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Red Tide St Petersburg 2021
No one likes dead fish on the beach or in the water or foul-smelling algae.
But it happens sometimes. Almost every year in fact, in some part of Florida or the other. Often it stays far offshore and doesn’t impact the beaches.
In other years, 2018 being an example, it hangs around for months. Most of the time it impacts the area for short periods and rarely wrecks an entire vacation.
Fortunately, 2021 seems to be a mild year so far for the naturally occurring algae known as “red tide”. Which seems only fair considering we all felt the brunt of Covid in 2020.Â
St Pete Clearwater had a Beach Conditions page where you can check all sorts of beach conditions, including UV levels, wind and the occasional presence of red tide. This site will also tell you whether a specific beach is closed for any reason.
To see where this red tide is in the greater area, you can check out this map.
This link takes you to a tool that attempts to forecast whether respiratory irritations may develop for asthma sufferers.
Vine and Grind Treasure Island – Your Destination for Health and Taste
I finally made it into Vine and Grind on an exceptionally cold day in early January. There were not going be any casual meals outside or walks on the beach for me that day. Our car was packed for the drive from Florida to Texas and we made it all the way from Gulfport to Treasure Island that day. After our stop at Vine and Grind we had to rearrange the car a bit, after walking out with a large box of vinegars and olive oils.
Take a quick trip to the Mediterranean with Vine & Grind
Prior to this visit to Vine and Grind, I was not ignorant about olive oil.Â
But I also wasn’t very educated.
Many Americans are aware of the health benefits of olive oil, but what we may not be so aware of is the blending and mixing in of other oils that is often found in so many supermarket brands. Labeling of extra virgin olive oil isn’t regulated in this country and information about where a bottle was “packaged” is often meaningless.
Olive oil is all about flavor and it health properties. And because both can be compromised by heat, the best uses are in those dishes that don’t involve significant heating.
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Vine and Grind has a huge variety of both infused oil oils and vinegars. Sampling is encouraged. Various size bottles are available and the staff can offer suggestions about which oils and vinegars go best with what foods.Â
Ask for help – you never know which ones you’re going to love
Sampling stations. Once you make your selection you have a number of size options. Filled and sealed on the spot.
This is not your grocery store olive oil
Before you head over to the Vine & Grind, check out this post by Oliveoil.com – A Guide to Olive Oil Tasting. This post will give you an idea of what to look for when sampling oils, including color, viscosity, and aromas.  What to watch out for. Learn how to notice the “retronasal aroma” and impress your friends.
Insider Tip: Become an Olive Oil Know-It-All
Want to learn more about olive oil? Try – you guessed it – oliveoil.com. Find recipes, tips and more.
All-around smoky goodness
Here are a few oil and vinegar combinations we enjoy:
Asian flavors: Honey Ginger White Balsamic Vinegar plus Toasted Sesame Oil
For Bruschetta: Garlic Infused Olive Oil plus Neapolitan Herb Balsamic Vinegar
BBQ Sauce flavor: Olive Wood Smoked Infused Olive Oil plus Neapolitan Herb Balsamic Vinegar
Kick up your pasta game a few notches
Toasted Sesame Oil, specialty pastas, a few local coffees and other gourmet food items are also available.
“If olive oil comes from olives, then where does baby oil come from?”
Jane Wagner
Gulfport Comfort Food To-Go – Two Dads
Pork belly could be on the menu
If you thought life hadn’t been the same since Wade Parrish left O’Maddy’s, your world is about to be righted on its axis.
Chef becomes a dad and decides he can’t have it all. (Who knew running a restaurant and being a parent were both exhausting? Come on!)Â
Then enter the coronavirus, with restaurants closed or with limited seating or take-out only. A population stressed by social distancing and in need of some comfort
The happy ending? Take-out comfort food by two men who know their way around food and a kitchen.
Â
Meatloaf
Two Dads is still in the soft opening phase, so they are not yet open every day and the menu is still evolving. You can order online and see various daily menu choices on their Facebook page.
The menu can be found here:Â https://twodadstakeout.com/store/
The restaurant is located at 5133 Gulfport Blvd.
4 Day Dining Guide to Gulfport Florida
2021 Update Our 4-Day Dining Guide to Gulfport
The year that shall not be named caused many upheavals in the restaurant world. It also changed the average length of stay for most guests staying at our vacation homes. Quick trips are less common, providing us with an incentive to expand our 3 day dining guide to 4.
