Tampa Beaches

The blazing Florida sunshine and glittering waters of the Gulf of Mexico mean one thing: It's time to hit the beach!

Luckily for you, the Tampa area has dozens of beaches to choose from. Find everything from tiny strips of hidden sand perfect for a quiet day of book reading to great swaths of beach where a buzzing sports vibe and bustling resorts lead to a fun-filled vacation.

From South Tampa, head across the water to nearby Clearwater and St. Petersburg-known to locals as St. Pete-where islands, lagoons and brilliant white sand mean picnics on the beach and seaside explorations. If you're trip planning, create an itinerary of nature hikes, boating, sand castles and fishing or simply lie back and soak up the warm rays.

Beaches in South Tampa

  • Relaxed Picnic Island Beach is family-friendly, dog-friendly and fun-friendly. Play games on the sand, fish from the pier or enjoy a hearty picnic with your toes dug in the sand.
  • The beautiful beach at Cypress Point Park is backed by nature trails and a disc golf course. Rolling dunes, beach wildflowers, breathtaking sunsets...need we say more?
  • Palm trees stud Ben T Davis Beach, where the warm white sand and cooling waters are the perfect setting for a day of simple beach pleasures.

Beaches in St. Petersburg near Tampa

  • St. Pete Beach is one of the most highly rated beaches in the United States, thanks to its small-town charm, quaint seaside vibe and abundance of family-friendly accommodations and restaurants.
  • Just south of St. Pete Beach is the delightfully low-key Pass-a-Grille Beach. Appreciate the nostalgic air of beachside fun. Be sure to walk all the way to the tip of the island for wrap-around views.
  • Fort de Soto Park has it all. With one of the country's top-rated family beaches, a military fort museum and kayaking and canoeing galore, it's a children's paradise.

Beaches in Clearwater near Tampa

  • Beach sports and some of the best water activities in Tampa are the name of the game at the magnificent stretch of Clearwater Beach, which has a surfer vibe, funky seafood restaurants and crystal clear waters.
  • Learn about nature at Honeymoon Island State Park, where undeveloped powder white beaches and azure waters are a magnet for shorebirds and those in search of peace and quiet.
  • Watch the sun go down from Redington Shores Beach with an ice-cold beer in your hand. By day, rent a boat and get out onto the twinkling Gulf of Mexico.