Lassing Park
Central bay launch
Lassing Park is a central-bay kayak and paddleboard launch, free to park, clearest on an outgoing tide.
South St. Pete's underrated park, a wide grassy waterfront with mature oaks, picnic tables, and a long stretch of shallow shoreline that's perfect for SUP. The water here is best on a straight-east wind (which blows from the open bay toward you, building no chop because the fetch in front of you is short). Manatees overwinter in the warm shallow flats; you can sometimes see them as dark shapes ten feet from your board. The park has a quiet, almost forgotten feeling. Locals walk dogs here at sunset, kids fish off the seawall, and on weekday mornings you might have the whole shoreline to yourself. The shallow water (mostly under three feet) makes it forgiving for beginners.
Where do I park, and is it free?
- Cost
- Free
- Parking
- Moderate
Free street parking, open about 6am to 8pm. Shallow water, mostly under three feet, so it is forgiving if you fall in. No restrooms or playground; it is a quiet local park.
How clear is the water?
Cleanest when the tide is going out: the outgoing flushes the stained water from Bayboro Harbor north of here
What will I see?
- Manatees overwinter in the warm shallow flats
What's the fishing like?
Spotted seatrout, redfish, and snook along the bay shoreline; sheepshead off the seawall.
How do I share the water here?
The shoreline here is long and shallow, mostly under three feet, and in winter manatees overwinter on these flats, which is why you sometimes see a dark shape ten feet off your board. Give any animal you spot a wide berth and let it be: chasing or touching a manatee is a federal offense.