For Pinellas County anglers, Fort Desoto Park Boat Ramp is a go-to saltwater ramp on Tampa Bay - Bunces Pass. 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 22 launch lanes, it can handle a busy weekend crowd without the usual bottleneck. As of the last FWC inventory update, a launch fee applies here.
At a glance
- County
- Pinellas
- City
- Saint Petersburg
- Waterbody
- Tampa Bay - Bunces Pass
- Water type
- Salt or Brackish Water
- Ramp type
- Stand Alone Ramp
- Launch lanes
- 22
- Ramp surface
- Concrete
- Dock
- Launch Dock
- Parking surface
- Paved - Asphalt or Concrete
- Trailer parking
- 383
- Restroom
- Flush Toilet
- Fee required
- Yes
- Managed by
- Pinellas County
- Status
- Open for Business
- Hours
- 24 Hours
Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33715 · Coordinates: 27.645885, -82.716923
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 Port Manatee, about 9 miles away. Here are today's predicted highs and lows (referenced to MLLW):
Gear for a day on Tampa Bay - Bunces Pass
Heading out from Fort Desoto Park 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.