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St. Pete/Clearwater, known as the home for America's Top Rated beaches, adds another #1 beach. Fort De Soto Park has been named America's top beach for 2009 by TripAdvisor, the world's largest online travel community. Check it out, as well as other top rated standouts.
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You Are Here: Home » Things to Do » Beaches » Beach Listings »
Surf Wheelchairs
Surf wheelchairs are available free of charge at Clearwater Beach and St. Pete/Treasure Island. Surf wheelchairs are more manageable to use on sand and float in the water. For more information, please contact:
Clearwater Beach - Beach Safety
727-462-6963
St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island
727-360-3278
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5730 Shore Blvd. S.
Gulfport, FL 33707-6038
727-893-1068
727-893-9820
Features a beach on the shores of Boca Ciega Bay, children's playground & a 251-ft. fishing pier.
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1800 Gulf Blvd
Belleair Beach, FL 33786-3339
727-595-4646
Lay of the Land: Park at the Beach Access points of this gulf-front community and you will find 4,500 feet of a very secluded white sand shoreline surrounded by some of the most impressive waterfront homes on the West Coast of Florida.
Little Known Facts: This quiet, laid back beach is home to many sea turtle and sea bird nesting sites scattered about the shore. Boaters can tie up at the 7th Street Park Boat Ramp and the Municipal Marina across the street from the beach.
Why You Should Go: No crowds, no active sports, just peace and quiet. The ultimate beach destination if you want to pretend to be a millionaire for a day.
*Please note that there are no public facilities or restaurants on this stretch of beach.
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#1 Causeway Blvd.
Dunedin, FL 34698
727-469-5918
Lay of the Land: One of the few pristine barrier islands along Florida's Gulf Coast, this---the #1 Beach in the U.S.---is accessible only by boat. While on the ferry from Honeymoon Island you can spot dolphins and osprey while learning about the history of the area. The island features abundant wildlife, a ranger station, boat docks, beach and kayak rentals, mangrove kayak trails and even a concession stand offering beer and wine.
Little Known Facts: Caladesi was once part of one large island called Hog Island after the hogs that a pioneer family raised there. A book about the key, "Yesteryear, I lived in Paradise," by Myrtle Scharrer Betz, daughter of the first homesteader, is available on Amazon.com.
Why You Should Go: Caladesi Island was named America's #1 Beach in 2008, #2 Beach in 2006 and 2007 by Dr. Beach. Do you need any other reason?
*Please note there is an entry fee to the park which is included in the price of the ferry boat ticket. See the park's website for more details.
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10 Pier 60 Dr.
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Lay of the Land: This beach has it all: white sand, sparkling waters, marinas, bathhouse, boat ramp, full-time lifeguards, playground, showers, attractions, nightlife, restaurants, and accommodations ranging from high-end resorts to old fashioned mom-and-pop motels. Pier 60 is where anglers can cast lines 24/7. Just south of Pier 60, the newly-opened BeachWalk pedestrian thoroughfare winds its way southward. For disabled visitors, Surf Wheelchairs which are easier to use on the sand and float in the water are available free of charge by contacting 727-462-6963.
Little Known Facts: Clearwater Beach was voted as having the Best Sand on the East Coast by Conde Nast Traveller. Each November Clearwater Beach is home to the Foster Grant Ironman 70.3 World Championship. Looking for a cheap date? It only costs fifty cents to take a walk out to the end of Pier 60.
Why You Should Go: Clearwater Beach offers something for everyone, and you can visit dolphins and other marine life at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Be sure not to miss the nightly free festival, Sunsets at Pier 60.
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At the mouth of Tampa Bay, southwest of Fort DeSoto Beach
St. Petersburg, FL 34698
727-893-2627
Located at the mouth of Tampa Bay, southwest of Fort De Soto Park. This 440-acre island is the home to one of the last government-operated lighthouses, built in 1858, in the nation. It is still an active navigational aide to all ships entering Tampa Bay.
