The Ultimate Tampa Bay Beach Guide
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
4. Clearwater Beach – “Sugar Smooth Sand”
- Best for: Swimming, festivals, touristy cruises, walks on the beach, watersport rentals
- Beach parking : Parking starts at $3 per hr. More info on Beach parking
- Where to stay: Opal Sands
The beautiful white sands and clear water draw millions of tourists each year to Clearwater Beach. This beach is world famous for its’ sugar smooth sand, which is comprised almost entirely of quartz. As you toss off your flip flops, you will notice a pleasing absence of hard seashells. Also the sand is cool to the touch so you don’t have to run immediately run to the water. Clearwater, a frequented recipient of “best of” awards, was ranked number 1 beach in America by Trip Advisor in 2019.
Besides offering 2.5 miles of the smoothest sand on the Gulf, Clearwater is a prime entertainment destination. So many cruise lines, restaurants, resorts, and shops can be found in the area. If you are looking for all day action and excitement, this is definitely the place to be. Rent a paddleboard, book a sunset or party cruise, try parasailing, take a stroll along the pier, dine at a waterfront restaurant – there’s plenty to do. Also be on the lookout for the free Pier 60 festival featuring movies on the beach.
Best breakfast/coffeehouse near the beach
Clear Sky Cafe – Popular local breakfast joint which sees huge crowds most weekends. Get here early to avoid a wait! The menu is huge, incorporating options for those with a savory (quiche, omelets, skillets, bennies) or sweet tooth (crepes, waffles, French toast). Try a delicious veggie skillet along with their house coffee – no need to resort to a chain!
Ryan’s Island Cafe – Beach themed eatery featuring a menu of American favorites for breakfast and lunch. Their Vegetarian Hash Browns plate is unique & delicious. Also, they serve the most delicious coffee near the beach!
Where to enjoy a local lunch
Salty’s – Beach favorite popular with tourists due to its’ convenient location (walkable to the beach), frozen drinks, variety of seafood choices, and scenic outdoor deck. Take a seat outside and enjoy a few fun appetizers (lots of seafood selections and the nachos are great!), tacos (try the Fried avocado), a fresh salad, fresh seafood, or a Grouper sandwich.
Marina Cantina – Upscale Mexican restaurant overlooking the water. Great views and super convenient as it is located right across the street from the beach. Enchiladas, tacos, burritos, and tortas are amongst the tasty options available. They also serve a delicious weekend brunch menu – try the Huevos Rancheros!
More fun in the vicinity
Sunset Tropics Cruise – Scenic evening sightseeing cruise tour around the Gulf. Free champagne toast for guests over 21. A great way to learn more about the area, while also taking in a bit of sightseeing.
Ice skating at Westfield Countryside – If you need an escape from the heat, nothing says cool down quite like ice skating. While it will never match the ambiance of a real outdoor rink, skating indoors at this real rink at WestField is about as close to the real thing as you can get in Florida.
Moccasin Lake nature park – Escape the beach crowds in favor of a relaxing trek into the Florida wilderness at this prime gator watching destination.
5. Pass-a-Grille – “Old Florida style”
- Best for: Relaxation, scenic views, fishing
- Beach parking: Meters start at $3.25 hr, Free parking long 8th Avenue
- Where to stay: Inn on the Beach
Pass-a-Grille is one of the Gulf’s most charming beach destinations. This beach is located on the southern end of touristy St. Pete beach. While this stretch of sand is much narrower and lacks touristy commercialization, the vibe is enjoyably old-school. If you are looking to lay out in quiet surroundings, then this is the beach destination for you.
From here, you can also visit another popular destination: Shell Key preserve. Consider taking the Shell Key Shuttle over to this quiet barrier island. The preserve is most known as a shelling and birding hotspot. Also, beach umbrellas and snorkels are included, so really it’s a great deal at just $25 roundtrip.
