Splashy Ventures

June 30, 2020April 1, 2022

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

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 8^th 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 22^nd 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 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

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

June 15, 2020April 1, 2022

Beach Info

Start here for the perfect Pinellas County Florida beach!

35 miles of white sand beaches.
361 average number of sunny days here each year
2 award-winning beaches (one of them twice!)

With statistics like that you’re bound to spend some serious time, outside on the beach.

We have divided this white sand wonderland into three sections – North, Central and South and provided descriptions and links to help you decide where to best spend your beach time. Click on the button to see our beach guide.

Enjoy!

Beach FAQ’s

Here you can get answers to your questions!

Can I have alcohol on the beach?
Generally, no. The majority of the beaches along St Petersburg/Clearwater prohibit all alcoholic beverages, although there are some exceptions. Madeira and Redington beaches allow the consumption of alcohol, except for drinks in glass containers. Treasure Island permits it also, north of 99th Ave and south of 85th Ave. (This basically excludes the Sunset Beach area that surrounds Caddy’s. You can drink on Caddy’s beach but only if you buy the alcohol there.)
Are pets allowed on the beach?
Generally, no. Pets are banned from all public beaches in Pinellas County, but both Fort De Soto and Honeymoon Island have terrific dog beaches.
Can I have a fire on the beach?

Also generally a no. And also something that’s really likely to get you caught. Ever tried having a low-profile, smokeless fire? Exactly. If your trip won’t be complete without a bonfire or grill at the beach, you may be able to have one at Redington Beach or Indian Shores IF you get a permit. Madeira Beach provides fire service to Redington Beach, so they are the ones that have the permits. The application is available online here: http://www.townofredingtonbeach.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Bon-Fire-Permit-Application.pdf. Permits are only accepted November 1st to April 30th, and you must call again to verify weather conditions and that the permit will still be valid the day before your permit valid date. The number to call to verify is 727-391-3400. The permit allows a fire at 160th Avenue Beach Park Area. (This starts to sound like not so much fun to me. And all of our rentals except Fish Camp have their own propane grills.) I’ve read that Indian Shores allows a beach fire for cooking as long as it is a contained grill or hibachi, but I have been unable to verify this. Some resorts along St Pete Beach have bonfires, the most notable being Postcard Inn for their New Year’s Eve party on the beach. This is definitely worth a visit if you’re in town during this time.

Can I camp on the beach?
No overnight camping is permitted on any Pinellas County beach, other than at Fort DeSoto Park or the Shell Key Preserve.
Is clothing optional at the beach?

Nope. The only clothing-optional beach is near Miami and probably best saved for another trip. There are some nudist resorts in Pasco County, but that goes beyond the scope of this post.

June 11, 2020April 1, 2022

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. Lots of them. Year-round.

There are 8,000 different bugs in Florida that you could run into.

There, I said it. 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. Florida is subtropical and there are bugs, year-round. We do the best we can to maintain a barrier, but it is also up to guests to follow some protocols. Empty garbage daily, don’t leave food items open, clean up spills, crumbs and dog food. And don’t be afraid of the geckos and lizards. Remember, they lived here first! They’re harmless, won’t bother anyone and are, quite frankly, the best natural pest control. And if you leave doors open, you just might invite in an Egret (bad Egrets, looking for geckos to eat!) or a snake. Many snakes in the area are quite harmless, including the Black Racer. (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. The use of this comprehensive outside-inside treatment means that we do not spray contact insecticides inside the home.

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!

June 5, 2020April 1, 2022

Florida Shell Shop Treasure Island (New)

Why You Should Visit The Florida Shell Shop on Treasure Island

If you’re vacationing on Treasure Island, The Florida Shell Shop should be on your to-do list.

The Florida Shell Shop is a real treasure. Sure, you can buy “shells” at the local grocery or drugstore, or even try to harvest your own (please don’t!). But if you do that you’ll miss experiencing a nostalgic slice of Florida that is still thriving today – The Florida Shell Shop.

Read on for our tips on experiencing this tidbit of authentic Florida.

Move slowly so you can take it all in. See the colorful carryalls mid-photo? These are for the shells you’re almost certain to want to collect.