Now a wildlife refuge, Egmont Key was a camp for captured Seminoles during the Third Seminole War and was a Union Navy base during the Civil War. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection cooperatively manages Egmont Key with the U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Several boats offer snorkeling excursions to this island which is accessible only by boat. Egmont Key also has a variety of significant natural resources, including a large population of gopher tortoises, and its beach is used as a nesting area by loggerhead sea turtles.
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3500 Pinellas Bayway S.
Tierra Verde, FL 33715-2528
727-552-1864
Lay of the Land: Soft sand, emerald waters and shady pines await you at TripAdvisor's #1 Beach for 2008 and 2009, which is made up of five separate islands. Ride, skate or jog on the 7-mile paved trail, or canoe and kayak through lush mangroves. Rover can roam at the Paw Playground and frolic in the surf at Dog Beach, while the kids explore the canons and jail cells of the old fort. Other amenties: showers, lifeguards, camping and fishing.
Little Known Facts: Built for the Spanish-American War, the fort was finished after the war ended and never fired a hostile shot. Fans of the hit television series "Prison Break" might recognize the park, since it acted as a stand in for the country of Panama for several episodes in the 2007-2008 season. Fort De Soto is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Why You Should Go: It's America's Best Beach of 2005 and 2008, you can camp directly on the water, fish from two free piers 24 hours a day, splash the boat, rent bikes---you name it. Just go!
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1700 Sunset Dr.
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
727-943-4081
Little Known Facts: The mile-long causeway is a favorite of filmmakers. Most recently the causeway was featured in the John Cusack feature "Grace is Gone" and in a national television commercial for Cadillac.
Wind surfing is cool and sunsets are spectacular at this park spreading along a white, sandy beach that is perfect for sunbathing. Approached by a scenic one-mile causeway, the beach has a swimming area. The park also has picnic shelters, a butterfly garden, softball field, playground and hiking/biking trail. For picnic shelter reservations go to www.pinellascounty.org/parks and select the link to make your reservation on line with a credit card or call 727.453.3171. This park will be closed the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
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5730 Shore Blvd.
Gulfport, FL 33707
727-893-1068
This open beach recreation area on beautiful Boca Ciega Bay, is located on Shore Boulevard South between 54th and 58th Streets. The beach is conveniently located near shops and restaurants. Come out and enjoy some time in the sun. Whether you wish to relax, play bocci ball and horseshoes or enjoy your lunch at a covered picnic table, enjoy all of the amenities available to you.
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One Causeway Blvd.
Dunedin, FL 34698
727-469-5942
Lay of the Land: A natural barrier island, this state park boasts four miles of sandy beaches, nature trails, and abundant wildlife. Don't be surprised to see an endangered gopher tortoise walking across your path or hear the call of an osprey---or the bark of Fido, who may explore the dog beach. The Pinellas Trail has a spur that runs the length of the Dunedin Causeway right to the park entrance. All pets are required to be on a six-foot handheld leash.
Little Known Facts: Honeymoon Island got its name from a Life Magazine contest for newlyweds in 1939; couples won a two-week honeymoon stay on the island. Photos of these love birds can be viewed at The Rotary Club Centennial Nature Center. In 2007 Honeymoon Island was Florida's most visited state park.
Why You Should Go: Beaches, nature and accessibility. In addition to being a great destination, it’s also the lunching point to Caladesi Island State Park America's #1 Beach for 2008.
* Please note there is an admission fee. See the park’s website for more details.
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1700 Gulf Blvd.
Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785
727-588-4852
727-464-3379
Lay of the Land: A throwback to old Florida, Indian Rocks Beach features beautiful dune-lined expanse dotted with small motels, vacation cottages and rental condos. After a hard day of sunbathing, relax at some of the best local restaurants in the area or browse several small shops in this historic hamlet.
Little Known Facts: Legend has it that Indian Rocks Beach got its name when a native medicine man brought his ailing chief to bathe in and drink the water at a local sulfur spring encircled by rocks. In the early 20th century all the roads on the beaches were composed of shell and sand, and some of them still exist today.
Why You Should Go: Nostalgia. It's the beach that your grandparents took your parents to for vacation.
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