With a smorgasbord of notable and delicious restaurants in Gulfport, you’ll never be able to try them all—unless you spend your whole vacation eating. We wouldn’t judge you if you did, of course, but you’d be missing out on some quality beach time.
That’s why we (Beth and Terry of Splashy Ventures) have crafted this new, four-day dining guide, featuring the can’t-miss restaurants you have to squeeze in.
Sampling our complete list of recommended restaurants would take a full week of dining out for all three meals. So we made it bite-sized—perfect for those just visiting for an extra-long weekend or other short trip. Dine your way through our pretty little town in four days!
Note: Restaurants and businesses in Gulfport have been opening up since May of 2020 when the state began relaxing stay at home orders. Initially many were open only for pick up or outdoor dining, but that should no longer be there case. Nevertheless, you may want to Google the business and check opening hours to confirm. Also, almost all places suggested for dinner are also open for lunch on the weekends.
Bon Appetit!
Day 1
Dinner – Siri’s Gourmet Burgers & Pizza
We put Siri’s on this list for a simple reason: the food is excellent. And we put it under dinner for your first night because it’s perfect for late arrivals, when you just want to eat something delicious ASAP. Everything at the airport will be closed (especially these days), and you certainly don’t want your first stop in Gulfport to be the Golden Arches.
Luckily, Siri’s is open until midnight every night except Sundays, when they close at 8 p.m.
The pizza and burgers are both phenomenal. We usually order Byron’s burger (double burger with double cheese, bacon, grilled onions and mushrooms, and mayo), a meat lover’s pizza with added pineapple, and fresh cut fries.
Or call ahead for takeout to enjoy back at your vacation rental. In the summertime, you may want to plan to dine outside or get it to-go—it can get toasty in there with all those pizzas and buns baking.Â
Day 2 Stellas’s Gulfport
Day 2 Lunch – O’Maddy’s
Day 2 Dinner – Pia’s Trattoria
Day 2 Dinner – Pia’s Trattoria
Day 2
Breakfast – Stella’s
The breakfast here is award-winning. No, really—Stella’s won Best of the Bay in 2016 and cinched the number three position on USA Today’s 10 Best Spots for Breakfast in St Petersburg.
You can get a traditional breakfast here, but we suggest you try the Housemade Corned Beef hash and the Southern Shrimp and Grits (let’s hear it for the dining companions again). Any day that starts out with these two is already off to a great start.
Dine outside if the weather is nice and people watch—a Gulfport tradition you’ll be sure to adopt during your stay.
Also, if you’ve been to Stella’s in years past you should know that they moved up the street to the Art Village Courtyard in 2020. More space inside and out.
Lunch – O’Maddy’s
Though we recommended it for lunch, O’Maddy’s is a safe bet any time of the day. They’re also open really late (3 a.m. for you night owls) so you might find yourself coming back later on.
O’Maddy’s is also one of the few places where we switch up our orders. We almost always get Sal’s Fresh Smoked Fish Spread, but that’s because fish spread is a rite of passage when you visit Florida—we order it every time we see it on a menu. Like crab cakes and key lime pie, it’s fun (and delicious) to sample the specialties of each restaurant.
If you’re in the mood for a burger, or you didn’t get one at Siri’s, O’Maddy’s are definitely worth trying. We’re fans of Donna’s Tomato Jam and Gorgonzola Burger as well as The Weiser Hammer.
If grouper is in season, try it blackened in a main or in Suzanna’s Grouper Sandwich (a Gulfport favorite, too).
Since you’re on holiday, try a Bahama mama or rum runner for a little Florida flair. Or if you just want a snack, order the Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes.
Dinner – Pia’s Trattoria
Even if food wasn’t so tasty, we might still send you to Pia’s, just for the atmosphere.
While most Gulfport restaurants are decidedly low-key, recalling a bygone era, the indoor and outdoor dining areas at Pia’s may just transport you to another continent entirely. We’ve watched Pia’s transform over the years from a small dine-in restaurant to the spacious, relaxed, and refined experience it is today. Perfect for a dinner that feels like a treat.
If the weather is nice, dining outside is simply a must. We start with the Rustic Ciabatta, carbs and all. If you want butter, or more Pesto Oil Dip, just ask. The bruschetta is can’t-stop good, so be sure to pace yourself and save room for the rest of the meal.
