Top 12 Beaches in Tampa
As a vibrant city located right on the shores of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa offers visitors and residents alike easy access to some of Florida’s best beaches.
| Beach Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Clearwater Beach | Known for powder-soft sand, clear waters, and a lively atmosphere. |
| Fort De Soto Park | Offers unspoiled natural beauty with sandy beaches, mangrove wetlands, and wildlife. |
| Caladesi Island State Park | Accessible only by ferry and provides pristine white beaches and abundant wildlife. |
| Sunset Beach | Famous for stunning sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico on Treasure Island. |
| Ben T Davis Beach | Located near Tampa International Airport and offers amenities like volleyball courts and picnic areas. |
| Cypress Point Park | Provides a nature sanctuary feel with a tidal beach and opportunities for wildlife viewing in South Tampa. |
| Picnic Island Park | Offers an adventurous, isolated beach experience with restricted visitor numbers. |
| Bahia Beach | Located at Peter O. Knight Airport and allows plane-spotting with unique views of aircraft landings. |
| Howard Frankland Beach | Provides fantastic bay views, sunbathing areas, fishing piers, and picnic facilities. |
| Indian Rocks Beach | Situated on a barrier island, it offers three miles of white sandy beaches, clear waters, and various amenities. |
| Madeira Beach | Known as the ‘Grouper Capital of the World’ and offers prime fishing, water sports, and seafood dining opportunities. |
From remote natural oases to bustling public beaches packed with amenities, Tampa beaches have something for everyone. Sugar-white sand, gentle surf, and abundant Florida sunshine await at these 12 top spots around the bay area.
Clearwater Beach
Name and Location:
- Clearwater Beach, located in Clearwater, Florida.
History and Significance:
- Renowned for its white sand beaches and clear, shallow waters, Clearwater Beach is a popular tourist destination with a rich history as a Florida beach resort.
What to Expect:
- Miles of white sand, crystal-clear waters, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Activities include sunbathing, swimming, water sports, and beach volleyball.
Visitor Information:
- Accessible year-round with public facilities available. The area has ample parking, restaurants, and accommodations.
Repeatedly ranked as one of the best beaches in the U.S., magnificent Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast continues to be a perennial favorite for visitors and locals. Its wide swaths of powder-soft sand give way to remarkably clear, calm waters tinged green and blue by the sea grass growing offshore. The sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico are simply spectacular as well.
While Clearwater Beach has a serene, peaceful ambiance, don’t expect it to be quiet and deserted! This family-friendly spot has a fun, lively atmosphere with tourists flying kites, tossing footballs, playing volleyball, or simply relaxing on beach chairs and blankets. The nearby Beach Walk promenade is lined with open-air cafes, ice cream shops, restaurants, and beach gear vendors. Free Jolley Trolley transportation makes getting to Pier 60 and other attractions a breeze.
Fort De Soto Park
Name and Location:
- Fort De Soto Park, located in Tierra Verde, Florida.
History and Significance:
- The park, named after the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, includes historic fortifications built for the Spanish-American War.
What to Expect:
- Beautiful beaches, camping, hiking trails, and historic fort tours. It’s also a great spot for bird watching and fishing.
Visitor Information:
- Open year-round with camping facilities, picnic areas, and a ferry to Egmont Key. Parking fees apply.
For a taste of untamed natural beauty, head south of Tampa to Pinellas County’s Fort De Soto Park. Comprised of five interconnected islands along Tampa Bay, Fort De Soto offers visitors over 1,100 acres of unspoiled Florida habitat, including mangrove wetlands, palm hammocks, and hardwood forests. The park is an important nesting ground for seabirds and migratory birds can often be spotted in the area as well.
Of course, the beaches are the main attraction! Made up of shell, sand, and crushed coral, Fort De Soto’s wide sandy beaches have a stunning, almost sugar-like consistency. The changing tides bring an array of seashells perfect for collecting, and visitors will enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the warm Gulf waters. Kayak and canoe rentals, fishing piers, picnic shelters, primitive camping, and hiking trails round out the experience.
Caladesi Island State Park
Name and Location:
- Caladesi Island State Park, located north of Clearwater Beach, Florida.