What Can You Find at The Florida Shell Shop?

Shell wind chimes
Big shells
Shell wall signs
Small shells
Shell coasters
Shell greeting cards
Tiny shells
Shell jewelry
Coral
Real buoys
Fake buoys
Huge shells
Stained glass shells
Shell greeting cards
Really tiny shells
Shell Christmas ornaments
Shell identification guides
Shell books
Shell stickers
Shell food (Ok, not really shell food, but Florida-related sauces, candies and other treats)
Shell Christmas trees

They might even have a copy of The Shell Seekers lying around if you look.

Why The Florida Shell Shop Matters

The Florida Shell Shop was established in 1955. That’s a long time ago folks. Before I was born and I’m OLD. It’s also a family-owned business.
We are huge supporters of local businesses and family-owned enterprises, so we like to point them out just in case you are too.

May 21, 2020April 1, 2022

Cleaning Our Vacation Rentals During Covid-19

Curious about what we are doing about the coronavirus that causes Covid-19? We realize that cleanliness is top of mind for many of you right now. Accordingly, we are now following enhanced cleaning protocols through our use of professional cleaning companies who use EPA-approved products, follow CDC-recommendations to protect the safety of guests and all of our service partners. In addition these professionals give extra attention to high-touch surfaces and end the cleaning with a sanitization spray process that helps wrap around surfaces that normal cleaning will not reach.

We use accurate, reputable sources of information and have a proactive plan to manage and minimize the risks associated with the virus that causes Covid-19.

It is worth noting that there are a lot of suggestions floating around out there around how to make places safe from Covid-19. For example, based on how we think the virus can last on a variety of surfaces and how long it can linger in the air, some have suggested certain waiting periods before cleaners enter a property and before new guests arrive. However, it is important to understand that while waiting periods between stays or cleaner entries could help minimize likelihood of contamination, it does not replace enhanced cleaning processes. As such, we do not anticipate maintaining a specific waiting period in-between guests unless required to do so.

So what are we doing, specifically?

To begin with, we are consulting Covid-19 guidelines provided jointly by the Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA) and the Vacation Rental Housekeeping Association (VRHP). You can find these here.

We are following the Pinellas County Safety Plan approved by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

We are providing written copies of CDC sanitation guidance and resources in the rental home.

We are providing written copies of CDC resources, including “What you should know about Covid-19 to protect yourself and others” and “Prevent the spread of Covid-19 if you are sick” in the rental home.

We use remote check-in and check-out procedures to minimize contact with property owners and managers

Contractors working in our rental homes have been provided CDC related safety guidance to avoid the transmission of the virus and provide further protection of workers and guests.

Utilize this enhanced checklist when cleaning.

Following the Florida DBPR Information for Vacation Rentals pursuant to Executive Order 20-123 issued May 15, 2020

Note: These recommendations include training regarding proper and safe cleaning techniques and proper security. While the guidelines are derived in part from federal agency regulations and recommendations, they do not ensure the health of us, our housekeepers or our guests. They do, however, provide steps that can be used to augment existing cleaning processes to help mitigate the spread of Covid-19.

Cleaning for you!

Cleaning and disinfection equipment

Our cleaning professionals clean their tools and personal protective equipment to minimize the risk of contamination. Cleaning products used are in good condition and appropriate for the property. Safety equipment is utilized where needed

Cleaning and sanitization (not disinfection) process

Cleaning is our first step in the overall process. It utilizes soaps (or detergents) and water to remove germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. This process doesn’t necessarily kill germs but instead reduces their numbers and therefore the risk of spreading.

Disinfection is the process of killing germs on surfaces or objects through the use of chemicals. Disinfection is not a cleaning process, but because it kills germs it too can lower the risk of spreading the virus. We use EPA-registered household disinfectants.

Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects.

We prioritize high-touch surfaces like door handles, locks, thermostats, controls and switches, remote controls, bathroom fixtures, high touch guest information.

Linens are washed at highest temperatures and dried completely before storing.

While we use both cleaning (soaps/detergents and water) and chemicals to on surfaces and objects in our homes, we make no representation that we have killed 100% of germs or the virus that causes Covid-19.

