When my friend, Robyn, first saw the kayak floating beside the dock, she regarded the low-slung watercraft with suspicion. She had never been kayaking before and didn't even know where to sit. But her apprehension quickly turned to intrigue as we paddled into the pristine mangrove preserves at Little Harbor.

To our left, a snowy egret preened on a branch. To our right, a school of mullet broke the harbor's smooth surface. "I could stay here all day," said Robyn, smiling from beneath a straw cowboy hat as she easily navigated the shallow waters.

Kayaking was just one of the many adventures we experienced - and loved - during our stay at The Resort & Club at Little Harbor, a posh retreat on Tampa Bay that is a true water lover's paradise. Conveniently tucked between Tampa and Sarasota on the bay's south shore, the resort features a half-mile stretch of white sandy beach, waterfront restaurants, deep-water marinas, an on-site fuel dock and a fully stocked ship's store.

Boat owners can bring their boat and tie up in a private slip behind their guest room (rooms are surprisingly modern and sophisticated in d'cor - even trendy). Be sure to call the resort in advance to secure a slip. Other guests can book a charter tour with one of four licensed captains or rent a boat at the marina. You can also rent one- and two-person kayaks and WaveRunners.

The recently renovated Caribbean-style resort, which hosts about 20 fishing tournaments a year, is just minutes from excellent flats fishing. Troll along the mangroves of the Little Manatee River and snag snook, redfish and tarpon. Offshore enthusiasts needn't venture more than 20 nautical miles to hook grouper, kingfish and tuna.

Fish immediately tugged on our line left and right. Before long, Robyn landed a 16-inch spotted seatrout, and her screams of joy and celebration dance could be heard and seen from all around.


Caught enough fish? No problem. Cruise 15 minutes across the bay to explore St. Petersburg or Tampa. Snorkel and scuba dive at nearby Egmont Key State Park. Go skiing, wakeboarding or kayaking in area waterways. Or don't leave the resort at all. Guests can kick back at The Tiki Bar and listen to reggae music, take a dip in one of three pools and play beach volleyball.

On our first day, we boarded a 21-foot, center-console fishing boat and zipped along the Little Manatee River, which felt like stepping back into Old Florida. We waved hello to anglers in wide-brimmed hats and breathed in the smell of the salty marsh.

The next morning, we rose early to try our luck at fishing. We picked up a rod and reel and a dozen live shrimp from the marina and chose a spot on the resort's 250-foot pier. But first, a confession: Though my older brother is a commercial fisherman, and I grew up boating in Central Florida, I am not an avid fisherwoman. Neither is Robyn. But we wanted a fish, and we wanted to be able to tell a true fish story. So we set aside our squeamish tendencies and devised a two-person method of baiting the hook that involved minimal touching of the shrimp.

Hooks baited, we didn't have to wait long for action. Fish immediately tugged on our line left and right. Before long, Robyn landed a 16-inch spotted seatrout, and her screams of joy and celebration dance could be heard and seen from all around. Satisfied with our catch, which we released with the help of a nearby boater, we fueled up on pancakes, omelets and cheese-and-bacon grits at The Sunset Grill Restaurant onsite, which offers stunning views of the bay and beach.

Then, it was time for our kayak adventure. Each in our own kayaks, we paddled the pristine waterways near the resort for about two hours. We glided swiftly over the open water and then slowed down to paddle along the mangrove-fringed shoreline. We spotted oysters and barnacles clinging to mangrove shoots, and a regal-looking osprey building a nest. The calm, glassy water and wildlife-rich surroundings made for a truly blissful, almost therapeutic, experience.

Still craving more water time, we headed back to the pier, hopped on a pair of WaveRunners - mine was dubbed Old Yeller, Robyn's was Betsy - and raced through the bay, the towering Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the distance. By day's end, we couldn't stop smiling. If our windblown hair or sun-kissed faces were any indication, we had a fabulous and unforgettable time at this classy waterfront playground in the heart of Tampa Bay.