Test Page Password- Pensacola Day Paddles
Pensacola Bay Area
For more information on mentioned boat ramps and paddle launches, please see Launch Sites and click on the icons for additional details.
Pensacola Area Area Overview
Members receive a password to access maps, KMZ files and pdf info sheets for the paddles in this area.
Bayou Grande Paddle
Description: Bayou Grande is a shallow bayou in West Pensacola, separating Warring-ton from NAS Pensacola. It empties into Pensacola Bay. Bayou Grande is spanned by three bridges: Near the bayou's mouth, where a bridge carries Navy Boulevard into the main gate of NAS Pensacola, northwest of there, by Sunset Avenue, and the Gulf Beach Hwy bridge at the west end of the bayou. In 2017, the DEP completed a Shoreline Resto-ration Project between Polk and Wayne Avenues, and can be seen while paddling the north shoreline. This is a popular fishing Bayou. The north shore is mostly residentially developed, and the wilder south shore follows Pensacola NAS until just before the Gulf Beach Hwy bridge at the west end.
Skill Level: Advanced
Distance/Approximate Time: 11.8 Miles/6 Hours
Launch Site: Bill Dickson Park Ramp
Special Considerations: Heavy powerboat traffic, especially on weekends and holidays.
Bayou Chico Paddle
Description: This is a paddle through heavy residential shorelines with a smattering of light industry sites. Launch south of Grotto Hall on S K St. Paddle west a short distance into the mouth of Bayou Chico. Follow the east shore northward as you paddle interior of the Bayou. Explore both the right and left forks before heading back south. Once back in the Bayou, you can hug the west shoreline toward the SR295 A bridge. Turn around just before the bridge, and head back into the Bayou and on to the ramp. The water in the Bayou and associated creeks is dark and brackish.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Distance/Approximate Time: 6.7 Miles/ 3 Hours Launch
Site: Sanders Beach Rec Complex Ramp
Special Considerations: Due to the areas light industry and many waterfront homes with boats, powerboat traffic can be heavy, especially where the mouth narrows. Always be aware of where you are and what is behind and ahead of you. Barges are quiet and can sneak up behind you. There are very few places to get out and stretch your legs on this paddle
Bayou Texar Paddle
Description: This is basically an urban paddle. There is a waterway loop on the west side of the 12th Street Bridge (north end of the route), which is part of Carpenter Creek restoration plan in near future. This paddle is subject to wind and tide, and can requiring constant paddling. The wind is rarely still. Route has houses on both sides, but with intermittent greenways. Common sights are dolphins, heron, egret, osprey, otters, and pelicans.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Distance/Approximate Time: 7.1 Miles/4 Hours
Launch Site: Bayview Park Paddle Launch
Special Considerations: Heavy powerboat traffic at the southern end, especially on weekends and holidays.
Skill Level Definitions
Beginner: New to paddling and may need tips and or instructions about paddling strokes, safety procedures, and entering/exiting kayaks. Comfortable on short trips of 1 to 3 miles on pro-tected waters, when wind does not exceed 5 mph.
Novice: Paddlers acquainted with basic paddle stokes and can manage kayak handling in-dependently in winds not exceeding 10 mph on protected waters. Comfortable on trips up to 6 miles.
Intermediate: Paddlers with experience in basic strokes and some experience on different venues, including some open water. Comfortable on trip distances of 6 to 10 miles, winds not ex-ceeding 15 mph.
Advanced: Seasoned paddlers who possess skills and experience to paddle all venues and conditions. Experienced in self-rescues. Should be comfortable paddling more than 10 miles in a day.