The beach lottery has been won by visitors to Tampa! You’re only a half-hour drive from not one, not two, but over a dozen of the world’s most gorgeous stretches of sand from downtown Tampa.
All you have to do now is choose one. 10 Best Beaches in Tampa has created a list of the best options to choose from to help you make the most of this important decision.
The beaches all have smooth, white sand and the Gulf of Mexico’s mild, tranquil waves. As a result, the decision is largely based on the location and amenities available nearby. The ever-popular Clearwater Beach is a fantastic choice if you want a full-service beach with cabanas, restaurants, water sports, and entertainment.
Spring-breakers love it because it’s right in the middle of everything and home to Pier 60, which stages a daily sunset festival. With outstanding restaurants and a busy nightlife, Tampa is an excellent destination for a vacation, especially given the 361 days of sunlight each year.
There are also options for those seeking peace and quiet, such as a beach in a more natural setting without condos and groomed sand. Caladesi Island State Park is one of the most amazing Brandon Florida beaches in an area rich of amazing beaches. There are no high-rise buildings here, and the beautiful beaches are all natural. The excellent spot for reconnecting with nature.
Top 10 Beaches Near Tampa Feature White Sand, Warm Water
The beaches in Tampa, Florida, are one of the city’s most popular attractions.
The city is a significant economic centre with numerous tourist attractions, including museums and Busch Gardens, an amusement park with an African theme.
The ocean is pleasant, and people of all ages enjoy spending time at the beach. In and around Tampa, there is no shortage of options.
Let’s take a look at some of Tampa’s top beaches:
1. CLEARWATER BEACH
Clearwater Beach is a popular and bustling beach that has received numerous “Best Beach” awards. There are numerous beach attractions, including watersports rentals, concessions, and shaded cabanas, in addition to perfectly groomed beaches (an essential).
If lying on the beach becomes too boring, there are a variety of additional activities nearby, including as fishing, dolphin-watching trips, and leisure cruises. At the Clearwater Aquarium, you can see the old home of famed Disney dolphin Winter. Clearwater Beach is home to some of the top seafood restaurants in the Tampa Bay area, including two locations of the region’s perennial favorite, Frenchy’s.
Every evening at sunset, visitors flock to The Pier for a sunset festival that includes entertainment and a craft market. After dark, a range of clubs and nightlife options, including Shepherd’s Beach Resort’s two-story dance club, The Wave, round out the day’s activities.
Recommended for Beaches because: Clearwater Beach is a world-class beach with several beach amenities as well as local attractions, restaurants, and nightlife.
Expert tip: If you aren’t staying on the island, parking can be difficult. Arrive early, pack light, and expect to walk because seaside parking is limited. Other possibilities include the Clearwater Ferry and the Trolley.
2. FORT DE SOTO PARK
Have you ever longed to set up tent on the beach? This is a fantastic location for it! Over 1,000 acres of conserved land cover five interconnecting islands in Fort De Soto Park. The Park’s beach grasses, mangroves, wetlands, and palm hammocks provide home to a diverse range of animals.
The beaches are naturally gorgeous, and there is a peaceful lagoon protected by sand bars where children can safely play. A 7-mile paved route is also available for biking and walking. Two piers where visitors can fish without a license, a dog park and beach area, and kayak and bike rentals are among the park’s many facilities.
Recommended for Beaches because: With gorgeous beaches and a variety of other attractions, including on-beach camping, Fort De Soto Park is a family favorite.
Expert tip: History fans will enjoy visiting the Quartermaster Storehouse Museum and viewing the historic Fort De Soto site, which was used as a gunnery and bombing range during WWII.
3. ST. PETE BEACH
Another nearby beach that consistently ranks towards the top of “best beach” rankings around the world is St. Pete Beach. Yes, it boasts white sand beaches and warm Gulf waters, but the extras are what set this beach apart. Restaurants, Tiki bars, cabana rentals, jet ski rentals, and other adventure activities are all available along the beach.
