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When I’m asked which of our local Tampa Bay area beaches I recommend for visitors, I’m quick to suggest St. Pete Beach, Florida. It was no surprise to me when Tripadvisor named it the #1 Beach in America for 2021.
What Makes St. Pete Beach, Florida Special?⠀⠀
Room to Roam and Relax
St. Pete Beach is popular. Naturally, it gets busy at peak times. But with about 5 miles of soft, white sand, there is plenty of space to spread out and find quieter spots.
For a more secluded vibe, check out the laidback Old Florida neighborhood of Pass-A-Grille on the southern tip and Upham Beach at the northern end of St. Pete Beach.⠀⠀
Top-Notch Hotels
St. Pete Beach is home to some of the best local beach hotels like the Pink Palace, The Don CeSar. Even if you don’t stay at the Don, you’ll love admiring it from the shore. ⠀⠀
Beach Activities and Excursions from St. Pete Beach
St. Pete Beach has beach volleyball nets and plenty of watersports opportunities. When the conditions are right, you can even surf here. ⠀⠀
St. Pete Beach is also a fantastic Florida destination for dolphin watching. Take a private boat tour, set sail on a dolphin watching sunset cruise or race dolphins on a speedboat adventure.
Kayaking is another fun way to explore the area. You can rent glass-bottom kayaks to explore Buccaneer Island and John’s Pass Island. For even more adventure, book a LED-illuminated night tour on clear kayaks.
Nearby, you can also experience a clear kayak tour at Shell Key Preserve or take a shelling cruise to the island.
The “Secret” Beach Garden on St. Pete Beach
While walking the beach one day, I came upon a little beach garden at the northernmost tip of the barrier island where the Upham Beach meets Blind Pass Inlet. I fell in love.
The St. Pete Beach Secret Garden is a peaceful place to take a stroll, sit and read a book, or watch boats coming in and out of Blind Pass. It’s also a picturesque place to admire the sunset glow over the Gulf of Mexico.
The Sunsets
St. Pete Beach is known as the sunset capital of Florida. From any location on this serene stretch of sand, the sunsets are magical.
Sometimes, they’re pretty in pink to complement the Pink Palace. Other times, they burn and glow in orange and yellow. No two sunsets are ever the same so try to catch as many as you can. ⠀⠀
Looking for more things to do in Florida? Check out our guide to amazing things to do in Florida beyond the beach and more of our favorite Florida adventures.
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