Memorial Beach ParkN: 27.8017 I W: -82.8031

N: 27.8539 | W: -82.8465A N: 27.8319 | W: -82.8346B N: 27.8322 | W: -82.8117C N: 27.8279 | W: -82.8133D N: 27.7975 | W: -82.7661E

Madeira BeachN: 27.7971 I W: -82.7973

Bellair CausewayBoat Ramp

A N: 27.9176 | W: -82.8262A N: 27.9003 | W: -82.8493B

Sand Key ParkN: 27.9612 I W: -82.8314

Rest Area: -82.6132

Ft. De Soto Kayak LaunchN: 27.6174 I W: -82.7294

Skyway Bridge Rest AreaN: 27.6491 I W: -82.6771

Egmont KeyN: 27.5976 I W: -82.7621

Ft. De Soto Boat RampN: 27.6462I W: -82.7172

Skyway BridgeN: 27.5847 I W

Pinellas NationalWildlife Refuge

Pine Key

Tarpon Key

Sister Key

Sawyer Key

Mullet Key

Listen Key

Jackass Key

Cabbage Key

Main Channel

Fort De Soto

North Channel

Maximo Bridge

Egmont Channel

Cunningham Key

Sunshine Skyway

Saint Barbe Key

De Soto Monument

Cow and Calf Key

Bonne Fortune Key

Mullet Key Channel

Saint Christopher Key

Egmont Key Lighthouse

Fort DesotoCounty Park

Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge30

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SR 679 SR55

Egmont KeyState Park

BOCA CIEGA BAY AQUATIC PRESERVE

PINELLAS COUNTY AQUATIC PRESERVE

Shell Key Preserve

Fort Desoto Park

Skyway Fishing Pier State Park

B Ft De Soto Campground

Map 3 B

A Shell Key Primitive Campsite

N: 27.6569 | W: -82.7452A N: 27.6354 | W: -82.7192B

0 2 41 Miles

6

PINELLAS COUNTY AQUATIC PRESERVE

BOCA CIEGA BAYAQUATIC PRESERVE

SR 666

SR55

SR 682

SR93

SR679

SR693

SR 595 SR

55

SR93

St. Petersburg

Gulfport

St. Petersburg Beach Bayway

Mud Key

Pine Key

Long Key

Gulfport

Bird Key

Lido Beach

Indian Key

Clam Bayou

Cats Point

Boca Ciega

Blind Pass

Jackass Key

Deadman Key

Cabbage Key

Sunset Beach

Paradise KeyNorth Channel

South Pasadena

Pannama Island

Treasure Island

Paradise Island

Little Bird Key

Frenchman Creek

Boca Ciega Isle

Pass-a-Grille Beach

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PINELLAS

Map 3 ASegment 8: Pinellas

Treaure Island Beach A

0 2 41 Miles

Pass-A-Grill D(St. Petersburg Beach)

Public BeachN: 27.7711 I W: -82.7732

Segment 8: Pinellas

N: 27.7434 | W: -82.7591A N: 27.7356 | W: -82.7512B N: 27.7209 | W: -82.7415C

Upham Beach B

St. Petersburg Park C

N: 27.6893 | W: -82.7383D