Soft sugary sand contrasting with the glorious blue Gulf of Mexico is the only thing the communities along St. Pete Beach have in common. After that each stretch has its own mood and personality, so depending on what you want—action or relaxation—you’ll find it here. Kick it up a notch with a kiteboard lesson or let the captain lead the way on a fishing charter. Landlubbers can sightsee by trolley or hang out on the sands. Just take your pick because this beach town has plenty to offer.
1 A Beach for your Mood
From pristine to party central, St. Pete Beach delivers. Somewhere on the 15 blissful miles that extend south from Madeira Beach (Mad Beach, to locals) to Fort De Soto Park’s five islands, you’ll find spots that are frenetic and fun-loving, mild-mannered and mellow—most just a quick walk to a tiki bar or shopping. Surfers hang five or ten off the coast of Upham Beach, one of the few surfable areas along the Gulf. Fort De Soto’s beaches are best for families, thanks to a surf-taming sandbar, and boat-only Shell and Egmont keys are perfect for couples. The historic fishing town of Pass-A-Grille boasts the longest stretch of undeveloped beachfront sans high-rises.
2 Water Sports of all Sorts
Whether you crave the adrenaline rush of soaring above the water or tamer pursuits close to sea level, you’ll find your calling. Kayak dark and narrow mangrove tunnels in the 3,700-acre Weedon Island Preserve or paddleboard along the Gulf Coast. The more adventurous take to the sky on a kiteboard or windsurf at Pass-A-Grille. Want the ultimate water-borne experience? Tradewinds Island Resorts offers public rentals of its futuristic water-powered JetLev and electric surfboards.
3 Explore Pirate Lore
Truth be told, the legend of Gaspar, the notorious pirate said to have trolled the waters around the apropos named Treasure Island, is often disputed: Did he really exist? Nevertheless, St. Pete Beach embraces the swashbuckling past and the documented history of smugglers who did exist around Pass-A-Grille. The Pirate Ship at John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk offers two-hour seafaring missions aboard a replica pirate ship flying the Jolly Roger and onboard water-gun battles, treasure hunts and plenty of pirate tales.
4 Gulf Sunsets
By land or by sea, you’ll be drawn to the Gulf come sunset. Salute the greatest show on earth with a Ka’Tiki Sunset shot at the tiki bar of the same name on Sunset Beach, one of the area’s most secluded and best- kept secrets. Join the nightly sunset celebration at Pass-A-Grille’s Paradise Grill or set sail aboard the Shell Key Shuttle’s sunset cruise with a picnic basket and favorite vintage.
5 Great Seafood
Madeira Beach claims the title “Grouper Capital of the World,” and local restaurants serve signature presentations of the Gulf-caught fish. Dockside Dave’s half-pound battered sandwich is legendary, earning kudos as best in the South. Billy’s Stonecrab, Seafood & Steaks, in Tierra Verde near Fort De Soto, prepares grouper five ways and is the go-to place for succulent stone crab claws during Florida’s October-to- May season. Other fish dishes to suit your palate include the smoked mullet at the cash-only Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish, a St. Pete institution.
6 Drive Downtown
If you’re shocked by any recommendation to visit St. Petersburg’s bay- front downtown, chances are you haven’t ventured to the city recently. The past decades has seen the rise of towering condos, top-shelf locally owned restaurants and lounges, boutiques, speakeasies and the arts, all just 10 miles from the beach on Tampa Bay. Plan to spend at least a day.
7 For the Birds
Shell Key and Weedon Island preserves are just two of the stops along Florida’s 2,000-mile Great Birding Trail. Visit at dawn for your best chance of spotting snowy egrets, brown pelicans, pileated woodpeckers and the magnificent great blue heron, some reaching nearly 4 feet tall with 6-foot wingspans. Continue your bird immersion at Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in nearby Indian Shores, America’s largest nonprofit wild bird hospital and home to Isis, a red-tailed hawk who serves as the mascot, as well as an adorable burrowing owl and other feathered friends in rehab.
8 Stop Wishing, Get Fishing
St. Pete Beach is an angler’s dream with so many opportunities—from offshore deep sea, flats and coastal fishing—and experienced captains who know the best spots; you won’t go home with tales of the one that got away. Charter a boat at marinas anywhere along the coast in search of trout, snook, redfish, grouper and Florida’s No. 1 game fish: the mighty tarpon, appropriately nicknamed the silver king for its massive size and fight.
9 Ditch the Car
The Suncoast Beach Trolley spans the entire St. Pete Beach coast—from Madeira Beach to Pass-A-Grille—and operates from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. With such a convenience, it’s all the more reason to stop-hop during the day or check out the local nightlife at Postcard Inn on the Beach.
10 A Date with Your Dog
St. Pete is one of Florida’s friendliest cities for canine companions, and properties like the storied Loews Don CeSar Hotel and Tradewinds Island Resorts go out of their way to deliver creature comforts, including special play areas, spa services and gourmet dog-approved cuisine. Boutiques on Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach’s downtown historic district cater specifically to pets, and restaurants along the coast have designated doggie decks. Fort De Soto’s off-leash beach and Paw Playground is the Disney of dogdom.
