Weedon Island Preserve
Weedon Island is a 3,700 acre preserve located in the northeast corner of the Pinellas peninsula along the coast of Tampa Bay, 15 minutes north of downtown St. Pete. This location has beautiful mangrove islands, broad, shallow, sandy flats and some of the longest mangrove tunnels in the world. Admission to the preserve and parking are free, but keep in mind pets are not allowed within the preserve.
Lets look at a couple activities available to enjoy during your time in the preserve!
Activities to Explore at Weedon Island
- Weedon Island Walking Trails - Weedon Island has extensive walking trails available to the public and each trail is slightly different than the next. The variety of the trail systems is the number one reason I love exploring the walking trails at Weedon. For those who prefer a paved trail there are sections which are fully paved. For others who like to go off-road a bit, myself included, there are plenty of trails made up fully of sand paths. A personal favorite of mine is the South Boyscout Trail. It has an enjoyable mix of stretches of open sun to fully covered terrain through deep mangrove forests. Click here for a Weedon Island Trail map.
- Fishing at Weedon Island – Weedon Island boasts some of the best locations in St. Pete for fishing! Weedon’s shallow flats surrounding the mangrove forest provides the perfect environment for prized game species to breed and thrive. Mangrove roots are famous for their ability to create habitat for game fish, prey fish, crabs, and other native species. Fishing along these roots creates an opportunity for anglers to catch snook, redfish, and mangrove snapper among many other fish species. At Ecomersion we have fishing kayaks available to rent with rod holders included. Ask our team members on-site about the best bait and fishing spots in Weedon Island Preserve.
- Kayaking at Weedon Island – Weedon Island Preserve has one of the best kayaking trails in Florida! Known as the “South paddling trail”, it is an approximately 4 mile long kayaking loop through the mangrove forest with clear trail markers numbered to mark your progress the whole way around. The trail markers go from 1 – 38, and the whole trail takes about 3-4 hours to complete. If you have your own kayak, there is a public launch at the end of the main road and a few parking spots where you can unload and launch. If you do not own your own kayak, no need to worry! Ecomersion is on site 9am-5pm, 7 days a week! We have the best kayak rentals in St. Pete, and our launch site is across the road from the Cultural and Natural History Center. We recommend you call ahead or reserve with us online.
- Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center – This educational center is one of the hidden gems of activities in Weedon Island. The Cultural and Natural History Center is a fantastic way to learn about the prehistoric people groups that thrived on this land as early as 5,000 BC, as well as the native plants and animals that call Weedon Island home. Research has taught us that the natural mangrove forest environment benefits us in a variety of way. In the Center you will get to explore an interactive exhibit that showcases all the ways that the mangrove ecosystem benefits us today and how the animals and plants work together to support each other. You will also learn how the Manasota people interacted with this environment to create tools, weapons, and sources of travel such as canoes over the last 7,000 years. With such a large exhibit, a small gift shop, and a friendly, helpful staff, the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center is totally worth stopping by!
The Tampa Bay region is full of beautiful natural environments to dive in and explore. With the variety and unique opportunities presented by Weedon Island, we hope you get the chance to stop by!
