Best Tampa Beaches

(Note: When I speak of Tampa beaches I am actually referring to beaches in the entire Tampa Bay area, which includes Clearwater, St. Petersberg, etc.)

The fact that Tampa is surrounded by water is what I love the most about the city.

I am a huge fan of water. 

I can sit on the beach or in a waterfront park and watch the waves crash on the shore all day long.

Listening to the sounds of sea gulls, watching them fly overhead and observing the pelicans diving for their next meal is just so relaxing.

Best Beaches in the Nation

And the Tampa beaches are some of the best beaches in the nation.

In fact 3 of the Tampa beaches in the bay area are often rated in the top ten in the country according to the leading expert on beaches, Dr. Beach.

These include

• Fort de Soto Beach
• Caladesi Island State Park
• Siesta Key Crescent Beach

Fort de Soto 

This magnificent beach has it all: campgrounds, fishing pier, bike trails, dog park, grills, pavilions, etc. 

Caladesi Island State Park

This beach is also a regular on the list receiving the #2 rating in 2007's list. 

This beautiful beach park is secluded and only accessible by ferry.

Siesta Key’s Crescent Beach

Siesta Key, about an hour’s drive south of Tampa, was rated the #7 beach in the U.S. in 2004.

Siesta Key’s Public beach was awarded the “Best Sand Beach” in America by the Travel Channel in 2004 because of its gorgeous powdery white sand.

The List Continues

Clearwater Beach 

This beach, the most popular Tampa beach, was awarded the "Best City Beach on the Gulf Coast".

This is where the action is.  Here you will be able to find a Tampa jet ski rental, sailboats, cruises, volleyball, etc.

Sand Key Beach

Located just south of Clearwater, this beach has also been named awards in the past.

I like this beach as an alternative to Clearwater when I want to get away from the crowds.

It is also good when you want to grill or would like a beach with shade since they have picnic shelters and grills on the beach.

West Coast vs. East Coast Beaches

So there is quite a list of fine Tampa beaches to choose from.

 The two best characteristics about the beaches in the area in my opinion have to be the

• White powdery sand
• Warm waters

This is what separates the beaches on the west coast of Florida from beaches on the east coast. 

The beaches on the east coast of Florida typically have cooler water temperatures and brown sand.

The brown sand in my opinion is not quite as pretty as the white sand. But of course, I am biased to where I live.

Warm Waters

The aspect that I usually dislike about going to the beach is having to adjust my body temperature to the water.

I can remember growing up going to a small beach in North Carolina.

We always had to “dive right in” because the water was so cold. Then eventually our body would adjust to the temperature of the water.

Well, you will not have that problem with the beaches here.

I can recall when I first went to the beach here. I took a step in the water expecting to feel the chill, bracing and preparing myself. Then…

Stepping into the water was almost like stepping into the bathtub. Well, I guess that depends on how hot you like your water. It is not hot, but it is very comforting and warm.

If you have never been here you will see what I mean.

However, I must say that some people that I talk to think that the water is too warm but judging by the crowds I would say that more people agree with my assessment.

So with all the choices which beach should you choose? That depends on your mood and what activities you desire.

Check back soon as I post a list of all the Tampa beaches by categories, with my top picks…