History and Significance:
- Accessible only by boat, Caladesi Island is one of the few completely natural islands along Florida’s Gulf Coast, preserving its pristine condition.
What to Expect:
- Unspoiled beaches, nature trails, and a marina. Activities include sunbathing, swimming, kayaking, and wildlife viewing.
Visitor Information:
- Accessible by ferry or private boat. Ferry service available from Honeymoon Island State Park. Fees apply for ferry and park entrance.
Accessible only by ferry from nearby Honeymoon Island, the spectacular Caladesi Island seems worlds away, not just minutes, from the bustling city across the bay. Completely undeveloped and accessible only on foot, Caladesi Island rewards visitors with virgin white beaches and abundant wildlife sightings. Let the ferry drop you off for the day to explore pristine dunes, marshlands, and mangroves perfect for kayaking, as well as three miles of gorgeous beachfront ideal for beachcombing, swimming, picnicking and more.
Keep your eyes peeled while wandering Caladesi Island’s natural pathways for glimpses of white egrets, great blue herons, osprey, and other bird species that frequent the bay area. The island is a haven for sea turtles as well, who nest on Caladesi’s remote shores. Bring your own food and drink, as there are no concessions available on the uninhabited island. Ferries run regularly from Honeymoon Island State Park, with round-trip tickets under $15 per adult.
Sunset Beach
Name and Location:
- Sunset Beach, located at the southern tip of Treasure Island, Florida.
History and Significance:
- Known for its laid-back atmosphere and spectacular sunsets, Sunset Beach is a favorite local spot away from the more crowded tourist beaches.
What to Expect:
- A relaxed and casual beach atmosphere, perfect for watching sunsets. Offers pavilions, picnic areas, and boardwalks.
Visitor Information:
- Open to the public with free parking. Good for families and those looking for a quieter beach experience.
True to its name, Sunset Beach on Treasure Island is renowned for its breathtaking sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. Because of its west-facing location, Sunset Beach is ideally positioned for achieving front-row views of the kaleidoscopic sunsets that paint the evening sky in dazzling hues of orange, pink, and purple. In fact, Sunset Beach has been named one of the top places in Florida to watch the sunset by National Geographic and others.
Sunset lovers flock to this thin strip of sand in the evening hours, where vendors sell refreshments and beachgoers gather to witness the Technicolor horizon. The sunsets also make for stunning photographs, so bring your camera! Calm, gentle surf makes swimming very pleasant during the day. The southern part of the beach tends to be less crowded as well. Free parking is available along 107th Avenue.
Ben T Davis Beach
Name and Location:
- Ben T Davis Beach, located on the causeway along Courtney Campbell Causeway in Tampa, Florida.
History and Significance:
- Tampa’s largest public beach, popular for its convenient location and views of the Tampa Bay.
What to Expect:
- A sandy beach with calm waters, ideal for swimming, picnicking, and beach sports. Nearby amenities include restaurants and walking trails.
Visitor Information:
- Open year-round with free parking. The beach can get crowded on weekends and holidays.
Conveniently located right off of Courtney Campbell Causeway near the Tampa International Airport is Ben T Davis Beach, an excellent spot for soaking up some sun without leaving the Tampa city limits. Named for a former Hillsborough County educator and commissioner, Ben T Davis Beach spans a half-mile stretch packed with amenities.
Visitors will enjoy picnicking on tables sheltered under thatched-roof chickee huts, playing a game on one of 10 volleyball courts, or letting kids burn off energy at two large playgrounds. The beach has plenty of parking, along with restrooms, showers, snack bars and rentals for chairs, umbrellas, etc. The rocky jetties make for great fishing as well. Swim caution is advised due to occasional strong rip currents. But with lifeguards on duty, Ben T Davis Beach offers safe, easy access to Tampa Bay.
Cypress Point Park
Name and Location:
- Cypress Point Park, located at 5620 W Cypress St, Tampa, FL 33607, USA.
History and Significance:
- A peaceful park offering a natural beach experience in the Tampa area, known for its scenic views and tranquil setting.
What to Expect:
- A quieter beach experience with nature trails, picnic areas, and a disc golf course. Great for watching airplanes and sunsets.
