Last Updated on March 31, 2024
Tampa is an alluring city on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Located on Tampa Bay, this city is known for attractions such as Busch Gardens and Ybor City, and also its beaches! This post will cover the best beaches in Tampa and nearby.
Cities and beaches in the Tampa Bay area include St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, and Clearwater.
Anna Maria Island is at the southern end of Tampa Bay and has several amazing beaches!
Thinking of taking a vacation in Tampa? All of these beaches are around an hour or less from the Tampa International Airport. Most are much closer.
The Tampa area has some of the best and most well-known beaches in all of Florida, with white sands and crystal clear waters.
Here are 15 of the best beaches in Tampa and nearby!
15 Best Beaches In Tampa, Florida
(And Nearby)!
Ben T. Davis Beach
As you’re heading from Tampa to Clearwater, Ben T. Davis Beach is located on the causeway, and is one of the most popular beaches in the Tampa area, for both tourists and locals!
This beach is just a few minutes’ drive from Tampa International Airport and offers a narrow, white-sand beach with views of Tampa Bay.
Some of the amenities at Ben T. Davis Beach include picnic shelters, boat ramps, seasonal lifeguards, volleyball nets, and grills. Take a stroll on the Courtney Campbell Trail while here.
There is a small fee for parking and the spots can fill up fast, so get here early!
Ben T. Davis Beach
Indian Rocks Beach
Sitting between St. Pete Beach and Clearwater, Indian Rocks Beach is a small beachfront community that has almost 30 beach access points and parks!
Indian Rocks Beach is 3 miles of beach paradise along the Gulf shores.
After a day at the beach, grab lunch or dinner from Keegan’s Seafood Grille, a popular restaurant, just across the street from the beach!
If you’re looking to get out in nature while here, visit the Indian Rocks Beach Nature Preserve and check out the mangroves from the boardwalk, as you walk to the beach. Or you can take your four-legged friend to the dog beach nearby.
Indian Rocks Beach is about 35 minutes from the Tampa airport.
Indian Rocks Beach
1700 Gulf Blvd, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785
Clearwater Beach
Just a 30 minute drive to the Tampa airport, Clearwater, Florida has some of the most pristine beaches around!
Clearwater Beach is a top ranked beach in the country and it’s easy to see why! This famous Gulf beach has rich, white-sands, amazing scenery, and plenty of things to do.
With resorts and hotels lined up along the shore, there are plenty of places to stay in Clearwater Beach.
Get on the water with jet ski or paddleboard rentals. You can even take a dolphin boat tour or pirate cruise around the area.
If you’re hungry, grab some food at Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill or one of the other oceanside restaurants.
Visit Pier 60 for entertainment, street vendors, or come here to check out an amazing sunset.
See The Best Things To Do In Clearwater Beach!
Clearwater Beach/Pier 60
1 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Fred Howard Park
There are a lot of places to go and things to do in Pinellas County, and Fred Howard Park is one of the best spots! This beach is just 45 minutes from the Tampa airport.
Fred Howard Park is a favorite place for visitors because you’re able to see wildlife, go swimming in the Gulf, and spend time outdoors with family.
This park is perfect for families with kids and pets who want an affordable place that they can enjoy together. It’s just $5 for daily parking.
Amenities here include a canoe and kayak launch, picnic areas, restrooms, playgrounds, and beach showers.
Fred Howard Park
1700 Sunset Dr, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Spa Beach- St Pete Pier
Many people don’t realize it, but the St. Pete Pier has its own beach!
It may not be the biggest beach, but the downtown St. Petersburg area is awesome. Spa Beach is a nice place to relax and hang out after doing all of the activities at the pier and downtown.
If you’re looking for a calm beach without the big waves, Spa Beach is perfect, as it overlooks just a small portion of Tampa Bay and not the Gulf of Mexico.
This is an ideal spot to launch kayaks or canoes, and volleyball nets are here, too.
There are several parks in the area right along the waterfront to walk around. Also, be sure to check out downtown St. Petersburg while here.
The St. Pete Pier is 25 minutes from the Tampa airport.
See the best things to do at the St. Pete Pier!
Spa Beach- St Pete Pier
600 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Sand Key Park
Sand Key Park is located south of Pier 60 and has everything you need for an awesome day at the beach!
The park features picnic shelters, grills, restrooms, a playground, a dog park, and more!
There are plenty of benches so you can watch wildlife while enjoying your lunch or coffee.
