Areas to Avoid in Tampa and Tierra Verde by Boat

Boating on Florida’s West Coast offers stunning views and exciting destinations! However, some areas require extra caution to ensure a smooth and safe boating experience. Shallow waters, restricted zones, and shifting shoals can pose risks for even experienced boaters.

At Gulfstream Boat Club, your safety is always our priority. We spoke with Cindy, our West Coast club manager, to highlight key areas to avoid in Tampa and Tierra Verde by boat, navigation tips, and best practices to help our boat club members stay safe on the water.

Tampa

Weedon Island

Situated in old Tampa Bay, the waters surrounding Weedon Island are known for their shallow depth. Boats should be cautious and adhere to marked channels to avoid grounding. 

Reminder: Detailed maps are on board all our boats and GPS tools like Garmin!

MacDill Airfare Base

The waters surrounding MacDill are patrolled daily. Civilian boats are NOT allowed within seven miles of the base. There are also not allowed out 1,000-2,000 yards in some areas.

The Air Force has put up large poles along the shoreline to let boaters know where they should not cross. Boaters can face fines of up to $300 if they enter restricted areas.

Beer Can Island

This is a popular destination and often attracts numerous boaters, especially on weekends! Beer Can Island also has a lot of shallow areas around the island which can pose risks to boaters, especially during low tide.

The island is also near a busy shipping channel where large cargo ships pass. It is important that members anchor on the opposite side of the channel so in the case of passing by cargo ships, their boat does not get displaced by the water.

Exposed Shallow Near MacDill

Heading south from our Tampa location, approaching channel markers 5 and 6, parallel to MacDill, there is a small piece of land that becomes exposed depending on the tide cycle. This area is marked on GBC maps, and boaters must follow the channel markers to avoid running aground.

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Tierra Verde

Buncess Pass & Fort De Soto

Buncess Pass, located between Shell Key and Fort De Soto, has a long, narrow shoal on either side that is not marked with channel markers.

This can be a tricky spot for a new boater to navigate. However, we do have these shoals marked on our GBC maps, and we show our members how to maneuver this area during their new member orientation.

Blinds Pass

This pass takes you into the intercostal and up towards Treasure Island. Boaters entering the pass from the Gulf will encounter a rock jetty with a shoal to the left. This area can get choppy, so hug the right near the seawall when passing.

Hurricane Pass

This is a beautiful lagoon-like area created on a shell key. It is also known for its shallows and challenging conditions. We recommend members visit only when there are incoming tides.

Bayway Bridge

When traveling up the Intracoastal, the first bridge you go under is the Bayway Bridge. Directly on the other side to the left is a 1-2ft shoal outside of the channel marker.

This might be hard to see when maneuvering through boat traffic, but it is important to stay in the middle of the bridge when heading north.

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Boating Safety Tips for Every Boat Club Member

• Consult Nautical Charts and Navigation Apps: We keep comprehensive maps of the area on each boat. We also recommend navigation apps like Naiconics and Wave Boating.

  
  

• Stay Within Marked Channels: These designated paths guide boaters through safe, deeper waters. Adhering to these paths helps avoid shallow zones and potential hazards.

  
  

• Check Tides Before You Go: Tides can significantly affect water depths, especially in shallow regions. Plan your trips with the tidal schedules in mind to ensure adequate water levels for safe passage.

  
  

• Protect Seagrass Beds: Many shallows in Tampa Bay are home to vital seagrass beds. Avoiding these zones not only safeguards the vessel but also preserves essential marine habitats.

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Our Team Is Here For You!

Whether you are a novice or an expert, our expert team is always available to help with route planning and navigation tips! If you have any questions before heading out, do not hesitate to ask the team.

We want to make sure every trip is safe, smooth, and stress-free.