For Hillsborough County anglers, Davis Island Public Boat Ramp is a go-to saltwater ramp on Tampa Bay - Hillsborough Bay. The surrounding water rewards early starts, and this launch keeps you close to the action without a long idle out to the good stuff. With 4 launch lanes, it can handle a busy weekend crowd without the usual bottleneck. As of the last FWC inventory update, launching is free here.
At a glance
- County
- Hillsborough
- City
- Tampa
- Waterbody
- Tampa Bay - Hillsborough Bay
- Water type
- Salt or Brackish Water
- Ramp type
- Stand Alone Ramp
- Launch lanes
- 4
- Ramp surface
- Concrete
- Dock
- Both Launch and Staging Dock
- Parking surface
- Paved - Asphalt or Concrete
- Trailer parking
- 24
- Restroom
- Portable Toilet
- Fee required
- No
- Managed by
- City of Tampa
- Status
- Open for Business
- Hours
- 24 Hours
Address: 864 Severn Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33606 · Coordinates: 27.910753, -82.446051
Where it is
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Marker location from the FWC boat ramp inventory.
What to know before you launch
- Rinse your trailer and engine with fresh water after launching in salt — corrosion is the enemy on Florida's coast.
- Even with multiple lanes, prep in the staging area first so you're not tying up a lane while loading gear.
- Always check current tides, wind, and marine forecasts before you launch — Florida afternoons can turn stormy fast.
Tides at the nearest station
The closest NOAA tide station is Old Port Tampa, about 7 miles away. Here are today's predicted highs and lows (referenced to MLLW):
Gear for a day on Tampa Bay - Hillsborough Bay
Heading out from Davis Island Public Boat Ramp? A few essentials make any Florida launch smoother — a reliable chartplotter, a properly sized life jacket for everyone aboard, and a cooler that survives the heat.
- Best marine GPS chartplotters — navigate the flats and channels with confidence.
- Best life jackets (PFDs) — Florida law requires one per person aboard.
- Best coolers for boats — keep your catch and drinks cold in the sun.