The Tampa/St.Pete/Clearwater area is where you’ll find some of the most pristine and beautiful beaches in Florida. Most of these beaches are close to each other and some are remote islands that offer a private retreat for the Florida traveler. The island’s parks offer some of the best fishing and diving on Florida’s west coast.
Fort Desota Park
Fort De Soto is located on the southwest corner of Mullet Key, at the entrance to Tampa Bay. The entire island is now Fort De Soto Park, a Pinellas County park that offers beautiful beaches, fishing, nature trails, camping, boating, and much more.
This beach was once home to the Tocobaga Indians who fished and traveled the area in small boats. A huge military fort was built here during the Spanish-American War and you can tour the fort and stand by its truly monstrous cannons. The fort has many photos of the fort and beach during the Spanish American War and they are fascinating to look at.
This is a great park with bike trails, kayak rentals, bike rentals, a large fishing pier, boat ramps, camping area. The beach and water are absolutely beautiful, which is why it was previously ranked as one of the top 10 beaches in the US.
clear water beach
Clearwater Beach is located in Pinellas County and has miles of white sand and gentle waves. This is a very popular beach that can get crowded during the summer and has become a spring break mecca for college students.
Clearwater Beach has a fishing pier called Pier 60 which is great for fishing and at night is occupied by artisans and artists just like in Key West. There are many neat shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants that line the strip that stretches along the beach. You can stay in a hotel on the beach and never have to use a car because everything is within walking distance.
Visit the official Clearwater site for more information: MyClearwater.com
St. Pete/Treasure Island/Pass-a-grille/Madeira/Bellaire/Indian Shores/Indian Rocks/Redington Shores/North Redington Beach/Redington Beach
These 9 small beach communities start at the southern end of Gulf Blvd and run north to Clearwater Beach. You can take a nice drive down Gulf Blvd and enjoy the beautiful scenery that all of these beach communities have to offer. There is plenty to do with shops, restaurants, bars, miniature golf and more. Thousands of foreign tourists flock to these beach communities year after year due to their charm and beauty.
The beaches stretch for miles and are extremely clean and the water is beautiful. There are plenty of hotels ranging from bargains to 4 star prices. St. Pete Beach is home to the world famous Don Cesar Hotel that is rich in history. The Don Cesar is a favorite haunt for presidents and celebrities.
honeymoon island state park
Pioneers called it Hog Island, but it became Honeymoon Isle in 1939 when a New York developer built 50 thatched-roof bungalows for honeymooners. Today the park is a beautifully maintained beach with nature trails and observation towers. This beach is perfect for nature lovers and bird watchers who can spot ospreys and other bird species.
The water is pristine and there are a lot of shells due to the running water in the area. There is a fee to enter the park, which means it won’t be crowded. Visit this beach once and you will know why so many honeymooners came here years ago to stay in the seaside bungalows.
Egmont Key State Park
is a 440-acre Florida state park located on Egmont Key at the mouth of Tampa Bay. It is located southwest of Fort DeSoto Park. It can only be reached by boat or ferry. The Egmont Key Lighthouse and the ruins of Fort Dade, a Spanish-American War-era fort, are located in the park.
The park is primarily a National Wildlife Refuge and was established as such in 1974. The park is only accessible by private boat. It is one of three ‘Tampa Bay Refuges’ and is managed as part of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The island served as a camp for captured Seminoles at the end of the Third Seminole War and was later occupied by the Union Navy during the Civil War.
The historic lighthouse was built in 1858 and still stands today. There are many trails to explore and lots of shells in the clear water. The park is the perfect secluded getaway for you and your family.
Caladesi Island State Park
Caladesi State Park is a beautiful, natural island that is only accessible by private boat or ferry from nearby Honeymoon Island State Park. This is a popular fishing destination, as well as for nature lovers and those who want to see wildlife. Nature lovers will enjoy the 3-mile nature trail and the 3-mail kayak trail through the mangroves. For ferry information call (727) 734-5263
sand key park
Sand Key Park is a barrier island between the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida mainland. The entire park consists of 95 acres and its sand is pristine and white. The park welcomes more than a million each year.