There’s always a soup offering and it’s always worth it. Even if you’ve never dreamed of two of the soup’s ingredients blended together, trust us, you’ll love it. And If a salad is in your plans, order the Insalata Pia.Â
Now for the best stuff. If you eat pasta, you should get the lasagna. Period. If not, we often alternate between the Chicken Marsala and Chicken Piccata. Both come with pasta as a side dish, but you can ask for some asparagus, sautéed spinach, or sautéed vegetables instead.
In 2020 Pia’s expanded their outdoor dining area to a really spiffy sidewalk option. They had sidewalk dining before, but now there are large umbrellas, string lights and planters that block the cars parked on the street. It’s a great spot for people-watching too. In addition to the sidewalk dining, there is a very large outdoor patio/courtyard and two indoor dining areas as well – the bar and the main dining hall.
Best-Ever Chicken Salad Sandwich at Neptune
Habana Cafe’s Picadillo – is worth calling ahead for
Tutto Bene’s Caesar Salad
Day 3
Breakfast – GulfPerk
Charming newcomer Gulf Perk has just the vibe Gulfport needed. Along with the coffee options you’d expect – lattes, mochas and caps – there are pastries, muffins, bagels, the obligatory avocado toast and breakfast sandwiches.Â
And just in case you miss breakfast, you can try GulfPerk After Dark. Charcuterie & wine. Thursdays through Saturdays.
Lunch – Neptune Grill
Since it’s a new day, it’s time for more lunchtime Bahama Mamas—and Neptune’s makes the best in Gulfport. Probably the best we’ve had since visiting Bahamas 30 years ago, in fact.
Though…Scully’s Johns Pass does a great job, too. Perhaps you’ll want to conduct a side-by-side taste test?
Anyway, back to the food. Ordering at Neptune is difficult because the menu is quite varied and everything—and we mean everything—is excellent.
Want a Greek Salad? Fabulous choice. How about Smoked Fish Spread again? Check! Pastichio or moussaka? You’ll think you’re in Greece.
If you’re watching carbs, you can’t go wrong with the Bacon Wrapped Filet. Substitute sautéed spinach or double vegetables for the baked potato. Or see if they’ll make the Steak Diane for you—it’s a personal favorite that’s no longer on the menu, but we’ve scored it a few times since it went away.
If you want to keep it simple, the Black Angus Burgers and fries are excellent as well. And for those who want to eat lighter, our new favorite is the Chicken Salad Sandwich. Listen to these ingredients: chicken breast, celery, raisins and cashews. It’s the chicken salad you’ve been searching for. The Lemon Chicken Soup is so, so good, too.
Dinner – Backfin Blue or Sea Dog Cantina
Backfin is a Gulfport institution and always buzzing. Get there early if you can pull yourself away from the beach!
We rotate between ordering the Backfin Blue Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, the Homemade Meatloaf (wrapped in bacon and stuffed with gorgonzola) and the Slow Roasted Choice Prime Rib. The prime rib sells out quickly—one of the reasons early dining is so popular.
Start with the Fish Spread (of course), the Crab Martini or the Puree of Corn and Crab Chowder. The Crab Cake Starter is also solid option if you’re not having the crab cakes as your entree.
We also love indulging in their loaves of warm brown bread with butter. Get an extra to take home for a late-night snack!
Backfin is still open on a fairly limited basis after Covid, open Thursday through Sunday only and table service is very limited. (The restaurant isn’t very large to begin with, making the seating spacing a constraint.) So we provide a worthy alternate Sea Dog Cantina, located just down the street.
Sea Dog is part of the Sea Dog brewing family, but the menu is uniquely Gulfport. My personal favorites are the House Queso Fundido, the Chicken Tortilla Soup, Mexican Street Corn Caesar Salad, the Chile Braised Beef Brisket, and the Enchiladas made with the chile beef brisket. They have some really creative margarita blends, including a couple on tap!
Beautiful Interiors at Sea Dog Cantina
Gulfport Brewery + Eatery – part of the Tampa Bay Beer Trail
Day 4
Breakfast – Gulfport Family Restaurant
Consistent, familiar southern breakfast foods at prices that won’t break the bank. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, grits, potatoes, corned beef hash, country fried steak, pork chops and chopped sirloin are all on the menu. Thick Texas Toast is dipped in their French Toast batter and grilled. Omletes are available too.
And that’s just breakfast. They also serve lunch, with tasty dishes like Greek salads, cheeseburgers and spaghetti and meatballs. Dinner is just what you’d expect at a diner, with food like pork chops, liver and onions and roast turkey. (And more!)