If you plan on staying overnight, the beach is lined with full-service resorts and nostalgic boutique motels. Take a stroll down historic Corey Avenue for some shopping and a tour of the famous Don Cesar Resort. This spectacular Mediterranean-style hotel, dubbed the “Pink Palace,” was erected during the Jazz Age and sets the benchmark for old-school beach-side elegance.
Recommended for Beaches because: Laid-back With a vast choice of beach activities, restaurants, bars, and retail options, St. Pete Beach has something for everyone.
Expert tip: Because you can’t drink on the beach unless you’re a hotel guest, there are plenty of beachside pubs to relax in.
4. CALADESI ISLAND STATE PARK
The beach on Caladesi Island was chosen for its beauty and is one of the most beautiful expanses of sand on the earth. The sand is whiter and the water is more teal coloured at this quiet beach than everywhere else. Shell hunters will like the bounty, and nature enthusiasts will enjoy the abundance of little animals to see.
Because it is a natural preserve, it has minimal amenities and is only accessible by ferry or private boat. While this may be annoying, it is a tiny price to pay to keep the Island in its original state. Daily ferries travel from Honeymoon State Park to Caladesi Island; see their website for schedules and prices.
Recommended for Beaches because: Caladesi Island is an isolated nature reserve with a magnificent beach that is ideal for shell hunters.
Expert tip: If you’re up for it, you can hire a kayak from Honeymoon State Park’s causeway and paddle over to the island to explore it.
5. TREASURE ISLAND
Treasure Island is another famous beach with a unique, retro ambiance and abundance of large, white sand beaches and entertaining activities. This beach is very broad, making it a sanctuary for kite flyers who put on a brilliant visual spectacle for visitors to enjoy. A mile-long paved trail connects many of the hotels, restaurants, bars, and businesses along the beach, making it easy to move around Treasure Island.
St. John’s Pass, on the north end, is a reproduction of a picturesque fishing village that acts as a hub for charter boats, an eclectic mix of souvenir and apparel shops, and a number of fantastic taverns and restaurants. On this beach, drinking is allowed.
Recommended for Beaches because: Treasure Island is a classic beach town with a 3-mile stretch of beach and a wide range of restaurants, bars, and stores.
Expert tip: Because an early hotelier buried a couple of ancient chests on the beach as a marketing gimmick, the name “Treasure Island” persisted.
6. HONEYMOON ISLAND STATE PARK
Honeymoon Island, which serves as a launching point to the beach on Caladesi Island, too has lots of gorgeous sand to offer guests – and you don’t have to take a boat to get there. The Island has various nature trails and bird observation places where you may see nesting Ospreys and a variety of aquatic birds in addition to the 4-miles of white sand.
The Rotary Nature Center can provide extra information to visitors. The island has many services, including a concession and restaurant where you may rent umbrellas, chairs, and kayaks in addition to meals. Families will appreciate the picnic area, which has a playground and rain-protected pavilions.
Recommended for Beaches because: Honeymoon Island is a natural paradise with four miles of white sand beach, full amenities, and a pristine nature preserve with nesting Ospreys.
Expert tip: If you plan on strolling the nature route, bring bug repellant with you!
7. SAND KEY PARK
Explore Sand Key Park, just south of Clearwater, if you’re looking for a peaceful, family-friendly Tampa Bay beach. This lovely park serves as both a park and a beach, with white sand, a boardwalk, and a nature trail in Brandon Florida beaches.
You can see sea turtle nesting spots on the beach if you arrive at the proper time of year. So, whether you want to see Florida wildlife or just go swimming and get a tan, this is the place to go. The park, which is located on a barrier island between the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida mainland, has plenty of parking, picnic shelters, shower and restroom facilities, and a children’s playground.
Recommended for Beaches because: With a gorgeous sandy beach and family park amenities, Sand Key Park gives tourists the best of both worlds.
Expert tip: This is an excellent place to spend on a cabana rental because the fees are lower than on the more well-known beaches!