Visitor Information:
- Open daily with free parking. Less crowded than other nearby beaches, offering a more serene beach day.
Tucked away in a quiet residential area of South Tampa, Cypress Point Park is a hidden gem offering a nature sanctuary feel just minutes from downtown. Walking paths beneath shady oak trees lead visitors to an uncrowded tidal beach along McKay Bay, part of Tampa Bay. Watch for herons, egrets, and other wetland birds fishing along the shoreline as well as Tampa’s famous manatees swimming through the grassy shallows.
In addition to the beach and wildlife viewing opportunities, Cypress Point Park has a popular off-leash dog park area, picnic pavilions, fishing pier (not for swimming), and boat launch access for small non-motorized vessels like kayaks and canoes. Free parking is available. Leashed dogs are welcome throughout the park. Cypress Point Park makes for a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the urban city just blocks away.
Picnic Island Park
Name and Location:
- Picnic Island Park, located at 7409 Picnic Island Blvd, Tampa, FL 33616, USA.
History and Significance:
- A unique urban park offering a blend of natural beauty and recreational activities, situated at the southern tip of the Interbay Peninsula.
What to Expect:
- Offers beach areas, picnic shelters, a boat ramp, and a dog park. Popular for fishing, canoeing, and picnicking.
Visitor Information:
- Open daily with no admission fee. Ample parking available, along with restroom facilities.
Tampa visitors seeking an adventurous, isolated beach experience will fall in love with Picnic Island Park. Although part of Tampa, you’d never know it thanks to the remote, wilderness atmosphere. Situated on its own peninsula at the mouth of Tampa Bay, most of Picnic Island Park is only accessible by boat, including its beaches. However, visitors can walk almost a mile over a long sandbar/spit to reach the south beach on foot when tides permit. Along the way, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful bay and marsh scenery. Watch for shorebirds and wading birds poking along the sandbar as you walk.
Once you reach South Beach, you’ll be rewarded with more than seven acres of private, secluded shoreline to have all to yourself. The park is only open Friday-Sunday, and visitor numbers are restricted, so the beaches never feel crowded. The northern beaches require a boat for access but also afford more privacy. Just off the spit sits Beer Can Island, another picturesque slice of sand visible only by water. Picnic Island Park is a one-of-a-kind tropical escape located right in Tampa’s backyard.
Bahia Beach
Name and Location:
- Bahia Beach, located in Ruskin, Florida.
History and Significance:
- A hidden gem in the Tampa Bay area, Bahia Beach offers a tranquil escape with natural Florida landscapes.
What to Expect:
- A quiet and serene beach setting, ideal for relaxing, fishing, and enjoying nature. Less commercialized than other beaches in the area.
Visitor Information:
- Open to the public with limited facilities. Best visited for daytime relaxation and nature walks.
The beach at Peter O. Knight Airport on Davis Islands offers a fun, unique experience for visitors who don’t mind a little aircraft noise overhead. Bahia Beach stretches just under the airport’s runway approach, which means airplanes glide low directly over the sand on their descent. Aviation buffs will love watching private Cessnas, Pipers and other general aviation craft make their landings right overhead. The airplanes offer great photo opportunities against the beach backdrop as well.
In addition to plane-spotting, Bahia Beach is an excellent spot for watching cargo ships and tankers headed in and out of Port Tampa Bay across the channel. The south end includes a shaded picnic area with grills and tables too. Swimming is allowed, although strong currents are common, so caution should be exercised. Metered parking and restrooms make Bahia Beach convenient as well. Only a 15 minute drive from downtown Tampa, Peter O. Knight Airport beach is one of the most interesting beaches around.
Howard Frankland Beach
Name and Location:
- Howard Frankland Beach, located near the Howard Frankland Bridge, Tampa Bay area, Florida.
History and Significance:
- This beach is less known and not a traditional beach destination, but it offers views of the Howard Frankland Bridge and the Tampa skyline.
What to Expect:
- A unique spot for photography and sightseeing, especially for views of the bridge and the city. Not ideal for swimming or sunbathing.