Lunch – Salty’s Sandwich Bar
We thought we’d “sandwich” the new Salty’s concept in-between two Gulfport old-timer’s. (Get it??) Anywho, Salty’s Sandwich is located in the space that previously belonged to Tangelo’s. Home to subs, a Fried Bologna Sandwich, a Grilled Triple Cheese Melt and of course, Salty’s Cubano. (My post on area Cubanos is coming soon!)
Dinner – Habana Cafe
Time for your last dinner in Gulfport. We’ve been dining at this Gulfport institution since 2002. In the restaurant world, that kind of longevity should tell you something.
Habana has options for inside dining under the sparkling, cloud-filled ceiling or outside in a private cabana. My favorite appetizer is the Drunken Shrimp. Favorite main dish is hands down: the Picadillo. Ground sirloin of beef in a sofrito of onions, bell peppers, fresh garlic and tomatoes. What’s not to like? I like it so much I will call ahead to make sure they have it. The Cuban bread is worth getting an extra order of so you can take it home to eat with your leftover Picadillo.
Now about dessert. I love flan. I’ve been obsessed with it since I first had it in 1980. Habana has not one, but two types of flan – regular Flan and Cream Cheese Flan. I like them both, but my preferred way to consume these is to order both. I dip my fork in first one and then the other, so that my is a combination of both. If I had to get just one I would get the cream cheese version.  Think more “cream” and less “cream cheese” and you’ll have an idea of what it will be like.
Gulfport Food and Dining Home
The Home page has links to all of our guides and posts related to food in Gulfport
Gulfport Restaurant Guide
Our Gulfport Restaurant Guide has the inside scoop on our recommendations for restaurants in Gulport
Florida’s Sunken Gardens
Discover exotic blooms and flamboyant flamingos at Florida’s Sunken Gardens
Colorful pathways abound
It seems impossible a landscape this lush could be hidden amidst St. Pete’s hustle and bustle. You’ll just have to see the Sunken Gardens to believe it.
Originally a roadside attraction concocted by an imaginative plumber, these below-sea-level gardens are now 100 years old. They were formed by draining a four-acre lake on the property, which was then planted with citrus trees and vegetables and paved with walkways. Tropical plants were added over time.
The gardens were closed for a number of years as taste changed and interest waned. But in 1998, the city of St. Petersburg declared the gardens a local historic landmark, and years of restoration brought them back to their tropical glory.
Flamingos steal the show
Today’s Sunken Gardens are a colorful culmination of a century of planting. You’ll find over 50,000 tropical plants and flowers, including some of Florida’s oldest. A paved path twists and turns past waterfalls and breathtaking blooms: there’s a delight around every corner.
Insider Tip: Learn More About the Colorful History
Atlas Obscura has a great post on the subject here.
As if countless exotic plants didn’t provide enough eye candy, be sure to keep an eye out for the gardens’ beautiful flamingos. In 2016, a local group now called Sunken Gardens Forever Foundation launched a fundraising campaign to bring 20 new Chilean flamingos to the gardens. They joined George and Lucy, St. Petersburg’s longtime famous feathered residents.
Why did the flamingo go to the salad bar? For a little shrimp!
Insider Tip:Â Learn about the six species of flamingos!
American (Caribbean), Andean, Chilean, Greater, James’s and Lesser. Learn more about the vibrant creatures who call Sunken Gardens home from Live Science.
Visiting the Gardens
Pathways are paved and suitable for strollers as well as wheelchairs and walkers. Keep in mind that this is not your typical park: it’s a place where you look and see, not a place where you run and play. It’s an ideal spot to find cover on a hot summer day—leave the beach early and find a moment of quiet in the shade of banana tree, stopping to inhale the scent of gardenias and bougainvillea along the way.
The gardens are a popular destination for groups, so for optimal serenity we recommend calling them ahead of your visit at 727-551-3102. Learn more about the Sunken Gardens and meet its flock on Facebook.
Splashy Ventures 2020 Guide to Pinellas Beaches
South Beaches
Fort DeSoto (& Egmont Key)
Shell Key
Pass-A-Grille Beach
St. Pete Beach
Treasure Island
Middle Beaches
Madeira Beach
The Redingtons
Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores
North Beaches
Sand Key Park
Clearwater Beach
Caladesi Island State Park
Honeymoon Island State Park
Pass-A-Grille
Anyone who has a special place in their heart for lapping tides and warm sand knows that every beach is unique. If once you’ve seen one, you’ve certainly not seen them all.