Kayak rentals are available if you’d like to paddle around while trying to spot dolphins play in the waves.
You can also rent a bike here and take it on the nature trail.
This Clearwater park is about 35 minutes to the Tampa airport.
Sand Key Beach
1060 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33767
Madeira Beach
Stunning, white-sand along its 2.5 miles of beaches make Madeira Beach a memorable destination in the Tampa area!
Mad Beach, as it’s often called, is on a barrier island just north of St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island, and is a 30-minute drive from the Tampa airport.
This is a narrow stretch of beach and it fills up as you can see above, so come early for the best spot!
While here you’re next to Dockside Dave’s, where you can have seafood right across from the Gulf. Or treat yourself to a beer at Lucky Lizard Tap House, which is just to the north.
Madeira Beach
14400 Gulf Blvd, Madeira Beach, FL 33708
Fort De Soto Park- St. Petersburg
Fort De Soto is the largest park in Pinellas County and has over 1,100 acres of park across the 5 keys.
With lots of wildlife, mangroves, birds, and plants, this is a great place to witness the incredible nature of the area!
This park offers camping, picnic areas, a boat launch, nature trails, fishing piers, a dog park, concessions, a souvenir shop, and 3 miles of beach.
Parking fees are $5 per day. Fort De Soto Park is about 35 minutes from the Tampa airport.
For the beach with the clearest water in Tampa, Fort De Soto Park is a great choice.
Fort De Soto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, FL 33715
St. Petersburg Municipal Beach, Treasure Island
One of my favorite beaches to visit in the Tampa area is the St. Pete Municipal Beach in Treasure Island.
Located right as you pass over the Treasure Island Causeway, this beach is nice and wide, giving you plenty of room for social distancing.
There is a snack bar here and they sell beach accessories such as towels, etc. here.
Other amenities include a playground, volleyball court, and restrooms.
This Treasure Island beach is 35 minutes from the Tampa airport.
While here, grab lunch or dinner at Crabby’s On The Pass, which is to the north just before crossing into Madeira Beach.
Another popular beach worth visiting is Sunset Beach, on the southern end of Treasure Island!
St. Petersburg Municipal Beach
11040 FL-699, Treasure Island, FL 33706
Caladesi Island State Park- Dunedin
Looking to getaway into nature? Caladesi Island State Park is an undisturbed beach and park only accessible by ferry or boat!
Located just north of Clearwater, FL, this tropical island is a haven for wildlife and marine life.
Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, snorkeling, boating, hiking or picnics on the beach. The park has beach rentals such as chairs, and umbrellas.
Guests can also rent kayaks and go paddling through the mangrove trees.
There are also nature trails which are perfect for exploring and bird watching.
You may bring your own snacks or get food such as burgers, fish & chips, and smoothies from Cafe Caladesi.
See online for hours, entrance fees, and information on ferry rides! Or you can call Caladesi Island Ferry at 727-734-1501.
The park is about 40 minutes from the Tampa airport.
Caladesi Island State Park
1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698
St Pete Beach
Just a 35-minute drive from the Tampa airport, St. Pete Beach has many access points throughout the city.
This particular beach access is well-known and offers boardwalks, restrooms, showers, and 235 parking spots. Walk the boardwalk to the beach for stunning views of the Gulf!
There are excellent restaurants nearby. Have breakfast, lunch, dinner, or drinks at The Drunken Clam. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the area and a great spot for wings.
Also, be sure to grab a drink from Chris’ Beachside Bar while here!
St Pete Beach
4700 Gulf Blvd, St Pete Beach, FL 33706
Pass-a-Grille Beach
As you make your way from St. Pete Beach and drive past the legendary Don CeSar hotel, you come into Pass-a-Grille Beach.
Pass-a-Grille Beach is at the southern end of St. Pete Beach and sits in between the Gulf of Mexico and Boca Ciega Bay.
This little beach town is only a block wide but don’t let that fool you, there is lots to do here!
After relaxing on the 4 miles of pristine white-sand beaches, there are plenty of shops, boutiques, bars, and eateries around.
Popular restaurants here include The Wharf and Paradise Grille.
Join in the sunset ringing of the bell which is a nightly tradition at Pass-a-Grille Beach!
Be sure to visit Southwest Beach at the very southern tip or you can bring your pet to Pass-a-Grille Dog Beach.
Also, you can take a boat tour to the remote Shell Key Preserve, which is just south of Pass-a-Grille!
