Sponsored post. By Frankie
When I was growing up, we took a ton of staycations in Florida. I still travel around the state quite often to visit my old friends and my extended family, and so I know the Tampa Bay beaches like I know the back of my hand.
Below you’ll discover some of my favourite beaches in the Tampa Bay area from serene islands that are practically untouched to more the beaches with nightlife and a more vibrant culture.
Egmont Key
The beaches at Egmont Key are some of my favourite spots for relaxing and catching some wildlife. More specifically, Egmont Key is great if you’re into birdwatching, as a combination of the rich wildlife in the area and the proximity of the sea makes sure that there’s everything that the local bird population needs to keep on growing.
Caladesi Island
Located in the State Park of the same name, Caladesi Island is only accessible via either a private rent boat or via the local ferry service. Just because it’s tricky to get to, though, it doesn’t mean you should pass it up. In fact, its relative remoteness is one of its charms, because it’s unspoiled by tourism like some of Florida’s other beaches can be.
Siesta Beach
Siesta Beach has won a ton of awards, perhaps most notably the 1987 Great International White Sand Beach Challenge accolade for having the finest sand in the world. Even if it didn’t have that distinction, I’d still recommend it to visitors to the Bay, mostly because of its size and the wide variety of equipment on offer. If you like to play sports on the beach during your vacation, this is the spot for you.
Caspersen Beach
This beach is a little different because it has a truly unique claim to fame: there are a ton of prehistoric shark teeth scattered all over it. Located just off the Gulf of Mexico, it’s also a pretty good spot for watersports, as well as just for a casual picnic. You might have noticed a theme here, which is that a lot of my recommendations are for more laid back beaches away from the crowds. This one is no exception!
Clearwater Beach
Final on the list is Clearwater Beach. Clearwater has been on the top of many beach lists for decades. It’s famous for the long stretches of white sand, sand bars to find sand dollars on, and plenty of eateries to grab a bite.
Clearwater Beach’s reputation brings millions of visitors every year so it’s sure to be more crowded than the others on this list but if you arrive early and find a parking spot near the north shore you might have a little more powdery sand to yourself.
Clearwater hosts many events every year from sand sculpting contests to festivals so there is sure to be something for everyone. There are plenty of vacation rentals nearby and a ton of great fried seafood so be sure to grab a bite at Frenchy’s and watch the sunset from your table.
Conclusion
Now that you know just a few of my favourite Tampa Bay beach vacation spots, it’s your turn to plan out your vacation and to figure out which beaches you want to check out. The good news is that you can visit a whole bunch of beaches in a single trip if you go for a road trip vacation or extend your Tampa vacation by taking a cruise.
While you’re packing your bags, don’t forget to pack your camera too. Need a refresher on how to take beautiful aesthetic photos? This article has got you covered. Other than that, it’s time for you to make your dream vacation a reality. Happy travels!