There’s coarse sand and sugar sand—pink, or white, or yellow, or even black. Shell-covered or soft and smooth. Bathtub-warm waters or chilly currents. Lake-like bathing or roaring, toss-you-around tides (and in some cases, dangerous undertows).
But no matter the type of sun and surf experience you prefer, Florida has more than its fair share of beautiful beaches to choose from. And Pinellas beaches often rank high on the lists of top beaches.
Looking for solitude? Check.
Looking for an active boardwalk with fun activities? Check.
Looking for a spot to stroll with your pup? Check.
Looking for a place to go with a wheelchair? Walker? Stroller? Check, check, and check.
Looking for a natural ecosystem teeming with marine inhabitants? Check
Soft Sand!
If you’re just in town for a short stay and don’t have any particular requirements other than sand and surf, then the best beach for you will probably be the one you can get to fastest and easiest.
In that case, the beaches nearest to our rentals in the St. Petersburg area could be Pass-A-Grille, St. Pete, and Treasure Island beaches.
But for those with the time (and sense of adventure) to explore, here’s our comprehensive guide of all our favorites in Pinellas County, starting at the southern end and moving north.
So pack your shades and sunscreen, and prepare for a trip to the Pinellas beaches!
Fort DeSoto North Beach
Fort DeSoto Park
Fort DeSoto really is America’s beach park—its long list of awards is proof. In addition to gracing Dr. Beach’s Top 10, it’s also been deemed Dr. Beach’s Best Family Beach and TripAdvisor’s Top Beach (more than once), just to name a few.
It’s a true choose-your-own-adventure destination with almost three miles of white sand beach, more than seven miles of waterfront, and endless options of how to soak up the sun. Visit to fish, bike, picnic, tour a historic fort, enjoy solitude, take your dog swimming, canoe, hike, launch a boat, or camp.
If solitude is what you seek, we can’t recommend pristine North Beach highly enough, where a 5-10 minutes walk from the parking lot will get you away from almost everybody.
Paws Playground is a popular area for dog parents. It’s also one of two county parks where your dog can go off-leash for a splash in the tide.
And if you want to venture out even further, catch the ferry to Egmont Key for a day of shelling and snorkeling, or to witness historic sights like the Egmont Lighthouse and Fort Dade ruins up close.
Shell Key Reserve
Shell Key
If you’re willing to rough it in exchange for a first row seat to untouched nature, then Shell Key is for you.
This undeveloped, 1800-acre barrier island is accessible by boat only. While there’s no shade or restrooms, there is an abundance of sensitive marine inhabitants that you’re unlikely to see on more popular beaches.
The Shell Key Shuttle departs on a daily schedule from Merry Pier in Pass-A-Grille. It’s just a quick 10-minute trip from the pier to Shell Key.
Pass-A-Grille Beach
Pass-A-Grille Beach
Looking for a quiet beach with nearby culture to enjoy once you’ve shaken off the sand? Pass-A-Grille is a small, historic coastal town at the southern tip of the Gulf Coast where quaint houses and beloved shops and restaurants line the streets. Stop into art galleries, grab a bite at an array of casual and fine dining spots, cast a line off the fishing pier, and watch surf lap the jetty.
For a quieter day on the sand, head to the northern end where the beach is wider and less inhabited. If you’d rather work on your tan between sampling local dishes and window-shopping, the southern side is for you. The beach here narrows as it approaches the jetty—and tends to be more populated.
Most of the dune walkovers have rinse-off stations at the end to clean off your toes and gear before loading back up in your car. Paradise Grill at 8th Ave has full bathrooms, along with outdoor showers for rinsing off. Stick around and you could be selected as the lucky volunteer-of-the-day who gets the honor of ringing the Paradise Grill bell as the sunset slips into the sea.
The beach offers ample parking on the land side of the dunes along Gulf Way from 22nd Ave to Land’s End. Parking rates are reasonable and can be paid via credit card at conveniently located machines. Parking is pay to park from 8 am to 8 pm. Learn more about the town of Pass-A-Grille here, or read more about its serene beach.
St Pete Beach
St. Pete Beach
“St. Pete Beach” refers to both a town and a series of beaches. This stretch of coastline ranges in personality: you’ll find both small mom-and-pop hotels as well as larger resorts here.
