The beaches of St Pete

The beaches of St Pete / Clearwater offer 35 miles of white-sand coastline on some eight major barrier islands. From bustling to isolated, our award-winning beaches have a little something for everyone. Below you’ll find a sampling of what the area has to offer, but to fully experience America’s best beaches, please visit www.visitstpeteclearwater.com.

Caladesi Island State Park

Mother Nature knew what she was doing when she created this stunning island paradise, so it’s no wonder why coastal geologist, Dr. Stephen Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr. Beach, named this spot America’s Best Beach in 2008. From its gorgeous blue-green crystal clear waters, to its palm-dotted trails, to its sunlit mangrove tunnels perfectly suited for kayaking, this pristine getaway—accessible only by private boat or ferry—is the best of the best. A small onsite café, changing rooms and cabana rentals add a touch of luxe, and nearby Honeymoon Island State Park provides the perfect complement where you can connect with nature and your pet, on its ever popular dog beach.

Fort De Soto Park’s North Beach

Crystal clear waters, sugary-soft sand, seven miles of beaches on five islands, bike trails, fishing piers, camp grounds, picnic areas, dog parks and canoe rentals. And that just begins to scratch the surface of things to do at this award-winning beach. Step onto the sand of Fort De Soto’s North Beach and you’ll see why it was ranked America’s top beach in 2005 by Dr. Beach and in 2008 and 2009 by TripAdvisor.com. If history is your thing, there’s plenty here. This 1,100 acre county park offers free, guided walking tours of its Spanish-American War-era Fort and wilderness areas, and has re-created the Quartermaster’s house as a history museum. Fort tours are every Saturday and nature tours through different areas of the park are held on Saturdays and Sundays.

Clearwater Beach

This beach has it all: white sand, sparkling waters, marinas, bathhouse, boat ramp, full-time lifeguards, playground, showers, attractions, nightlife, restaurants, and accommodations ranging from high-end resorts to old fashioned mom-and-pop motels. For anglers, Pier 60 is the perfect spot to drop your line. Just south of Pier 60, the BeachWalk pedestrian thoroughfare winds its way southward offering access to beachfront cafes, shops and galleries. Clearwater Beach was also voted as having the Best Sand on the East Coast by Conde Nast Traveler. Patterned after the highly successful festival at Mallory Square in Key West, Clearwater Beach’s ‘Sunsets at Pier 60’ celebration features unique craftsmen, artists and entertainers performing nightly from two hours prior to sunset to two hours after sunset.

Pass-a-Grille

Though officially part of St. Pete Beach, where Gulf Boulevard winds into Pass-a-Grille Way, the visitor is greeted by a glimpse of “Old Florida.” Four miles of undeveloped public beach along Gulf Way on the Gulf of Mexico wrap around the end of the key to meet Boca Ciega Bay on the harbor side of Pass-a-Grille. Go on a shelling or snorkeling excursion to Shell Key, watch the dolphins play, or enjoy gentle sea breezes on a sunset cruise. Stretch your legs with a stroll on 8th Avenue, where you’ll find galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. It’s all there.

Information and photos provided by www.visitstpeteclearwater.com