Will be visiting Tampa Bay (Jets/Bucs Game) in Mid-December. Don’t know where we will be staying yet. I like St. Pete Beach but my buddies will probably want to stay walking distance to the stadium. I am looking for a nice water trail or area where I might be able to give some larger unskilled first time paddlers a chance to see why I enjoy this so much. I could use a recommendation for a good reputable outfitter where we could rent some kayaks for a half day.
Trails
Hillsborough River
Wheedon Island
Fort Desoto
Picnic Island
Check these sites
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/blueways/
http://www.pinellascounty.org/Plan/blueways/default.htm
http://www.ospreybay.com/
Hillsborough River has a lot of launch sites.
One of the closest will be Rick’s on the River, or Lowry Park.
LONGEST & MOST VARIED FLORIDA TRAIL
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/paddling/Segments/Segment%20Home.htm
Check out segments 8 & 9 on the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail,
Florida’s Longest and Most Ambitious Sea Kayaking Trail, called “the saltwater version of the Appalachian Trail.”
Pretty sure there’s bound to be good or better places there to
PADDLE ON!
-Frank in Miami
Perfect place
Fort DeSoto county Park (Pinellas county)
There is a outfitter just almost across from the Fort, and they have both canoe and kayak rentals and there is a marked trail in protected water.
You might even get to paddle by a few manatees.
cheers,
jackL
Hillsborough River
The Hillsborough River up in Temple Terrace used to be a favorite Sunday paddle when I lived in Tampa 20 years ago. There was an canoe outfitter up there, then. You are pretty sure to see some Gators most of the year.
Traffic made the trip from Tampa to the beaches miserable. Its not something you want to have to do everyday you are there.
Thanks
As I suspected, it looks like there is no lack of paddling opportunities in the area. Thank you all for your help!