TIERRA VERDE, Fla. — Guided kayak tours and rentals are stopped at a very popular launch point in Pinellas County because they were considered trespassing, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Coastal Kayak Charters stated its Shell Key Preserve tours are shut down entirely.
“Shell Key is the only, the only place we’re really interested in doing tours. Again, it’s it’s this is more of a passion, less of a business,” said Sebastian Font, general manager and owner of Coastal Kayak Charters.
Since 2018, the business was doing about two or three tours a day, launching from Pinellas Bayway South, but two weeks ago, that changed.
“I was advised that I was trespassing by FDOT and I was told by the Pinellas County Sheriff that if I was seen down there again, that I would be arrested, charged with criminal trespass,” Font said.
He said this happened to other tour groups, too. His rentals are now sitting empty as Coastal Kayak Charters is completely shut down.
“We’ve lost seasonal bookings, market position. My tour guides are out of work, we’ve lost revenue that we can never get back,” he said.
The Florida Department of Transportation said no private for-profit business is allowed to operate within the state transportation facility right of way per Florida Statute.
“Such prohibited uses include, but are not limited to, the free distribution or sale, or display or solicitation for free distribution or sale, of any merchandise, goods, property or services,” the statute reads.
“We do not engage in solicitation or signage or any of that. We have pre-booked, pre-arranged kayak tours,” Font said.
Pinellas Bayway South is a popular spot for people to park and paddle on their own, too.
“I love it and it’s so easy to launch from the car to right here. I mean, you’re talking minutes,” said Kuuleilani Queypo, a paddleboarder.
That’s legal as long as paddlers don’t park near the road or block the trail.
“There are hundreds of people that already go there. So, what we do is the same as what’s already happening, except that there’s a tour guide,” Font said.
FDOT officials also told Spectrum Bay News 9 that the business activity along this corridor has resulted in vehicles blocking the safety clear zone of the right of way, blocking the pedestrian sidewalks and damage to FDOT signage.
The agency said it’s trying to find another area where the kayak vendors could possibly lease property from them.
Font said the Bayway is the only viable option to bring beginner paddlers.
“The currents are very, very subdued and that’s where you take people to have a good time and without putting them in harm’s way,” Font said.
Font has also reached out to local and state officials for help.
He is hoping for some relief because he said the business may not survive.