11 Gorgeous Florida Gulf Coast Beaches
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Florida’s Gulf Coast is home to some of the country’s most amazing beaches. I lived in the Tampa region for a little more than 3 years and spent almost every weekend I wasn’t traveling somewhere else relaxing and exploring these gorgeous white sand beaches. They never seem to get old no matter how long you live here. At one point or another, most have been rated as “the best” in the country, so you really can’t go wrong choosing any option.
While these beaches are not the best choice for surfing, the calm waters are perfect for swimming and relaxing. I find California beaches better for active types who surf, bike along the beach, play volleyball, etc. Florida beaches are better for relaxation and swimming. Because the water is so warm, you can swim and enjoy various other recreational activities like stand up paddleboarding, windsurfing, and kayaking almost the entire year.
While Clearwater is the most well-known and visited of the bunch, plenty of other low-key beaches offer the same sugary white sand and mesmerizing turquoise waters without the big tourist crowds. There is a beach for every type of beachgoer, whether you are looking to relax, collect seashells, take a cruise, bird watch, hike, take in a gorgeous sunset, or watch for dolphins & manatee early in the mornings.
Check out a few of my favorites. I’ve included an option for everyone, so take your pick!
1. Siesta Key Beach
Location: Sarasota
Best for: Relaxation
Just south of Sarasota likes Siesta Key, an 8 mile long barrier island known for its’ incredible beaches. Siesta Key Beach, with its’ very wide stretch of 99% pure quartz sand, is easily one of the most picture-perfect beaches I’ve ever had the privilege of visiting. Digging your toes into the soft, powdery smooth sand, listening to the gentle waves, all while enjoying a lazy afternoon sunbathing or reading a book – this is the picture-perfect beach day you have been dreaming about.
In 1987, at the Great International White Sand Beach Festival,” Siesta was rated as being home to the “whitest and finest sand in the world.” The sugar white sand contrasts gorgeously amongst the bright blue color of the water. When a summer thunderstorm rolls in, the views become even more amazing as the water turns a brilliant shade of turquoise. While all the other tourists run to their car, I enjoy the mesmerizing changes in the sky and water and lack of crowds just a bit longer.
Siesta is the perfect choice for anyone looking to relax and step foot on the softest sand around. The sand here seems to stretch on forever, especially in comparison to many of the more narrow Gulf beaches. There’s plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy a peaceful afternoon soaking in the sunshine. And if you prefer fitness to relaxation, it is one of the few beaches where I’ve seen volleyball nets. In fact, several high profile volleyball tournaments are held here each year.
What else to do nearby: Before/after your trip to the beach, I recommend a stroll around Siesta Key Village. This laid-back, touristy entertainment destination is lined with numerous restaurants and shops. I like to stop by Mojo Risin’ for a cup of joe and pastry on the breezy patio before hitting the beach.
2. Madeira Beach
Location: Madeira Beach
Best for: Dolphin watching
Madeira Beach is one of the best bets for tourists as you will find so much more here than simply beautiful white sand beaches. At the adjacent St. John’s Boardwalk, you can enjoy fun touristy activities like dolphin watching, cruises, themed restaurants, tiki bars, and festivals throughout the year. I don’t think I’ve ever visited where some special event is not going on. The 3 day Seafood Festival is definitely one to put on your calendar.
The vibe is fun and vacation-y, and thus, perfect for anyone looking more for an upbeat, active beach experience. Sightings are guaranteed on the dolphin cruises (we saw many on our Hubbards Marina cruise).
The 2.5 mile long shoreline features smooth white sand beaches, with beautiful crystal clear water and tons of seashells. Cabana rentals although pricey are a great way to relax out of the direct sunlight!
What else to do nearby: At Hubbards Marina, you can sign up for a snorkeling tour, sunset cruise, or deep sea fishing tour. A 3 hour shelling cruise to Egmont & Shell Key is the perfect option for avid beachcombers. Wave runners, paddleboat and kayak rentals are additional options for fun-in-the-sun. Lots to do here for active types!
