As summer nears its end, our beaches are fuller than ever, often with shoulder-to-shoulder beach blankets. Not exactly the relaxing beach day in Tampa Bay you’d hoped for, right? That’s OK, because if you’re not averse to working a little, we have a few spots where you can escape the maddening, sunburned crowds. Take a look at these seven unsung pieces of sandy paradise, just big enough for one or two people to stretch out with a beach read or a small picnic.

Photos by Cathy Salustri http://www.cathysalustri.com
Shell Key Shell Key’s a madhouse on the weekends — and often, during the week — but if you can wait until later in the day, the tour boats are done and the recreational boaters are, too. Credit: Cathy Salustri
Shell Key Sure, there’ll be some sunset watchers on a boat, but if you kayak out to the island (we suggest crossing Bunce’s Pass, not Pass-A-Grille channel), you can stop at a cluster of mangroves and — if you’re lucky — find a starfish nursery. Credit: Cathy Salustri
Shell Key Pro tip: If you’re kayaking past sunset, pack a battery-powered light for the ‘yak. Also, watch the tides — low tide back to the put in by Tampa Bay Watch can turn your paddle into a portage. Credit: Cathy Salustri
Arrowhead Picnic Area at Fort DeSoto Arrowhead Picnic Area at Fort DeSoto. Take the self-guided nature trail (either way the arrow points), you’ll happen upon a small but usually deserted bay beach. Credit: Cathy Salustri
Arrowhead Picnic Area North If you head to the northern parking lot at Arrowhead, park, go over the bridge and head east, you’ll find pockets of beaches hidden between mangroves like there. Credit: Cathy Salustri
Fort De Soto’s northeast beach Fort DeSoto Northeast Hidden Beach. See that scrap of blue? Here’s how you get there. Credit: Cathy Salustri
Fort DeSoto Park at the north beach lot, then head east. You’ll see a chained off path — big enough for a car. Take it all the way back. The view is your reward. Pro tip: This path has a few sand spurs. Wear closed-toe shoes until you see sand, and leave the pups at home. Credit: Cathy Salustri
Fort DeSoto’s secret middle beach This one’s harder to find. Drive towards the north beach. When you see this, turn around and park… Credit: Cathy Salustri
Fort DeSoto’s Middle Beach …and you’ll see this raised clump of trees… Credit: Cathy Salustri
Fort DeSoto’s Middle Beach You’ll have to head south or north of the trees, then hike the beach towards them — there’s no other way to get there. But when you do… man, that view. Pro tip: bring mosquito repellent — not for the beach, but the hike in and out. Credit: Cathy Salustri
Pass-a-Grille’s Secret Sidewalk Years and years ago, this sidewalk became public property — but you can’t see it from the beach or the road. Credit: Cathy Salustri
Pass-a-Grille’s Secret Sidewalk It runs between 28th and 30th Avenues in Pass-a-Grille, and mind the no parking signs — some of the homeowners feel strongly about “guests” on the sidewalk, but so long as you obey the laws, you have every right to use it — and head to the lesser-traveled part of Pass-a-Grille beach. Credit: Cathy Salustri
DeSoto National Memorial 8300 Desoto Memorial Hwy., Bradenton All along the hiking trail, in sight of this ginormous cross, you can take short, overgrown paths out towards Tampa Bay. The beaches are small but there’s room enough to stretch out one or two towels. Credit: Cathy Salustri