ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Bradenton Beach area. There are three major beaches on Anna Maria: Coquina, Manatee Public and Bayfront Park. Coquina (West Side of Gulf Drive/S.R. 789) is a 96-acre stretch of clean beach popular with both families and kids. Showers, restrooms, pine tree-shaded picnic tables, a playground and nearby boat ramps add to the attraction. Parking is free. Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach (S.R. 64 and Gulf Drive) gets crowded easily; it boasts lifeguards as well, restrooms, picnic tables, an adjacent playground and concessions, but no shade. The narrow Bayfront Park (310 N. Bay Blvd.) offers great views of Tampa Bay, restrooms, sheltered picnic tables, grills and a playground. All of the beaches also allow fishing. Call 941-742-5923.
BEN T. DAVIS BEACH, 7650 Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa. This narrow beach on the causeway is ideal for those who like to keep their car nearby (or tan on the hood) and don't mind the swift-moving traffic on the causeway. It's also quite a scene for jet skiers. Parking is usually not a problem, and dogs are allowed. 813-282-2909.
BEER CAN BEACH, Davis Islands Seaplane Basin (Severn and Martinique avenues). Beer Can Beach (really no more than a tiny cove) is especially popular with dog owners. It's not gorgeous, but the easy-to-access beach offers breathtaking views of the sunset. No restrooms, limited parking, but seldom very crowded.
BLIND PASS, on Manasota Key Road 1 mile north of the Charlotte County line on Manasota Key, has 2,900 feet of Gulf beach frontage. Restrooms are available, but no lifeguards on duty.
BROHARD PARK, at the southern most part Venice, on the Venice airport property on Harbor Drive. The beach has a 740-foot fishing pier with bait and snack shops, and public restrooms. The wetland area draws bird watchers from all over. Llifeguards on duty; dogs are welcome.
CALADESI ISLAND, accessed by ferry boats from Honeymoon Island State Park, One Causeway Blvd., Dunedin. An hourly, 70-passenger ferry ride makes the trip to Caladesi Island in 20 minutes (no roads or bridges link it to the mainland). The roundtrip ride costs $8 for adults and $4.50 for children (free for kids under 4). Snorkelers favor the barrier island's Gulf side waters, which boasts more than 2 miles of beach; the Bay side features mangrove, slash pine forests and maritime hammocks. A 3-mile nature trail wends through the island's interior. Concessions, restrooms, picnic areas, changing rooms and showers are available; Ferries do not run on Christmas day. Call 727-469-5918.
CASPERSON, south of Venice Airport on Harbor Drive. Two thirds of the beachfront has been left untouched, making this a favorite spot for people seeking a secluded area for necking or quiet shell collecting. Amenities include restrooms, a 1,100-foot boardwalk, picnic area and a lovely nature trail. No lifeguards on duty.
CLEARWATER BEACH, take Memorial Causeway across Clearwater Harbor. This beach has two sections — the northern part at Palm Pavilion and the main beach at the Holiday Inn/Surfside. This is the hot spot for spring break crowds and other hormone-fixated types; families like it for the shallow water and gentle surf. Beach umbrellas and chairs can be rented. Metered parking costs $1 per hour during the week, $1.25 per hour Saturday and Sunday. Lot parking by Pier 60 costs $1.50 per hour ($10 for the day). Pier 60 Park Pavilion has a spacious playground and snack bar. Call 727-562-4800.
EGMONT KEY, a 1.5-mile-long island located between Anna Maria Island and St. Pete Beach, is accessible only by boat. Part of the island's north and south ends are closed as wildlife sanctuaries. Egmont offers some of Florida's best beaches, and lays claim to a working lighthouse originally constructed in 1853 and the ruins of Fort Dade. For ferry information, call the state park headquarters at 727-893-2627.
FORT DE SOTO PARK, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde. These undeveloped local beaches are some of our favorites. Serene, raw and rarely crowded, Fort De Soto's five interconnected islands offer forested areas with picnic tables. The 1,136-acre park has a 235-site family campground, two piers, floating docks for boat access, canoe and kayak rentals, a 4.2-mile recreational trail and pavilions with grills. Grill reservations are available. Parking is free, but tolls cost 85 cents. Call 727-582-2267.
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Gulf Boulevard between First and 27th avenues, St. Pete. Indian Rocks features more than 20 beach accesses along Gulf Boulevard, with restrooms and beach access at 1700 Gulf Blvd. Parking (50-cents per hour) is often at a premium. There are nearby stores, restaurants and restrooms. Call 727-588-4852.
LIDO BEACH ON LIDO KEY, located a half-mile southwest of St. Armands Circle, on Ben Franklin Drive. People congregate at this tourist spot daily to watch the sunset. Beach amenities include lifeguards, restrooms, concessions, parking for 400 cars, cabana beach rentals and more.
MADEIRA BEACH, Gulf Boulevard approximately 4 miles south of Indian Shores. Tourists and locals alike love this large beach. A rock cooking grill and a few picnic tables are available, and coolers are welcome (no bottles). Archibald Memorial Park offers a pavilion, restrooms and parking. Nearby John's Pass Village (129th Avenue E. and Gulf Boulevard) features a fishing pier and boardwalk with stores, restaurants and parking. Metered parking costs $1 per hour. Call 727-392-0665 or 727-549-6165.
MANASOTA, located on the west end of Manasota Beach Road. A 620-foot dock turns into a boardwalk winding through mangroves. In addition to docking facilities, the beach has a boat ramp, picnic shelters and restrooms.
NOKOMIS, located on Casey Key west of Albee Road Bridge, is Sarasota County's oldest public beach. A popular beach for tourists, its 22 acres offer dunes, picnic shelters, a boat ramp, boardwalk, deck, restrooms and cheap eats at the snack pavilion.
