Trip Report: Sunday Paddle from Seminole Waterfront Park to Archies Island
Date: June 2026
There is nothing quite like a Sunday morning on the water to reset the clock. This past weekend, we gathered a small crew for a bright, sun-drenched paddle out of Seminole Waterfront Park. If you haven’t launched from there recently, the park features a fantastic launch area and a top-notch cleaning rack that makes rinsing down the gear post-saltwater incredibly easy.
We also brought along some exciting new fleet members for this trip: the new Mocean Ranger and Mocean Acekayaks. Testing out new designs on a beautiful day is a tough job, but someone has to do it!
Navigating the Mangroves & Cross Bayou
The day was hot and clear, making the shade of the mangrove tunnels a welcome relief. The first leg of our journey took us out from the park and through the winding mangroves around Cross Bayou. With a smaller group, we made great time, taking a few moments to raft up in the shade, catch our breath, and snap a few photos—including a great shot of Kenny and Susan celebrating with paddles held high.
From the bayou, we pushed out toward the Intracoastal, paddling under the Pinellas Trail bridge and cruising right alongside Bay Pines Veterans Park.
Dolphins, Manatees, and an Airborne Visitor
One of the best reasons to trade a motor for a paddle is the wildlife access. Because kayaks are virtually silent, we were treated to multiple close encounters along the way. We spotted several dolphins surfacing near the channel, a couple of manatees cruising the flats, and night herons watching us patiently from the mangroves.
Just when we thought we’d seen it all, we heard a low buzz overhead and looked up to see an ultralight plane—complete with pontoons for water landings—flying directly over the bayou.
Lunch on Archies Island
Our destination for the day was the beach at Archies Island. We landed the boats on the sand, stretched our legs, and enjoyed a well-deserved lunch on the shore while watching the boat traffic in the Intracoastal.
After refueling, we turned the boats around for the return leg, paddling back past the bridge and up through the bayous to our starting point at Seminole Waterfront Park. It was an absolute classic day on the Florida water with a fantastic group of paddlers.
Photo Gallery
We took a ton of photos along the route—from our mangrove launch to our beach lunch. Check out the full gallery below to see the highlights of the trip, the wildlife sightings, and the new Mocean kayaks in action!
Planning your next adventure? Stop by the shop to chat about local routes, check out the Mocean Ranger and Ace in person, or get geared up for your next day on the water!
Next Trip Details:
- Location: Honeymoon Island
- Date: July 12th
- To Sign Up: Call the shop or stop by to get on the list!
If you want to be part of our next adventure, don’t wait! We are already filling up our next outing. Call Osprey Bay Outdoors or stop by the shop to get on the list. All boats and all skill levels are welcome!
