Chassahowitzka Bay is a broad, shallow saltwater bay on Florida's Gulf Coast, forming the terminus of the spring-fed Chassahowitzka River before it meets the Gulf of Mexico. The bay is part of the expansive Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, offering a remote and natural paddling environment. The primary access for paddlers is via the Chassahowitzka River, launched from the Chassahowitzka River Campground. This facility provides a sandy beach launch, kayak and paddleboard rentals, parking, restrooms, and a boat ramp, though parking can fill quickly, making weekdays and early mornings advisable. The bay itself is also accessible from other points used by the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail, including Mason Creek and routes from the south via Seven Cabbage Cutoff. The entire area is tidally influenced, with tides significantly affecting water levels, clarity, and flow rates in the river leading to the bay. Water in the bay and connecting creeks is generally shallow, with depths frequently dropping to one foot or less in large areas, requiring paddlers to sometimes push through thick sea grass and muck, especially at low tide. This shallowness restricts larger motorboat traffic, but boat traffic does increase in the main river channel near the campground. The bay is exposed to wind and weather from the Gulf of Mexico, and paddlers must be prepared for open water crossings. A notable hazard is that the bay can become very rough, as evidenced by a fatal canoe overturning incident. The area is rich in wildlife, including manatees, alligators, otters, dolphins, and over 250 species of birds such as bald eagles. The aesthetic is largely undeveloped, with landscapes of coastal marshes, hardwood hammocks, and shell mounds of historical significance. Water clarity varies with tide and rainfall but is often clear at low tide. There are no specific paddling restrictions mentioned beyond the need to recreate responsibly to protect the sensitive environment.