Paddle launch · St. Petersburg · Pinellas County

Fort DeSoto Park - Soldier Hole - Kayak Rentals and Launch

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

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Fee$5 per day

WaterSalt or brackish

How to payPay the attendant on site.

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 - Soldier Hole - Kayak Rentals and Launch

Aerial view of Fort DeSoto Park - Soldier Hole - Kayak Rentals and Launch — The ramp, seen from above · Imagery: USDA NAIP via USGS The National Map (public domain)

About this ramp

Fort DeSoto Park - Soldier Hole - Kayak Rentals and Launch 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. There is no dock.

Fees, parking and hours

The launch fee is $5 per day. Pay the attendant on site. Hours: 7:00 AM to Sunset, Daily.

Facilities

Restrooms: Flush Toilet. Accessibility: No Accommodations for Accessibility. Amenities: grill, picnic.

Official page

Fishing

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

Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#23

2.4 mi

Depth: 18 ft
Relief: 8 ft
GPS: 27° 35.080' N, 82° 44.540' W
Material: Bridge Spans

Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#24

2.4 mi

Depth: 18 ft
Relief: 8 ft
GPS: 27° 35.090' N, 82° 44.580' W
Material: Bridge Spans

Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#16

2.4 mi

Depth: 18 ft
Relief: 8 ft
GPS: 27° 35.070' N, 82° 44.550' W
Material: Bridge Spans

Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#15

2.4 mi

Depth: 18 ft
Relief: 8 ft
GPS: 27° 35.080' N, 82° 44.590' W
Material: Bridge Spans

