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Connecting the blue waters of Tampa Bay with downtown St Petersburg, St Pete Pier spans 26 acres and features parks, restaurants, a fishing deck and playgrounds.<\/p>\n
Photograph by Pgiam, Getty Images<\/p>\n
Here are five must-do experiences that showcase the best of St Pete-Clearwater’s coastline \u2014 and what lies beyond.<\/p>\n
Clearwater Beach \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
With turquoise waters lapping at sugar-white sands, it\u2019s easy to see why Clearwater Beach<\/a> consistently ranks among the world\u2019s best. Dolphins \u2014 and occasionally manatees \u2014 are often spotted in the shallows, while sandpipers strut the shoreline, scattered with elaborate sandcastles beneath rows of brightly-coloured umbrellas. Once the sun sets, Pier 60<\/a> \u2014 a 1,080ft-long boardwalk with souvenir shops, street performers and seafood restaurants \u2014 draws both locals and visitors with its vast views across the Gulf, making it a popular spot for a seaside stroll.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss: For a change of scenery, head just over seven miles inland to BayCare Ballpark<\/a>. Home to the Philadelphia Phillies<\/a> during spring training and the minor-league Clearwater Threshers<\/a> the rest of the year, it promises a stellar game of baseball nearly year-round \u2014 the perfect place to experience a slice of Americana first-hand.<\/p>\n Clearwater Beach is renowned for its wide stretch of white sand, providing ample space for sunbathing and waterfront activities. <\/p>\n Photograph by Maria Kray, Getty Images<\/p>\n Indian Rocks Beach \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Just south of Clearwater Beach, Indian Rocks Beach<\/a> stretches along the barrier island of Sand Key, offering a slower pace and a more residential feel. Its two miles of powder-fine sands are dotted with easy-access entry points, offering plenty of quiet spots to settle in for a day of sunbathing on the shore. Indian Rocks is one of the earliest coastal settlements in Tampa Bay and still retains much of its original character with pastel-toned, low-rise beach cottages and family-run seafood joints such as Crabby Bill\u2019s<\/a> \u2014 a local favourite for 40 years that\u2019s known for its legendary grouper sandwiches, served with Old Bay fries and slaw.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss: Just a 10-minute drive inland brings you to Florida Botanical Gardens<\/a>, an oasis with 100 acres of tropical greenery. Criss-crossed by shaded pathways, the park features everything from butterfly-filled clearings and fruit plantations to the beach-inspired Palm Garden that\u2019s backdropped by trickling fountains.<\/p>\n Caladesi Island State Park<\/p>\n The Caladesi Island Ferry<\/a> carries intrepid beachgoers to one of Florida\u2019s few remaining undeveloped barrier islands \u2014 a remote state park just 20 minutes by boat from Clearwater Beach. With three miles of unspoiled shoreline, Caladesi<\/a> offers a serene escape that feels far removed from nearby cities of Dunedin and Clearwater. The beach itself is scattered with delicate shells, while inland, the island\u2019s 650 acres are covered with swathes of mangrove swamps and slash pine forests, home to wading birds such as brown pelicans, which nest here year-round.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss: The Caladesi Island Trail<\/a> is a gentle three-mile loop that winds through pine flatwoods, sabal palms and coastal swamps. Keep an eye out for gopher tortoises, a threatened Florida native that can live up to 60 years in the wild and is one of the oldest living species in the world.<\/p>\n St Pete Beach<\/p>\n Just west of St Petersburg lies the barrier island home to St Pete Beach<\/a> \u2014 a playful, lively stretch of Gulf Coast lined with beachside resorts, seafood restaurants and live music bars. Whether claiming a spot on the sand at Upham Beach, on the quieter northern tip, or gearing up for a game of beach volleyball at Island Grand at TradeWinds<\/a> resort, this is a place for embracing St Pete-Clearwater\u2019s year-round sunshine.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss: After a day in the emerald-green waters, make time for a visit to Mastry\u2019s Brewing Co<\/a>, the first and only microbrewery on St Pete Beach. Housed in a former gas station just off Blind Pass Road, it\u2019s known for small-batch beers that mix traditional brewing styles with bold, global flavours. On tap, expect everything from a dark, Mexican-style lager to a lemon-drop infused tropical IPA \u2014 one of more than 15 rotating house brews.<\/p>\n Carved out by a hurricane in 1848, John’s Pass is now one of the region’s most popular coastal destinations.<\/p>\n Photograph by Deborah Maxemow, Getty Images<\/p>\n Madeira Beach<\/p>\n Affectionately known as \u2018Mad Beach\u2019 by locals, Madeira Beach<\/a> extends for more than two miles along the Gulf coast, just north of St Pete Beach. Having retained the charm of a small beach town despite its popularity, this pristine stretch of white sand \u2014 backed by dunes \u2014 exudes a relaxed atmosphere, laced with the nostalgia of Florida’s traditional seaside villages. From the beach, visitors can set out on a dolphin cruise from Hubbard\u2019s Marina<\/a>, cast lines for redfish, snook and sea trout or soar above water on parasails, while admiring the quiet, uncrowded shores below.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss: At the southern tip, John\u2019s Pass Village & Boardwalk<\/a> is a restored fishing village where wooden walkways meander past seafood stalls, beach bars and boutique shops selling surfing gear, jewellery and John\u2019s Pass souvenirs. From here, visitors can hire boats or jet skis for sunset excursions before later soaking up the friendly, Old Florida atmosphere along the boardwalk.<\/p>\n Plan your tripDirect flights are available to Tampa International Airport from London. Alternatively, travellers can fly directly to Orlando from Manchester or Edinburgh, then take a 90-minute flight to Tampa. From here, it\u2019s a 30 minute drive to St Pete-Clearwater via car or public bus. Once in St Pete-Clearwater, visitors can move around the region using the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority\u2019s trolley services. For more information, see visitstpeteclearwater.com<\/a>This paid content article was created for Visit St Pete-Clearwater. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic,\u00a0National Geographic Traveller (UK)\u00a0or their editorial staffs.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"White](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-1368277220.jpg\")
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