No matter what your age is, you’d always enjoy a day at the beach. It’s a great way to relax and breathe some fresh air. Since Florida is home to many world-class beaches, your options can get a bit overwhelming. But don’t worry, as Tampa Bay natives we’ve got you covered with our five favorite beaches in Tampa Bay!
Honeymoon Island State Park
Honeymoon Island has three miles of pristine beach which is known for its soft sand and warm waters. The calm, shallow waters are perfect for children and many families come here on a regular basis. With a playground and tennis courts on the premises, you’re likely to see a few kids running around. And since it has picnic tables and grills available on site, you can have your lunch while taking in the scene.
This beach has lots of amenities: kayak rentals, volleyball courts, picnic shelters. It’s known for being a turtle nesting ground so if there are any turtles around during your visit you may be able to witness some wildlife in action! This beach also has an off-leash dog area located at Bon Secour Beach which is located past the north end of Honeymoon Island.
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Caladesi Island State Park Florida
Clear blue waters, powdery sand, and plenty of activities make this Alys Beach destination one of the best beaches in Tampa Bay. In fact, TripAdvisor voted Caladesi Island as having one of Florida’s top beaches. When planning your visit here, note that parking is limited so be sure to arrive early if you want a space. Also keep in mind that pets are prohibited on this beach, so you’ll need to leave your furry friends at home.
There are no hotels or restaurants there so it’s a quiet getaway from all of the hustle and bustle on the other beaches. There are a few different ways to get there: you can take a ferry from Honeymoon Island, kayak or canoe across from Clearwater Beach, or walk across from Dunedin.
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Fort De Soto Park St Petersburg Florida
Fort De Soto is made up of four miles of sandy beaches that connect two islands. Since it’s within walking distance from the Pinellas Trail, you can also enjoy biking, jogging, and rollerblading along the waterfront while taking in a magnificent view of Tampa Bay. If you’re looking for a great place for a picnic, then look no further! There are public grills available near each parking lot and there is also a concession stand on-site if you want some food or drinks without having to drive anywhere else.
This park has 12 miles of hiking trails, a marina, several fishing piers as well as a campground. The beaches there have some really nice sand with little shells mixed in! There’s lots of wildlife here including dolphins and manatees. Even though there’s a bridge across the bay, the water is very clear and it feels like you can see forever when standing on the beach.
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Smathers Beach at Sunset Florida
OK, so it may not be the closest beach to St Pete’s or Tampa, but we certainly can’t leave out our absolute favorite beach in Florida. Arguably the most popular one of the beaches in Key West, it’s big enough to find your own secluded area, but be warned: this is where all the party people go.
You can rent water equipment (kayaks, paddleboats, etc.) here too at the Sandy Key Park (in front of Fort Zachary Taylor) – this beach has picnic shelters and volleyball courts; it’s where many barbecues are held on the weekends. It also happens to be one of Florida’s most southerly points!
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Caladesi Island State Park – Dunedin Causeway at Sunset Florida
This is a small island with a high-end restaurant on it called The Pearl. You have to go through security just like at an airport before entering the restaurant but once inside, they have some of the best food in the Tampa Bay area! A lot of people just come here for drinks and appetizers rather than eating dinner though so if you’re looking for more casual dining then try one of the other beaches.
This beach also has a small park with a playground and canoe/kayak rentals. Plus, the view of Clearwater is incredible; you can see all of downtown as well as Caladesi Island State Park! There are restrooms and showers here too but they’re only open seasonally (from around April to October or November).
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