City Guides: Things to do While Boating in St. Petersburg, Florida

St. Petersburg floats like a bubble off Florida’s West Coast between Tampa Bay and the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Part of Pinellas County, it sits across the bay west of Tampa between Sarasota to the south and Clearwater to the north.

All that waterfront access makes it a prime boating destination and a stunning stop for sunset shots as well as deep-sea fishing charters, dolphin tours, pirate ship excursions and all sorts of beaches and keys to explore from private boat dock rental around St. Pete Beach. Is it any wonder it answers to the nickname Sunshine City?

Between the St. Pete Pier, the Gulf Fishing Pier, the Bert and Walter Williams Pier and Skyway Fishing Pier State Park (the world’s longest fishing pier, located on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge), there’s really no end to the amount of fishing one can do in St. Pete. There’s more than fishing and watersports, though. Let’s check it out!

The Dali (Salvador Dali Museum)

Photo: Wikimedia

Melting clocks, bizarre creatures and otherwise trippy and drippy art can all be found at the Dali Museum. Explore more than 2,400 photographs, prints, object, drawings and paintings by Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali as well as student surrealism exhibits, virtual reality experiences and Dali’s art through the technology of artificial intelligence (AI).

There’s also an “avant-garden,” where you can explore the relation between math and nature through manicured labyrinth pathways. Check out the fountain of youth, Mediterranean and subtropical Florida plants and a grotto surrounded by moss, rippling water and tropical plants.

Located on the downtown waterfront along Tampa Bay’s South Yacht Basin, the building itself is a work of art, sporting 900 glass panels bubbling out from a stone-like structure. We think the whole site makes a super cool place to visit from a private boat dock rental.

Fort De Soto Park

Photo: Sandy Allen

Fort De Soto Park, just south of St. Pete Beach, is made up of five connected keys/islands: Madeleine Key, St. Jean Key, St. Christopher Key, Bonne Fortune Key and Mullet Key (the main island). The beach has been named a #1 Beach by the world-famous Dr. Beach (quite an honorary distinction, we must say).

Explore the bunks and cannons of the historic fort (construction was completed in 1900), which was built to store batteries of artillery and mortar used to protect Tampa Bay. It was also an Army Air Force gunnery and bombing training center during World War II.

The park has camping sites, picnic areas, beautiful white sand beaches and paved walking trails. There’s also a boat ramp if you trailer your boat from a private boat slip for rent.

Museum of Fine Arts

Photo: Museum of Fine Arts (Facebook)

The Museum of Fine Arts features African, European and American paintings, pottery, photography, sculpture, textiles and other works of art by artists such as Georgia O’Keefe, August Rodin, Kehinde Wiley, Claude Monet, Jacob Lawrence and many more. In fact, it’s home to the largest art collection in Florida. It’s located just up the street from the Dali Museum near the North Yacht Museum. So, you could make a day of it before heading back to a boat lift rental, marina or hotel.

The Chihuly Collection

Photo: Morean Arts Center (Facebook)

Presented by the Morean Arts Center (which is across the street), the Chihuly Collection features the fine art glass works of Dale Chihuly. This is a must-do for fans of Chihuly’s colorful, elaborate and delicate glass sculptures. The building was designed specifically for large-scale works like the specially created Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier and the Mille Fiori as well as popular pieces like Tumbleweeds, Persians and Niijima Floats.

The museum is part of the Waterfront Arts District, just a few blocks back from Bayshore Drive, the St. Petersburg Sailing Center, the St. Pete Pier and the Central Yacht Basin. There’s an admission fee to Chihuly. The Morean Arts Center is free.

Check out contemporary art at the Morean Arts Center and visit the Morean Glass Studio (where you can take a class, watch artists in residence or buy a few pieces to take home) or the Morean Center for Clay (one of the largest pottery centers in the US) while you’re there.

Sunken Gardens

Photo: Sunken Gardens (Facebook)

St. Pete’s Sunken Gardens features four acres of more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers among a setting of waterfalls, wildlife and a flock of flamingos. All in the middle of downtown St. Pete. This botanical paradise is nearly 100 years old and has some of the oldest tropical plants in the region. It’s a relaxing spot to visit from a private dock for rent in St. Pete.

Are you ready to book a trip to St. Pete? We are too! Sunshine city sure has a lot to offer boaters, art lovers, sightseers and nature enthusiasts. Whether you’re in town for a long weekend, spending a week at a private boat dock rental or passing through along the Gulf ICW, don’t miss some of these great attractions. Happy boating!