TIM DRISKELL'S ADVENTURES
Pinellas Paddlers gathered along Buccaneer IslandPaddlers arriving at Buccaneer Island on a clear October dayPinellas Paddlers crossing calm water near Belleair BeachPaddlers and dogs enjoying the beach stopKayaks passing beneath the Belleair Causeway bridge

Pinellas Paddlers • October 10, 2022

Belleair Beach to Buccaneer Island

An easy paddle, good friends, happy dogs, and a perfect Florida day

This was another easygoing Pinellas Paddlers outing on October 10, 2022. We launched near Belleair Beach and paddled out toward Buccaneer Island, taking our time on calm water and enjoying one of those nearly perfect fall days that makes paddling in Pinellas County so rewarding.

There was no need to rush and no difficult mileage to cover. We brought the dogs, carried lunch and drinks, and simply enjoyed being together on the water. The island gave us a sandy place to pull up the kayaks and paddleboards, relax, eat, visit, and let the dogs explore.

The group settles into an easy rhythm on the calm water near Belleair Beach.

An Easy Day on the Water

The group settles into an easy rhythm on the calm water near Belleair Beach.

A paddler glides past the waterfront homes along the protected shoreline.

Along the Belleair Shoreline

Torami glides past the waterfront homes along the protected shoreline.

The Pinellas Paddlers flag flies from a board during another relaxed group outing.

Flying the Pinellas Paddlers Flag

The Pinellas Paddlers flag flies from Mendy's board during another relaxed group outing.

A stand-up paddler moves beneath the broad span of the Belleair Causeway bridge.

Under the Belleair Bridge

Jason moves beneath the broad span of the Belleair Causeway bridge.

A great blue heron watches quietly from the dense shoreline vegetation.

Wildlife Along the Way

A cormorant watches quietly from the dense shoreline vegetation.

Pinellas Paddlers arrive at Buccaneer Island for a sunny beach stop.

Arriving at Buccaneer Island

Pinellas Paddlers arrive at Buccaneer Island for a sunny beach stop.

A bright lineup of kayaks and paddleboards rests along the sandy island edge.

A Colorful Landing

A bright lineup of kayaks and paddleboards rests along the sandy island edge.

Boards pulled ashore while everyone enjoys a break on Buccaneer Island.

Time to Relax

Boards pulled ashore while everyone enjoys a break on Buccaneer Island.

Friends gather around the picnic table for lunch and conversation on the island.

Lunch on the Island

Jason, Mendy, and the Pinellas Paddlers crew gather around the picnic table for lunch and conversation on the island.

A perfect blue-sky lunch break with the Pinellas Paddlers.

Good Friends and Blue Skies

A perfect blue-sky lunch break with the Pinellas Paddlers.

A playful skeleton passenger adds a little October humor to the paddle.

A Little October Humor

A playful skeleton passenger adds a little October humor to Torami's board.

The group spreads out along the sandy shoreline of Buccaneer Island.

Buccaneer Island

The group spreads out along the sandy shoreline of Buccaneer Island.

The Path to Buccaneer Island

One interesting feature of this area is the route leading from Belleair Beach toward Buccaneer Island. A local beach club maintains the island and the shallow coastal area. For paddlers, it helps define the natural connection between the mainland beach and the small offshore island while still keeping the outing quiet, scenic, and close to shore.

It was exactly the kind of paddle we enjoy most with the Pinellas Paddlers: uncomplicated, social, dog-friendly, and filled with time to appreciate the water, wildlife, and one another.

Complete Belleair Paddle Photo Gallery

Click any photograph to open the full-size JPEG.

The group settles into an easy rhythm on the calm water near Belleair Beach.
The group settles into an easy rhythm on the calm water near Belleair Beach.
A paddler glides past the waterfront homes along the protected shoreline.
Torami glides past the waterfront homes along the protected shoreline.
The Pinellas Paddlers flag flies from a board during another relaxed group outing.
The Pinellas Paddlers flag flies from Mendy's board during another relaxed group outing.
A stand-up paddler moves beneath the broad span of the Belleair Causeway bridge.
Jason moves beneath the broad span of the Belleair Causeway bridge.
A great blue heron watches quietly from the dense shoreline vegetation.
A cormorant watches quietly from the dense shoreline vegetation.
Pinellas Paddlers arrive at Buccaneer Island for a sunny beach stop.
Pinellas Paddlers arrive at Buccaneer Island for a sunny beach stop.
A bright lineup of kayaks and paddleboards rests along the sandy island edge.
A bright lineup of kayaks and paddleboards rests along the sandy island edge.
Boards pulled ashore while everyone enjoys a break on Buccaneer Island.
Boards pulled ashore while everyone enjoys a break on Buccaneer Island.
Friends gather around the picnic table for lunch and conversation on the island.
Friends gather around the picnic table for lunch and conversation on the island.
A perfect blue-sky lunch break with the Pinellas Paddlers.
A perfect blue-sky lunch break with the Pinellas Paddlers.
A playful skeleton passenger adds a little October humor to the paddle.
A playful skeleton passenger adds a little October humor to the paddle.
The group spreads out along the sandy shoreline of Buccaneer Island.
The group spreads out along the sandy shoreline of Buccaneer Island.
The day’s bony passenger keeps watch over the beach and the boats.
The day’s bony passenger keeps watch over the beach and the boats.
Paddlers, dogs, and boats all share the easygoing island stop.
Paddlers, dogs, and boats all share the easygoing island stop.
The well-traveled Pinellas Paddlers emblem, splashed with saltwater and sand.
The well-traveled Pinellas Paddlers emblem, splashed with saltwater and sand.
A stand-up paddler eases through the shallow water near the launch area.
Mendy eases through the shallow water towards the launch area.
The group passes through the shade beneath the Belleair Causeway bridge.
The group passes through the shade beneath the Belleair Causeway bridge.
Kayaks and paddleboards travel together on the easy return trip.
Kayaks and paddleboards travel together on the easy return trip.
One tired and contented dog enjoys the soft evening light after a perfect day outside.
One tired and contented Buddydog enjoys the soft evening light after a perfect day outside.