Spray sanitization treatment at the end – Vital Oxide

If you start to think about it, you can drive yourself nuts listing out all the difficult-to-clean components of a vacation rental home. Rugs? Drapes? Sofas? Is it possible to wash every item like this in a home between each and every guest? Despite our best intentions, not always.

Enter the Vital Oxide sanitization treatment. Follow these links to learn more about the product and equipment we use in Florida.

Link to Curtis Dyna Fog ES:

http://www.dynafog.com/products/sanitation-and-greenhouse/hurricane-es/

Vital Oxide Product Link:

https://vitaloxide.com/

FAQ’S for Vital Oxide:

https://vitaloxide.com/pages/q-a

Why we use an Electrostatic Sprayer/ Fogger:

We use this science to apply disinfectants. Electrostatic application of chemicals dramatically increases droplet attraction and attachment to surfaces. In fact, research indicates that electrostatic application is 8 times more effective than using an uncharged sprayer.

How does electrostatic disinfection work?

Electrostatic disinfection is a quick and easy way to achieve 360 degree, touch-less disinfection. While it may sound complicated, the technology is simple to understand. Electrostatic sprayers use positive and negative charges to make disinfecting solutions electromagnetically stick to targeted surfaces. For example, no matter which angle you disinfect a surface from, the charge created by the electrostatic sprayer makes the disinfectant wrap around and cling to the entire surface.

The kill time is about two minutes for bacteria and under two minutes for viruses. Best of all, no wiping is required with electrostatic spraying as it is with other procedures, and it’s safe for all surfaces including electronic equipment.

March 4, 2020April 1, 2022

May St Petersburg Area Events Splashy

Recurring May Events

Gulfport: First Friday ArtWalk

St Pete: First Friday

St Pete: Second Saturday ArtWalk

Gulfport: Third Saturday ArtWalk

Gulfport: Tuesday Fresh Market

St Pete: Saturday Morning Market

Garden Art and Faerie Festival

Imagine an enchanted village complete with faeries, sprites, gnomes, ogres and trolls.

For one fun-filled day each spring, Gulfport is transformed into such an enchanted village.

Carnival rides, live music, maypoles. face-painting, bubble blowing and pixie dusting will make it a day to remember. Admission is free.

Clymer Park, Gulfport

May 2, 2020 10 am – 8 pm

March 4, 2020April 1, 2022

April St Petersburg Area Events Splashy

April Recurring Events

Gulfport: First Friday ArtWalk

St Pete: First Friday

St Pete: Second Saturday ArtWalk

Gulfport: Third Saturday ArtWalk

Gulfport: Tuesday Fresh Market

St Pete: Saturday Morning Market

I’m afraid they’re going to get wet

St Anthony’s Triathlon

As I sit here nursing a foot energy, the thought if a Tri seems next to impossible.

Perhaps you feel differently. Or maybe you just want to show some support for those who are so ambitious. At the very least you need to know where they’ll be and where the streets will be closed.

St Anthony Triathlon Maps

Clearwater’s Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, Clearwater

Ten days spent celebrating sand. Activities include The Giant Sandbox (shh, don’t tell my cats), the Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit, sand sculpting classes, live music, fireworks., movies on the beach and more.

For the Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit, eleven world-class sculptors create sand sculptures according to a changing annual theme. The Walk is housed under a 21,000 square foot tent.

https://sugarsandfestival.com

Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival

Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival

This year’s event will be held at the Florida State Fairgrounds on April 25th, 2020.

Now in its 15^th year, this festival continues to preserve and enhance the cultural and historical legacy of Caribbean American heritage.

Events include exhibits, crafts, a street parade, a Steelpan Jamboree, top-name entertainment and vendors, a Jouvert morning experience, and high-stepping masquerade bands. This might be the most colorful and lively festival the area has to offer and it is held in the beautiful month of April. I can’t think of a better reason to give it a go.

Green Thumb Festival

The Green Thumb Festival is St Petersburg’s annual Arbor Day celebration.

Plants, flowers and plant and flower lovers come together, along with individuals and families looking for a fund weekend activity.

There will be more than 120 – yes one-hundred-and-twenty – plant and flower vendors and exhibitors.

