Paddle launch · St. Petersburg · Pinellas County

Fort Desoto Park - Madelaine Key Paddlecraft Access - West

Tampa Bay - Bunces Pass · Bay or lagoon · Salt or Brackish Water

FeePaid
WaterSalt or brackish
ConditionGood
How to payPay at the parking meter by card or by phone: no cash.

Manatee protection zone on the water here

  • Slow Speed (All Year) · Rule 68C-22.016(2)(a)8.

State zones from the FWC. Federal and local speed zones can also apply: follow the posted signs.

Florida FWC boat ramp inventory

About Fort Desoto Park - Madelaine Key Paddlecraft Access - West

Aerial view of Fort Desoto Park - Madelaine Key Paddlecraft Access - West
The ramp, seen from above · Imagery: USDA NAIP via USGS The National Map (public domain)

About this ramp

Fort Desoto Park - Madelaine Key Paddlecraft Access - West is a hand launch site for kayaks, canoes and paddleboards in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County on Tampa Bay - Bunces Pass, a bay or lagoon with salt or brackish water. It is publicly owned and open to everyone and managed by Pinellas County.

Launching

The ramp has a launch with a natural shoreline surface. The FWC rates its condition as good. There is no dock.

Fees, parking and hours

A launch fee is charged; the amount is not stated. Pay at the parking meter by card or by phone: no cash. Hours: 7:00 AM to Sunset, Daily.

Facilities

Restrooms: No Toilet. Accessibility: No Accommodations for Accessibility.

Notes from the FWC

hard packed beach where canoes and kayaks are commonly launched.

Official page

Fishing

66 artificial reefs within 10 miles of the ramp, from the FWC artificial reef program.

Tarpon Key Oyster Reef #1

2.3 mi

Depth
1 ft
Relief
2 ft
GPS
27° 39.941' N, 82° 41.710' W
Material
Fossilized Locally Mined Shell Bags (980)

Tarpon Key Oyster Reef #1

2.6 mi

Depth
1 ft
Relief
2 ft
GPS
27° 40.063' N, 82° 41.396' W
Material
Fossilized Locally Mined Shell Bags (535)

Tarpon Key Oyster Reef #1

2.6 mi

Depth
1 ft
Relief
2 ft
GPS
27° 40.065' N, 82° 41.396' W
Material
Fossilized Locally Mined Shell Bags (535)

