21. BELLEAIR CAUSEWAY Coordinates
Belleair Causeway is under the management of Pinellas County and offers a sandy beach for landing and parking. The adjacent boat ramp facility offers overnight parking and a number of amenities. This area can be subject to heavy motorized boat traffic, especially on the weekends. Paddle north from the Causeway and you will come to a number of spoil islands in the Intracoastal Waterway. These islands are home to a variety of shorebirds and have large fish populations in the water surrounding them. Two of islands are bird rookeries so please be aware of signage and observe from a distance. Keep an eye out for the historic Belleview Biltmore Hotel on the eastern shore of the Intracoastal Waterway (a description of the local landmark is on page 41). There is no landing allowed on the Biltmore property, but the site can be observed from the water. South of the causeway are more spoil islands, including one bird rookery. Continuing south, you will enter “the Narrows,’ named for the very narrow width of the Intracoastal Waterway for a two mile stretch. Here, please use caution as the current can be strong and motorized boat traffic can be heavy. At the end of the Narrows is the Park Boulevard Boat Ramp. Lining the coast in this area, you can view a number of impressive homes. There are also mangroves lining much of the eastern coastline, offering excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
Boat Ramp Telephone: (727) 588-4847.
22. PARK BOULEVARD BOAT RAMP Coordinates
This boat ramp is owned and operated by Pinellas County and offers direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway, including a number of spoil islands. Overnight parking is available in the boat ramp parking lot. Paddle north of this site and enter an area called ‘The Narrows’, where the width of the Intracoastal Waterway becomes very narrow. Heavy motorized boat use in this area can cause a hazard to small craft. Paddle south from the boat ramp and follow the eastern coastline around the shoreline and you will notice that the water becomes very shallow. Here, you can spot many varieties of fish and jellyfish. Boca Ciega Millennium Park is located to the east of the boat ramp, once you leave the Narrows. This park is lined with mangroves on the waterfront which support a diverse marine population. Continuing along the shoreline past Millennium Park, you will come to War Veterans Memorial Park and the entrance to the Cross Bayou Canal and Long Bayou. Keep an eye out for dolphins and manatees in these areas as well as a large variety of shorebirds. Boat Ramp
Telephone: (727) 549-6165.
23. BOCA CIEGA MILLENNIUM PARK Coordinates
The Florida Native Plant Society has recognized this 185-acre Pinellas County Park for its use of native plant species in landscaping. The park’s natural communities include pine flatwoods, coastal oak hammock, mangrove swamp, salt marsh, bay head and wetlands. A wide variety of Florida vegetation and wildlife highlights Boca Ciega Millennium Park's delightful environs. Keep an eye out for large numbers of jellyfish near the launching area and to the west of the park, along the coast. The launch area features a sandy beach area and a canoe/kayak washing station. It is tidally influenced, so some short portaging may be necessary to reach Boca Ciega Bay. Primitive camping is available on the spoil island directly south of the launching area. Upon leaving the short tunnel to reach the Bay, paddle to the west and follow the coastline. Here, you will have the opportunity to view a wide variety of fish. Continue towards the west and soon you will come to the Narrows; a very narrow stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway. Turning north into the Intracoastal Waterway will bring you to the Park Boulevard Boat Ramp. Along the coastline, look for a wide variety of impressive homes of varying architectural styles. Paddle to the east following the coastline and soon you will arrive at War Veterans Memorial Park and the entrance to the Cross Bayou Canal, an area frequented by dolphins and manatees. Overnight parking is allowed in Millennium Park, but park gates close at sunset. Park Telephone: (727) 588-4882.
24. LAKE SEMINOLE PARK Coordinates
Lake Seminole Park is owned and operated by Pinellas County and covers more than 250 acres. Lake Seminole Park is a designated wildlife habitat and sanctuary. Raccoons, alligators, various waterfowl, hawks, bald eagles, black vultures, tortoises/turtles, snakes, etc. reside in this park, and provide viewing opportunities for nature enthusiasts and families. The canoe/kayak launching area is directly south of the boat ramp and features a sandy beach area. Parking is available during daylight hours only. After launching, turn towards the north and paddle along the shoreline of the park. Here, you can observe a wide variety of the wildlife. Further to the north and to the west, you will see a variety of waterfront homes of varying architectural styles.
Park Telephone: (727) 549-6156.
25. JOE’S CREEK PRESERVE - Landing Site Only Coordinates
This area is under the management of Pinellas County. The Preserve features a number of spoil islands and undeveloped banks with the opportunity to view various native birds and fish. There is a landing area along Joe’s Creek on the northern bank of the waterway. Tides influence the entire preserve area, which may not be accessible in times of low tide. This area is rich with vegetation and fosters a diverse marine environment. Here, you can find excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, observing a number of shorebirds and fish species. This landing site can be reached from both War Veterans and Jungle Prada Park; paddle north into Cross Bayou and turn east into Joe’s Creek. The landing site is approximately one-half mile into the creek, on the northern bank.
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26. WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK Coordinates
War Veterans' Park is owned and operated by Pinellas County and consists of 122 acres located on Boca Ciega Bay with access to the Gulf of Mexico. This park is close to Cross Bayou, Long Bayou and Joe’s Creek to the north. After you launch, keep an eye out for dolphins and manatees which have a tendency to frequent this area. Paddle towards the north from the launch point and pass by the motorized boat ramp. Be aware of channel markers as motorized boat traffic can be heavy in the area, especially on the weekends. Once you cross under the bridge (Bay Pines Boulevard), you will enter Long Bayou. If you paddle to the northwest, you will come upon a KOA Kampground (727-392-2233) with access to the water. Be aware of numerous oyster beds in this area, especially at low tide. If you want to stay overnight, reservations are recommended. To the northeast is the Cross Bayou canal.
This area has a number of spoil islands and vegetation communities, and offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, including dolphins, manatees, egrets and various species of shorebirds. Continue to paddle through the canal and you will come to the entry for Joe’s Creek Preserve. This Pinellas County Preserve is host to a variety of species of animals including birds and fish. There is a landing site roughly one-half mile from the entrance to the creek if you choose to stop and rest. This area can be tidally influenced. From this launch site, it is also possible to circumnavigate Treasure Island. Paddle south/southwest from the launch point (be aware of boat traffic) and enter the Gulf of Mexico through John’s Pass (see page 41 for more information on this historic fishing village). Use caution as the current in the pass can be very strong and boat traffic can be very heavy. Once in the Gulf, paddle south along the coastline and view the many hotels and condominiums from the water. Keep an eye out for dolphin fishing for dinner off of the beach. Re-enter Boca Ciega Bay through Blind Pass at the southern tip of Treasure Island; this pass separates Treasure Island from St. Pete Beach. This area also can have very strong currents so use caution. Return to the launch point by navigating around the dredged canals, heading to the north/northwest. Overnight parking in War Veterans Park is available at the boat ramp only. The launching area is a sandy beach next to Shelter #5. Park Telephone: (727) 549-6165.
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