Held at Walter Fuller Park at 7891 26th Ave N on April 25th and 26th from 9 am to 4 pm

Check out the website here.

Tampa Bay Blues Festival

A 3-day rite of passage for blues fans each spring. Recipient of the Blues Foundation’s “Best U.S. Blues Festival” in 2011, this event keeps people coming back year after year. Unfortunately. this event is not pet-friendly.

April 3, 4, and 5, 2020

Check out the history section of the website for a list of past performers. Held in Vinoy Park, downtown St Petersburg.

http://www.tampabaybluesfest.com

Mainsail Art Festival

Also held in Vinoy Park in downtown St Petersburg. Ranked one of the Top 20 Fine Art & Design Shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine. 2019 marked the 44th year of the festival.

April 18th and 19th, 2020

15th Annual Fun in the Sun Day

Family fun for everyone!

April 11, 2020 from 10 am -12 pm at the Gulfport Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd S)

Free festivities including an egg hunt, riding in a police boat, a fire truck an ambulance and more!

February 27, 2020April 1, 2022

Pass-A-Grille Beach

Pass-a-grille is a little haven in the middle of bustling St Pete Beach. Or more accurately, at the southernmost tip of St Pete Beach.

As you pass The Don CeSar, Gulf Blvd gives way to Pass A Grille Way, and the road becomes a palm-lined, single-lane-each-direction road. Little McPherson Bayou is on your left and the massive Gulf of Mexico is on your right.

The vibe changes. Almost instantly. No more mid-rise or high-rise hotels or condos, only one traffic light, the traffic slows and you begin to realize that you are on the way to someplace special.

Even with the mutli-story homes that have been replacing the small bungalows in recent years, there is just a feeling of more openness. You can see the water on the left (Little McPherson Bayou and then Pass-A-Grille channel). And you begin to sense the Gulf on your right.

Grab your favorite flotation device and insert yourself here

High surf sunset at PAG beach

If you turn right when you see the sea Critters restaurant, you’ll dead end at Gulf Way. Turn left and head south and the Gulf will be on your right the entire way.

There is plenty of parking and ample beach walkovers all the way to the end. You’ll find the beach gets a little more crowded as you reach Historic Pass-A-Grille, down around 10^th Ave.

Insider Tip: Parking meters

There are only a handful of free parking spaces around, so bring a credit card to pay by the space at the machines provided.

Sand Dunes rentals sets up the yellow umbrellas early on July 4th, awaiting the throngs of sun-seekers

Sand Dunes operates lounge chair rentals, umbrellas rentals and on calm days, SUPs. See our blog post here for more info.

The outdoor (and only) dining area at Paradise Grille

On holidays and some weekends you may find some vendors set up in the patio are at Paradise Grille

The area around 10^th – 8^th Ave is really the predominant shopping and restaurant area of Pass-A-Grille.

This is where you can find one of my favorites, Paradise Grille, along with The Hurricane and the Brass Monkey. Oh and Paradise Sweets, home of coffee and ice cream.

The water was clear and calm and the skies fair Independence Day morning

Beach and Paradise Grille as seen from the water

If you go at before sunset, The Hurricane or Paradise Grille or The Brass Monkey all offer fabulous settings for sunset viewings.

Paradise Grille has the Nightly Ringing of the Bell every night at sunset. The grille itself closes about a half hour after this bell has rung, so plan accordingly. My meal of champions? The cheeseburger and a screwdriver.

Stand up paddleboarding is great on a calm day

Or windsurfing on a not-so-calm day

Boogie board with a human booster (sling shot method)

Insider Tip: When Nature Calls (Er, Restrooms)

Restrooms (and separate changing rooms) are available at Paradise Grille

The beach is a great place to view incoming storms

Other highlights are a dog beach (as you round the tip and head back north). Merry Pier, fishing on the Pass-A-Grille channel side.

Historic Merry Pier has fishing trips, trips to the Shell Key Preserve via the Shell Key Shuttle, sunset cruises and more.

The beach is quite wide at the northern end, gradually narrowing as you head south. By the time you get to the jetty at 1^st Ave. the beach is at its narrowest. Check out the satellite view on Google maps.

