The Best Beaches That Tampa Offers

If you have been to some of these places before and are wondering how they fit in, just scan through the section show-cased below to know more about them.

Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach is a great place to spend an afternoon if you're looking for a day of sun and fun. Clearwater Beach has some of the best beaches in Florida. It's a great place to go with your family and friends or even your significant other if you're looking for a day full of fun in the sun.

It is a little over an hour's drive from Tampa, but it's more than worth the trip. It is consistently rated as one of the top beaches in the United States, and it has all the amenities you would expect from such an award-winning beach.

The sand is soft and white, the water is clear and calm, and lifeguards are on duty to keep swimmers safe. There are plenty of things to do in Clearwater Beach: parasailing opportunities, dolphin watching cruises, and even a pirate ship cruise for some extra fun.

Clearwater Beach has been named by TripAdvisor as the best beach in the U.S. several hotels line the shore or offer rooms with ocean views so you can enjoy the sunrise or sunset each day. You can find unique shops and restaurants that offer local specialties and national chains.

St. Pete Beach

St Pete Beach is another beach that offers plenty of activities for the whole family, including swimming, fishing, and much more! You can also take a stroll around town to see the sights or just enjoy the scenery!

This Tampa beach is located just 30 minutes from Tampa on a barrier island near St Petersburg. The beach features 3 miles of pristine sand with plenty of room for everyone. Many amenities are available at St Pete Beach, including picnic tables, playgrounds, showers, restrooms, parking lots, and summer lifeguards.

You can easily spend a full day there without ever becoming bored by soaking up the sun or playing volleyball on the beach. Additionally, there are several excellent restaurants and bars nearby if you get hungry or want to grab a drink while watching the sunset over Tampa Bay.

This area is known for its arts scene, so there are plenty of places to shop for handmade items and participate in art galleries and live music performances when you aren't swimming or sunbathing on the sand.

Sand Key Park

Sand Key Park is a serene beach where you can go for a swim and relax at the same time. If you prefer to enjoy nature on your vacation, this is definitely the place! All kinds of birds make it even better for bird lovers like myself!

The beautiful barrier island features over 10 acres of beachfront parkland and a quarter-mile of sandy beaches. If you want to enjoy some of the best beaches that Tampa offers, consider visiting this popular park.

Perhaps, one of the best features about Sand Key Park is that it's so easily accessible from Clearwater Beach. The park is open from 7:30 am to sunset every day and offers 2 miles of white sandy beaches and multiple picnic tables.

Caladesi Island

If you truly want to experience the very best beaches in Tampa, take a short ferry ride over to Caladesi Island. This beautiful island is located right across the bay from Clearwater Beach and has been named as one of America's top 10 beaches by Dr. Beach.

The island contains three miles of pristine beaches, as well as hiking trails that will take you through its mangroves and palm trees. You can even rent kayaks and explore the adjacent waters by boat.

Fort De Soto

Fort De Soto is a beach that has both history and beauty. Fort De Soto is not technically a single beach — it's made up of five interconnected islands in the Gulf of Mexico. The park stretches across 1,136 acres and has seven miles of roads to explore.

Most of the island is a part of the Pinellas County Park System, which means visitors can enjoy the white sandy beaches and clean, warm waters. The park offers playgrounds, picnic pavilions, bathhouses, concessions, and even a dog beach.

If you go to Fort De Soto in the summer, you're likely going to see a few fishermen casting their rods into the water or kayakers paddling along the shallow waters. Fort De Soto is also one of the best places in Tampa to watch some great sunsets over the water.

Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway or a permanent place to live, Tampa Bay has lots of great beaches. But the best beaches are different for everyone. We've made it easy for you to find the beach that's perfect for you by picking from our list of Tampa Bay's top beaches. Interested in what's required for moving to Florida? Read here.