Jet Ski Tampa: Lowry Park to Beer Can Island (Pine Key) by Sea-Doo
Some days on the water you can't plan. You just get on the ski, point it at the horizon, and let the day show you what it has.
This is our favorite one in Tampa. We launch at Lowry Park, ride the Hillsborough River through downtown, cross the bay past Davis Island and anchor at Pine Key, better known as Beer Can Island. Then we sit back, feel the wind, watch the boats roll by, and fire up the grill. This guide walks you through the whole route, what to pack, and what to know before you go, so you can ride it yourself.
If you're new here, welcome to On the Water with Brian. This is a brand-new channel about jet skiing, fishing and everything worth doing on the water. I'm building it for one reason: so more people get out here and live days like this one. And if you've ever wondered whether you still have days like this in you, keep reading. You do.
Watch the full ride first:
The trip at a glance
Launch: Lowry Park boat ramp, 7525 N Boulevard, Tampa
Route: Hillsborough River through downtown Tampa, past Davis Island, across Hillsborough Bay
Destination: Pine Key (Beer Can Island)
Last leg: Davis Island to Pine Key is about 3–4 miles, 20–30 minutes in light chop
Plan for: A full day. We stayed about 7 hours.
Heads-up: Privately owned, open to the public for day visits. No overnight camping.
Step 1: Launch at Lowry Park
We start at the city's Lowry Park boat ramp on the Hillsborough River. The state's boating guide lists two launch lanes, docks, restrooms, about 20 parking spaces, no launch fee, and hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (FWC boating guide). That listing is from an older survey, so confirm details with Tampa Parks and Recreation at 813-274-8184.
With only about 20 spaces, weekends fill up. Get there early. An early launch also gives you the calmest water and the most hours on the island.
Meet the crew and the skis
Judi: 2024 Sea-Doo FishPro Trophy. About 1,000 lb, an 80–90 mile range, and a top speed around 58 mph.
Brian: 2024 Sea-Doo Explorer Pro. About 800 lb, a 170 hp engine, and a top speed of 55–56 mph.
You don't need these exact skis to have this kind of day. Rentals, a used ski, or a friend with a spare seat all get you on the water. The best ski is the one you actually ride.
Step 2: Ride the river through downtown Tampa
There's nothing quite like cruising down the Hillsborough River on a ski. The downtown Tampa skyline rises up ahead. The silver minarets of the University of Tampa stand off to the side, a true Florida landmark. Then you glide past Harbour Island, with its waterfront hotels and palm-lined views, and the whole ride feels like a postcard.
You can drive past every one of those places on a Tuesday and barely notice them. Seen from the water, they feel brand new. Sometimes you don't need a new place, just a new angle on the place you already live.
Ride tip: The river and the waters around downtown and Davis Island have long idle-speed and slow-speed manatee zones, and FWC officers enforce them. Watch the signs and take it slow. On this stretch the scenery is the point anyway. Check the current FWC manatee zone map for Hillsborough County before you ride.
The dolphin that rode with me
I was heading down the waterway with the wind in my face and sun on the water when a dolphin came up right beside me. He was close enough that I could see the curve of his fin and the calm in his eye. He matched my speed like we were riding together. Playful, curious, almost connected.
For a few seconds it felt like we shared the same freedom on the same stretch of open water. Then he dipped below the surface and was gone. No warning, no grand exit, just a quiet ripple behind me.
That's when it hit me. The most unforgettable moments in life don't last long. They show up, they remind you you're alive, and they leave you smiling.
The catch is that you have to be out there when they happen. That dolphin doesn't swim up to your couch. You'll never know what you'll find on the water until you go.
Step 3: Cross the bay and set up base camp
Beer Can Island is about 3 to 4 miles from Davis Island, a 20- to 30-minute ride over light chop. The Gulf was 65 degrees, so every splash woke us right up. We anchored, waded in, and set up a full base camp from what we carried on two skis:
A cooler of drinks and snacks
Beach chairs
A dry bag with our tent and camping gear
A LinQ tote box that we turned into a grill
I love traveling the world, meeting people and learning from other cultures. But there's a time and a place where exploring your own backyard can't be beat. You don't need a passport or a big budget for an adventure. You need a little planning and the will to go.
Step 4: Slow down and soak it in
This is what the whole ride is for. Once camp is set, we don't rush anything. We sit in the chairs, feel the cool wind come off the bay, and watch the boats cruise by in the background. Nobody checks the time. When you want company, the island's big tiki tent sells food and drinks and often has live music or a DJ.
Most of us spent decades on a schedule. Days like this one are your reward. Don't fill every minute. Sometimes the best plan for the day is just to sit and take it all in.
The Judi Berry and island cornhole
On the island, Judi is our master mixologist. We were out of our usual blackberry ginger ale, so she improvised:
A cup with a lid, full of ice
Tequila
Blackberry
Zero Sugar Dr Pepper
No spoon needed. Put the lid on, give it a shake, and you have the official Judi Berry. One note: we never drink and ride. We planned to stay about seven hours and eat twice before heading home.
Then came island cornhole, where every bag you sink means a sip. Judi and I are about even, so it got serious fast. At 9 to 9, we raised the stakes: whoever made the next shot won, and the loser took five drinks. I lost. (Judi will tell you those were sips, not drinks.)
Being good at the game doesn't matter. What matters is that we're two grown adults standing in the Gulf, laughing like kids. That's what playing looks like at any age.
Step 5: Fire up the grill (and always bring a Plan B)
The plan was a catch-and-cook. With all the boats and people out that day, nothing was biting. So we went with Plan B.
The rule of thumb when fishing from an island: always bring a Plan B. Ours was ribeye steaks, seasoned with salt and pepper and grilled right on the island. The whole grill packs inside a LinQ tote box that clips onto the Sea-Doo's LinQ rack. When you ride, think outside the box. Figure out what you need, then figure out how to make it fit.
I was aiming for medium rare and landed a little over. For an island, I'll take it. Judi likes hers cooked more, and she gave it a thumbs up anyway (probably because it's a long ride home otherwise). Great crust, simple seasoning, and even better than if we'd caught fish.
The fish didn't cooperate, and the day was still perfect. Plans fall through all the time. If you've got a backup, a missed plan just becomes a different good day.
Before you go
Know the island rules. Pine Key is privately owned, but the public is welcome for the day. You can set up a day tent and your own little area, but overnight camping isn't allowed. The tiki tent sells food and drinks, and its posted hours are Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to sunset, weather permitting (Beer Can Island). Check their site or call 727-254-9153 for current hours and events.
Check the weather and the water temperature. The island is out in the open bay, and conditions change fast. In cooler months, dress for spray.
Know the speed zones. Idle and slow-speed zones cover much of the river and the waters near downtown.
Never drink and ride. Plan a long day, eat well, and be fully sober before you head back.
Pack out everything you bring. Leave the island cleaner than you found it.
Join the On the Water crew
This channel is just getting started, and I want to build more than a channel. I want a family of riders, anglers and water lovers who swap spots, share gear tips and push each other to get out more.
Here's how to jump in:
Subscribe to On the Water with Brian on YouTube and watch the full Beer Can Island ride.
Comment on the video with your favorite riding spot and the coolest wildlife you've seen on the water.
Tell us what's next. Sandbar camping, catch-and-cook, a long-range ride? You pick, and we'll go.
Stop waiting for the perfect day. Check the weather, pack a Plan B, and go make the day. Be safe, and be adventurous.
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