Weedon Island Preserve

Weedon Island Preserve in Pinellas County (Tampa Bay Area) has been a favorite with our family for many years. We enjoy canoeing and kayaking in the waters of the preserve as well as hiking on the nature trails. If you have an interest in archeology you will enjoy searching for artifacts and visiting the cultural center.

The area is a group of small islands that was home to the Timucuans and Manasotas. These indigenous peoples occupied the area during the Weedon Island Cultural Period, dating back as far as 10,000 year ago.

These native peoples were drawn to the area because of the abundant fish, plants and wildlife that lived in the estuaries of Tampa Bay. The wildlife population continues to thrive today with many kinds of fish, crabs, shrimp, oysters, and stingrays. Wading birds including the endangered wood stork, roseate spoonbills, and egrets roost and fish the area. Bald eagles live in the preserve and the West Indian manatee is known to winter in the warm waters of the bay.

In the 1940’s the Smithsonian excavated the site. Artifacts from their excavation are located in the Cultural and Natural History Center along with exhibits on the history and art of the peoples.

The Weedon Island Preserve sports a fishing pier, 6,600 feet of boardwalk, a 45 foot observation tower with an excellent view of the islands. There are canoe and hiking trails that can be enjoyed alone or you can take a guided tour.

The Educational and Cultural Center offers programs and special events on a regularly scheduled basis. The Cultural and Natural History Center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am– 4 pm. Access to the nature trails and Cultural Center are free.

Location and Access
From I-275 take exit 28 and head east on Gandy Boulevard (694). Turn south on San Martin Boulevard (823) and then east on Weedon Drive N.E., which follows the shoreline of Riviera Bayto the preserve. From south Tampa, cross the Gandy Bridge and turn south on San Martin Boulevard, then east on Weedon Drive N.E.

Contact Information
Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center
1800 Weedon Drive NE
St. Petersburg, FL 33702.
(727) 453-6506.

To volunteer at the Center, call (727) 453-6500
To volunteer as a research assistant, call (727) 453-6503
To volunteer as a guide, call (727) 453-6504
To volunteer for land management, call (727) 453-6522
Friends of Weedon Island, Inc., 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
(www.fowi.org)