If you're vacationing in Tampa and looking for a nearby beach that offers powdery white sand for lounging, calm water for cooling off, and picnic shelters, then Davis Beach is for you. This is the closest beach to downtown Tampa and a favorite spot for locals. Davis offers ideal proximity to the airport for travelers who value efficiency. On Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings you will see the beach populated by volleyball players.
This is one of the best spots in town to watch the sun go down and sits next to the new Courtney Campbell Trail, a four-mile pedestrian and cycling bridge. Fred Howard Park is a popular beach and nature preserve located at the northern end of the Tampa Bay Barrier Islands. The park is connected by a mile long causeway to the charming town of Tarpon Springs, home to the area's famous Sponge Docks and a delicious concentration of authentic Greek restaurants. In addition to allowing visitors access to stretches of white sand, the Park offers protection to Florida's endangered habitat.
Visitors are likely to see local wildlife, including ospreys and nesting eagles, as well as dolphins and manatees. Amenities include picnic areas and playgrounds. Indian Rocks Beach offers wide white sand beaches with less emphasis on commercial development. Known as IRB by locals, this quiet residential beach area is a less crowded alternative to Clearwater or St.
Access to the public beach is wonderful, with more than 20 sand entrances, but amenities are minimal with showers, restrooms, and parking. The surrounding area has a mix of residential and vacation rentals. You won't find big chain hotels here. Despite its relaxed atmosphere, there is still a lot to do here, as skim boarding is a popular pastime.
Check out the friendly surf shops for rentals and classes. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from when you want to take a break from the beach. If you're looking for a quiet, family-friendly beach in Tampa Bay, explore Sand Key Park, south of Clearwater. This beautiful park is both park and beach and offers visitors access to white sand and a boardwalk and nature trail.
If you come at the right time of year, you can observe the nesting areas of sea turtles on the beach. So, whether you're looking to see Florida's wildlife or just want to swim and get a tan, this is the place to go. Located on a barrier island between the Gulf and the Florida mainland, the park offers plenty of parking space, picnic shelters, showers and restrooms, and a play area for children. Treasure Island is another popular beach that features a funky retro vibe and offers plenty of wide white sand beaches and fun activities.
This beach is especially wide, making it a paradise for kite flyers who offer a colorful visual display to entertain visitors. Treasure Island is easy to get around with a mile-long paved path that connects many of the hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops along the beach. At the north end is St. John's Pass, which reproduces a picturesque fishing village and serves as a hub for charter boats, an eclectic array of clothing and souvenir shops, and several excellent bars and restaurants.
Drinking is allowed on this beach. Not far from Clearwater, Sand Key is an ideal spot for families or beach lovers looking for a little peace and quiet. Many Tampa Bay beaches are popular and touristy areas that can sometimes get quite busy, but Sand Key Park is one of the lesser-known spots along this beautiful section of coastline. That means that this particular beach is generally quite quiet, and offers a peaceful environment for sunbathers to fall asleep on an afternoon nap or for groups of friends and family to share a picnic together without distractions.
There are several picnic areas to choose from in the park itself, as well as showers, restrooms and a fun play area for children. Caladesi Island is simply a Tampa Bay beach that you can't miss. Why? For starters, it's one of the most aesthetically impressive beaches on the Florida coast. The white sands of this beach seem to stretch endlessly in both directions, and the surrounding state park offers unparalleled views, as well as a good chance to observe wildlife.
There are several trails to enjoy, and a simple walk along the beach can be very rewarding on the island of Caladesi. However, it's worth noting that this Tampa Bay beach can only be accessed by boat, but there are plenty of amenities that come and go from the island every day. Fort De Soto Park covers more than 1,000 acres in total and consists of several small islands linked together, so there is plenty of sand to explore here. It is a very natural and peaceful area that is very popular with local wildlife, which means that anyone who goes to the beach at this Tampa Bay spot will have a good chance to spot some birds nesting between the grassy areas or dolphins playing in the sea.
Camping is even possible at this Tampa Bay beach park, and there are several miles of picturesque walking and biking trails, offering unbeatable views of Tampa Bay and the waters of the Gulf. Do you want to experience the coastal pleasure of Tampa? Clearwater Beach should be at the top of your list. Located on a large barrier island in Pinellas County, it is one of Clearwater's most popular locations & St. Clearwater Beach has even been voted the number one beach in the United States for several years by TripAdvisor.
Clearwater Beach is also home to some of Clearwater's best hotels. If you're looking for a base for your Tampa Bay adventures, stay at one of their luxury beachfront hotels. Petersburg, head to Madeira Beach. It is one of the most popular beaches in the Gulf of Mexico.
