What's the Best Beach in the Tampa Bay Area?
From Caladesi Island to Siesta Key, there are plenty of renowned beaches just a day trip away.
With Memorial Day weekend and its rising gas prices on the horizon, we're in luck: There are plenty of celebrated beaches within a one-tank trip of the Tampa Bay area.
Which local beach is your favorite? Maybe it's Siesta Key, named best beach in the U.S. in 2011. Farther north, Fort De Soto beach and Caladesi Island took top honors in 2005 and 2008. Or maybe you prefer Anna Maria Island, St. Pete Beach or Clearwater Beach, which are perennial vacation favorites.
Here's a rundown of some of the most popular coastal destinations in the greater Bay area — just follow the links below for directions and information.
- Anclote Key Preserve State Park
- Anna Maria Island
- Belleair Beach
- Ben T. Davis Beach
- Caladesi Island State Park
- Clearwater Beach
- Fort De Soto Park
- Fred Howard Park
- Gandy Causeway
- Gulfport Beach
- Honeymoon Island State Park
- H.S. "Pop" Stansell Memorial Park
- Indian Rocks Beach
- Longboat Key/Lido Key/St. Armands Key
- Madeira Beach/John's Pass
- Pass-a-Grille
- Redington Shores/Redington Beach
- Sand Key Park
- Siesta Key
- St. Pete Beach
- Treasure Island/Sunset Beach
Cast your vote for your favorite beach in the poll below. Did we miss your favorite? Please let us know in the comments.
About Readers' Choice: Voting is open from 9 a.m. Monday to 9 a.m. Friday. Any ties will be broken based on reader comments and reviews. Poll choices represent a sampling of local attractions and are not intended to be all-inclusive. For more local Memorial Day attractions, click on the "Events" tab at the top of the page.
Cherlene Willis
1:08 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
There are so many awesome beaches! It's impossible to choose :)
Diane Armstrong
4:41 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
I agree.
Jared Leone
5:15 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
You are so right Cherlene. I think it depends on the day! So many great places to enjoy the surf and sand!
Charles Schelle
7:01 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
Glad to see Siesta Key leading the way! Make Sarasota Patch proud! And it's just nice to not burn your feet on the sand.
vinny
8:08 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
I am personally a fan of Anna Maria Island.
http://jokeofthedayblog.blogspot.com
Monty Seidler
12:38 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
I'm a homie and live too close... Honeymoon Island!
Nick
2:33 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
I like Indians Rock Beach...not too far but also not overly crowded like Clearwater...luv Florida <3
Christopher Daly
10:28 am on Wednesday, May 23, 2012
North Beach, Fort De Soto.
Carol Mears
9:40 pm on Thursday, May 24, 2012
Clearwater Beach has something for everyone!
Gluten Free Friend
4:05 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Honeymoon Island Beach is my favorite!