Gulf To Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL

Emerald waters kissed by cool Gulf breezes. Sugar-white sandbars that shift with the tides. The soothing ambient sounds of paddling along the water. The tiny thrills and zen-like moments that only seem to appear when being present in nature. It’s all here in St. Pete-Clearwater, ready to be explored. Hike through lush nature parks, paddle pristine waterways and stroll through stunning gardens. You’ll leave refreshed and recharged.

ON WATER

Sunny skies, gentle breezes and immaculate natural surroundings set the stage for an unforgettable day of water-filled adventure.

Got the need for speed? Renting a small powerboat is an action-packed option that gives you the freedom to cruise on your own. Go island hopping among St. Pete-Clearwater’s tiny islands and sandbars, drop anchor and go for a swim or dock at one of the area’s many waterfront restaurants to enjoy some fresh seafood. If you prefer an even wilder ride, hop on a Jet Ski and zip across the smooth waters of Tampa Bay or the gentle swells of the Gulf, or go full James Bond with a waterpropelled JetLev. From Madeira Beach and Clearwater Beach to Tarpon Springs, St. Pete-Clearwater is full of rental options.

Located at the southern end of St. Pete-Clearwater, Fort De Soto Park has become a go-to destination for kayakers, kite surfers, campers and fishermen over the years. Fort De Soto is massive: Spanning five islands/keys, the 1,136-acre park is home to a 2.25-mile self-guided canoe trail that winds you through mangrove communities and seagrass beds. There’s also a 10-mile paddle trip around Mullet Key for more ambitious paddlers. If you’re not planning on bringing your own paddling gear, don’t sweat it: You can rent kayaks on-site without reservations.

The expansive 3,000-acre Weedon Island Preserve in north St. Pete is also a paddler’s delight. Its 4-mile South Paddling Trail winds through a labyrinth of beautiful mangrove canopies, leading to open saltwater ponds teeming with wildlife. (Pro tip: Rent a kayak from ECOmersion, make the trip at high tide and follow the trail markers.) The preserve also includes a fishing pier and waterfront picnic sites.

Paddle along the waterfront of St. Pete’s resplendent Clam Bayou Nature Preserve, or take a guided ecotour of the park’s rich biodiversity with Kayak Nature Adventures (reservations are required).

For a more leisurely experience, head over to Hubbard’s Marina in John’s Pass and grab a front-row seat on a sunset sail into the Gulf — a perfect way to cap off a postcard-worthy vacation day. For some additional romance, set sail on the Schooner Clearwater out of Clearwater Beach Marina, or book a dinner cruise on the 115-foot StarLite Majesty yacht.

Would you rather go fishing instead? Fort De Soto’s Gulf Fishing Pier offers prime saltwater fishing with a variety of species biting. This 1,000-foot-plus pier is equipped with cleaning stations and running water, plus a nearby bait and tackle shop for all your fishing needs. For a lengthier adventure, head to Hubbard’s Marina and book a deep-sea fishing charter ranging from five to 44 hours.

While exploring the park, hop on the ferry from Hubbard’s Marina to Shell Key Preserve, an uninhabited wildlife preserve perfect for snorkeling and shell collecting. For an even more secluded escape, take the ferry from Fort De Soto’s Bay Pier to Egmont Key, where crystal-clear waters and untouched shores make it feel like your own private island.

When the current Sunshine Skyway Bridge was built over Tampa Bay (connecting St. Pete with Sarasota), the old bridge was turned into the world’s longest fishing pier. Today, Skyway Fishing Pier State Park offers an unforgettable saltwater fishing experience. (Note: Before casting your line, be sure to complete the required online educational course at myfwc.com/skyway.))

Venture north to Dunedin and explore the stunning barrier island of Honeymoon Island State Park. With over 4 miles of pristine shoreline, it’s an ideal destination for swimming, fishing, shelling and snorkeling.

For even more secluded tropical-island vibes, take the park’s public ferry or rent a kayak to reach Caladesi Island State Park. This barrier island features gorgeous scenery and 3.5 miles of kayak trails, leading paddlers through mangrove canals and seagrass flats along the bay side of the island (at least a half-day experience). Be sure to bring your snorkeling gear with you — the waters here are clear, calm and shallow.

Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs is a hidden gem that offers two main routes for canoeing and kayaking. The first trail is a serene, half-mile-long paddle through the mangroves that is suitable for beginners; the second is a 2-mile journey around the beautiful Lake Avoca.

STARLITE CRUISES

What started in 1986 as a single-vessel operation has grown into Florida’s largest daily excursion fleet.

StarLite Cruises is all about variety: Nature cruises. Fine dining yacht cruises. Casual tropical party cruises. Dolphin tours. Luncheon cruises. Full-day group tour cruises. Each cruise is unforgettable.

Regular departures make it easy to fit a StarLite cruise into your schedule. Whether you’re on vacation, or just want to feel like you are, a StarLite cruise will get you there!

Q&A WITH MISTY WELLS

We have a huge population of tarpon during our spring and summer season. A lot of people think you have to go to Boca Grande to find “trophy tarpon” but tarpon are very plentiful right here. Our fishing guides are some of the best tarpon guides anywhere and we offer many more amenities.

What advice do you have for someone who has never saltwater fished on a pier or jetty before?

Visit one of our local bait and tackle shops. They have up-to-date knowledge of what is biting and where the fish are. Talk to them about your tackle setup; be sure what you plan to use will work here. Our fishing community loves to share local knowledge and will give you some “hot spots.”

