Tampa Downtown (Kayak only)

The launch spot for this trip was from the south end of Marjorie Park on Davis Islands.  This is NOT a designated kayak launch spot but it is on City of Tampa Park property. 

Park along Columbia Drive right at the south end (free for four hours maximum).  There is approximately a 400 foot portage from the parking spot to the launch spot.  The launch spot is at coordinates 27.932794, -82.454610.  

Be careful. Below is where you are launching from, and it changes with high and low tide...

 The stones are placed in such a way that they create steps (sort of).  Be very careful because there are oysters attached to the rocks and are present at low tide, and they are sharp.



Trimble Map.... (Click on "Trip Details to go to the Trimble site."  There are a lot more pictures there too.



Google Map for directions to the parking spot on Columbia Drive...
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Current weather for area...

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Have a great trip - I'd love to know if you head out from here and if you had a good time!

Picnic Island Park (Bike, Hike, Kayak)

My son Eric and I had a nice sunset walk here.  It was a beautiful spot for a two mile out and back walk as the heat of the day was subsiding.  I recommend doing the walk at low tide.  Tide information can be found here:

http://www.saltwatertides.com/dynamic.dir/tampabaysites.html

Use Old Port Tampa for your tide selection.

You can bike here but the road in and out is very short. Not much to it.  You can launch kayaks and canoes from either the boat ramp or the kayak launch.  Watch the tides for the kayak/canoe launch area - must be pretty high to launch there.

We arrived at about an hour before sunset and parked in the boat ramp parking lot.  We hiked south through the dog park.  The only obstacle that we ran into was a locked gate at the southern part of the dog park.  We had to walk around the spot where the fence meets the water.  At low tide it was possible to do this without getting our feet wet.

Trimble:  http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1880508

A nice pre sunset picture taken shortly after we arrived

A little Crab on a tree in the mangrove trail area

This is the walking area on the east side.  At low tide early in the morning this would be a great spot for a nice sunrise.













Here is a cool little snake video.  This little guy scooted into the tall grass quickly...

Another neat little video of a boat cruising through the sunset...

Tampa Weather Forecast, FL (33611)