Beaches in Tampa Bay

Top Beaches to Visit Around Tampa Bay

Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach sits on a barrier island about 20 miles west of downtown Tampa, connected to the mainland by the Memorial Causeway. The sand is fine and white, the Gulf water is shallow and warm, and the main strip along Mandalay Avenue has restaurants, watersport rentals, and beach bars within easy walking distance. Pier 60 draws a crowd every evening for the nightly sunset celebration. It's consistently ranked among the top beaches in the US.

Indian Rocks Beach

Indian Rocks Beach is about 8 miles south of Clearwater Beach along the Pinellas barrier island chain, roughly 25 miles from downtown Tampa. It has a quieter, residential character: smaller streets, no high-rise hotels, and a handful of local seafood spots within walking distance of the water. The beach itself is uncrowded most days, and parking is easier to find than at Clearwater. A good option if you want Gulf water without the crowds.

St. Pete Beach

St. Pete Beach is at the southern end of the Pinellas barrier island chain, about 30 miles southwest of downtown Tampa via the Pinellas Bayway. The beach is wide, well-maintained, and faces the Gulf directly, making for good sunsets. The surrounding area along Gulf Boulevard has a solid mix of restaurants, bars, and shops. It sits just north of Pass-a-Grille, one of the oldest beach communities in the area and worth a short walk south.

Fort De Soto Park

Fort De Soto Park occupies five interconnected keys at the southern tip of Pinellas County, about 35 miles from downtown Tampa via the Pinellas Bayway. It has over 7 miles of waterfront, a kayak and canoe launch, nature trails through mangroves, a fishing pier, and a Civil War-era fort. The North Beach area is consistently ranked among the top beaches in the country. It's the best pick on this stretch of coast if you want space, nature, and a beach that doesn't feel like a resort strip.

Tampa City Beaches

Tampa has several beaches within city limits, all free and open daily from sunrise to sunset. Ben T. Davis Beach is on the Courtney Campbell Causeway, with calm bay water and easy access from I-275. Picnic Island Park sits on Tampa Bay's western shore in West Tampa, with a boat ramp and picnic areas. Cypress Point Park, on the north end of Old Tampa Bay, is a quieter spot with a small beach and nature trail. Davis Islands Seaplane Basin offers a sliver of sand with views of the downtown skyline.