NORTH JETTY, located on the southern tip of Casey Key, is one of the best places on the West Coast for surfing. Facilities include restrooms, picnic shelters, volleyball, concessions and more. Lifeguards on duty year 'round. Call 941-316-1172.
PALMER POINT, starts at the southern tip of Siesta Key and stretches onto the north end of Casey Key. A popular spot for boaters and folks walking over from Turtle Beach. No lifeguards or facilities available.
PASS-A-GRILLE, Gulf Way between First and 22nd avenues, on the south end of St. Pete Beach. This gay-friendly stretch of sand is one of the nicest beaches in the Bay area, and it's right across the street from the popular Hurricane restaurant. Restrooms and concessions are available, including a snack bar with great grouper sandwiches. Metered parking costs $1.25 per hour, $5 for all day. Call 727-363-9247.
PICNIC ISLAND, 7404 Picnic Island Blvd., Tampa. Despite its location in an industrial area near MacDill Air Force Base, this beach is quite peaceful. The small stretch of sand is seldom busy, and offers a great view of the Bay. There's a small fishing pier (not that you'd want to eat anything you caught), grills and shelters. Call 813-274-8615.
REDINGTON BEACH, Gulf Boulevard at 182nd Avenue, Redington Shore (in Pinellas County). Quiet and secluded, this beach is great for reading a book without interruption or gettin' it on with your honey. The beach has several public accesses along Gulf Boulevard. Call 727-391-3875.
SAND KEY PARK, 1060 Gulf Blvd., south of Clearwater Beach, Clearwater. A quieter alternative to the rowdy Clearwater Beach, Sand Key is a good spot for families. Umbrellas and cabanas can be rented, and the 65-acre beach features picnic shelters and restrooms, but no food concessions. Metered parking available, and the beach is open from 7 a.m. till dark. Call 727-588-4852.
SANIBEL AND CAPTIVA ISLANDS, 23 miles W.S.W. of Fort Myers, off I-75. These barrier islands, approximately two hours south of Tampa Bay, are well worth the drive. The island beaches are reached via a toll bridge on the Sanibel Causeway for $3 round trip. Rated among the best shelling grounds in the world, these islands boast some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. Bowman's Beach, on Sanibel's northwest end; Gulfside Park, off Casa Ybel Road; and Lighthouse Park, at Sanibel's southern end, all offer public access. Sanibel is the more rustic of the two, while Captiva has more rowdy beach bars and restaurants. Parking costs $2 per hour on Sanibel Island beaches, at Captiva Beach and Turner's Beach. Pets are not allowed on Captiva beaches. Call 239-472-1080.
SIESTA BEACH, at Beach Road and Ocean Boulevard on Siesta Key. This 40-acre park is roughly an hour south of Tampa Bay, and contains nature trails, concessions, soccer and softball fields, tennis and volleyball courts, playground and picnicking facilities, and year-round lifeguards. And even though there are 800 parking spaces, you better get there early if you want one. Siesta's pristine white sands are 99-percent quartz, pulverized to a fine powder; the sand's so reflective it feels cool on even the hottest days. Call 941-316-8041.
SOUTH LIDO PARK, on Ben Franklin Drive at the southern tip of Lido Key. Visitors come to catch a view of the downtown Sarasota skyline, and to walk along a scenic nature trail. In addition to the trails, amenities include restrooms, picnic tables, cooking grills and a volleyball court.
SUNSET BEACH, West Gulf Boulevard, St. Petersburg. This beach, located between Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach, runs along a small road (West Gulf Boulevard) that continues after Gulf Boulevard turns toward St. Pete Beach. Beach Nutts (9600 Gulf Blvd.), one of a trio of bars that line the entrance to Sunset Beach, makes a good landmark. The beach's charm and popularity as a surf spot is partially attributed to its inaccessibility and difficulty to find. There's a public access parking lot but no facilities. But it's a relaxed beach community, so if you need a bathroom, just buy something at one of the nearby bars and restaurants; it's all good.
ST. PETE BEACH, along Gulf Boulevard. St. Pete Beach offers a 1-1/2-mile-long beach located just north of the Don CeSar and conveniently situated near a variety of popular beach bars and restaurants. A favorite spot with the locals. Parking meters cost $1.25 per hour or $5 for the day. Call 727-367-2735.
ST. PETERSBURG MUNICIPAL BEACH, 11260 Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island. The municipal beach is one of the widest in Florida, stretching a quarter mile from the water to Gulf Boulevard. The beach has 10 volleyball courts, concessions, showers, picnic tables and restrooms. Call 727-360-3278.
TREASURE ISLAND BEACH Gulf Boulevard and 112th Avenue. Treasure Island's beach is wide and busy. It offers a snack bar, showers, cabana rentals and volleyball, along with a selection of restaurants and shops. It feels like a little piece of the Jersey shore right here in Florida. Call 727-547-4575 or 727-549-6165.
TURTLE BEACH, located on Midnight Pass Road near the south end of Siesta Key. Picnic shelters, free boat ramps, restrooms, dune walkovers, volleyball, playground equipment and more available. Walk for miles down the beach all the way to Casey Key. Prehistoric petrified sharks teeth buried in the sand make nice little souvenirs. No lifeguards on duty. Call 941-316-1172.
VENICE BEACH, at the west end of Venice Avenue one mile west of Business Route 41. Scuba divers flock to a reef located a quarter mile offshore containing fossilized material (sharks' teeth). Amenities include picnic tables, restrooms, lifeguards, volleyball courts and concessions.
Visit http://gulfbeaches-tampabay.com for updates.
This article appears in May 13-19, 2004.
