Private boat rental from Tierra Verde

Tierra Verde is a residential island community at the southern end of the St. Petersburg peninsula, set among canals and with the open water of the lower bay on its doorstep. A private boat rental from Tierra Verde puts your group on that water for the day, with a licensed captain, crew and fuel included, and the plan shaped by what the tide and wind allow.

Planning a boat rental from Tierra Verde

The office confirms whether Tierra Verde fits your day and which boat suits it, and confirms your meeting point before the day. The 42' Aquila meets guests at MarineMax on Gulfport Blvd, St. Petersburg, and most of the fleet meets at Maximo Marina; neither is at Tierra Verde itself.

Fort De Soto Park

Fort De Soto sits just beyond Tierra Verde, spread across several small keys with a long beach on the Gulf side and the remains of the old fort set among the trees. From the water you see the long shoreline and the low line of the park, and the captain advises what is practical. Whether you go ashore is a decision for the day, and the water close by is often the most pleasant part.

Shell Key and Bunces Pass

North of the park lies Shell Key Preserve, an undeveloped barrier island of shells and birds. Between Shell Key and Fort De Soto runs Bunces Pass, a channel where the current is strong and the captain pays close attention. We anchor off. Whether anyone goes ashore is the captain's call on the day under the preserve's rules, and we never promise a landing.

The sandbars, by the captain's choice

The shallow sandbars in these waters are a favorite with groups who want to swim and relax in clear, warm water. Which one is right depends on the tide, the weather and the traffic, so the captain chooses the spot and anchors off rather than letting you hope for a particular place. On a good day there is room to float, eat and talk in water that is calm and bright. Please respect the boat's rules, and the captain's briefing, on every swim stop.

A private charter, with your own drinks

Guests may always bring their own drinks. For food, the office can bring in a chef and catering and quote them separately.

Further out

For a longer day on the Gulf, see our Egmont Key boat trip page. To plan around the beach side, St. Pete Beach has Pass-a-Grille and the Don CeSar.

Ask us about your date

Send your date and group size, and we reply with a suggested yacht. Ask the office about your date to get started.