Tampa Beaches
Escape to the Beach

The abundance of natural beaches, parks, lakes and rivers greatly adds to the Tampa Bay area's overall appeal. Crowded cities and busy roads seem miles away when you paddle down the scenic Hillsborough River.

Snorkeling, diving, sailing, fresh or saltwater fishing, kayaking, chartering a sunset cruise or simply spreading out a towel and unpacking a picnic lunch in Tampa Bay's magnificent parks can be enjoyed almost every day of the year.

Tampa Bay's beaches and parks offer outdoor enjoyment all year-round.

Archibald Beach Park
15100 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete, FL 33708
(727) 391-7373
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Ride the Wave: This favorite hot spot is often busy on weekends, and has restrooms and restaurants nearby. A favorite for visitors and locals alike, this beach is a fun destination for all beach goers.

Ben T. Davis Beach
7650 Courtney Campbell Cswy., Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 274-8615
7:30 a.m. to sunset
Ride the Wave: Fronting Tampa Bay and offering one of the first sights of sand for those entering Tampa via Tampa International Airport, this narrow beach is attractively landscaped and stretches along the Courtney Campbell Causeway that connects Tampa with Clearwater.

Caladesi Island State Park Beach
1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin, FL 34698
(727) 469-5918
8:00 a.m. to sunset
Ride the Wave: Forget your worries as you take a ferry to this 3-mile beach and explore the natural surroundings on one of the state’s last undeveloped barrier islands. Boaters, birdwatchers, and beachcombers can walk the sandy shore, then head inland to hike a wooded nature trail.

Clearwater Beach
West end of S.R. 60, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Lifeguards on duty 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Ride the Wave: This wide beach of sugar-fine sand draws volleyball players, sun worshippers, and swimmers.

Davis Islands Beach
900 Martinique Ave., Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 931-2121
Daylight hours
Ride the Wave: Anchored boats sometimes crowd the beach in front of this sandy spot near downtown Tampa. A great spot for reading or sunning.

Egmont Key State Park
4905 34th St. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33711
(727) 893-2627
8:00 a.m. to sunset
Ride the Wave: Visit Egmont Key State Park and enjoy the most beautiful waters of Tampa Bay. Relaxing and shell collecting along its pristine, palm tree lined, secluded beaches, is a year round favorite activity. Also see a 150-year-old working lighthouse, gun batteries built in 1898 to defend Tampa Bay and 100-year-old brick roads. There is no gift shop on the island, so please remember to bring water, food and sunscreen, when you visit.

Fort DeSoto Park Beach
3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, FL 33715
(727) 582-2267
Sunrise to sunset
Ride the Wave: Fort DeSoto is a barrier island and 1,136-acre park. Besides a clean, wide beach with many shore birds, this park boasts two fishing piers, historic fort, and bayside campsites. A paved trail appeals to cyclists and inline skaters.

Fred Howard Park Beach
1700 Sunset Dr., Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 943-4081
7:00 a.m. to sunset
Ride the Wave: This family beach is best visited on weekdays when it’s not crowded. But even on busy weekends, the gentle waves and clean shoreline make for a pleasant visit. It’s also a popular site for fishing and windsurfing.