3. Clearwater
Location: Clearwater
Best for: Beach side entertainment
Clearwater is easily one of the most recognizable beaches in the state. Time and time again, the quintessential Gulf Coast beach shows up on “best of” lists. Both Tampa and Orlando tourists flock here to dig their toes in the fine powdery white sand and swim in the namesake clear water. The sand here is so soft to the touch that it really resembles snow more so than sand. Unfortunately, this beach can get really crowded. Finding parking can be a real nightmare, so I recommend a weekday visit during the off season to avoid the crowds and unnecessary frustration.
The historic pier, the beautiful sunsets, the smooth sand and clear water, the boat tours, the fun events (such as Pier 60 festival movies on the beach) – this beach has so much going for it. I don’t like the noisy, overcrowded vibe, but it’s a fun place if you are looking to be entertained in every way possible.
Dolphin watching tours, pirate themed cruises, parasailing, and kayaking/stand up paddleboarding are more options for fun-in-the-sun. Literally, you can easily spend the entire day here without getting the slightest bit bored.
What I recommend most in this area is a cruise. I recommend: Tropics Sunset cruise, Captain Memo’s themed pirate cruise (it’s a blast!), and the Sea Screamer (the world’s largest speedboat).
Also, there is a gorgeous palm tree lined walking area, although it is hideously overcrowded on the weekends. I like the local pizza shop called We the Pizza (the Greek salad is awesome too). If you are looking for something fancier, you can’t beat some Cuban food at Columbia (awesome food + an awesome waterfront patio).
What else to do nearby: If an afternoon of quiet shelling sounds more like your thing, head over to nearby Sand Key Park (located just over the bridge). I’ve found so many colorful shells here. It’s definitely my favorite place to beachcomb. Movie buffs need to visit Winter the Dolphin (from A Dolphin Tale) at the acclaimed Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
4. Honeymoon Island
Location: Dunedin
Best for: Hiking
Honeymoon Island, a barrier island across from St. Joseph’s Sound, is the most visited state park. With a gorgeous 4 mile mile stretch of white sandy beaches, several miles of fantastic hiking trails through rare habitat, excellent beachcombing opportunities, a great dog beach, and amazing sunsets, this state park offers it all. This is the perfect place for a full day of fun-in-the-sun. Best of all, it is located in Dunedin, a charming community about 30 minutes west of Tampa.
While the beaches are amazing, the highlight of visiting is hiking the wonderful network of hiking trails. The easy 2.5 mile Osprey trail takes you through a super rare Florida virgin slash pine forest, one of the few remaining in the state. You may see armadillos, gopher tortoises, and even bald eagles. I love birdwatching here.
Asides from all the wonderful amenities, you also have the option of hopping on the 20 min ferry ride to Caladesi Island. This beach is super secluded, giving you the feeling of being stranded on a remote island. It’s also an excellent place for snorkeling and beachcombing.
What else to do nearby: Be sure to check out downtown Dunedin, a charming Main Street home to unique restaurants and shops. Cafe Alfresco and The Living Room on Main are 2 excellent lunch choices. I also recommend a quick stroll around the Beatles museum if you are a fan.
There is a beautiful bike path which runs through the center of downtown called the Pinellas Trail. This path stretches on for 40+ miles through numerous Gulf coast towns. I recommend taking the ride down to Tarpon Springs where you can explore the historic sponge docks & treat yourself to some Greek food.
More info on Honeymoon Island State Park
5. Anna Maria Island
Location: Anna Maria Island
Best for: Birdwatching
Anna Maria Island is a low-key beachside community located about an hour south of Tampa. This island is most popular with northern snowbirds during the mild winter season. However, the charming town remains quite peaceful during the off-season. This is a great time to beat the snowbirds and enjoy the quiet. It will be too cold for swimming, but perfect for walks and relaxing. You are probably thinking “too cold for swimming?” but yes the water and air temperatures are not ideal this time of year. At times, I can’t even walk barefoot because the sand is too cold.