Show all 92 reefs

Reef	Distance	Depth	GPS
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#23	2.4 mi	18 ft	27° 35.080' N, 82° 44.540' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#24	2.4 mi	18 ft	27° 35.090' N, 82° 44.580' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#16	2.4 mi	18 ft	27° 35.070' N, 82° 44.550' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#15	2.4 mi	18 ft	27° 35.080' N, 82° 44.590' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #2	2.4 mi	18 ft	27° 35.060' N, 82° 44.540' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #4	2.4 mi	18 ft	27° 35.050' N, 82° 44.530' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #9	2.4 mi	18 ft	27° 35.070' N, 82° 44.650' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #3	2.4 mi	18 ft	27° 35.040' N, 82° 44.570' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #1	2.4 mi	18 ft	27° 35.060' N, 82° 44.650' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#22	2.4 mi	18 ft	27° 35.070' N, 82° 44.680' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#14	2.4 mi	18 ft	27° 35.040' N, 82° 44.60' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#25	2.4 mi	18 ft	27° 35.010' N, 82° 44.520' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #7	2.4 mi	18 ft	27° 35.040' N, 82° 44.640' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #5	2.5 mi	18 ft	27° 35.030' N, 82° 44.620' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#8	2.5 mi	18 ft	27° 35.050' N, 82° 44.680' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #6	2.5 mi	18 ft	27° 35.020' N, 82° 44.640' W
Egmont Key Reef	2.5 mi	18 ft	27° 35.00' N, 82° 44.60' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#26	2.5 mi	18 ft	27° 34.980' N, 82° 44.630' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#25	2.5 mi	18 ft	27° 34.969' N, 82° 44.680' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #11	2.6 mi	18 ft	27° 34.950' N, 82° 44.660' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#13	2.6 mi	18 ft	27° 34.950' N, 82° 44.690' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #12	2.6 mi	18 ft	27° 34.930' N, 82° 44.660' W
Egmont Key Reef (Bay), #10	2.6 mi	18 ft	27° 34.910' N, 82° 44.670' W
Tarpon Key Oyster Reef #1	3.9 mi	1 ft	27° 39.941' N, 82° 41.710' W
Tarpon Key Oyster Reef #1	4.2 mi	1 ft	27° 40.063' N, 82° 41.396' W
Tarpon Key Oyster Reef #1	4.2 mi	1 ft	27° 40.065' N, 82° 41.396' W
The Bulkhead Reef,04-12	4.6 mi	15 ft	27° 33.207' N, 82° 42.368' W
Little Bird Key Oyster Reef #3	4.7 mi	1 ft	27° 41.105' N, 82° 43.061' W
Little Bird Key Oyster Reef #2	4.7 mi	1 ft	27° 41.115' N, 82° 43.053' W
Little Bird Key Oyster Reef #1	4.8 mi	1 ft	27° 41.134' N, 82° 43.022' W
Southeast Tampa Bay Bridge Reef	5.9 mi	15 ft	27° 32.869' N, 82° 40.426' W
Southeast Tampa Bay, Site 01-07 Reefballs	5.9 mi	15 ft	27° 32.899' N, 82° 40.342' W
Southeast Tampa, 04-12	5.9 mi	14 ft	27° 32.917' N, 82° 40.291' W
FWC-1	7.5 mi	27 ft	27° 39.350' N, 82° 50.570' W
FWC-3	7.5 mi	27 ft	27° 39.260' N, 82° 50.640' W
FWC-2	7.5 mi	27 ft	27° 39.350' N, 82° 50.640' W
Manatee River-Emerson Point,04-18	7.8 mi	10 ft	27° 31.836' N, 82° 38.767' W
Misener Barge	8.4 mi	25 ft	27° 33.00' N, 82° 50.580' W
1 Mile Reef	8.6 mi	27 ft	27° 29.50' N, 82° 44.00' W
1 Mile Reef, Site 03--1	8.7 mi	22 ft	27° 29.434' N, 82° 44.156' W
1 Mile Reef, Site 3-13	8.7 mi	22 ft	27° 29.426' N, 82° 44.00' W
1 Mile Reef, Site 03-ER	8.7 mi	22 ft	27° 29.410' N, 82° 44.080' W
Bridge Reef 2022	8.7 mi	34 ft	27° 30.987' N, 82° 48.983' W
1 Mile Reef, Site 3-8	8.8 mi	22 ft	27° 29.40' N, 82° 44.120' W
1 Mile Reef, Site 03--2	8.8 mi	22 ft	27° 29.394' N, 82° 44.118' W
1 Mile Reef, Site 3-12	8.8 mi	22 ft	27° 29.387' N, 82° 44.038' W
1 Mile Reef, Site 3-10	8.8 mi	22 ft	27° 29.387' N, 82° 44.077' W
3 Mile Reef -North (B Reef)	8.8 mi	30 ft	27° 29.960' N, 82° 47.040' W
Bridge Nov24_Site2	8.8 mi	34 ft	27° 30.978' N, 82° 49.012' W
1 Mile Reef, Site 05-7	8.8 mi	22 ft	27° 29.370' N, 82° 44.080' W
3 Mile North Bridge Reef	8.8 mi	31 ft	27° 29.904' N, 82° 46.946' W
Bridge Nov24_Site1	8.8 mi	34 ft	27° 30.920' N, 82° 48.965' W
Jim's Gift (June 2020)	8.8 mi	33 ft	27° 30.974' N, 82° 49.049' W
1 Mile Reef, Site 05-6	8.8 mi	22 ft	27° 29.336' N, 82° 44.00' W
Sean Gucken (June 2020)	8.8 mi	33 ft	27° 30.924' N, 82° 49.026' W
1 Mile Reef, Site 05-1	8.8 mi	22 ft	27° 29.336' N, 82° 44.160' W
1 Mile Reef, Site 05-5	8.9 mi	22 ft	27° 29.315' N, 82° 44.010' W
1 Mile Reef, Site 05-4	8.9 mi	22 ft	27° 29.315' N, 82° 44.050' W
1 Mile Reef, Site 05-3	8.9 mi	22 ft	27° 29.315' N, 82° 44.090' W
1 Mile Reef, Site 05-2	8.9 mi	22 ft	27° 29.315' N, 82° 44.150' W
BridgeJUL25_SCenter	8.9 mi	32 ft	27° 30.840' N, 82° 49.026' W
BRI3S-21-08	8.9 mi	34 ft	27° 30.864' N, 82° 49.098' W
St. Pete Beach Site	9.1 mi	–	27° 40.60' N, 82° 51.750' W
1 Mile Reef	9.1 mi	21 ft	27° 29.059' N, 82° 44.119' W
3 Mile Reef North	9.2 mi	30 ft	27° 29.570' N, 82° 47.00' W
St. Pete Beach Site	9.2 mi	25 ft	27° 40.610' N, 82° 51.80' W
St. Pete Beach Site	9.2 mi	25 ft	27° 40.690' N, 82° 51.810' W
St. Pete Beach Site	9.2 mi	25 ft	27° 40.690' N, 82° 51.820' W
St. Pete Beach Site	9.3 mi	25 ft	27° 40.710' N, 82° 51.820' W
St. Pete Beach Site	9.3 mi	25 ft	27° 40.720' N, 82° 51.820' W
St. Pete Beach Site	9.3 mi	25 ft	27° 40.710' N, 82° 51.830' W
St. Pete Beach Site	9.3 mi	25 ft	27° 40.720' N, 82° 51.830' W
St. Pete Beach Site	9.3 mi	25 ft	27° 40.710' N, 82° 51.840' W
St. Pete Beach Site	9.3 mi	25 ft	27° 40.730' N, 82° 51.830' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)	9.7 mi	19 ft	27° 39.750' N, 82° 34.820' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)	9.7 mi	20 ft	27° 39.708' N, 82° 34.794' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)	9.7 mi	21 ft	27° 39.780' N, 82° 34.820' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)	9.7 mi	21 ft	27° 39.840' N, 82° 34.830' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)	9.7 mi	21 ft	27° 39.770' N, 82° 34.80' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)	9.7 mi	19 ft	27° 39.790' N, 82° 34.80' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)	9.7 mi	21 ft	27° 39.770' N, 82° 34.790' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)	9.7 mi	21 ft	27° 39.850' N, 82° 34.820' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)	9.7 mi	19 ft	27° 39.830' N, 82° 34.80' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)	9.7 mi	19 ft	27° 39.80' N, 82° 34.780' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)	9.7 mi	21 ft	27° 39.860' N, 82° 34.80' W
Port Manatee Site (Bay)	9.7 mi	17 ft	27° 39.738' N, 82° 34.743' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)	9.7 mi	19 ft	27° 39.890' N, 82° 34.80' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)	9.8 mi	21 ft	27° 39.730' N, 82° 34.680' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)	9.8 mi	19 ft	27° 39.840' N, 82° 34.710' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)	9.8 mi	21 ft	27° 39.730' N, 82° 34.660' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)	9.8 mi	19 ft	27° 39.790' N, 82° 34.660' W
Port Manatee Reef (Bay)	9.8 mi	19 ft	27° 39.830' N, 82° 34.670' W

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

Nearby

Marinas

Galati Yacht basin6.2 mi

O'Neil's Marina6.9 mi

Eckerd College Waterfront7.2 mi

Nearest fuel docks

Gulfport Municipal Marina8.7 mi

Bradenton Yacht Club9.6 mi

Harborage Marina11.3 mi

Other ramps nearby

Fort DeSoto Park - Mullet Key Bayou - Paddlecraft Launch0.3 mi

Fort Desoto Park - Madelaine Key Paddlecraft Access - West1.7 mi

Fort Desoto Park - Madelaine Key Paddlecraft Access - South1.7 mi

All ramps on Tampa Bay Ramps in Pinellas County Ramps in St. Petersburg

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

Directions Conditions