Little Bird Key Oyster Reef #3

3.2 mi

Depth
1 ft
Relief
2 ft
GPS
27° 41.105' N, 82° 43.061' W
Material
Fossilized Locally Mined Shell Bags (125)
Show all 66 reefs
ReefDistanceDepthGPS
Tarpon Key Oyster Reef #12.3 mi1 ft27° 39.941' N, 82° 41.710' W
Tarpon Key Oyster Reef #12.6 mi1 ft27° 40.063' N, 82° 41.396' W
Tarpon Key Oyster Reef #12.6 mi1 ft27° 40.065' N, 82° 41.396' W
Little Bird Key Oyster Reef #33.2 mi1 ft27° 41.105' N, 82° 43.061' W
Little Bird Key Oyster Reef #23.2 mi1 ft27° 41.115' N, 82° 43.053' W
Little Bird Key Oyster Reef #13.2 mi1 ft27° 41.134' N, 82° 43.022' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#234.0 mi18 ft27° 35.080' N, 82° 44.540' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#244.0 mi18 ft27° 35.090' N, 82° 44.580' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#164.0 mi18 ft27° 35.070' N, 82° 44.550' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#154.0 mi18 ft27° 35.080' N, 82° 44.590' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #24.0 mi18 ft27° 35.060' N, 82° 44.540' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #44.0 mi18 ft27° 35.050' N, 82° 44.530' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #34.1 mi18 ft27° 35.040' N, 82° 44.570' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #94.1 mi18 ft27° 35.070' N, 82° 44.650' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #14.1 mi18 ft27° 35.060' N, 82° 44.650' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#144.1 mi18 ft27° 35.040' N, 82° 44.60' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#254.1 mi18 ft27° 35.010' N, 82° 44.520' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#224.1 mi18 ft27° 35.070' N, 82° 44.680' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #74.1 mi18 ft27° 35.040' N, 82° 44.640' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #54.1 mi18 ft27° 35.030' N, 82° 44.620' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#84.1 mi18 ft27° 35.050' N, 82° 44.680' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #64.1 mi18 ft27° 35.020' N, 82° 44.640' W
Egmont Key Reef4.1 mi18 ft27° 35.00' N, 82° 44.60' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#264.2 mi18 ft27° 34.980' N, 82° 44.630' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#254.2 mi18 ft27° 34.969' N, 82° 44.680' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #114.2 mi18 ft27° 34.950' N, 82° 44.660' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#134.2 mi18 ft27° 34.950' N, 82° 44.690' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #124.2 mi18 ft27° 34.930' N, 82° 44.660' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #104.2 mi18 ft27° 34.910' N, 82° 44.670' W
The Bulkhead Reef,04-125.9 mi15 ft27° 33.207' N, 82° 42.368' W
Southeast Tampa Bay Bridge Reef6.8 mi15 ft27° 32.869' N, 82° 40.426' W
Southeast Tampa Bay, Site 01-07 Reefballs6.8 mi15 ft27° 32.899' N, 82° 40.342' W
Southeast Tampa, 04-126.8 mi14 ft27° 32.917' N, 82° 40.291' W
FWC-17.8 mi27 ft27° 39.350' N, 82° 50.570' W
FWC-37.9 mi27 ft27° 39.260' N, 82° 50.640' W
FWC-27.9 mi27 ft27° 39.350' N, 82° 50.640' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)8.5 mi19 ft27° 39.750' N, 82° 34.820' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)8.6 mi21 ft27° 39.780' N, 82° 34.820' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)8.6 mi21 ft27° 39.840' N, 82° 34.830' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)8.6 mi20 ft27° 39.708' N, 82° 34.794' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)8.6 mi21 ft27° 39.850' N, 82° 34.820' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)8.6 mi21 ft27° 39.770' N, 82° 34.80' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)8.6 mi19 ft27° 39.790' N, 82° 34.80' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)8.6 mi21 ft27° 39.770' N, 82° 34.790' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)8.6 mi19 ft27° 39.830' N, 82° 34.80' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)8.6 mi21 ft27° 39.860' N, 82° 34.80' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)8.6 mi19 ft27° 39.80' N, 82° 34.780' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)8.6 mi19 ft27° 39.890' N, 82° 34.80' W
Manatee River-Emerson Point,04-188.6 mi10 ft27° 31.836' N, 82° 38.767' W
Port Manatee Site (Bay)8.6 mi17 ft27° 39.738' N, 82° 34.743' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)8.7 mi19 ft27° 39.840' N, 82° 34.710' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)8.7 mi21 ft27° 39.730' N, 82° 34.680' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)8.7 mi21 ft27° 39.730' N, 82° 34.660' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)8.7 mi19 ft27° 39.830' N, 82° 34.670' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)8.7 mi19 ft27° 39.790' N, 82° 34.660' W
St. Pete Beach Site9.3 mi–27° 40.60' N, 82° 51.750' W
St. Pete Beach Site9.3 mi25 ft27° 40.610' N, 82° 51.80' W
St. Pete Beach Site9.4 mi25 ft27° 40.690' N, 82° 51.810' W
St. Pete Beach Site9.4 mi25 ft27° 40.690' N, 82° 51.820' W
St. Pete Beach Site9.4 mi25 ft27° 40.710' N, 82° 51.820' W
St. Pete Beach Site9.4 mi25 ft27° 40.720' N, 82° 51.820' W
St. Pete Beach Site9.4 mi25 ft27° 40.710' N, 82° 51.830' W
St. Pete Beach Site9.4 mi25 ft27° 40.720' N, 82° 51.830' W
St. Pete Beach Site9.4 mi25 ft27° 40.730' N, 82° 51.830' W
St. Pete Beach Site9.4 mi25 ft27° 40.710' N, 82° 51.840' W
Misener Barge9.8 mi25 ft27° 33.00' N, 82° 50.580' W

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Check fishing license and bag limit rules before you go.

Nearby

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Florida Boat Ramp Inventory. Check local signs for current fees and hours.

DirectionsConditions