More grouper is caught and brought back to the shores of (St. Pete-Clearwater) through both commercial and recreational fishing than anywhere else in the world. Our strict conservation efforts in the Gulf ensure that our grouper population thrives year-round. You haven’t lived until you reel a huge grouper up from the bottom of the Gulf.

How do I find a good captain and what can I do with my catch after the trip?

St. Pete-Clearwater is loaded with great captains, most of whom have been born and raised here locally. There are a lot of different types of charters and captains. Give them a call to talk about the type of trip you can expect and don’t be afraid to ask questions. A good captain is happy to share information, lots of pictures and refer you to someone if they are booked or not a good fit. St. Pete-Clearwater has a lot of hook-and-cook restaurants. Ask your guide or a local for a great place to take your fresh catch. We are always happy to help.

ON LAND

Lace up your boots and get ready to traverse the numerous parks, trails and wildlife preserves our area has to offer – from hiking and biking to camping and bird-watching. It’s wild out there.

The Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail stretches from St. Pete to Tarpon Springs and has long been a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Craftily fashioned along an abandoned railroad corridor, the continuous, protected, 75-mile multi-use pathway has connections to numerous captivating cities in the region – including Dunedin, Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs, whose vibrant shops, cafes and brewpubs each offer tempting pit stops. Bike, jog, skate or walk across dozens of pedestrian bridges with sweeping views of all the urban, suburban and natural settings. (Bonus: Dogs on leashes are allowed on the entire length of the trail.)

Embarking at Maximo Park in St. Pete and eventually connecting to the Pinellas Trail, the Skyway Trail extension offers a scenic passage through diverse landscapes. This trail’s main attraction is the dazzling Clam Bayou Nature Park waterfront in Gulfport, which it passes through via bridges and beautifully landscaped trailways. The park also has a fishing pier — a beautiful spot to catch snook, redfish and trout.

Palm Harbor’s expansive and shaded John Chesnut Sr. Park features a 2.7-mile multi-use nature trail that winds through lush canopies, marshes and over boardwalks — perfect for jogging, walking or cycling. If you want to take in some spectacular views of downtown St. Pete’s waterfront, ride the paved 6.5-mile North Bay Trail, which passes by the iconic St. Pete Pier, Vinoy Park, North Shore Park and Coffee Pot Park.

Trail runners and day hikers will want to check out Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Located on the shores of Lake Maggiore in St. Pete, this treasured 245-acre getaway offers 6 miles of nature trails and boardwalks that provide a serene escape from the otherwise densely populated area just outside its borders. Start your hike in a hardwood hammock, then trek through the sand pine scrub and pine flatwoods.

Also in St. Pete, the 400-acre Sawgrass Lake Park offers elevated boardwalk and trail loops that meander through one of the largest maple swamps on Florida’s Gulf Coast. You’ll need to leave the pups at home, though – dogs aren’t allowed in the park.

Want to journey through one of the last remaining virgin pine forests in the U.S.? Take a hike on the Osprey Trail, located on the gorgeous barrier island that Honeymoon Island State Park calls home. (You guessed it: It’s an ideal place to encounter nesting ospreys.) Winding along the edge of the peninsula, the park’s Pelican Trail treats you to stunning Gulf views and up-close encounters with shorebirds. Every step is an adventure.

The largest of its kind in the county, the Brooker Creek Preserve showcases nearly 9,000 acres of forested wetlands and pine flatwoods. Located in Tarpon Springs, Brooker Creek is home to nearly 5 miles of wildflower-adorned trails, stellar birdwatching and the award-winning, state-of-the-art Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center (a school field trip hot spot). Protecting a mosaic of fragile habitats, the preserve is a great place to see white-tailed deer, bobcats, wild turkey and even otters.

Bring a pair of binoculars to Boca Ciega Millennium Park, which regularly wins high praise from bird-watchers and has earned a Great Florida Birding Trail designation. Just look around: More than 175 species of our feathered friends regularly hang out on the shores and branches here. The park also features nature-canopied boardwalks and other amenities, including a dog park, a covered children’s playground and a 35-foot wooden observation tower, which offers incredible panoramic views of Boca Ciega Bay.

Unwind & Be Kind

Lend a hand while you’re visiting St. Pete-Clearwater. Help protect our wildlife and keep our destination beautiful for everyone to enjoy!

1 PICK UP TRASH: Help keep America’s Favorite Beaches beautiful by picking up trash, even if it’s not yours. On any given beach day, the Baskets for Beaches program encourages trash pickup with bright yellow baskets.

2 PACK IN, PACK OUT: Please be kind and leave nothing but your footprints behind when you visit the beach. Needless to say, the sea turtles aren’t there to clean up your mess.

3 NO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS: Whether you're out at the pier or on the beach, please help us keep our destination beautiful by refusing single-use plastics in favor of reusable items such as metal water bottles and straws.

4 SAVE THE SEA TURTLES: During sea turtle nesting season, from May 1 through Oct. 31, make it easier for baby sea turtles to find their way to the Gulf by knocking down sandcastles and filling in sand pits at the end of your beach day.

5 WHAT’S OFF-LIMITS: Sand dunes can be super photogenic and are sometimes a tempting shortcut. But they’re also there for a reason – to protect the beach from wind erosion.

6 BE A GOOD BOATER: When you’re boating outside of a designated no-wake zone, you should still watch your speed in case a manatee wanders into your path. Trust us when we say that they are not built for speed.

Gulf To Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL - Gulf to Bay 2025

Outdoors

ADVENTURE

ONLAND &WATER

ON WATER

STARLITE CRUISES

Q&A WITH MISTY WELLS

ON LAND

Unwind & Be Kind

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Gulf To Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL 2022