Bayou Grande: depth, boat ramps and water quality

Boat: 4 ramps and launches on file for this water.
Start here: Launch at Navy Point Public Boat Ramp, 4 lanes, concrete.

The estuary

Bayou Grande covers 1,015 acres in Florida, across Escambia County. It is an estuary: the deepest point measured is 17.4 feet (5.3 m). Our records hold 11 species for this water.

Depth: down to 17.4 ft at the deepest measured point

Deepest measured point: 17.4 ft (5.3 m). We hold 2 depth contours for this water, drawn from 2,234 soundings.

Water and conditions

Water clarity runs 2–9 feet on our readings, averaging 5.7 feet, from 222 readings. Water temperature averages 72°F across the year. The coldest single reading we hold is 52°F and the warmest is 97°F; the warmest monthly average is 85°F. pH averages 7.4. These readings span 2016–2024.

Monthly average water temperature: Jan 60°F · Feb 62°F · Mar 68°F · Apr 72°F · May 75°F · Jun 85°F · Jul 83°F · Aug 84°F · Sep 82°F · Oct 74°F · Nov 65°F · Dec 64°F

US Navy 040922-N-0000X-081 Hurricane Ivan sunk and stacked numerous boats at Bayou Grande Marina on board Naval Air Station Pensacola.jpg
U.S. Navy photo · Public domain

4 ramps and launches on this water

On this water we hold 2 trailer ramps, 2 hand launches and 2 fishing piers.

  • Bill Dickson Park and Boat Ramp — 1 lane, concrete, parking for 23 trailers (paved), no fee, open around the clock, portable restrooms, dock, lit for night fishing. On Pensacola Bay, Pensacola, Escambia County. 3148 Fenceline Road, Pensacola 32507 · website myescambia.com/our-services/natural-resources-management/marine-resources/boating-information
  • Navy Point Public Boat Ramp — 4 lanes, concrete, parking for 48 trailers (paved), no fee, open around the clock, portable restrooms, dock, lit for night fishing, wheelchair access. Pensacola, Escambia County. Sunset Avenue and SE Syrcle Drive, Pensacola 32507 · website myescambia.com/our-services/natural-resources-management/marine-resources/boating-information

Car-top and kayak launches — no trailer

US Navy 040919-N-1539M-001 Boats moored at the Bayou Grande Marina lay in shambles following the devastating blow Hurricane Ivan dealt to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.jpg
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Saul McSween · Public domain
  • Civitan Park Paddlecraft Launch — hand launch, parking for 15 cars, no fee, portable restrooms, dock. Pensacola, Escambia County. 404 2nd Street, Pensacola 32507 · website myescambia.com/our-services/natural-resources-management/marine-resources/boating-information
  • Weller Avenue Canoe Launch — hand launch, dirt. Pensacola, Escambia County. Weller Ave at Bayou Grande, Pensacola 32507 · website myescambia.com/our-services/natural-resources-management/marine-resources/boating-information

Fishing piers

  • Civitan Park — no fee, daylight hours, restrooms, drinking water. Warrington/Pensacola, Escambia County. 404 2nd Street, Warrington/Pensacola 32507
  • NAS Pensacola - Ski Beach — no fee. Nas Pensacola, U. S. Navy. John Towers Road, Bldg. 3487, Nas Pensacola 32508

2 of the 6 places listed have both a fee and opening hours on file: a blank means we hold no such field, not that it is free or always open, and this list may not be complete.

What is hard here

Clarity swings from 2 to 9 feet between our readings — the water you meet is not the water someone photographed. Winter water drops to 60°F, and the warm-water species stop feeding well before you do. Summer water sits at 85°F: heat and afternoon lightning are the real risks, not the fishing.

Where this data comes from

  • NOAA NOS Hydro — NOAA NOS hydrographic survey archive: class A, a survey of the bottom.
  • NOAA National Bathymetric Source (S-102 ed3.0.0) — NOAA S-102 bathymetric surfaces: contours: class A, a survey of the bottom.
  • NOAA BlueTopo: class A, a survey of the bottom.
  • NOAA ENC — NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts: soundings: class A, a survey of the bottom.
  • NOAA ENC — NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts: depth contours: class A, a survey of the bottom.