Caladesi Island– As one of the few completely natural islands along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Caladesi is a favorite of locals and tourists alike. Beach lovers can enjoy swimming, sunbathing and looking for shells. Saltwater anglers can cast a line from their boats or surf fish. Kayakers can paddle a 3 mile trail through the mangroves and bay. Picnic tables and shelters are located near the beach, the picnic pavilions can be reserved for a fee. Please note: Caladesi Island is only accessible by watercraft.
Honeymoon Island– Located at the western end of the Dunedin Causeway, Honeymoon Island State Park is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of urban living. The park has over 4 miles of beach with great swimming, fishing and shelling. There is also a section of beach where dogs can swim. Pets must be kept on a 6-foot handheld leash while they are in the park.
Clearwater Beach-Fun loving Clearwater Beach was voted the No. 1 beach in America by Trip Advisor in 2018 and named No. 7 in the world in 2018! Wide sugar sand beaches and emerald clear surf dotted with dolphins make this an active beach scene. Soak in the sun, then dust off the sand and enjoy all this city-beach has to offer from downtown shops and restaurants.
Sand Key– If you prefer solitude with spectacular gulf views, quiet and romantic Sand Key Park is just a bridge away from the lively Clearwater Beach. Pack a picnic and set up camp at the tables on the north side of the island, or grab a fishing pole and kick back at this 95 acre county park with its wide beach, picnic pavilions and bathhouses. Explore the trails and boardwalk that winds through a salt marsh, and after a storm, collect shells along the shore.
Belleair Beach– Your stress will be gone with the wind when you chill out with the locals and condo vacationers along quiet Belleair Beach. Find a spot on 4,500 feet of secluded shoreline dotted with the area’s most lavish mansions and settle in for a reverie of sun, sand and seagulls.
Indian Shores & Indian Rocks Beach– Time for a nostalgic taste of Old Florida along this narrow barrier island. Hungry after some fun in the sun? Stop by one of the local restaurants for something to eat.
Redington Shores, North Redington Beach & Redington Beach– Brilliant white sand and sparking blue water attract many vacationers to Gulf Boulevard. You’re bound to find a peaceful stretch of sand. Take a stroll at sunset or cast a line along the 1,200 foot long fishing pier, where local anglers hook tarpon and snook (rentals and bait are available).
Madeira Beach/John’s Pass– Visit John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk, a location buzzing with more than 100 shops and restaurants in an Old Florida-style waterfront atmosphere. Enjoy the surf shops and art galleries, then enjoy fresh seafood along the boardwalk. The annual John’s Pass Seafood & Music Festival is a must attend event.
Treasure Island– 3 miles of sparking sand lines the Gulf with an array of lodging, from luxury resorts to kitschy hotels and small inns. Hang out at the surrounding popular beach bars and be within driving distance to John’s Pass.
St. Pete Beach– A Florida resort city set on a barrier island and is known for it’s beautiful beaches mixed with a historic and unique flair. A 1928 landmark, the pink Moorish-style Don CeSar Hotel looms over the shore, highlighting an important historical venue for Pinellas County.
Pass-A-Grille– Offers galleries, shops and the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, which displays postcards and other artifacts in a 1917 church. Nearby, boats depart to Shell Key, a nesting site for seabirds and turtles and nature loving enthusiasts who enjoy the old Florida lifestyle.
Fort DeSoto– Whether you are sitting on the beach or kayaking near the still water’s edge at Fort De Soto, you find yourself absorbed in the abundance of natural beauty for as far as the eye can see. The complexity of the ecology is not immediately apparent, but the park offers the greatest diversity of systems just about anywhere. Emerging from the wealth of bird life, sea life, wild life and plant life is the majestic tapestry called Fort De Soto.