Over 12 beaches and 35 miles of white, powdery sand. Sun
filled days for most of the year, our bay area beaches and
climate provides the ideal setting to enjoy swimming,
sun-bathing, jet-skiing, fishing and whatever else you may
dream up. No matter where you stay, on or off the beaches, you
will be close to restaurants, entertainment attractions and
more. 
Blue gulf waters lap gently upon this State Preserve’s
4-mile-long beach. A picturesque 1887 federal lighthouse
stands sentinel on the southern end of the island while
ospreys nest in the tall pines found throughout the island.
Located three miles off Tarpon Springs on the northern end of
the Pinellas Peninsula, Anclote Key is accessible only by
boat. Six distinct biological communities provide habitat for
dozens of species of bird life including the rare bald eagle
and piping plover. Anclote Key is an excellent swimming and
nature study site. However, guests must plan ahead by bringing
all water and supplies, and then carrying all litter out..
More information is available from the State Preserve at
727-469-5918.
The city features several public beach access points along
Gulf Boulevard. The largest site is at Morgan Street across
from the Belleair Beach Yacht Club. Public parking is
available for the Yacht Club and City Hall. Belleair Beach is
located south of Clearwater and north of Indian Rocks Beach.
The Belleair Causeway connects Belleair Beach to the St.
Petersburg/Clearwater area mainland. For more details,
call 727-595-4646.
One of the few remaining large undeveloped barrier islands on
Florida’s Gulf Coast, Caladesi is only accessible by boat. The
island is ideal for swimming, shelling, fishing, picnics, skin
and scuba diving and nature study. The park also has a
three-mile nature trail winding through the island’s interior.
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. A ferry departs
hourly from nearby Honeymoon Island. Docks are available on
the island for private boats. A snack bar and shelters are
also available. Contact the State Park at 727-469-5918.
This island is the most popular of all the area’s many
beaches, especially with families. Clearwater Beach offers
just about every water and beach activity imaginable. Pier 60
Park on Clearwater Beach features a family recreation complex
on Clearwater’s expansive beach with covered playgrounds,
fishing and concessions. The Sunsets at Pier 60 festival
features music, entertainment and a beautiful Gulf of Mexico
sunset throughout the year. City offices can be reached
at 727-462-6572.
This 440-acre island at the southernmost tip of the St.
Petersburg/Clearwater area is the home of the last
government-manned lighthouse (built in 1858) in the United
States. Now a wildlife refuge, Egmont Key was a camp for
captured Seminole Indians during the Third Seminole war and
was a Union Navy base during the Civil War. Several boats
offer snorkeling excursions to this island which is accessible
only by boat. Visitors can snorkel over grass beds and ruins
of two gun batteries from the fort, or enjoy the unspoiled
beach. . Call the park for more info at 727-893-2627.
The park consists of 900 unspoiled acres, seven miles of
beaches, two fishing piers, and picnic and camping areas
directly on the Gulf of Mexico. A concession stand, bathrooms
and covered picnic shelters are available. A fort built during
the Spanish-American War is located on Mullet Key, the largest
of the five islands which make up this unique area which lies
southwest of St. Petersburg. The area has a popular biking and
skating trail as well as rental facilities for canoes, kayaks
and bicycles. Toll on bridges to the park is 85 cents. Fort De
Soto rated as the seventh best beach in the United States in a
1999 national study.
This 150-acre county park located west of Florida Avenue in
Tarpon Springs features a mile-long causeway connecting the
offshore swimming area and the mainland. The park is open 7
a.m. to sunset offering barbecue grills, sheltered pavilions,
children’s playgrounds, public restrooms and beach showers.
The area is popular for windsurfing and fishing.
Located at Shore Blvd South and 55th Streets, you can
purchase a daily parking permit for $2. Outdoor showers and
public restrooms are available. Gulfport City offices:
727-321-1158.
This state park features sunbathing, shelling, swimming,
fishing, picnic pavilions, bathhouses and a park concession
building. The Caladesi Island ferry departs from Honeymoon
Island. Like Caladesi Island, Honeymoon Island is one of the
state’s few undisturbed barrier islands. The Island also
features two bird observation areas, a pet beach, two nature
trails and one of the few remaining south Florida virgin slash
pine stands. These large trees serve as important nesting
sites for osprey. Honeymoon Island has more than 208 species
of plants and a variety of shore birds, including several
threatened and endangered species. The Island has a long
history considering it is only 7,000 years old. Originally
settled by members of the Tocobaga tribe of Native Americans,
a wave of explorers, pirates, traders and fisherman came and
went. Originally named Sand Island, a successful hog farm
changed the island’s moniker to Hog Island in the 1880s. A
hurricane in 1921 separated what is now Caladesi Island. In
the 1940s, 50 palm-thatched bungalows were built for
honeymooning couples but were eventually used as R&R sites
for wartime factory workers.. Call the park for more info at
727-469-5942.
This area features more than 20 beach accesses located along
Gulf Boulevard with free parking. Indian Rocks Beach access
park, located at 1700 Gulf Boulevard, features 80 time metered
parking spaces for vehicles, a restroom and outdoor showers.