This beautiful beach is a 30 minute drive from the Tampa Airport.
Pass-a-Grille Beach
1009 Gulf Way, St Pete Beach, FL 33706
John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk- Madeira Beach
John’s Pass is across the street from the beach, but this waterfront village & boardwalk is the top attraction in Pinellas County and has many nice amenities that get you right on the water!
Here, they offer jet ski rentals, parasailing, boat rentals, dolphin and sunset cruises, fishing charters, and more.
And if you need a break from the water activities, there are over one hundred restaurants and shops to dine at and explore!
Grab drinks at Bamboo Beach Bar or Mad Beach Brewing. Or have some food at The Hut restaurant, right on their scenic outdoor deck.
You can also see live alligators at the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center. There’s so much to do at John’s Pass.
The Village & Boardwalk is 40 minutes from the Tampa airport.
Check out more of the best restaurants and other activities to do at John’s Pass!
Cypress Point Park- Tampa
If you’re visiting Tampa and want to get outside, there’s no shortage of things to do!
Just a few minutes’ drive from the airport, Cypress Point Park is a popular neighborhood spot where locals go for exercise or a quiet picnic. The park offers trails to take a stroll and a sandy beach area overlooking Tampa Bay.
You could easily spend all day here exploring everything this park has to offer -a sand volleyball court, disc golf course, playground, grills, and picnic shelters.
All of these features will make you want to visit soon!
Cypress Point Park
5620 W Cypress St, Tampa, FL 33607
Bean Point- Anna Maria
Bean Point is a serene, quiet beach at the northern tip of Anna Maria Island.
While this beach doesn’t offer any amenities, this is the spot where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico and offers spectacular views!
It’s a wide, white-sand beach, with lots of sand dunes, and there never seems to be too many people at this secluded spot.
There is no admission to come here and there’s limited street parking, so come early to get a spot.
Lots of people take the free shuttle to the Anna Maria Pier and then walk the mile to Bean Point.
While here, you’re just a short walk from the Rod & Reel Pier Restaurant, where you can walk the pier, go fishing, and have some food & drinks.
Bean Point is an hour and 10 minutes from the Tampa airport.
See the best beaches in Anna Maria Island!
How Close Is Tampa To The Ocean?
While Ben T. Davis Beach is in Tampa, it’s located on Tampa Bay. If you’re looking for the closest beach on the Gulf of Mexico, then Clearwater Beach is your best bet.
It’s just 40 minutes from the Tampa airport and you get some great water views along the way. (And you pass by Ben T. Davis Beach, too).
What Is The Nicest Beach In Tampa?
With a narrow stretch of beach on the southern end of St Pete, Pass A Grille Beach gets my vote for the nicest beach in the Tampa area.
Pass A Grille is a charming little beach town and the beach here is a little quieter than the rest of St. Pete Beach to the north. With boutiques and waterfront restaurants nearby, as well as the Merry Pier, Pass A Grille makes for a perfect day at the beach.
Final Thoughts:15 Best Beaches In Tampa, Florida
(And Nearby)!
All of these beaches are also just a short drive from the International Airport, making Tampa a perfect vacation spot!
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Booking a last-minute trip to Tampa?
If so, we have you covered. Here are some top recommended tours and hotels!
Top Tours in Tampa
Guided Tampa Tour In A Deluxe Street Legal Golf Cart – (Best Guided Tampa Tour)
Tiki Boat – Downtown Tampa – (Authentic Tampa Floating Tiki Bar)
Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise From Tampa – (1.5 Hour Dolphin Watching Cruise)
Tampa History Cruise – (Learn Tampa’s History On A Cruise)
Historic Ybor City Food Walking Tour – (Guided Food Tour In Ybor City)
Top Hotels & Accommodations in Tampa
Courtyard By Marriott Tampa – (Budget To Mid-Range Stay In Tampa)
AC Hotel By Marriott Tampa Airport – (Top Rated Hotel Near Tampa Airport)
Hyatt House Tampa Airport/Westshore – (Highly Rated Hotel With Bar & Pool)
Hotel Haya – (Best Rated Hotel Near Ybor City)
Looking To Get Around In Tampa?
Check out rental car rates here! 🚗
Love Florida. Been there so many times: South Beach, Orlando and Forth Lauderdale. Planing a trip to Florida this year. Will look into going to Tampa. You showed a lot of interesting things to do there. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve always wanted to visit Florida! I will keep these in mind! Thanks for the tips!