Best Beaches Near Tampa, FL

Thanks to world-class cuisine and culture, Tampa is one of the nicest cities in Florida. And one factor that puts Tampa over the top is the gorgeous, white-sand beaches. Pearly white, long, wide, and inviting, Tampa’s beaches are some of the best in the entire state! (They also have plenty of free parking!) Whether you’re coming to visit or moving here, we’ve got some helpful info about our beaches below. It’s a list of the seven best beaches near Tampa, FL, and why they’re so great! So if discovering the most beautiful, fun, and sun-filled beaches on Tampa’s Gulf Coast is your goal today, read on!

1. Fred Howard Park

One of the most popular beaches near Tampa, FL, is the stunning nature preserve, Fred Howard Park. Fred Howard Park’s beach has gorgeous white sand and warm Gulf Coast waters like all Tampa beaches. However, what makes it unique is the variety of wildlife on display. Dolphins and manatees often swim by, and you’ll also find nesting eagles and ospreys. Like many other beaches in Florida, this one has picnic areas and a playground for the kids. It’s also linked to the lovely town of Tarpon Springs and their famous Sponge Docks and authentic Greek restaurants!

best beaches near Tampa FL

2. Treasure Island

If you’re looking for a classic Beach near Tampa, Treasure Island is perfect. A big draw here is that the beach is vast, making it ideal for flying kites. Also, there’s a mile-long paved trail connecting everything to the beach. Many folks enjoy walking the trail and visiting the various bars, restaurants, and shops. You’ll also find St John’s Pass at the north end of Treasure Island. It’s a cute little fishing village where charter boats head out into the Gulf every day. If you’re visiting with your kids, there are many fun and exciting activities to enjoy. By the way, like many of the beaches in Florida, adult beverages are not only allowed but encouraged. For all these reasons, Treasure Island is one of the best beaches near Tampa, FL!

3. Ben T. Davis Beach

One of the closest beaches to downtown Tampa is Ben T. Davis Beach. And this is the perfect beach for lounging, swimming, and relaxing. The beach offers several sheltered picnic areas great for tailgating. Also, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, local volleyball players gather to play on the beach. If you’re a fan of gorgeous sunsets, you’ll find some of the best right here. Also, there’s a new 4-mile trail for biking and hiking, the Courtney Campbell Trail. Unlike some beaches near Tampa, FL, this one has lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day until Labor Day.

Tip: Because it’s the largest and closest beach to downtown, Ben T Davis Beach is usually crowded on weekends. For that reason, we recommend visiting during the week.

best beaches near Tampa FL

4. Indian Rocks Beach

It’s getting away from the hustle and bustle of Tampa is your goal, Indian Rocks Beach is a great choice. There’s very little commercial development, making the beach much less crowded. As a result, they also have fewer amenities than other beaches, like parking and restrooms. In other words, it’s very laid-back, quiet, and peaceful. However, there are several excellent restaurants and bars nearby. Not to mention that there are great rental shops for surfing and skimboarding. Fewer crowds make Indian Rocks one of the best beaches near Tampa, FL, for a quiet beach day.

5. Sand Key Park

A Barrier Island, Sand Key Park is perfect if you want to observe sea turtles nesting. (Please look, though, and never touch. Thanks!) As with Indian Rocks Beach, Sand Key Park is laid back, tranquil and family-friendly. However, they offer more parking and restroom facilities and several excellent picnic shelters. There’s also a playground for your little ones and a lovely nature trail to explore. For families, the combination of a beautiful beach and family park makes Sand Key Park ideal!

Tip: You’ll find cabana rentals on many of the beaches near Tampa, FL. What makes them different at Sand Key Park is the prices, which are more reasonable.

best beaches near Tampa FL

6. Clearwater Beach

Beautifully groomed beaches make Clearwater Beach one of the best in the area. (It’s also incredibly popular and does get very busy on the weekends.) One of the biggest attractions is the nightlife, with a wide variety of clubs and bars to enjoy. During the day, dolphin-watching tours are very popular also. Looking for a great restaurant for lunch or dinner? You’ll find plenty here at Clearwater Beach! You’ll also find water sports rentals, concession stands, and an inviting craft market at the pier!

Tip: Parking is a pain at Clearwater Beach, especially if you aren’t staying nearby. Our recommendation is to go early and prepare to walk. You can also get there by trolley or the Clearwater Ferry.

7. Caladesi Island State Park

The beaches near Tampa are all lovely, no doubt. Caladesi Island State Park, however, stands out as one of the very best. (Some folks call it one of the nicest beaches on the planet!) It’s also a nature sanctuary and a shell hunter’s dream. The beach stays pristine because you can only get there by ferry. That makes this lovely beach one of the most secluded in the area. For unadulterated beauty, Caladesi Island State Park is one of the best beaches near Tampa, FL!

Tip: You can catch a ferry to Caladesi Island from Honeymoon State Park seven days a week.

best beaches near Tampa FL

Best Beaches Near Tampa, FL, brought to you by Hide-Away Storage

We think you’ll agree that the beaches near Tampa, FL, are some of the best in the state! There are many to choose from, and all have their particular charms and amenities.

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We recommend reserving a Tampa, FL storage unit before you arrive. When your moving truck gets here, they can unload directly into your Tampa storage units. By the way, Hideaway self-storage units are much cheaper than storing with your moving company. Plus, you can access your belongings whenever you like. (You can’t do that when your stuff is in a gigantic movers warehouse.)

We hope you enjoyed today’s list of the seven best beaches near Tampa, FL! If you’re moving here, best of luck with a stress-free move to our favorite Florida city, Tampa!