The nearby coastal town has a 1,100-foot boardwalk full of ice cream parlors and local restaurants. If you're lucky enough to visit it in October, you can even visit the annual Seafood Festival for incredible food and music. The beach itself is only 2.5 miles long, but the soft sand and warm water attract thousands of tourists and locals every year. Sunbathing and swimming are the most popular things to do in Madeira Beach.
Fishing is also popular along the docks. Gulf Boulevard crosses Madeira Beach and the other beaches of Pinellas County. The boulevard is packed with restaurants, equipment stores, and beachfront hotels. Looking for a more relaxed beach environment for a romantic getaway? Sunset Beach is a pristine beach on the north end of Treasure Island.
It's less touristy and more residential, away from the hustle and bustle of 26% of Tampa Bay's biggest beaches. Based on the name, you can guess (correctly) that the sunsets on Sunset Beach are spectacular. And the clear and starlit skies are even better. Sunset Beach offers beach lovers picnic shelters, public showers and restrooms.
The soft sand is perfect for sunbathing or relaxing and reading a book. Located just west of Dunedin, FL, Honeymoon Island State Park offers one of the best coastlines in the Gulf of Tampa Bay. Unlike Caladesi State Park to the south, the park can be accessed from mainland Florida by car via the Dunedin Causeway. Even with its easy access, you'll enjoy a quieter atmosphere here than on other busy beaches in Midwest Florida.
While you can spend all day enjoying the golden sands, there's more to Honeymoon Island State Park than its seaside pleasures. After letting the waves hit your toes, venture inland on one of its enchanting nature trails to observe wildlife. You'll also find some picnic tables along the way to refuel for your adventure. For surfing and enjoying wide white sand beaches, head to Sand Key Park.
Located south of Clearwater Beach, the sandy beach is a perfect place to take children and pets. Kayak and cabin rentals are available, as well as beach umbrellas and wheelchairs. One of the best places to see in Tampa, Apollo Beach Nature Preserve is full of aquatic species. Part of the nature reserve is dedicated to keeping marine habitats safe.
Here you can watch wildlife, see a wide variety of birds, or go fishing along the coast. Located between Madeira Beach and Indian Rocks Beach, Redington Beach is an ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing and relaxing in the sun. The nearby town is just a square mile away; there's not much to do in Redington besides sunbathing. Add in the great restaurants and vibrant nightlife, and Tampa is a great place to spend a vacation, especially since there are 361 days of sunshine a year.
The biggest beach, and arguably the best public beach in town, is known as Ben T. Clearwater Beach, Florida, is the northernmost barrier island developed along the beaches of Tampa Bay. Unlike our other island communities, Clearwater Beach is part of the City of Clearwater. Today, fun and sun-seekers come from everywhere to enjoy Clearwater Beach's resorts, attractions, recreation, restaurants and shopping.
With 27 beach access points in the city, Indian Rocks Beach is considered one of the best beaches in the Tampa Bay area. The best part is that Tampa and its beautiful beaches are just a short road trip to Orlando for even more vacation enjoyment. Since the 1990s, the Straz Center has established a mission to make arts education in the Tampa Bay community a priority through partnerships with public and private school systems, homeschool groups, and outreach programs in seven area counties. You can visit the various parks along the intracoastal waterfront, do some shopping in the Pass-A-Grille area, or spend the day on one of the white sand beaches while diving into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
The beaches of Tampa Bay are not only wonderful to see, but they can also provide the perfect setting for many different activities, from swimming and snorkeling to surfing and boating. The Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa Bay, Florida, is the region's largest performing arts center and the only center with an on-site performing arts conservatory. Whether you want to catch some waves on a surfboard or jet ski, enjoy a big one on a fishing tour, or just sit on the sand and admire the view, Tampa Bay beaches can provide you with everything you need. With the Atlantic coast on one side and the Gulf Coast on the other, Florida has a long list of exceptional beaches to choose from, and many beautiful beaches can be found in the Tampa Bay Area.
Just 27 miles from Tampa Bay in Pinellas County, this coastal city is known primarily for fishing, as well as its 1,100-foot boardwalk along the Intracoastal. Bricks in the parking lot are recycled from Tampa's historic streets, and downtown has optimal natural lighting through glass windows and recycled rubber floors, smart lights, and other eco-friendly resources. However, it's still a great place to spend the day or watch the sun go down with the kids when you're in the Tampa Bay area. Many locals and visitors consider the Madeira Beach Boardwalk a favorite weekend spot due to its vast expanse of fine sand and turquoise waters.
When it comes to Tampa Bay, picturesque landscapes and an average of 361 days of sunshine a year create an ideal setting for those willing to explore and discover new treasures. . .