One thing’s for sure: you won’t be bored during your visit. Whether it’s stopping at a local shell shop, enjoying a fresh seafood dinner followed by colorful ice treats, or finding artisan goods at the ArtWalk, there’s an abundance of ways to spend the day.
The historic Don Cesar marks the southern tip of St. Pete Beach and the northern edge of Pass-A-Grille. Known as the “Pink Palace,” this luxurious grande dame of Florida hotels dominates the beach skyline. Don Cesar boasts an indulgent Sunday brunch that should be experienced at least once in your lifetime. (We recommend saving your appetite and your cash in preparation: the buffet is expensive and the options endless.)
Parking in St. Pete Beach is reasonable and available at a variety of points near the beach. You can pay via a credit card at conveniently located pay machines. Upham Beach at 6850 Beach Plaza offers quick access, and because there aren’t as many resorts, it’s slightly less crowded than some of the more mainstream St Pete Beach beaches. If a giant slide is up your alley, park near the Tradewinds Resort at 5500 Gulf Blvd.
Treasure Island
Treasure Island
Treasure Island beaches are a definite fan favorite among of our guests. Like many Pinellas beaches, Treasure Island has a lot of personality, and it can vary block by block. Rather than one beach, it’s really more like three sub-beaches: Sunshine Beach to the north, Municipal Beach or Treasure Island Beach in the center, and Sunset Beach to the south.
There’s so much to love about Treasure Island, we couldn’t fit it in a short description (though we’d be remiss if we didn’t give a shout-out to the Sunday evening beach drum circle). For a more detailed tour of this unique stretch of the Gulf Coast, read our guide to Treasure Island beaches.
Parking is reasonable (with the exception of Sunset Beach which charges for parking 24/7). Parking can be paid at most pay-to-park stations with a credit card or via the ParkMobile app. On the Sunshine Beach end, some street parking is free and non-permitted, but be careful not to block anyone’s driveway. (Just be neighborly and pay attention to the signs, and it should be smooth sailing.)
Stand Up Paddleboarding at Madeira Beach
Madeira Beach
Madeira Beach, also called Mad Beach, is where you go when you’re looking for action. Not that kind of action—we’re talking about activities outdoors here. Rent a wave runner. Catch a sail on a pirate ship. Find a fishing charter, rent a paddle board or take a dolphin watch cruise. The choice is yours.
Mad Beach is also home to Johns Pass Boardwalk, where you can find just about any Florida souvenir you’ve been searching for. Bring an appetite for fresh seafood along the waterfront—be sure to stop at Scully’s, our personal favorite, or at the one-of-a-kind Waltz’s Fish Shack.
And it wouldn’t be a trip to Mad Beach without battling resident seabirds for the rights to your ice cream cone. (Here’s a tip: their offense has more practice than your defense. We’re betting on the bird. Don’t get distracted from your prize.)
The Best Place to Spend Sunset
The Redingtons
Further north still you’ll come to the three communities referred to collectively as The Redingtons: Redington Shores, North Redington Beach, and Redington Beach. This spot is just about the center of our tour of the Pinellas County beaches.
The Redingtons is one of the most laid-back beach areas in the county. The main attraction here is a 1,000-foot long fishing pier where anglers will spend hours reeling in tarpon and snook (rental equipment is available).
You can learn about Mr. Redington himself and how the Redington strip ultimately became three towns here.
The Beautiful Gulf of Mexico
Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores
Further north—but still just 10 miles away from Treasure Island and 17 miles from Gulfport—is Indian Rocks Beach.
This three mile stretch of beach boasts a whopping 27 access points, which means you’re just a few minutes from dipping your toes in the tide no matter where you are.
Indian Shores is home to the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, where sick and injured birds are rehabilitated for release back into the wild. Open seven days a week, this inspirational spot is well-worth a visit if you have the time.
Free street parking is available in Indian Rocks Beach (if you’re lucky enough to find it). We recommend leaving the hot car behind and seeing the sights from the Suncoast Beach Trolley.
Want to get a better sense of these small towns? Check out a great piece on Indian Rocks here.
Sand Key
Sand Key Park
Visiting Sand Key Park feels a little bit like being let it on a secret. It’s hard to believe this small, quiet park is so close to the hustle and bustle of Clearwater Beach.
