We paddled Gandy Beach all the time. It had plenty of parking and protected water that worked beautifully for new paddlers, sunset outings, full-moon paddles, and nighttime paddles. The social part of the evening mattered just as much as the miles on the water.
So many people dressed up
This was a Pinellas Paddlers Halloween pre-paddle, and many people showed up in costumes and masks. It turned an already easygoing evening paddle into one of our most colorful outings at Gandy Beach.
The protected route made it ideal for keeping the group together as daylight faded.
The famous Kattitude
The Kattitude sat along this shoreline for a couple of years and became one of the best-known sights on the route. Paddlers regularly stopped beside it for photographs. After Hurricane Ian, the boat sank, making these photographs part of the history of a familiar local landmark.
Perfect for new paddlers and night paddles
Gandy Beach was one of our best places for introducing people to kayaking and paddleboarding. The route could be shortened or lengthened, and the protected shoreline helped new paddlers stay comfortable.
It was equally good for full-moon paddles and nighttime outings, with simple navigation and no demanding open-water crossing.
Drinks and dinner afterward
We parked at The Getaway, launched nearby, and nearly always stayed for drinks and dinner after the paddle. There was plenty of parking, and the waterfront tables, palms, and string lights made it an easy place for everyone to regroup.
The meal afterward became part of the tradition and often lasted as long as the paddle itself.
Houseboats, mangroves, and quiet coves
The route was never just about distance. There were houseboats, little coves, mangrove shorelines, and changing views as the evening light softened. Stopping to look around was more important than keeping a fast pace.
Almost impossible to get lost
The blue-lined areas on the map are solid landmasses and mangrove islands, not open channels. Because the paddle stays in the surrounding open water, those landmasses provide constant visual reference points. That makes this an unusually straightforward place to navigate, even for people paddling here for the first time.
Click for the full-size route map.
October 13, 2023
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