Best breakfast/coffeehouse near the beach
Chill – New American restaurant which serves excellent coffee and food. Try the Vegan Hash or the Mixed Berry crepes with brie. Definitely the best breakfast destination near the St Pete beaches.
Cafe Soleil – Quaint local French bistro serving coffee and espresso (they serve Kahwa a popular local roaster), quiche, toasted croissant sandwiches, and a decadent array of homemade pastries. The ambiance is charming and the service friendly.
Local lunch gems
Rumfish Grill – Popular seafood restaurant featuring a massive 33,500 gallon salt tank. Every seat has a fantastic view as the aquarium takes up the entire wall! You may have seen this tank featured on Animal Planet’s Tanked.
Vito & Michael’s Pizzeria – Super casual Italian restaurant which serves an assortment of fantastic lunch specials (includes complimentary salad & bread) for under 10 bucks. Great place to kick back with some comfort food after a long day in the sun. The Eggplant Parmesan is amazing!
Skidder’s – Local & tourist favorite for Greek and Italian fare. Try a refreshing Greek salad, a hearty pasta entrée, comforting specialty pizza, or a broiled or fried seafood dish. The ambiance is very casual, so this is a great place to enjoy a laidback lunch before or after your day at the beach.
More fun in the vicinity
Boyd Hill Nature preserve – Take a narrated tram tour around the grounds of one of the Gulf’s prettiest parks. You will get to enjoy various Florida ecosystems, plus see lots of wildlife including gators and armadillos.
Fort deSoto Park – Popular tourist park made up of 5 interconnected islands. You will find lots of attractions here including top rated white sand beaches, a 7 mile bike path, nature trails, and more.
Corey Ave Sunday Market – Open air market featuring over 50 vendors. Shop for local produce, artwork, jewelry, and more. Walkable to great restaurants and cafes.
6. Treasure Island – “Sports Lovers Haven”
- Best for: Beach volleyball, water sports, sunbathing, fantastic scenery
- Beach parking: $2.50 per hour for meters, Free parking along Wesley Drive (arrive early)
- Where to stay: Treasure Island Beach resort
One of the only beaches on the Gulf where you can engage in a classic fun-in-the-sun beach volleyball game is Treasure Island. This wide sandy beach offers plenty of sand for all sorts of beach sports. Back in the day, a Treasure Island hotel owner buried and “discovered” treasure on the beach. This drew many tourists to the area, and thus, the beach was eventually nicknamed Treasure Island.
Today, it’s not the legend of buried treasure which draws visitors, but rather the 3 miles of wide sandy white beaches. Active types will love parasailing, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and playing v-ball at this Gulf gem. The beach is also famous for being home to Gators, “the world’s longest waterfront bar.” There’s also a giant inflatable water slide – you can’t miss it!
Best breakfast/coffeehouse near the beach
Las Casa del Pane – Authentic Italian bakery featuring assorted pastries and desserts, plus a full coffee and espresso menu. Try the Sfogliatella with an Americano.
Grove Surf and Coffee – Unique surf retail shop which also offers a full coffee menu. Their espresso is excellent and they also offer unique seasonal lattes. Treats include coffee cake and a bagel bun stuffed with cream cheese.
Local lunch gems
Barracuda deli Cafe – Casual Caribbean Mexican fusion café known for serving the best Cubans in the area. For anyone seeking something really fresh, their Barracuda veggie bowls are totally delicious.
Original Pizza – Low key local counter service pizza joint serving specialty pizza, hoagies, Stromboli, calzones, pasta dishes, and muffulettas. Pizza is decent enough to warrant a visit, although seating is limited.
More fun in the vicinity
Treasure Island Family Fun Center – The largest arcade in Pinellas County offers hours of gaming fun for families. Escape the heat for a few hours with the largest selection of arcade and ticket redemption style games in the region.
Lori’s Soaps and Sponges – Pick up a natural sea sponge for bathing or cleaning. Sponges come from nearby Tarpon Springs, “the sponge capital of the world.” Lots of cute gift sets. Located on St. Johns Boardwalk.
