Welcome to sunny St. Petersburg, Florida!
Looking for the best places to paddle board in St. Petersburg, FL, amidst dolphins and stunning views?
Discover St. Pete’s waters in a whole new way as we unveil top paddle boarding spots.
Get ready to make a splash in this paddle boarding paradise!
Map
Planning Your Paddle in St. Petersburg
Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.
- Season: average daily highs stay above 59 °F right through the year, so there is no closed season. July is the warmest month, averaging 89 °F.
- Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.
Where to Paddle Board in St. Petersburg
Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!
#1 Vinoy Park
- 🏖️ Location Type: Bay
- 📍️ Access Point: Vinoy Park (Google Maps)
- 🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm bay waters, occasional winds
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
- 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, manatees, pelicans
- 🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Downtown skyline, St. Pete Pier
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, respect marine life
Located along the waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg, Vinoy Park offers stunning views of the city skyline and Tampa Bay.
Its calm waters make it an ideal spot for beginner and experienced paddle boarders alike. While exploring the park’s coastline, keep an eye out for dolphins, manatees, and a variety of bird species.
#2 Shell Key Preserve
- 🏖️ ️Location Type: Oceanfront
- 📍️ Access Point: Fort De Soto Boat Ramp (Google Maps)
- 🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Mild ocean swell, variable wind
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
- 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, sea turtles, shorebirds
- 🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Uninhabited barrier islands, pristine beaches
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect wildlife, stay on marked channels
Shell Key Preserve, accessible by boat from the nearby Fort De Soto Boat Ramp, is a secluded and serene paddle boarding destination.
The Preserve is made up of uninhabited barrier islands offering pristine beaches and clear waters. Paddlers can enjoy spotting dolphins, sea turtles, and a variety of shorebirds while meandering through the mangroves.
#3 Weedon Island Preserve
- 🏖️ ️Location Type: Bay
- 📍️ Access Point: Weedon Island Preserve Boat Ramp (Google Maps)
- 🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm channels, slight tidal influence
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
- 🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Manatees, herons, egrets
- ️🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Mangroves, boardwalks, observation tower
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Stick to designated paddling trails, respect wildlife
Weedon Island Preserve, located along Tampa Bay, is a haven for nature lovers. Its network of marked paddling trails through the mangroves allows for a tranquil and scenic adventure.
With abundant wildlife, boardwalks, and an observation tower, Weedon Island Preserve is a popular destination for paddle boarders of all skill levels.
#4 Fort De Soto Park
- 🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
- 📍️ Access Point: Fort De Soto Park’s North Beach or East Beach (Google Maps)
- 🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Mild surf, variable wind
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
- 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, sea turtles, shorebirds
- ️🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Fort De Soto historic site, Egmont Key
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Adhere to designated swimming areas, respect wildlife
Fort De Soto Park offers paddle boarders easy access to both calm bay waters and the open ocean.
With its award-winning beaches and historic fort, paddle enthusiasts will find an abundance of scenery and wildlife to explore. Dolphins, sea turtles, and several species of birds are commonly seen along the park’s coastline.
#5 Clam Bayou Nature Park
- 🏖️ ️Location Type: Bay
- 📍️ Access Point: Clam Bayou Nature Park Boat Ramp (Google Maps)
- 🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm bay waters, sheltered channels
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
- 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Fiddler crabs, mullets, shorebirds
- 🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Mangroves, boardwalks, observation tower
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Stick to mapped water trails, be aware of changing tides
Clam Bayou Nature Park, located near Gulfport, is a picturesque paddling spot surrounded by mangroves, boardwalks, and an observation tower.
The park offers mapped water trails for a guided experience, and its calm, sheltered channels make it an ideal spot for beginners. Paddlers can enjoy spotting native wildlife like fiddler crabs, mullets, and various shorebirds.
#6 Madeira Beach
- 🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
- 📍️ Access Point: Archibald Memorial Beach Park (Google Maps)
- 🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Mild surf, variable wind
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
- 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, pelicans, sea turtles
- 🏞️ Landmarks & Views: John’s Pass Village, Treasure Island
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Lifeguard presence, swim at your own risk, respect marine life
Madeira Beach, located just a short drive away from St. Petersburg, offers paddle boarders a classic oceanfront experience.
Archibald Memorial Beach Park provides easy access, and paddlers can explore the coastline while taking in the sights of John’s Pass Village and Treasure Island. Dolphins, pelicans, and sea turtles are common encounters while paddle boarding in the area.
#7 Coffee Pot Bayou
- 🏖️ ️Location Type: Bay
- 📍️ Access Point: Crisp Park (Google Maps)
- 🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, light wind
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
- 🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, manatees, birds
- 🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Historic Old Northeast District
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, observe no-wake zones
Coffee Pot Bayou, located in the historic Old Northeast District of St. Petersburg, offers calm waters and a peaceful neighborhood atmosphere.
Accessible from Crisp Park, paddleboarders can glide through the bayou while admiring waterside homes and watching for dolphins, manatees, and various bird species.
#8 Boca Ciega Bay
- 🏖️ Location Type: Bay
- 📍 Access Point: Gulfport Municipal Beach Park (Google Maps)
- 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm bay waters, light wind
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
- 🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, manatees, seabirds
- 🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Gulfport’s waterfront district
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be cautious of boat traffic, respect marine life
Boca Ciega Bay, easily accessible from Gulfport Municipal Beach Park, offers scenic paddleboarding opportunities along the Gulfport waterfront.
Paddlers can enjoy the calm bay waters with numerous locations to explore, including sandbars and the occasional sighting of dolphins, manatees, and a variety of seabirds.
What to Take With You
Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.
- Typefoam, paddle cut
- ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada
Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding
- Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
- Swivelstwo in-line
- RatingIP68 certified, 1 m for 30 minutes
- Floatsyes
- Capacity20 L, range from 10 to 55 L
- Material500D PVC tarpaulin
Every model we tested: The 9 Best Dry Bags for Paddle Boarding
- Typetall neoprene boot
- Thickness3 mm
FAQ
Where can you paddle board in St. Petersburg?
In St. Petersburg, popular paddle boarding locations include Ft. De Soto Park, Weedon Island Preserve, and Gulfport Beach.
Do paddle boards need to be registered in St. Petersburg?
No, paddle boards do not require registration in St. Petersburg.
When is the best time to paddle board in St. Petersburg?
The ideal time for paddle boarding in St. Petersburg is during the late spring to early fall, thanks to warm weather.
Paddle Boarding Near St. Petersburg
Looking for another spot on the same trip? These guides cover the closest paddling waters we have mapped around St. Petersburg.
- Tampa (11 miles northeast)
- Anna Maria Island (17 miles south)
- Clearwater (17 miles northwest)
- Orlando (99 miles northeast)