Visitor Information:
- Limited facilities available. Best for short visits and enjoying the scenic views.
Pinellas County’s Howard Frankland Beach offers fabulous vistas across Old Tampa Bay towards the Tampa skyline on the eastern shore. Situated on the western shore and part of Tampa Bay’s longest beach at nearly five miles, Howard Frankland Beach supplies everything needed for a fantastic beach day including bathrooms, picnic shelters, grills, playgrounds and ample free parking.
The main beach area has over a quarter mile of sand dotted with palm trees facing gentle bay breezes – perfect for sunbathing, building sandcastles and relaxing under an umbrella. Two fishing piers supply hours of easy angling enjoyment with reputedly good hauls of speckled trout, mackerel, sheepshead and snook. (Fishing license required for ages 16+.) Well-maintained grassy areas allow space for lawn games or just spreading out. Howard Frankland Beach is an excellent destination for families and friend gatherings.
Indian Rocks Beach
Name and Location:
- Indian Rocks Beach, located in Pinellas County, Florida.
History and Significance:
- Known for its beautiful beaches and a quieter alternative to more crowded tourist destinations. It has a small-town, community feel.
What to Expect:
- A relaxed atmosphere with soft sandy beaches. Suitable for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing. Several local restaurants and shops nearby.
Visitor Information:
- Open year-round with public access. Parking can be limited, so arriving early is recommended.
Located on a barrier island along Florida’s Gulf Coast just 15 miles west of Tampa, Indian Rocks Beach offers visitors nearly three miles of beautiful white sand beaches for paired for swimming, shelling, and catching Gulf sunsets. Its shallow, clear waters make swimming an enjoyable activity for all ages. Island Beach also provides beach-goers with amenities like public parking and restrooms, plenty of restaurants ranging from casual beach bars to upscale seafood eateries, and rental services for chairs, umbrellas, surfboards, kayaks and more.
Several small locally-owned hotels plus vacation rental homes and condos give visitors accommodation options for overnight stays. Indian Rock Beach is popular for low-key weddings on the sand as well. Nature lovers will enjoy a break from the beach at nearby county and state parks offering walking trails through maritime hammock, mangroves, and along estuaries lined with seabirds. Indian Beach Rocks supplies everything needed for an easy beach day trip or a longer Gulf Coast getaway.
Madeira Beach
Name and Location:
- Madeira Beach, located west of St. Petersburg, Florida.
History and Significance:
- A popular destination for tourists, known for its casual vibe, the famous John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk, and beautiful Gulf Coast beaches.
What to Expect:
- White sandy beaches perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. John’s Pass offers shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Visitor Information:
- Accessible year-round with various accommodation options nearby. Paid parking available at John’s Pass.
Known as the “Grouper Capital of the World” thanks to the abundance of tasty reef fish caught right off its shores, Madeira Beach on Florida’s Pinellas Peninsula lets visitors reel in their own grouper, snapper, flounder and more from both its pier and wade fishing areas. Anglers can access deeper waters via party fishing boats as well. Madeira’s prime fishing paired with its gorgeous white sand strands makes this barrier island town a premier beach destination for fishing families and outdoor enthusiasts.
In addition to fishing charters, visitors can rent wave runners, paddleboards and kayaks to explore Mad Beach’s calm intracoastal and Gulf waters. Beachfront restaurants like The Hut Bar and Grill supply fresh seafood straight from the Gulf as well. Hotels, condos and beach house rentals offer accommodations for overnight guests. Only 25 minutes from downtown Tampa, Madeira Beach provides the quintessential Florida Gulf getaway experience with family-friendly recreation, mouthwatering seafood and stunning beaches.
Conclusion
With beach options ranging from remote natural escapes to popular beaches packed with fun amenities, Tampa shines as a premier Florida destination for sun, surf and sand. From family friendly beaches to secluded shorelines, beachgoers can find their perfect slice of paradise along Tampa Bay and the Gulf Coast. No matter which beach you choose, prepare to be dazzled by soft white sand, gently lapping waves, and the area’s famously spectacular sunsets over the sea. So grab your sunglasses and don’t forget the sunscreen for your own beachfront adventure in Tampa!