Weekend destinations from St. Pete

[Boston Jim]

I'll be moving the family (my wife and I and our 8 year-old son) from Boston to St. Pete in mid-December. I guess I'll have to change my screen name on here once I do so. I previously posted a question about marinas in the St. Pete area in this forum and appreciate the responses that I received. My next question is what are good boating destinations and marinas for weekend trips within about 2-4 hours drive (on the water) from St. Pete? We take lots of weekend trips from Boston to various towns and marinas on the north and south shore of Boston, Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard/Nantucket but don't know the good spots to go down there. I've heard that Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key are great spots that we'll want to check out, but what are other spots both close (within about 20-30 miles) and a bit further (within maybe 100-120 miles)? Feedback is much appreciated, as we'll be eager to start exploring once we get down there. It looks like Ft. Myers is about 100 miles away, so I'll be sure to get down there for Red Sox spring training...

 

[Bucit]

Many good spots going to marinas or just being on the hook. Sarasota Hyatt and many others around Sarasota, Cabbage Key, Tween Waters Inn, South Seas Plantation, Egmont Key, Tampa Mariott, 3 Rooker/Honeymoon Island. And many more if you're a YC memeber.

 

[griff4]

Boston Jim: Bucit is correct. As previously mentioned, take a look at the Gulfport Municipal Marina. They are inexpensive there and quite nice. There is also Caladisi State Park Marina, which can be fun and is sort of like "camping out." Our favorite is the Twin Dolphins Marina in the Manatee River in Bradenton. A lot of marina for your money and for us it's lass than an hours cruise away. Now that the water is getting cooler, the ladies don't fancy "sandbar anchoring" anymore and our winter cruise mode is luncheon cruises to waterfront restaurants. We have reluctantly installed our eisenglass now. There is the Legion 273, the Pub, The Warf, the Salt Rock Grille. I suppose the most elegant may be the Salt Rock Grille. Best of luck with your choices, Griff4

 

[Big Daddy II]

We are doing rib fest at the Vinoy this weekend, one of our favorite places unless there's an east wind. Great food and bands. Only 100 miles to captiva(tween waters) and about 120 miles to Ft Myers(city marina is nice as well as Centenial).. A bit farther maybe 150 miles Naples is a nice cruise.

 

[kevin27]

Crap, I missed rib fest? Clearwater has a jazz fest every year too. This area has so much to offer that this thread would have a hard time containing the list!!!!

 

[Bucit]

Rib Fest is this weekend Kevin. I'm hoping to anchor up, listen to some music and grill up my own ribs (which I do every year). The weather forecast isn;t looking the greatest right now. A little cooler but high winds.

 

[bushway9172]

Following this thread as well... "Legal Limit" is being shipped down to Tampa, FL this week. We will be more interested in day-trips, though.

 

[griff4]

We are cruising to the famous American legion 273 at Mideara Beach on Sunday Nov. 10th for a "disorderly luncheon." It only takes us 45 minutes to get there from our slip and we'll arrive around 1PM. Griff4

 

[Bucit]

Following this thread as well... "Legal Limit" is being shipped down to Tampa, FL this week. We will be more interested in day-trips, though.

Depending on where your at in Tampa you have Rick's on the River, Tampa Marroitt, Beer Can Island and Hula Bay to name a few. Make a 30 minute run across Tampa Bay and you have all of downtown St. Petersburg. You have so many places to go I think you'll be surprised.

 

[bushway9172]

Thanks! We are at a high-and-dry by the Gandy bridge. Took a run around the S. Tampa peninsula and up to downtown (by the Marriott, Convention Center, then up the river a little bit), which took about 50 minutes each way cruising at 3500 RPMS (around 30mph). Great first trip. About 25 miles each way, as I ran the ship channel the entire way just to be sure on things. I saw many people taking a more direct route, but I decided to play it safe. Next trip will be out to the Skyway (about 20 miles), and then depending on conditions, up through Tierra Verde or down toward Anna Maria Island and Sarasota Bay. Any dockside restaurant recommendations out that way?

 

[Mikemapva]

If you head to Anna Maria, the 2 dockside restaurants are currently closed (the original Rotten Ralph's) is being rebuilt into something else at Galati Marine, and the second Rotten Ralph's (on the Bridge Street Pier) closed and the new lessee hasn't opened up yet.

If you just past Anna Maria to the Northern tip of Longboat Key, you can stop at Mar Vista. If you go all the way to New Pass (south end of Sarasota Bay), both the Old Salty Dog and the New Pass Grill are good. In Sarasota, you have Marina Jacks and O'Leary's.

Hope that helps.

Mike

 

[BubbaFrsh]

Bushway,

If your ever downtown Tampa, I'm on Harbour Island. Sea Exec II, a pewter hull 420 Sundancer parked bow in so we can enjoy the sunsets. Stop by for a cold one if u see me relaxing on the back.

There is also the Sail Pavillion next to the convention center. Nice bar, great bartenders.

Matt

 

[Boston Jim]

I appreciate all of the responses to this thread which I started last year when evaluating our move to St. Pete. We've now been here since mid-December and are keeping the boat at the Vinoy, which we've been very happy with. I'd appreciate any suggestions for good spots to go anchor for the day and let the kids swim and hang out that are reachable in under an hour from the Vinoy. We've been to Egmont Key a few times and like that a lot. What are some other spots that are similar, and perhaps a bit closer to to downtown St. Pete? Thanks in advance for the ideas.