One of the great natural harbors of the world, Tampa Bay extends about 25 miles north to south and about 10 miles east to west. It has two major cities (Tampa and St. Petersburg) and several large rivers that meander in from the east and north. Fringing the west side of the coast and extending northward is a pencil-thin chain of barrier islands with resort communities famous for their Gulf shore beaches.

Tampa Bay comprises three vast bodies of water–Tampa Bay proper, Old Tampa Bay to the northwest and Hillsborough Bay to the northeast–all providing excellent cruising. Lower Tampa Bay opens to the Gulf of Mexico but enjoys the protection of barrier islands. Old Tampa Bay reaches northwest from Tampa Bay to the shoal water around Safety Harbor and Mobbly Bay. Hillsborough Bay branches off to the northeast between Interbay Peninsula and the mainland to serve the city of Tampa, Ybor City and Davis Islands with their extensive shipping and industrial areas.

From the open mouth of Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg lies due north with metropolitan Tampa to the northeast. Each dominates one of the two big peninsulas that pierce the bay. Pinellas to the west extends about 45 miles from the southern edge of St. Petersburg almost to Tarpon Springs. MacDill Air Force Base occupies the southern tip of Interbay, the second peninsula (about 3 miles wide and 10 miles long).

For the cruising skipper Tampa Bay is a welcome change from the confines of the GIWW. Here there are some 300 square miles of cruising waters, Gulf fishing, interesting ports, pleasant anchorages, good yacht facilities and superb sailing.

No Wake Zones, Idle Speed Zones and various Speed Limit restrictions are in effect throughout the waterways included in this article. 

Anna Maria Island | GIWW Mile 89

Lovely Anna Maria Island is noted for its white sandy beaches, good tarpon fishing and premium restaurants. The island lies between Sarasota Bay on the south, Anna Maria Sound (separating the island from the mainland at the towns of Cortez and Bradenton) and Tampa Bay on the north. Cruisers can reach Tampa Bay and points north either directly from the Gulf of Mexico or via the inside GIWW route from Sarasota Bay.

Side Trip: Egmont Key | GIWW Mile 95

Square in the middle of the entrance to Tampa Bay lies Egmont Key, 3 miles off the tip of Anna Maria Island. The island is a bird sanctuary and you will also see a lot of gopher tortoises, which are on the endangered species list. Unfettered wandering is discouraged. Egmont Key is a popular daytime anchorage that gets crowded on the weekends in the summer. You can anchor close to shore on the southeast end of the island and dinghy in. As an overnight anchorage the waters on the east side off Egmont may be uncomfortable when an evening breeze kicks in and creates a lee shore. The bottom is hard sand with good holding.

City of Tampa

Tampa is a major business center also known for its museums and other cultural offerings. The downtown is alive with urban parks, including the gorgeous Tampa Riverwalk, hip bars and innovative restaurants, shopping and amazing restorations of turn-of-the-century buildings. The historic Ybor City neighborhood, developed by Cuban and Spanish cigar-factory workers at the turn of the 20th century, is a dining and nightlife destination. Cuban culture is found in Tampa's art, music, architecture and coffee. ​

Old Tampa Bay

On the opposite side of Interbay Peninsula from the City of Tampa is Old Tampa Bay, which is crossed by three bridges. Marine facilities are located at Port Tampa before the southernmost bridge (Gandy Bridges) with 43-foot vertical clearance.

City of St. Petersburg

Facilities of one kind or another line all sides of the peninsula in St. Petersburg (often referred to as St. Pete). Boaters heading up Tampa Bay reach the marinas at the south end first but there are also facilities downtown on the east side of the peninsula and in Boca Ciega Bay on the west side.

As with most larger cities, St. Petersburg boasts an exciting arts and food scene, professional sporting events, a variety of museums and a serious nightlife. Start your exploration on the very walkable Bayshore Dr., a picturesque street with shops, restaurants and waterfront views. Take a tour of the historic Vinoy Hotel a beautiful, historic hotel that has been a St. Petersburg landmark since the 1920s. 

Not only does St. Pete have the largest public waterfront park system of any U.S. city, it's also an easy city to negotiate by foot or public transportation. The downtown "Looper" trolley (727-821-5166) stops at many of the tourist spots and downtown locations every 15 minutes for a nominal charge. The public bus service (PSTA, 727-540-1800) can get you around the rest of the city in all-electric buses.

Ready to explore the Tampa Bay area? Learn more in Chapter 2 of Waterway Guide's Gulf Coast Edition. Shop now in the Ship Store.