Sometimes, just being still in the water is all you need

The end of another great evening at the beach

Weekdays are always less crowded than the weekends, unless of course it is a holiday. On holidays we go early – as in 9 am – and you will find the yellow umbrellas set up and waiting for the crowds. But even on holidays it isn’t too crowded to enjoy, especially at the northern end of the beach.

The beach is wide there, and the Gulf of Mexico even wider.

The way sunsets were meant to be enjoyed

February 19, 2020April 1, 2022

Sightseeing and Getting on the Water in St Omer

Kenepuru Sound is the third largest of the four Sounds that make up the Marlborough Sounds at the top of the South Island, New Zealand.

If you have the time and resources, I absolutely recommend making arrangements to get out on the water. Fortunately for you, there are several wonderful options. The owners of Pelorus Tours and Kenepuru Water Taxi are quite literally our neighbors in St Omer/Nopera.

Kenepuru Water Taxi coming in to St Omer Homestead

Kenepuru Water Taxi is available for personalized cruises of the Kenepuru Sound or transfers.

They’ll even cart your bike or kayak to a destination of your choice.

Or, if you’re coming from or going to Queen Charlotte Sound, they coordinate with Cougar Line Water Taxi and Arrow Water Taxis that operate in the Queen Charlotte Sounds to get you to/from Picton.

There’s a contact form for booking inquiries on their website. If you’re staying with us and want a lift from Havelock Pete can give you a price for your group.

Phone (64) 03 573 4344

7170 Kenepuru Road

info@kenepuru.co.nz

The Amokrua Wreck is just around the corner

Pelorus Tours offers cruises in the Sounds, charter boats, fishing trips and eco tours.

They have a mammal watching permit to view NZ fur seals, whales and dolphins!

Detailed information about services and vessels are available on the site. There’s an easy “Book Now” button where you enter your desired dates, whether you’re interested in a cruise, fishing trip, eco tour, etc and the number of people in your group. Gary or Ellen will get back to you.

Nopera Lodge

Phones – 03 574 4203 or 0274 345 488

gary@pelorustours.co.nz

Brilliant every day

The Pelorus Mail Boat has been delivering mail, groceries and crucial supplies to homeowners in Pelorus Sound. And you can ride along! You’ll be visiting the most remote parts of the Sounds, where no roads, ferries or cruise ships go.

This might be a wonderful option for you as a day before or day after your stay in St Omer, as the boat leaves from Havelock. Or you may choose this option if something with Kenepuru Water Taxi or Pelorus Tours is not available during your stay.

The route varies depending on the day of the week.

Trip highlights can include a gannet colony, dolphins, a Greenshell Mussel farm, a King Shag colony, farm our and more. Be sure and check their website for seasonal days of operation and other FAQs.

Pier B, Havelock Marina

03 574 1088 or 027 900 9000

bookings@themailboat.co.nz

Five types of dolphins cruise the waters of the Marlborough Sounds, including dusky, bottlenose, common, orca and hector’s dolpins

The Marlborough Tour Company offers several cruises and tours, also from Havelock. (Pier C at the Havelock Marina.) They specially branded one the Greenshell Mussel Cruise.

There is both a morning and afternoon cruise. Click the link for the cruise for a short video.

Havelock is the Greenshell Mussel Capital of the World

Sounds by Sail offers a very different seafaring (or is that sound-faring) experience.

They offer a 3 hour sail, a luxury night afloat, private charters and a bareboat experience.

They are based just 4 or 5 kilometers from St Omer Hideout and they can pick you up from the St Omer Homestead. (The St Omer Homestead is the same place you go down to the beach to swim.)

Hopewell, Double Bay, Kenepuru Sound, NZ

0210 451 358

Contact

Nothing but the wind and water (and some Greenshell Mussels and Sauvignon Blanc!)

Havelock Water Taxi

Up to 15 people at a time, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week all year around. They bring people out to Rateihi and Hopewell Lodge in our area, so they can drop you at the St Omer Jetty too.

I believe the price per person goes down on larger parties.

Tel 021 2020 786 or email at skipper@havelockwatertaxis.co.nz

February 18, 2020April 1, 2022