Tampa Bay is one of the most active waterways in Florida. It consists of over 400 square miles of open water, channels, estuaries, and barrier islands. From heading to Egmont Key, fishing off the Skyway Bridge or navigating the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), boating safety requires knowledge of local waterways, tide changes, and navigation aids. The following Tampa Bay Boating Map Guide provides you with all the necessary information regarding navigation, dangers, launching spots, season changes, and chart plotting. If you use digital navigation, the i-Boating app by GPS Nautical Charts includes offline NOAA nautical charts, GPS navigation, route planning, and waypoint management, even with limited mobile coverage. Tampa Bay Boating at a Glance Category Key Information Best Time to Boat October through May for milder temperatures and calmer conditions Primary Navigation Charts NOAA nautical charts Major Waterways Tampa Bay, Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), Egmont Channel Common Hazar...