Unlike the more touristy beaches, Anna Maria retains an old-fashioned charm with little in the way of any beach side commercialization. Rows of colorful cottages line the streets – it’s like a step back in time to “Old Florida.” Anyone who has lived/visited here for a while knows what I mean, but to everyone else you basically get a glimpse of the area before heavy business took over.
The 7 mile stretch of quaint white sand beaches are perfect for a day of sunbathing, swimming, reading, beachcombing, or birdwatching. Beachcombers will love hunting for colorful shells. Birdwatchers will enjoy seeing diverse species, especially during migration season as they make their way to this barrier island, enroute from the arctic to South America. Egrets, osprey, pelicans, herons, and sandpipers are just a handful of species you will likely see.
What else to do nearby: Just 10 miles away lies the incredible Robinson Nature Preserve, a gorgeous hiking & biking destination. I love the views of the famous Sunshine Skyway Bridge here too! Like everywhere else in the region, it’s also a birding hotspot.
More info on Anna Maria Island
6. Pensacola Beach
Location: Pensacola Beach (Florida panhandle region)
Best for: Swimming
Pensacola Beach, located on the Gulf coast barrier island of Santa Rosa, features some of the smoothest sand of all. Comprised almost entirely of quartz, you will be tossing off your flip flops and digging your feet right into the fine sugar like sand, which rivals the smoothness found at Sarasota’s Siesta Key and also Clearwater. This beach is most known for its’ stunning pier, which at 1470 feet, is one of the largest on the Gulf of Mexico.
The Emerald Coast nickname was given to the 100 mile stretch of beaches in the Panhandle region. The name comes from the brilliant emerald green hue of the water which results from the sun reflecting off the algae.
Like most Gulf beaches, this one offers no shortage of bird watching opportunities. Orioles, towhees, indigo buntings, warblers, and osprey make appearances during migration season as they make their way to the Gulf Islands National seashore, the longest section of protected seashore in the country.
Three species of the endangered sea turtle can be found here. The nesting season for the sea turtle runs from May-October, with the prime hatching season in August. Consider yourself lucky if you get to see one of these magnificent creatures. Note that it is illegal to disrupt their nesting areas.
The adjacent beach boardwalk is home to a number of restaurants and bars. Hemingway’s is a casual grill which overlooks the Santa Rosa Sound. The Grand Marlin is another excellent choice, especially if you like seafood.
What else to do nearby: If you have a bit of extra time, I recommend strolling around the charming downtown district. I love exploring these old school Main Streets which take me back to the days before big chains took over every town. Check out Fosko Coffee Barre and V. Paul’s Italian Ristorante.
7. Lido Beach
Location: Sarasota
Best for: Watching a gorgeous sunset
Lido Beach, another beauty in the Sarasota region, is a picture-perfect sunset destination. While the sand here is not quite as smooth as Siesta Key, you can easily find a lot of colorful shells. If you are lucky you may even find a shark tooth, however, this is much more likely at Caspersen beach: “the shark tooth capital.” Dolphins are frequently sighted, so much so that most tours guarantee sightings.
Lido is a great place to relax and simply enjoy the scenery. There isn’t a big party scene, so you can just kick back and enjoy some sunshine here. I find it more laid-back and much quieter than Siesta. While I prefer the smooth sand at Siesta, this beach is less touristy and really you can’t top watching a sunset here.
What else to do nearby: As an added bonus, this beach is near St. Armand’s Circle, an upscale dining and shopping destination which is home to Columbia, the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. Be sure to try the amazing Cuban Black Beans dish! There are now several locations throughout the Bay metro: this one offers a nice patio dining ambiance. Sarasota Jungle Gardens, featuring free roaming flamingos and exotic birds, is also worthy of a look if you have the extra time.
More great beaches in Sarasota
8. Fort de Soto
Location: St. Petersburg
Best for: Biking
Fort de Soto Park, located just southwest of St. Petersburg, is a 1136 acre park located on 5 “keys” or islands: Madelaine Key, St. Jean Key, St. Christopher Key, Bonne Fortune Key & the main island, Mullet Key. The diverse habitat consists of mangroves, hardwoods, palm hammocks, wetlands, and beaches. Spring and fall are the best seasons to see migrating birds. To date, 328 species have been identified. Herons and white ibis are most frequently sighted.
