Coastal Cruisin’ in St. Pete/Clearwater

The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area has more than 50,000 registered boats, and, by some estimates, an additional 5,000 out-of-state vessels ply the county’s waterways at any given time. What’s the attraction? The answer is hundreds of miles of well-marked waterways, dozens of full-service marinas and waterfront restaurants that make this coastal county a veritable boaters’ paradise.

With that said, where do you start? It doesn’t matter if you are a home-grown boater or have motored in from out-of-town, you can explore literally any stretch of the county’s coastline and find safe anchorages and places to refuel (both boat and belly) within a few miles of any entry point.

The Intracoastal Waterway, which stretches from the Anclote River in the north at Tarpon Springs to the channel at Pass-a-Grille in the south, will be your highway to adventure.

North County

The Anclote River, with its many marinas and waterfront restaurants, has been a safe haven for boaters since the 1800s. Stop at the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs and enjoy some authentic Greek cuisine or head out to Anclote Key Preserve State Park, located about three miles from the river’s mouth, for a picnic lunch.

Just south of the key, you will find Three Rooker Bar, one of the most popular gathering places for powerboaters in the county. This hotspot can get crowded, especially on holidays, but you will find the regulars welcoming and willing to lend a helping hand.

Down the Intracoastal Waterway, south of Honeymoon Island, Caladesi Island State Park has transient dockage and allows overnight stays. Consistently rated as one of America’s best beaches, Caladesi has a snack bar, hiking trails and a protected swimming area.

Afterward, you can fuel up at the Clearwater Municipal Marina and then grab a grouper sandwich at Frenchy's or Cooter's or motor over to the Island Way Grill for some fine waterfront dining.

South County

Boaters can head south along the beaches or take a more sheltered route down the Intracoastal Waterway. The latter offers easier access to places to eat such as J.D.'s Restaurant & Lounge and Brewmaster Steakhouse on Indian Rocks Beach or the Pub Waterfront Restaurant, with its laid-back casual atmosphere, and the Salt Rock Grill, one of the best steak and seafood restaurants in the county, both of which are located in Indian Shores.

Don's Dock on John’s Pass, which separates Madeira Beach from Treasure Island, is a good place to fill up on fuel and supplies. Stop by the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company or the Friendly Fisherman on the north side for lunch or dinner, but if it’s a Saturday during college football season, you can’t miss the south side’s Gators on the Pass, the place to be anytime the top-ranked University of Florida football team is on the field.

If the weather is good, cruise the coast and keep an eye out for the landmark pink hotel, the Don CeSar Beach Resort on St. Pete Beach, or the Hurricane Seafood Restaurant on Pass-a-Grille. Then finish your day with a spectacular sunset off Shell Key Preserve or Egmont Key State Park, two of the top boating destinations in southern part of the county.

Tampa Bay

The sheltered waters around Fort De Soto Park are the favorite haunt of flats fishermen in search of red drum, spotted sea trout and snook. If the fish aren’t biting, swing over to Billy's Stone Crab Restaurant in Tierra Verde for its signature dish.

The waters of Tampa Bay east of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge are worth exploring. Downtown St. Petersburg has public docks available on a first come, first served basis. You can also tie up at the docks on the south side of The Pier, which serves everything from fast food and ice cream to the elegant Spanish-style cuisine of the Columbia Restaurant. Another option is Fresco's Waterfront Bistro at the west end of The Pier, which has eight slips on a first come, first served basis.

For a more upscale experience, dock at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, where you can spend the night on your boat and enjoy a fine meal at one of the hotel’s four-star restaurants.

Downtown St. Pete is also a good place to regroup and refit. The Marina Point Ship's Store on Demens Landing and the Harborage Marina both sell hardware and marine supplies.

If You Go

The county’s waterways are well-marked. Boaters should be conscious of no-motor zones that protect the fragile grass beds around Caladesi Island, Fort De Soto Park and Weedon Island Preserve.

The Intracoastal Waterway also has several “minimum wake” zones, particularly in “The Narrows” near Indian Shores and Indian Rocks Beach, which are strictly enforced. The county has also some seasonal manatee zones. These slow-moving mammals frequent shallow areas and are typically on the move during the winter months.

The county has numerous public boat ramps, including the city-run Seminole Boat Ramp in downtown Clearwater and the county-run Fort De Soto Boat Ramp.

Most new GPS units come with mapping programs that show marina/fuel stops and boat ramps.