Popular for beachcombers and wildlife enthusiasts alike, Sand Key Park includes a nesting site for endangered sea turtles. Its salt marsh is unusual for the area and makes it home to a thriving bird population including herons and anhinga.
The beach portion of this park has beach cabanas, a large bathhouse, a playground and a dog park. Rent bikes or kayaks to tour the park by land or sea. Beach wheelchairs are also available free of charge, and parking is cheap and abundant.
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach
It’s big. It’s famous. It likely needs no introduction.
There’s not much you can’t do at Clearwater Beach (except, possibly, find time alone). One of the area’s main highlights, Pier 60 is home to a 1,080-foot fishing pier, multiple pavilions, a playground, and nightly entertainment.
Our suggestion is to get to Clearwater Beach early and stay there—it can be crowded and tough to navigate during prime traffic time in peak season. But with so much to do—from tropical party buffet cruises to helicopter tours—you won’t have any difficulty making a full day of your visit.
Caladesi Island
Caladesi island
If Old Florida charm is up your alley, make time to visit Caladesi Island.
While Gulfport and St. Pete Beach offer a tase of the Old Florida experience, large swaths of Caladesi look like the Sunshine State when it was just trade winds, sand, the sea, and wildlife.
The island is accessible only by private boat or ferry from Honeymoon Island, so you’ll need to bring most of whatever you need with you (on shore is only a small marina and a single food concession). Even on a warm day, it’s easy to cool off during the boat ride over. But there’s little shade on the island itself, so bring sufficient clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and water.
Once you’re arrived, launch out on a canoe, learn more about wildlife at the interpretive center, bring the kids to play at the playground, or unpack a picnic at the pavilion. Showers and beach wheelchairs are also available.
While pets are allowed on Caladesi Island, they’re not allowed on the beach or the ferry, so the only way Fido can join is if you bring him over on a private boat.
Honeymoon Island State Park
Honeymoon Island
Like Caladesi, Honeymoon Island offers an away-from-it-all experience, but with no boat or ferry trip required.
True to its name, Honeymoon Island State Park really was a place for honeymooners back in the day. Another fun fact: only 385 acres of this park are visible, while another 2400 acres of this park are submerged beneath gulf waters.
Swimming, fishing, shelling, hiking, and bicycling are all popular activities at this low-key beach destination. There’s also a three-mile trail through virgin slash pine forest—you’ll be hard-pressed to find as lush a hike on any other beach.
Sunset Pass-A-Grille Beach
What’s Buggin’ You?
If you’re visiting Florida for the first time, or perhaps you live north of the Mason-Dixon line where it freezes regularly, when you visit Florida you may be in for a bit of a surprise at the extensive number of creatures you’ll be sharing your vacation with.
Florida has bugs. Â Lots of them. Â Year-round.
There are 8,000 different bugs in Florida that you could run into.
There, I said it. Â Whew, I feel better already!
You? Not so much?
Meet the Locals
Well, now that I’ve taken you to the brink in terms of dismay and disgust, let’s walk it back a bit. Â Florida is subtropical and there are bugs, year-round. Â We do the best we can to maintain a barrier, but it is also up to guests to follow some protocols. Â Empty garbage daily, don’t leave food items open, clean up spills, crumbs and dog food. Â And don’t be afraid of the geckos and lizards. Â Remember, they lived here first! Â They’re harmless, won’t bother anyone and are, quite frankly, the best natural pest control. Â And if you leave doors open, you just might invite in an Egret (bad Egrets, looking for geckos to eat!) or a snake. Â Many snakes in the area are quite harmless, including the Black Racer. Â (Several of the resident Black Racers have been named…) It may be helpful to know that while they can be a bit scary-looking, the large wood cockroach which live outdoors (affectionately known as Palmetto bugs) are not known to carry pathogens.
What We Do
So what do we do to maintain a barrier? We are using a pest service that is good for cockroaches, every species of ant in southern and central Florida, all spiders, earwigs, beetles, silverfish, wasps and bees, fleas and houseflies. The service uses a combination of technology to eliminate bugs in their homes (rather than waiting for them to come into our home), we find and block pests’ infiltration points using baits and treatments. Â The use of this comprehensive outside-inside treatment means that we do not spray contact insecticides inside the home. Â
No matter what treatments are applied to the home or what prevention steps are taken, there’s no guarantee that you won’t see a few. So have a question or seeing more bugs than you’d expect? Just give us a call, or shoot us a text or email and we will follow-up!
