Tampa Bay Destinations

[ScarabJoe]

So I picked up my 2018 Scarab 255 one month ago and already have 25 hours on her. New to boating. Looking for cruise ideas and day trips.

Here's what we've done so far:

Put in at Gandy and cruised under the Skyway. Another day around MacDill and to Beer Can Island. Anchored and hung out. Another day cruised to Treasure Island and chilled.

Put in at De Soto and cruised past Egmont and Passage Key. Another day cruised down to Anna Maria Island.

Put in at Anclote and cruised to Anclote Key and anchored. Another day past Anclote Key, past 3 Rooker, past Caladesi, past Honeymoon, turned around at Clearwater. Another day went north to a new sandbar north of Anclote.

So where else should we go?

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I think you have seen it all!

 

[ThatJeepGuy]

If you don't mind trailering a little further north you could check out Homosassa and Crystal River. Clean fresh water, a couple springs, and as the water gets colder you'll see more and more manatees. There's a few restaurants on the water there too.

 

[adrianp89]

We go out of Bellair a lot... from there you can go to small islands or go up to Clearwater beach (Shepards area), or go North a little more and coachman park is right past the bridge, you can often catch a free concert there. Keep going north and you can make it to HoneyMoon Island. If you put in at Bay Pines, you can make it Slyce (brunch on the water) or Angry Pepper and a short walk to the VFW... can also go north through the narrows to Indian Rocks beach and dock up at the Holiday Inn. South we usually put in at Ft. Desoto and take a short trip to Bunce's Pass and hang out for the day.

 

[Floyd]

For a freshwater day trip you can launch your boat at the Fowler Ave boat ramp(near I-75) and head up the Hillsborough river, passing Lettuce Lake park and upstream to the Natures Classroom area(where it gets too shallow). It's all slow-speed-only, so take a lunch. You will see gators, ducks, cranes, roseate spoonbills, buzzards, turtles, fish, maybe some other wildlife, and lots of Florida jungle.