In the beginning, the port was used mainly for the use of the U.S. Coast Guard from 1927 up until it was abandoned in 1933, although the base was reopened in 1939 due to World War II.

Following World War II, the port was used as a dry dock for ships.

Since the absence of a cruise liner, the Port of St. Petersburg has been struggling to get commercial usage.

[11] The Port of St. Petersburg is a part of the Bayboro District in the cities Downtown Waterfront Master Plan.

The 'Port Discovery' plan would allow the Port Terminal Building to be open for the public and would mainly focus on local schools visits.