Beaches

Some of Florida's Finest

Ft. DeSoto Beach

Ft. DeSoto Beach, located off of St. Petersburg's southern tip, has been named the number one beach in the United States. Named after the historic fort located on the 900-acre county park, visitors can tour the five interconnected islands that comprise the park. More than a beach, Ft. DeSoto includes a year-round county campground, miles of nature trails and paved fitness trails, 2.25 miles of canoe trails, an 800-foot boat launch with floating docks, fishing piers, picnic pavilions with grills, a concession stand and restroom and shower facilities. From the island's southern shores, visitors enjoy a sweeping panorama of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

St. Petersburg Municipal Beach

11260 Gulf Blvd. Treasure Island

St. Petersburg's Municipal Beach on the shores of a neighboring Gulf of Mexico community, Treasure Island, boasts 500 feet of sandy white shores. The St. Petersburg Recreation Department operates the beach, the beach concession stand and parking area. The beach includes full shower and changing facilities, a snack bar, beach volleyball courts, and a beach wheelchair for handicapped beach goers. The beach recently won a Blue Wave Award from the Clean Beaches Council for the second consecutive year. This distinction is a symbol of responsible beach management that encourages greater public awareness of environment, health, and safety conditions at beaches and indicates a healthy, safe, and environmentally sound shore to any sun worshipper.

Maximo Beach & Park

34th Street & Pinellas Point Drive S.

Maximo Park, located in South St. Petersburg, provides visitors with three boat ramps, a nature boardwalk, two beach-side playgrounds, miles of bike and nature trails, and plenty of shade trees on a 70-acre archaeological site. The Australian pines provide the perfect setting for a sunset picnic or a lazy day on the beach soaking up St. Petersburg’s famous sunshine rays. From its 10-foot observation tower, beach goers enjoy a breathtaking view of Florida's famous Sunshine Skyway Bridge, the Gulf of Mexico and Boca Ciega Bay. A recently created feature, the park also includes the "Tocobaga Disc Golf Course", a championship 18 hole course for Frisbee and other disc enthusiasts that winds through 47 wooded acres.

Downtown St. Petersburg's Spa and North Shore Beaches

2nd Avenue NE & Tampa Bay (at the Pier)

In the heart of the bustling downtown of Florida's fourth largest city, St. Petersburg has two public beaches along its breathtaking waterfront. Spa Beach and North Shore Beach offer white sandy beaches on the shores of Tampa Bay. Spa Beach, located at the base of the St. Petersburg Pier, once housed a toboggan slide and solarium for early tourists and residents. Today, beach visitors can relax in the sun or rent paddleboats, jet skis and other watercrafts. It's also home to special events, such as the annual St. Anthony's Triathlon. Nearby, North Shore Beach includes a playground, an Olympic-caliber year round swimming pool, tennis courts, ample parking, and a beautiful palm arboretum for beachside picnics and afternoon strolls.

Egmont Key

Egmont Key, a state preserve and island off the coast of St. Petersburg, is accessible by boat from one of the city's nine public boat ramps. Wanderers wishing to explore the island will enjoy a magnificent view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge that spans the mouth of Tampa Bay. The island features an 87-foot lighthouse, a 440-acre wildlife refuge, miles of magnificent beaches, and remnants of the 1906 Fort Dade from the Spanish American War.