Best Places in Pinellas County Florida to Kayak

Many people who visit Pinellas County, Florida enjoy taking part in one of the many activities on the water. There are miles and miles of beautiful beaches that stretch down coast on the west side of the county. Pinellas County is home to St. Pete Beach, Clearwater, Treasure Island, and a host of other truly wonderful beaches. One of the most popular activities to take part in is kayaking. Many of the locals and tourists enjoy throwing a kayak in the water and getting some exercise while they enjoy all of the natural beauty that Pinellas has to offer. With so many beautiful areas on the water, it may be hard to figure out where to launch into your next adventure on the water. Here are just a few of the best places to drop your kayak in the water and get paddling.

Fort De Soto Park - An island located off the southwestern tip of the Pinellas Peninsula, this is one of the most beautiful areas in Pinellas, whether you are on land or on the water. There are plenty of locations around the park to launch a kayak and the natural beauty of the area is hard to beat. Ft De Soto Park has a 2.25-mile canoe trail that goes through the mangroves and is a great place to enjoy nature. You can see many different species of wildlife on the trail, including dolphins and manatees. Just south of Ft De Soto is Egmont Key, which is a truly magnificent place to paddle. The trip from De Soto to Egmont goes through a shipping channel with strong currents and is only recommended for the experience kayaker.

Caladesi Island - This gorgeous island is one of the few pristine natural beaches left on Florida's Gulf coast. The island is only accessible by boats and is a local secret that many people are not aware even exists. The island features a kayak trail through the mangroves that stretches about 3 miles. There is also a nature trail on the island, if you want to hop out of the water and enjoy the beauty from land. There is no better place to enjoy the natural beauty of untouched Florida. A great way to reach the island is to launch from the southern end of Honeymoon Island, just north of Caladesi, and paddle south less than 2 miles to reach the island.

Coffee Pot Bayou - Located on the east side of the peninsula near downtown St. Pete, this is a great place to go for a paddle. There is a launch point at Coffee Pot Bayou Park and then you can paddle through the bayou into Tampa Bay. Wildlife, such as manatees and a variety of birds are visible throughout the bayou. Another distinctive feature is Snell Isle, which is home to some of Pinellas wealthiest residents. Kayaking through the bayou and checking out all the beautiful mansions on Snell Isle makes for a lovely day on the water.

Philippe Park - This great park is located on the northeast east side of the Pinellas Peninsula at the edge of Old Tampa Bay. Philippe Park is great for a variety of activities besides kayaking, but it is an especially nice place to launch your kayak and paddle out into the bay. The park itself is very large at 122-acres and is full of huge oak trees. Philippe is a great place to bring your own lunch and to enjoy before or after your adventure on the water.

Many other places around Pinellas are stellar kayaking areas and with an overabundance of coastline, there are certainly no shortages of locations to launch. So, make sure to grab your kayak, paddles, and head out to find your own favorite spot.