St. Pete Beach

While close to the metropolitan areas of St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay—accessible by two highway bridges—the island offers a tropical-vacation that feels far from the city. Those in need of a relaxing getaway can watch the waves with a drink in hand, try out stand-up paddleboarding, and take a sunset cruise. Adventure lovers can find their fill of adrenaline with ample opportunities for windsurfing, kitesurfing, parasailing, and more. The island is also a popular jumping-off point for dolphin watching cruises.

• St. Pete Beach is easily accessible as a day-trip destination and also has plenty of activities to make it worth a multi-day stay.
• You can rent bikes, kayaks, powerboats, and more so you don’t have to worry about hauling your own.
• There are ample lodging opportunities but be sure to book in advance if visiting in the busy season—March–May.

You can reach the island via Pasadena Avenue or the Pinellas Bayway, both of which have bridges connecting the island to the mainland. You can also take public transportation to the island and once there make use of the Suncoast Beach Trolley—that way you don’t have to worry about finding and paying for parking.

When to Get ThereSt. Pete Beach averages 361 days of sunshine a year, making it a popular year-round vacation destination. Visit in the spring for pleasantly warm temperatures—summer can get too hot while winter tends to be a little too chilly for sunbathing.

Built in the 1920s, the Don CeSar—also known as the Pink Palace—has been attracting visitors to its white-sand beaches, pools, and luxurious suites for nearly a century. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the oceanfront resort is worth a stop whether or not you are staying overnight. The trolley stops out front and day visitors can enjoy the resort’s restaurants, bars, spa, and beaches.

March or April and September or October are great months to visit St. Pete Beach for warm weather and the lightest crowds. Summer months are the hottest and have the most sunlight, though daily rainstorms are common. Winter months are cooler and have fewer tourists, but more seasonal residents are present.

One perk of visiting St. Pete Beach is that you can use the Freebee Shuttle, a free transportation service. The Freebee Shuttle is on-demand, so visitors can request pickup and drop-off services, including accommodations for children, pets, and older adults. Riders can also hail an available Freebee Shuttle if needed.

No, St. Pete Beach in Florida doesn’t have a boardwalk. There’s a boardwalk near St. Petersburg’s Maximo Beach, which is about a 17-minute car ride away. The closest boardwalk to St. Pete Beach is John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk in Madeira Beach, four miles (6.4 kilometers) from the city center.

Despite the similar name, St. Pete Beach and St. Petersburg are both separate cities. St. Pete Beach is on the Gulf of Mexico’s barrier islands, while St. Petersburg is located east of St. Pete Beach on the shores of Tampa Bay. St. Petersburg’s beaches are Spa Beach and Gandy Beach.

No, the public cannot drink alcohol on the beaches of St. Pete Beach. If you see any beachgoers imbibing, there’s a reason—only guests of the beachfront hotels are allowed to drink alcohol on St. Pete Beach public beaches. Feel free to sit and drink at the beachfront restaurants instead.

St. Pete Beach and Clearwater are popular for the same reasons—dazzling sunsets, white sand, turquoise water, and a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere. Both have been ranked top beaches by various publications, so even though the answer is subjective, you can still expect a scenic, clean, and carefree experience at St. Pete Beach.