This is one of those rare parks which offers it all, conveniently in the same place. Smooth sugar sand beaches, hiking trails, a gorgeous 7 mile bike path, a 2 mile long canoe trail, 2 fishing piers (5000 and 1000 feet long) and a scenic observation deck are just a few of the great amenities found here.
This is a great place for basically any type of recreation – swimming, sunbathing, biking, walking, fishing, kayaking…you name it. This is a place I daytrip to frequently because there is so much to do to justify the drive. It’s a gorgeous place!
You also have the option of taking a ferry over to Shell Beach (great beachcombing) or Egmont Key (home to a historic lighthouse and also a great place for snorkeling).
Look into the weekend tour offered by Fort de Soto Eco tours. This 90 minute boat ride takes you past the estuaries and inshore areas of Mullet Key, giving you an up close look at the mangrove shorelines.You will also get to see manatees and dolphins along the way, so it’s a great deal.
What else to do nearby: I recommend all nature lovers to check out Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. This is one of the best places to see alligators in their natural habitat within the Tampa metro area. We even had the rare opportunity to see baby alligators here. You can choose between several miles of hiking trails or take a guided tram ride (small fee).
More info on Fort de Soto Park
9. Caspersen Beach
Location: Venice
Best for: Finding prehistoric shark teeth
Caspersen Beach, located in beautiful Venice, is nicknamed “the shark tooth capital of the world.” This beach takes on a very different tone and look than most others in the region. It’s very rocky, and thus, a great place for beachcombing and shark tooth collecting.
Instead of sunbathing & swimming, you will find the locals and tourists out with their shovels attempting to capture a rare prehistoric shark tooth. On my first visit, I had no idea what they were doing. These shovels can be purchased online or at any store in town.
While you will not get to enjoy the soft, smooth sand that the Gulf is so famous for here, you will enjoy incredible scenery. And, you might just leave with the best souvenir of all – a piece of history millions of years old in the making. You can buy fake teeth in the gift shops, but really it is not the same.
What else to do nearby: Venice area Audubon Society is a great choice for birdwatchers and another hotspot for alligator sightings. Big Cat Habitat in nearby Sarasota is a sanctuary dedicated to providing a natural habitat for rescued animals.
10. Pass-A-Grille
Location: St. Petersburg
Best for: Historic charm
Pass-a-Grille is a quaint alternative to neighboring St. Pete Beach (a favorite amongst tourists due to the wide stretch of sand, beachfront resorts, & festive lineup of events). It is located at the southernmost end so it retains a quieter charm devoid of heavy tourist traffic. A section of the beach is part of the National Historic District.
While the beach itself isn’t nearly as spacious (it’s only a block wide!), it’s worth a visit if you are seeking a slower paced beach atmosphere. After a short time living here, I found out that this is where a lot of locals go to escape the Clearwater and St. Pete tourists.
Whether you feel like lazying around digging your toes in the fine white sand, taking a ferry ride over to Shell Beach, enjoying a laid-back dolphin cruise, browsing the shops in the historic district, or testing your balance on a stand up paddleboard, you won’t run out of options – that’s for sure.
A great little walkable historic district known as 8th Avenue, featuring all sorts of eclectic restaurants and shops is just steps away.
What else to do nearby: Weedon Island Preserve is an amazing place to hike. It’s one of my favorite parks in the Bay. I love watching at all the exotic birds and I’ve easily seen armadillos and gopher tortoises on the trails.
More info on Pass-A-Grille Beach
11. Indian Rocks Beach
Location: Indian Shores
Best for: Beachcombing
Indian Rocks Beach in the quaint Gulf coast community of Indian Shores may just be the best beach of them all. First off, a little back history on the unique name. Back in the day, a native medicine man treated the chief with waters from a natural sulfur spring located in Kolb Park. Early settlers saw the Indians on their way to the rock enriched spring and would say “the Indians are on their way to the rocks.”
