“When I’m out sailing, I don’t wonder what heaven is like because I know.”
― Anthony T. Hincks
Every week, thousands of people travel the bridges over Tampa Bay. Sometimes, commuter traffic slows them to a crawl. They gaze out their windows and see the freedom of boats racing across the wide-open expanse of the bay, limited only by the amount of gas in the tank and ice in the cooler.
There is something special about the boat life. The wind in the hair, the sound of waves lapping against the hull, the dolphins playing in the wake and the sea gulls and pelicans flying overhead. In Greater Tampa Bay, this is a way of life.
The boating culture is strong and widely celebrated here. There are more registered boats in Florida than any other state in America, and GTB frequently lands on lists of the best boater communities in the country.
No. 2 Tampa: Best City for Boaters in the United States
No. 4 Tampa/St. Petersburg: 5 Great Boating Destinations in Florida
— Visit Florida
Tarpon Springs: One of 10 Boat-friendly American Communities
— Boat U.S.
St. Petersburg: One of the Top 40 Boating Destinations in America
— Dockwa
No. 2 St. Petersburg, No. 4 Tampa: The 10 Best Cities for Boat Owners
— Smartasset
Being a metropolitan area quite literally surrounding the water, there is an extraordinary number of amenities to suit every marine need and interest. There is also an abundance of waterfront real estate, with homes equipped with boat docks and lifts, sometimes even their own boat ramps.
Between the sapphire blue offshore waters accessible via several ocean passes, miles of beachfront, calm intracoastal waterways, the wide-open Tampa Bay, freshwater rivers and smooth brackish backwaters and estuaries, the opportunities to explore the best of Florida’s marine world are limitless.
Have yet to take the plunge and buy a boat or jet ski? Visit the largest boat show on the Gulf Coast, the St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show. Or, a myriad of rentals and charters in GTB rent out a variety of vessel types and sizes hassle-free. Some, like Freedom Boat Club, offer memberships with a variety of vessels available for unlimited use — no maintenance or cleanup required.
Stock up the cooler with some cold ones — just not for the captain — and find a spot to beach the boat on popular hangouts Beer Can Island or Egmont Key. Sneak the Gheenoe or flats boat back into those coveted secret spots in the mangroves and cast a line at the snook, redfish or trout that will be perfect for the frying pan. Make some like-minded friends at one of the many anglers, boating or yacht clubs around the bay. Fire up those two- and three-engine center consoles and take off for a day of offshore fishing. Party on the pontoon, take the kids tubing or simply sit back on a sunset sailboat cruise.
No matter the interest, GTB has the boat, the weather and the water for it. Whether taking off from a modest Jon boat or a luxury yacht, or anything in between, all boaters have one thing in common, aside from empty wallets: An insatiable love for pushing off from land, leaving all their troubles at the dock and setting sail for the big blue sea.
Tie a Line and Dine
No matter the reason — no one remembered to pack a lunch for the boat day, the sandwiches turned into a soggy mess in the cooler, or couples are simply looking for a place to stop on a date-night cruise — these boat-accessible restaurants will turn that laid-back boat ride into a unique foodie experience.
Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro — St. Petersburg
With views of the beautiful municipal marina by day or string lights and sparkling waters by night, Fresco’s makes for a charming stop any time of day.
There is something on the menu for every taste. A mix of creative dishes and favorite classics spice up the menu that has plenty of options for both seafood and land lovers at brunch, lunch and dinner. Just hold up any one of those picture-perfect cocktails like the dragonberry bliss or honey bee martinis, cucumber fizz or spicy jalapeno margarita, cheers to life on the water and soak up the good drinks, good eats and killer views.
The transient boat slips at the adjacent St. Pete Pier are now open and supplement the slips that are available onsite at Fresco’s.
Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill— Tampa’s Westshore District, Port Richey
Boaters will have so much fun at Whiskey Joe’s, their visit will easily turn into an all-day affair.
Vessels can pull directly onto the beachfront area and enjoy beach volleyball, cornhole and an outdoor tiki bar on a wide stretch of sand. The beach area is only half the attraction, with the large over-water restaurant just a short walk up the boardwalks. Patrons can dine on fresh grouper, shrimp and a wide range of entrees and cocktails with panoramic sunset views over Tampa Bay.
Captains, be sure to nab a spot well before the peak lunch hour on those hot summer weekends — this beach usually fills up fast.
The Getaway — St. Petersburg
Restaurant or beach vacation oasis? The Getaway certainly lives up to its name. Visitors will feel like they are on a tropical island paradise, with palms swaying in the breeze, tiki huts and cocktails providing relief from the Florida sun, white sands alongside bright and tropical vegetation and Adirondack chairs for soaking in that view of the bay.
As for the food — make room for bloody Marys that are a meal in themselves, along with an assortment of tacos, sandwiches and more.
Boaters can pull up alongside the sea wall and tie off right in front of the tiki area.
Olde Bay Café — Dunedin
Dunedin is boater’s heaven, especially when factoring in the opportunity to dock and dine at places such as Olde Bay Café.
Patrons can be sure that the fresh catch on the menu is, in fact, fresh. What began as a wholesale fish house where locals could purchase fresh seafood fresh off the boats has now become a full-service restaurant. Despite the name, Olde Bay takes a new approach to the menu, with items including the blackened scallop wrap, Southwestern salmon, Florida draft beers and a selection of food for the “landlubbers” in the house.
Located alongside the Dunedin Marina and Edgewater Park, Olde Bay Café keeps a tight grip on the line connecting land and sea. Seafaring patrons can tie off at the docks.
By Jewell Tomazin