8. INDIAN ROCKS BEACH
Indian Rocks Beach is known for its wide white sand beaches and lack of commercial development. This peaceful, residential beach area, dubbed IRB by locals, is a less congested option to Clearwater or St. Pete. With over 20 accesses to the sand, public beach access is fantastic, but services such as showers, restrooms, and parking are limited.
There are no big chain hotels in the immediate area, which is a mix of residential and vacation rentals. Despite the relaxed attitude, there is plenty to do, with skim boarding being a favorite hobby. Check out the friendly surf shops to find rentals and lessons. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from when you want to take a break from the beach.
Recommended for Beaches because: Indian Rocks Beach is a long stretch of white sand beach with plenty of public access that is free of crowds and commercialism.
Expert tip: If the silence becomes too much for you, go on the Jolly Trolley to visit the other beaches. Check the schedule at the nearest Gulf Boulevard station.
9. FRED HOWARD PARK
On the north end of Tampa Bay’s barrier islands, Fred Howard Park is a popular beach and natural preserve. The Park is linked to the lovely town of Tarpon Springs by a mile-long causeway, which is home to the area’s famous Sponge Docks and a delectable concentration of traditional Greek eateries.
The Park not only provides access to white sand beaches, but it also protects endangered Florida ecosystem. Local animals such as nesting ospreys and eagles, as well as dolphins and manatees, are likely to be seen by visitors. Picnic spots and playgrounds are among the amenities.
Recommended for Beaches because: Fred Howard Beach is a beautiful stretch of white sand as well as a protected wildlife preserve, making it ideal for beach and nature lovers both.
Expert tip: A part of this beach is dedicated to windsurfing.
10. BEN T. DAVIS BEACH
Davis Beach is for you if you’re vacationing in Tampa and want a beach close by that has fluffy white sand for resting, calm water for cooling off, and picnic shelters. This is the nearest beach to downtown Tampa and a popular tailgate site for locals. For those who appreciate efficiency, Davis is ideally located near the airport.
Local volleyball players frequent the beach on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. This is one of the nicest places in town to view the sunset, and it’s just next to the new Courtney Campbell Trail, a four-mile bicycling and walking path.
Recommended for Beaches because: Within municipal borders, Ben T. Davis Beach is largest and one of the best beaches in Tampa, and it is near to the four-mile Courtney Campbell Trail.
Expert tip: From Memorial Day through Labor Day, lifeguards are on duty.
FAQ’s About Beaches Near Tampa, Florida.
What is the nicest beach near Tampa?
Best Beaches in Tampa
1. Clearwater Beach
2. Fort De Soto Park.
3. St. Pete Beach.
4. Caladesi Island State Park.
5. Treasure Island.
6. Honeymoon Island State Park.
7. Sand Key Park.
8. Indian Rocks Beach.
9. Fred Howard Park.
10. Ben T. Davis Beach.
What beach has the clearest water near Tampa?
Clearwater Beach, Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater Beach has been named not just one of the best beaches in Tampa Bay, but also one of the top beaches in the country! This beautiful clean white sand beach on the Gulf Coast is connected to Pier 60 by a beach boardwalk.
How far is Tampa from Siesta?
Around 66 miles
Driving directions from Tampa to Siesta Key
You will cover around 66 miles if you choose to drive from Tampa to Siesta Key.
What is the difference between Clearwater Beach and St Pete Beach?
There are probably more similarities than differences between these two beaches. Although St. Pete Beach is longer and narrower than Clearwater Beach, both provide sweet sand, a variety of family entertainment options, and excellent cuisine.
How far are the beaches from Tampa?
The distance to the beach is determined by where you live. You’ll generally spend approximately 45 minutes travelling out to the beach from North Tampa and the USF area, depending on which beach you choose. The easiest and quickest journey is to Clearwater Beach, but the drive to Ft. DeStoto Park from North Tampa might take up to two hours.
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