Clam Bayou Nature Preserve - Kayak Launch — Attraction in Saint Petersburg

UPDATE: There is signage!

Located just east of the Gulfport Marina, small Clam Bayou invites for a stroll and picnic under the roof of a newer gazebo or for a paddle on the water by kayak or canoe. If you rent a kayak from the predominant local outfit, you will get a map to navigate the maze, but if you are bringing your own, you will be on your own. Unlike the fantastic trail at Weedon Island, this preserve has no signage and passage through tunnels will be a hit and miss. Some pink wool thread markings here and there, but nothing official and we had to double back a few times. All part of the adventure, but it sure would be nice to have some official signage. :) From the kayak launch you can find your way through mangrove tunnels and open water to downtown Gulfport and stop for some food & drink, before making your way back. Wildlife galore! UPDATE 5/17/2021: Formal signage has been installed - yay! Have not kayaked the newly marked trail yet, but looking forward to go soon! Share your...

There are two Clam Bayou kayak launch locations searchable on Google - go to the Miriam St one, to launch a kayak....not this one

The kayak launch here is absurd - definitely not designed by a kayaker. You need wheels to roll your yak down a long ramp to a floating metal dock with a bizarre launch platform. You must totally lift your yak up and over rails, and set it down in a trough - then try to get in while it floats free. I foolishly tried it, the boat tipped and I slipped in against a sharp metal object underwater.

It cut a big gash in my leg, and the next day I had a fever of 103° and my lower leg started turning red. Got put on heavy antibiotics for almost a month. I knew better but tried it anyway.

Launch your yak at the 2901 Miriam St S. launch site, next to the marina. The launch is simple, easy to use and and easy to miss - just to the left of the marina. You'll see a kayak wash stand and a little cut, down a slope to the left, in the mangroves - that's it!

★★★★★ for the...

Desolate and Murky Waters Looking to explore beyond our usual trips to Weedon Island we chose this spot based on google reviews. There appears to be two access points to the waterways. The park to the west seems to be more accommodating based on the reviews. We, unfortunately, found our way to the kayak launch site to the east. The approach is through a desolate road in a transitional neighborhood. At the end of the road are 5 parking spots. Mixed into the gravel was mechanical trash and used condoms. We pushed on into the water. While very quiet it was also incredibly dirty. Our kids usually like to swim when we kayak and we didn’t even want to touch the water. Granted we haven’t had a good rain in almost a month. The low waters gave way to visually see the huge storm drains dumping into the bayou. I suspect this is a water runoff area that dumps into the bay. There was some native wildlife and the bay view of the Don Cesar is picturesque. Otherwise the paddling...