Pinellas Paddlers to Caladesi

An evening paddle in golden light

On August 24, 2023, the Pinellas Paddlers headed toward Caladesi for the kind of summer outing that makes Tampa Bay paddling special. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards moved across calm water as the late-afternoon sun turned the entire crossing gold.

This was as much a social trip as a paddle. The group traveled together, paused near the island in warm shallow water, cooled off, visited, photographed the sunset and then started back as dusk settled over the Gulf.

DateThursday, August 24, 2023

DestinationCaladesi Island and nearby shallows

GroupPinellas Paddlers, with Buddyboy

Setting out together

The fleet included sea kayaks, recreational kayaks and a colorful collection of paddleboards. Everyone spread out enough to enjoy the open water while remaining part of the group. The low sun made each paddler a silhouette and painted a bright path toward the western horizon.

Pinellas Paddlers crossing calm water at sunset — #2 Pinellas Paddlers spread across the calm water beneath a glowing sunset sky.

Large gathering of brown pelicans on the water — #6 A large gathering of brown pelicans rests and fishes in the shallow water.

Wildlife along the way

Caladesi and the surrounding flats are never only about the destination. A large group of brown pelicans gathered on the water, while other seabirds crossed above the paddlers. Moving quietly under human power gave everyone a close look without disturbing the birds' evening routine.

Kayaker paddling into bright sunlight — #7 A lone kayaker paddles directly through the dazzling path of sunlight.

The best sunset paddles are unhurried: enough time to cross, explore the shallows, enjoy the company and watch the sky change minute by minute.

The Caladesi gathering

At the shallow-water stop, the boats became a floating meeting place. Boards and kayaks clustered along the sandbar, the Pinellas Paddlers flag flew above the group, and people stepped into the water to swim and talk. It was an easygoing summer evening with no reason to rush.

Paddleboards gathering beside the club flag — **#19** Colorful boards cluster as everyone reaches the shallow-water stop.

Paddlers swimming and visiting at a sandbar — **#30** The warm shallows invite the group to cool off and socialize.

Buddyboy's front-row seat

Buddyboy was right in the middle of the adventure. He rode comfortably among the kayaks, watched the activity from the bow and posed against the sunset. With calm water and friends all around, he looked completely at home as part of the paddling crew.

Buddyboy standing on the bow of a kayak — **#32** Buddyboy balances confidently on the bow with the group behind him.

Sunset, then the return

As the sun dropped from orange to red, phones and cameras came out and the fleet lined the beach. Soon it was time to launch again. The final paddlers crossed beneath the fading glow, carrying the last daylight back across the water.

Paddlers photographing an orange sunset — **#39** Paddlers photograph the last bright minutes of the day.

Paddlers silhouetted beneath the final red sunset — **#45** The last paddlers cross the sunset glow before daylight fades.

The complete paddle — all 50 photos

Tap any photograph to open the larger image.

Buddyboy resting — #1 Buddyboy rests before the evening paddle begins.

Paddlers at sunset — #2 Pinellas Paddlers spread across calm water beneath a glowing sunset sky.

Paddler silhouettes — #3 Paddlers become silhouettes in the bright reflection west of the causeway.

Sun over Gulf horizon — #4 The hazy late-day sun hangs above the low Gulf horizon.

Group in golden light — #5 The group crosses a band of golden water on the way toward Caladesi.

Brown pelicans gathering — #6 A large gathering of brown pelicans rests and fishes in the shallows.

Kayaker in sun glare — #7 A lone kayaker paddles directly through the dazzling path of sunlight.

Paddleboarder silhouette — #8 A stand-up paddler is framed by the sun and its reflection.

#9 Two paddleboarders move easily across the smooth evening water.

Paddleboarder close-up — **#10** A nearby paddleboarder strokes past in warm backlight.

**#11** Kayak and paddleboard travel side by side toward the island.

Group crossing — **#12** The main group keeps together during the open-water crossing.

Paddlers beneath sun — **#13** Small figures on the water emphasize the broad evening sky.

**#14** Kayaks and paddleboards share calm water as the sun begins to descend.

View from kayak bow — **#15** The bow points toward friends gathered in the sunlit distance.

Approaching sandbar — **#16** The group approaches the shallow sandbar near Caladesi.

Two SUP paddlers — **#17** Two Pinellas Paddlers cruise together on stand-up boards.

Club flag on paddleboard — **#18** A paddler carries the Pinellas Paddlers flag toward the gathering place.

Boards gathering — **#19** Colorful boards cluster as everyone reaches the shallow-water stop.

Group on sandbar — **#20** The group steps off the boards and gathers on the sandbar.

Sandbar silhouettes — **#21** Paddlers and the club flag stand out against the low sun.

Kayaker arriving — **#22** A kayaker glides into the shallows to join the group.

SUP paddler in blue — **#23** A paddleboarder in blue holds position near the sandbar.

Paddler portrait — **#24** A relaxed paddleboarder pauses for a portrait on the water.

Pinellas Paddler close-up — **#25** A close portrait captures one of the Pinellas Paddlers during the stop.

Paddler with board — **#26** A paddler stands beside his board in the quiet shallows.

Buddyboy and kayaks — **#27** Buddyboy watches the sunset from among the colorful kayaks.

Buddyboy at sunset — **#28** Buddyboy gets a front-row seat as the sun nears the horizon.

Buddyboy watching group — **#29** Buddyboy looks toward the paddlers gathering in waist-deep water.

Swimming at sandbar — **#30** The warm shallows invite the group to cool off and socialize.

Group in water — **#31** Friends linger in the water while boats float close at hand.

Buddyboy on kayak bow — **#32** Buddyboy balances confidently on the bow with the group behind him.

Kayaker and orange sun — **#33** A kayaker is silhouetted beneath a deep orange sun.

Kayaker sunset silhouette — **#34** The paddle blade and kayak form a dark outline on glowing water.

Kayaker in shallows — **#35** A paddler sits in a kayak while a friend steadies the boat.

Buddyboy sunset portrait — **#36** Buddyboy poses in the foreground as the group enjoys the sunset.

Helping kayaker launch — **#37** A paddler receives a hand while turning the kayak toward open water.

Boats lined on shore — **#38** Kayaks and boards line the sand as the orange sky deepens.

Paddlers photographing sunset — **#39** Paddlers photograph the last bright minutes of the day.

Colorful boat lineup — **#40** A colorful fleet fills the beach at the Caladesi stop.

Beach at dusk — **#41** Visitors stand along the shoreline in the soft light after sunset.

Sunset beach scene — **#42** Families and paddlers share the peaceful beach at dusk.

Group with paddleboards — **#43** The Pinellas Paddlers gather with their boards in the shallow water.

Return paddle at dusk — **#44** The return trip begins beneath a red-orange sky.

Final sunset silhouettes — **#45** The last paddlers cross the sunset glow before daylight fades.

#46 The Pinellas Paddlers emblem identifies the evening's crew.

Friends in shallows — **#47** Friends laugh together during the relaxed sandbar gathering.

Group and kayaks — **#48** The group poses informally beside kayaks pulled into the shallows.

Friends celebrating — **#49** A cheerful moment captures the social spirit of the paddle.

Buddyboy riding home — **#50** Buddyboy sits tall on the ride back across the calm water.