Bay Pines Boat Ramp: A Smooth Pwc Launch?

The Bay Pines Boat Ramp in Pinellas County, Florida, is a popular spot for boaters and PWC enthusiasts alike. Officially part of the War Veterans Memorial Park, it offers six launching lanes, ample parking, and easy access to John's Pass and the bay sides of Madeira Beach and Treasure Island. With its wide lanes and convenient location on the west side of the St. Petersburg peninsula, this boat ramp provides a seamless launching experience for personal watercraft (PWC) owners. However, is the Bay Pines Boat Ramp a good choice for launching PWCs? Let's explore further to find out.

Bay Pines Boat Ramp location and access

The Bay Pines Boat Ramp is located on the west side of the St. Petersburg peninsula in Pinellas County, Florida. The official address of the boat ramp is 9600 Bay Pines Blvd, Bay Pines, FL 33744. It is also known locally and on Google Maps as part of the War Veterans Memorial Park.

The boat ramp can be accessed via the St. Petersburg peninsula, providing access to John's Pass and the bay sides of Madeira Beach and Treasure Island. The boat ramp features six lanes, plus an additional dock for picking up and dropping off guests. The lanes are wide and easy to navigate, however, the parking spaces directly in front of the ramp can cause a bottleneck when full, especially with longer trailers.

The Bay Pines boat ramp boasts one of the largest parking lots in the area, with over 100 trailer spots, including a gravel overflow lot. As a Pinellas County park, it offers restrooms and trash cans, which are well-maintained by the staff. There is a fee for using the boat ramp, with vehicles with trailers paying $6 per day and those without trailers paying $2 per day.

The water around the ramp is fairly shallow, but there is a well-defined channel to navigate. Overall, the Bay Pines Boat Ramp provides good access and facilities for those looking to launch their boats in the area.

Parking, facilities and fees

The Bay Pines Boat Ramp has one of the largest parking lots in the area, with over 100 trailer spots, including a gravel overflow lot. There is also a parking area directly in front of the ramp, which can cause a bottleneck when full. The ramp includes six lanes, plus an additional dock for picking up and dropping off guests. The wide lanes are easy to navigate.

As a Pinellas County park, it offers restrooms and trash cans. The staff keep the restrooms clean and well-maintained, just like the park grounds.

According to the Pinellas County Parks website, you’ll pay $6 per day for vehicles with trailers and $2 per day for those without trailers.

The Pines Boat Launch in Fort Morgan, Alabama, has a much smaller parking capacity, with just four spots on the road. There are no lights or restrooms, and it launches into Bon Secour Bay.

Water depth and navigation

The Bay Pines Boat Ramp in Florida is known for its wide and easy-to-navigate lanes. The ramp includes six lanes, plus an additional dock for picking up and dropping off guests. While the parking spaces directly in front of the ramp can cause a bottleneck when full, the site features one of the largest parking lots around, with over 100 trailer spots and a gravel overflow lot.

The water around the ramp is fairly shallow, but there is a well-defined channel to navigate. As a Pinellas County park, it offers restrooms and trash cans, which are well-maintained by staff. According to the county website, you'll pay $6 per day for vehicles with trailers and $2 per day for those without.

The Pines Boat Launch in Fort Morgan, Alabama, is a different location. It has one ramp and four parking spots on the road. There are no lights or restrooms at this location.

Comparison to other boat ramps in the area

The Bay Pines Boat Ramp is a great spot to launch your boat, with wide concrete ramps and floating docks to tie off to while you park your trailer. It is officially part of War Veterans Memorial Park and is known for its easy access to the water. The ramp includes six lanes, plus an additional dock for picking up and dropping off guests. It features one of the largest parking lots around, with over 100 trailer spots, and a gravel overflow lot. The staff keep the restrooms clean and well-maintained, and there are trash cans provided. According to reviews, the Bay Pines Boat Ramp is comparable to the following boat ramps in the area:

• Don Armeni Boat Ramp
• Pelican Harbor Marina (the seventh-largest marina in the state)

Reviews and recommendations

The Bay Pines Boat Ramp is a great option for those looking to launch their PWCs. Located on the west side of the St. Petersburg peninsula, this ramp offers easy access to John's Pass and the bay sides of Madeira Beach and Treasure Island. With six lanes and an additional dock for pick-up and drop-off, navigation is a breeze. However, it's important to note that the parking spaces directly in front of the ramp can cause a bottleneck when full, especially for longer trailers. The large parking lot boasts over 100 trailer spots, including a gravel overflow lot, so finding a spot shouldn't be an issue.

As a Pinellas County park, Bay Pines provides convenient amenities like restrooms and trash cans, which are well-maintained by the staff. The fees are reasonable at $6 per day for vehicles with trailers and $2 per day for those without. The water around the ramp is shallow, but there is a well-defined channel to guide you.

For those seeking a different option, The Pines Boat Launch in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is approximately 12 miles down Fort Morgan Road from Hwy 59. This launch site offers a single ramp and four parking spots on the road. However, it lacks lights and restrooms, and launches into Bon Secour Bay.

Frequently asked questions