It had been several years since we last cruised around Tampa Bay. Earlier this week, we had the opportunity to get back out on the water. We set sail from Harborage Marina, just south of downtown St. Pete, on a beautiful summer afternoon.
The day was hot, sunny, and absolutely perfect for boating. With the sparkling waters of Tampa Bay stretching out around us, it was easy to settle into that relaxed feeling that only a day on the water can bring.
The highlight of the afternoon came when several dolphins appeared alongside the boat. They seemed to be having just as much fun as we were, playing in the water and riding the wake right at the bow. Watching them glide through the waves just feet away was one of those unexpected moments that makes a day on the bay unforgettable.
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| Thanks to my SIL, we got a close-up look at a dolphin! 🐬 |
Being back in St. Pete also brought back memories from another time on the water.
Back in 2005, we anchored in the Vinoy Basin while on our way to New Orleans. We had planned to spend some time cruising the area, but our plans quickly changed when the generator broke down. What initially felt like an annoying mechanical problem turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We stayed in Florida until the following summer.
That August, New Orleans was devastated by Category 5 Hurricane Katrina. Looking back, we're incredibly grateful that we never made it there. What seemed like an unfortunate setback at the time may have kept us exactly where we needed to be.
We still have the nautical charts from that planned cruise. Every time we see them, we're reminded of how differently things can unfold—and how sometimes, the things that seem to go wrong can lead to a much better outcome than we ever could have imagined.
We still have the nautical charts from that planned cruise. Every time we see them, we're reminded of how differently things can unfold—and how sometimes, the things that seem to go wrong can lead to a much better outcome than we ever could have imagined.
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| St Pete skyline, with mooring balls at the Vinoy Basin |
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| Vinoy Basin, picture taken in 2009 |
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| The Vinoy hotel, marina and Vinoy Place condos |
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| Spa Beach |
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| The new pier, circa 2019 |
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| The old inverted-pyramid pier |
Sadly, the iconic inverted-pyramid pier we remembered from earlier visits is no longer there—it was demolished in 2015. The waterfront has changed over the years, but there are still plenty of familiar sights and new discoveries along the way.
We never get tired of the creativity and playfulness people put into naming their boats. In Boston, we loved a catamaran called Cats Aweigh, whose dinghy was cleverly named Mouse Play. In Beaufort, South Carolina, we passed the same sailboat every day. It was loaded with a bicycle, a motorcycle, and all sorts of fun toys, and its name was She Got the House. The name always made us smile.
As we made our way back to Harborage Marina, a few boats caught our attention. Their names were simply too good not to photograph and share!
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| Our friends' Fountaine Pajot catamaran was called One Love |
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Our latest cruise around St. Pete’s waterfront was a much happier chapter. Beautiful views, warm sunshine, playful dolphins, and a few moments of reflection made for a memorable day on Tampa Bay.
After being away for so long, it was great to be back. And if this trip is any indication, we’re already looking forward to our next adventure on the water.
This post is shared on Skywatch Friday.
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