Places to boatcation in the st pete area....
rasbury
Member Posts: 8,433 ✭✭✭✭✭
Hey, did I just make up a new word????? Anyway, wife and I have traveled around a bit with different boats around FL- Sebastian Inlet (nice area, rained the whole trip) SW FL around Boca Grande, islands to the north and south of that inlet), St. Johns River. We typically are looking for quiet and not a lot of frills, nor has my wife been enthused about relying on staying on the hook for extended time....so.....my question are there any places in the range of Clearwater/St. Pete on the intercostal that we can stay with the boat that would either have a slip or ramp near by that fit that bill? Would use that as a base to travel around, would be on the water most of the time....looking for areas to pull up and watch the world go by. Access to the beaches would be ideal. East Central FL intercostal and to the south have a lot of really cool spoil islands that boaters and campers can use. Any suggestions or thoughts appreciated! I know this is Tiki's stomping ground. I ordered a book on the area but I guess the books just lack that local knowledge ......and also nice places near by for late afternoon dinner but looks like no shortage of that in this area...would be for a week stay in mid summer (yes, it's hot but I'm not up to my butt cheeks in snow right now). Oh, and I have a 270.
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Holy carp, Itza frikken sw fl travel log from a native...
My two favorite spots that would answer your criteria would be:
(#1 without a doubt) to launch at Sarasota City Islands' incredibly sweet ramp (near Mote Marine Aquarium and New Pass) where you can leave the boat/trailer safely and it has a free fresh water faucet to rinse the boat/trailer too(bring a hose). Then motor 3/4mi across the bay to the Hyatt resort marina $1.50ft nitely (politely mention that group rate) and get a quiet/protected slip within 3 blocks of downtown. Easy access to the most awesome beaches, shopping and entertainment within mins The hyatt is a destination by itself. Not uber ritzy but really nice(the pool is AWESOME). A casual 20min run up to Longboat Pass is fun and worth doing(look for my 270 sunset run on youtube). Many of my pics of Tikihut on pristene beaches were taken up there. If you go up to LBK make sure to boat 1mi N at the SW corner of Cortez Bridge and tie up at the free floating docks on Bridge street pier at Bradenton Beach and stroll up to the beaches and see all the quaint stores and watering holes within a block of the pier. Great food and many beers/wine had there by our crew. Tie up and party on the sand bar at Longboat pass (or even sarasotas New pass) on any weekend. If in LB pass stop at Mar Vista for a plate full of calamari under the juniper trees.
(#2) Gulfport municipal marina is well located, easy walking dist 3/4mi to the hidden old fl burg of artsy, laid back west St Petersburg neighborhood called Gulfport. Sort of has an early Key West lifestyle of cool small shops and eateries. They have a free day use dock that's good for relaxing and "people watching" when the weather cooperates. The marina has a decent ramp and very quiet floating docks inside a nicely protected basin. Access to the beaches is a nice 3mi run across Boca ciega bay to Pass-a-Grille and their sandy beaches. Plenty to explore there too.
Sarasota has far more to offer but Gulfport is also fun.
I've stayed at the Municipal marina in downtown St Pete well inside Tampa Bay but it doesn't have the same diversity of Gulfside beaches and atmosphere that we like. You need to launch at Gulfport or O'Neals Marina anyway and run 10mi around to the SPMM if you want that location.
Also a consideration, but outside of your needs might be:
Launch at mom n pop Eldreds Marina in Palmetto Fl and stay at Twin Dolphin marina in downtown Bradenton. Fun but B-town is less glamorous and it's not too close to the Gulf if that's what you seek. Nearby Riviera Dunes marina is really nice but a bit isolated.
Placida and Palm Island Marina is how to experience the Boca Grande area but navigating skill is required and the runs are longer and it's more natural Florida. Cruisers like Pelican Cove but it's VERY remote in comparison to GP and SRQ.
lastly, we had a nice experience last June at Pink Shell Resort in Ft Myers Beach, I launched in Placida and ran 40mi down the ICW but you might find a ramp closer. Their rates were $3.50ft but it was a cool resort with all the amenities and a free shuttle that ran the length of the island. Sanibel is right across the pass if the weather is agreeable.
Google earth these spots and pull up the websites to see whats up when you visit.
Hope that helps those looking for hidden treasure in my back yard. Aloha from the TikiHut.
Mike
A parting shot of Longboat Pass and one of the Hyatt basin....
We've scouted Dunedin and Clearwater, Tampa, Apollo beach and many others from Tarpon Springs to Naples but I judged ramps/parking/marina amenities/dock qualities/congested or unprotected anchorages or marina frontage/ marginal neighborhoods and nearby boating destinations (or the lack of them) and ruled almost all of them out for us.
We've covered this area for decades and honestly Sarasota is THE spot to start from with plenty to discover or just stop and relax. Many of the Florida trailer boat or cruising clubs cover spots all around the state but look forward to their weekend stays at the Hyatt or Marina Jack in Sarasota for good reason.
Good luck in your search and fair winds. Hope we get to cross paths some day.
Mike
Go Steelers!!!
Go Steelers!!!
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
Spring break is March 28 - April 5. I'd assumed you'd be the star of the party!
Ras, I've been to Dunedin (by car of course) and definitely a nice town. One of my favorite places on the way there from Tampa is the Dairy Kurl! Anyone ever get a banana milkshake there??! Oh man they have the best!
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express