This was my go-to weekend beach destination living in Tampa. I really love the quiet vibe and beautiful scenery. The shoreline is about 3 miles long so plenty of room to spread out. This beach is especially quaint as houses line the beach as opposed to big businesses. It retains that charming old-fashioned vibe which is lacking in most touristy over developed beaches today. It’s such a stark contrast to overly touristy go-to beaches like clearwater.
While the sand isn’t as smooth here, the beachcombing is amongst the best on the Gulf. If you are lucky you may find a coveted sand dollar. And the waves here are pretty big – I see a lot of people out boogie boarding, wind surfing, and swimming.
Indian Rocks is also one of your best bets for seeing a dolphin or manatee without taking a tour. I had the really unique (and scary experience – I thought it was a shark at first!) experience of a manatee swimming within feet of me! I’ve also seen a seahorse up close which was an amazing experience. Both times there was a major storm on the way which likely brought everything closer to shore.
What else to do nearby: Treat yourself to a coffee at the wonderful Indian Shores Coffee Company just across the road (I love their Americano and beautiful covered patio). You will also want to check out the wonderful (and free!) Florida Botanical Gardens, located just a few miles away in Largo.
More info on Indian Rocks Beach
Planning tips
*Be aware that it is much too hot for beach walks/sunbathing from the months of June-September. Also, the water can be too bath-like in temp for swimming in August and September.
*Plan your visit during the off season to avoid crowds and score cheaper hotel deals. Note that it is usually too cold for swimming in the winter months.
*Invest in a comfortable beach lounger chair if you plan to lay out. It’s not very comfortable to lay directly on a towel on the hard sand! I quickly learned this after just one beach visit.
*Consider purchasing a rolling beach cart – it comes in handy for those with a large haul.
*Check the Red Tide forecast. Exposure can cause severe respiratory distress, so check before you go.
*Don’t forget to pack all the essentials – beach towels, sunblock, sunglasses, a beach chair and umbrella (a must to block the sun), change for the parking meters (some beaches charge, others have free lots), plenty of water bottles and snacks. Check out my handy Beach day guide for a full check list.
*Bring bug spray if you plan on hiking any trails – you will be glad that you did!
*Applying leave in conditioner to your hair prior to your beach day can help prevent nasty snarls later in the day. If you color your hair, spray it with a color protector to avoid UV damage.
Tips for a great beach day
*Arrive early, if possible. It will be less crowded, easier to find parking, and the sun will not be as intense!
*Check the weather forecast. Be prepared for random afternoon thunderstorms even if the forecast shows calls for no rain. Summer weather can be very unpredictable. I’ve been caught in more than my fair share of unexpected storms.
*Bring with your own picnic lunch. Many of the beaches have beautiful picnic areas so you can enjoy the scenery and save yourself a few bucks.
*Wash off all sand at the rinse station and bring extra towels to dry off to prevent tracking sand in your car – it’s a complete hassle to get out once it’s there! You can also bring a bag to store wet beach bags, swimsuits, and any other sandy stuff etc to avoid dragging sand in the car. Line your car with a plastic bag too.
Change into fresh clothes and gym shoes (the flip flops seem to keep collecting sand and it is impossible to remove the sands from your toes once it accumulates) and throw all your sandy clothes into a mesh bag.
Things to know
*Low tide after a strong storm is the best time for finding seashells. Consider bringing a ziploc or small container to hold your treasures.
*Be aware of shelling laws. For instance, it’s illegal to collect a live sand dollar.
*Don’t leave any valuables on the beach especially if you plan on going in/out of the water! A waterproof pouch for necessities is a good idea, but it’s always best to limit what you bring to that absolutely necessary.
Why vacation here?
The mild winter climate leads to more attractive year-round sunbathing conditions. And of course, beaches in the Tampa Bay are well-known for their fine, super soft quartz sand & clear water. Dolphin sightings, excellent beachcombing opportunities, scenic cruises, & beautiful beachside resorts are just a few more reasons why so many tourists flock to these gorgeous Gulf coast beaches year after year.