The Walsingham Road Causeway connects Indian Rocks Beach to
the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area mainland. For more
information 727-595-4020.
Tiki Gardens beach access park at 19601 Gulf Boulevard
is the most popular beach access point in Indian Shores. Tiki
Gardens features 170 time metered parking spaces, restroom
facilities, benches, a water fountain, beach showers and a
pedestrian crossing light at Gulf Boulevard. Several other
access points are also available. The Park Boulevard Causeway
connects Indian Shores to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area
mainland.
Several beach accesses are available in Madeira Beach
including the County Park at 14400 Gulf Boulevard. This
1.5-acre site features 450 feet of beach on the Gulf of Mexico
with time metered parking for 104 vehicles, a restroom, and
two showers located on the beach.
Madeira Beach is also home to "fish famous" John’s Pass. The
John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk offers commercial and
charter fishing as well as casino and sightseeing cruises.
Fishing is popular from several public piers. The Tom Stuart
Causeway connects Madeira Beach to the St.
Petersburg/Clearwater area mainland. More information is
available from Madeira Beach Parks and Rec, at 727-392-0665.
This city between Redington Beach and Redington Shores
features beach access points at 170 - 173rd streets. More info
by calling 727-321-1158.
The first established town on Florida’s West coast barrier
islands and is a registered National Historic District. The
area on the southern tip of St. Pete Beach has no condominiums
or "high-rise" buildings keeping it a unique slice of old
Florida. Sunset watches are popular at the area’s
public-access beach. The beach runs from 1st to 22nd Avenue
along Gulf Way. Metered parking is available.
This small community north of Madeira Beach features only one
beach access at 163rd Avenue East. The access does not have
public parking spaces.
This community south of Indian Shores features several beach
accesses including the Beach Access Park at 18200 Gulf
Boulevard. This 3.5-acre gulf site offers 170 time metered
parking spaces, restroom facilities, beach showers, and a
400-foot-wide beach. Just south of Indian Shores, Redington
Shores is accessible from the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area
mainland by the Park Boulevard Causeway and Gulf Boulevard.
The area also has a popular fishing pier - 727-397-5538.
A barrier island near the southern tip of the St.
Petersburg/Clearwater area accessible from Interstate 275 by
taking the Pinellas Bayway. Access to the beach is available
at Upham Beach Park on Gulf Boulevard from 67th to 70th Avenue
and Pinellas County Beach Access Park on Gulf Boulevard at
44th Avenue. Both have metered parking. Visitors who plan an
extended stay can purchase a city parking pass for $15.
Several area resorts and shops offer a wide assortment of
water sports including waverunners, scuba diving, fishing,
parasailing and more. Info available at 727-360-3278.
This 90-acre county park features a ½ mile of white-sand
beach that has been rated among the top 20 beaches in the
United States. The park offers two bathhouses, picnic
shelters, nearly 900 metered parking spaces and lifeguard
stations. The park is open every day from 7 a.m. to sunset.
Lifeguards are on duty from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors
can reach Sand Key by driving south from Clearwater Beach over
the Clearwater Pass Bridge or by taking the Belleair Causeway
and then going north on Gulf Boulevard.
This undeveloped barrier island is known for excellent
shelling, sunbathing and bird watching opportunities. Numerous
boats from St. Pete Beach and John’s Pass offer sightseeing
packages that take guests to Shell Key for sunbathing and
dolphin watching near the island. It has also been named as
one of the five most important sites in Florida for nesting
and migrating endangered shore and sea birds
This is a bayside beach located in Downtown St. Petersburg on
2nd Ave. NE. Free parking and public restrooms are available
adjacent at North Shore Park, which also has a beach. Info
available at 727-367-2735.
Where Gulf Boulevard turns toward St. Pete Beach at the
southern tip of Treasure Island, a small road called West Gulf
Boulevard continues on to Sunset Beach. This southernmost
point of Treasure Island has a public access lot for cars and
is known for its relaxed, quiet atmosphere.
Located at the west end of Gulf Road in Tarpon Springs, is a
favorite with locals for picnics, swimming and boat launching.
It has barbecue grills, sheltered picnic tables, bicycle
stands and public restrooms. Hours are from sunrise to 10 p.m.
This collection of islands leading to Ft. De Soto Park has
several road-side areas that are popular for fishing and
windsurfing. The area also has several marinas for boat
rentals or charters
One of the widest beaches in the area and features several
sporting activities including an annual kite-flying contest
and the Taste of Treasure Island food and music festival.
Beach access is available at lots at six parking areas along
Gulf Boulevard including Treasure Island Beach Access Park at
10400 Gulf Boulevard with 67 metered parking spaces, restroom
facilities, a water fountain and beach showers. Three public
boat ramps and a marina are available. Treasure Island is
directly west of St. Petersburg and can be accessed by the
Treasure Island Causeway off Central Avenue.
Upham Beach: Upham Beach is quite popular, but you won't find
much sand there. Public parking and beach access are located
along Beach Plaza from 68th Ave to 70th Ave. Restrooms
available. Info at 727-367-2735.
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