COVE CAY MARINA
1300 COVE CAY DR, Clearwater FL 33760
Last inspected Feb 24, 2026 · 9 visits since October 2023
FEB 24
SEP 24
MAR 25
SEP 25
FEB 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections trending down, 22 points off where it started.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 4 flies inside truck near dish area.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $160
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2026015348 | Feb 24, 2026 | Mar 25, 2026 | $160 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Feb 24, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 4 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Rice 115 in steamer. Operator reheating. Second temp 120F at 2:50.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Utensil stored in handwash sink. Operator removed.
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. 5 dry storage sheds under tent. 2 freezers and 2 cooler not on plans.
Dec 3, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 1 violations recorded.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Mobile unit changed plans without plan review. Using exterior reach in 1 coolers and 2 freezers.
Sep 29, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority4 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Fish not held frozen before, during and after being packaged onsite using a reduced oxygen packaging method. See stop sale. Tuna thawed in package in reach in cooler. Issued stop sale.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Emailed second copy to operator
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Employee refilled dispenser.
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Mobile unit changed plans without plan review. Using exterior reach in 1 coolers and 2 freezers.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Mobile food dispensing vehicle connected to utilities on more than a temporary basis. Waste water hard plumbed to septic tank. Hose leading to truck for water supply not going to the water tank for truck.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed to operator.
Plumbing system improperly installed or repaired. Observed mobile unit without use of water tanks.
Jun 10, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 14, 2025Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
0 High priority3 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Emailed operator DBPR Clean-Up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events form.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Observed consumer advisory on bottom of menu, but raw items missing an asterisk leading the customer to the advisory. Discussed with operator.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quaternary test kit.
Mar 27, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority4 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects found 1 live fly observed flying around. 2 live flies observed flying around and landing on trash can next to double door reach in cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. No Ambient thermometer observed in reach in deli cooler. Employee added Ambient thermometer. Inspector observed ambient thermometer inside reach in deli cooler reading at 46 degrees. Food items inside reach in deli cooler: krab mix (46F - Cold Holding); feta cheese crumbles (46F - Cold Holding); cooked onions (46F - Cold Holding); raw beef patty (56F - Cold Holding); mix shredded cheese (46F - Cold Holding); house made Ranch dressing (53F - Cold Holding) Employee moved items to another cold holding unit to bring down the temperatures.
Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Three compartment sink quaternary sanitizer testing at 500+ PPM. Employee replenished and diluted chemical with water. Quaternary sanitizer is now testing at 200 PPM.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Emailed operator DBPR Clean-Up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events form.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Plastic container stored inside hand sink. Inspector removed item out of hand sink.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Observed consumer advisory on bottom of menu, but raw items missing an asterisk leading the customer to the advisory. Discussed with operator.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quaternary test kit.
Sep 4, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 4 flies inside truck near dish area.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards soiled Can opener soiled
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Water bottle and coffee creamer bottle inside hand wash sink. Employee moved
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Salsa made yesterday 8-24 put date on during inspection
Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Open bottle of water on prep.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris.
Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Side of fryers Side of reach in fridge
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
Feb 22, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Muti use cleaner on shelf with clean dishes. Educated
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards soiled
Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave soiled
Oct 11, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Hot time/temperature control for safety food received at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter 90F hot holding. MFDV ran out of protein during routine inspection.
Raw animal food not separated from ready-to-eat food during preparation. Raw shelled eggs over open packaging of sliced cheese. Manager moved bottom shelf
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soiled cutting boards
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towel at hand sink management replaced
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook had no beard guard.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Side of deli cooler soiled.
This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.