Tampa is an alluring city on Florida’s Gulf Coast.  Located on Tampa Bay, this city is known for attractions such as Busch Gardens and Ybor City, and also its beaches!  This post will cover the best beaches in Tampa and nearby.
 
Cities and beaches in the Tampa Bay area include St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, and Clearwater.

Anna Maria Island is at the southern end of Tampa Bay and has several amazing beaches!

Thinking of taking a vacation in Tampa?  All of these beaches are around an hour or less from the Tampa International Airport.  Most are much closer.
 
Here are 15 of the best beaches in Tampa and nearby!

Looking To Get On The Water In Tampa?

Check out this Dolphin Cruise in Tampa Bay!

 

15 Best Beaches Near Tampa, Florida!

 

 

Ben T. Davis Beach

 
As you’re heading from Tampa to Clearwater, Ben T. Davis Beach is located on the causeway, and is one of the most popular beaches in the Tampa area, for both tourists and locals!
 
This beach is just a few minutes’ drive from Tampa International Airport and offers a narrow, white-sand beach with views of Tampa Bay.
 
Some of the amenities at Ben T. Davis Beach include picnic shelters, boat ramps, seasonal lifeguards, volleyball nets, and grills.  Take a stroll on the Courtney Campbell Trail while here.
 
There is a small fee for parking and the spots can fill up fast, so get here early!
 
Ben T. Davis Beach

7740 W Courtney Campbell Causeway

 

 

Clearwater Beach

 
Just a 30 minute drive to the Tampa airport, Clearwater, Florida has some of the most pristine beaches around!
 
Clearwater Beach is a top-ranked beach in the country and it’s easy to see why!  This famous Gulf beach has rich, white-sands, amazing scenery, and plenty of things to do.
 
With resorts and hotels lined up along the shore, there are plenty of places to stay in Clearwater Beach.
 
Get on the water with jet ski or paddleboard rentals.  You can even take a dolphin boat tour or pirate cruise around the area.
 
If you’re hungry, grab some food at Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill or one of the other oceanside restaurants.
 
Visit Pier 60 for entertainment, street vendors, or come here to check out an amazing sunset.
 
See The Best Things To Do In Clearwater Beach!
 
Clearwater Beach/Pier 60

1 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

 

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Fort De Soto is the largest park in Pinellas County and has over 1,100 acres of park across the 5 keys.

St Pete Beach

 
Just a 35-minute drive from the Tampa airport, St. Pete Beach has many access points throughout the city.
 
This particular beach access is well-known and offers boardwalks, restrooms, showers, and 235 parking spots.  Walk the boardwalk to the beach for stunning views of the Gulf!
 
There are excellent restaurants nearby.  Have breakfast, lunch, dinner, or drinks at The Drunken Clam.  This is one of my favorite restaurants in the area and a great spot for wings.
 
Also, be sure to grab a drink from Chris’ Beachside Bar while here!
 
St Pete Beach

4700 Gulf Blvd, St Pete Beach, FL 33706

 

Pass-a-Grille Beach is at the southern end of St. Pete Beach and sits in between the Gulf of Mexico and Boca Ciega Bay.

Bean Point- Anna Maria

 
Bean Point is a serene, quiet beach at the northern tip of Anna Maria Island.
 
While this beach doesn’t offer any amenities, this is the spot where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico and offers spectacular views!
 
It’s a wide, white-sand beach, with lots of sand dunes, and there never seems to be too many people at this secluded spot.
 
There is no admission to come here and there’s limited street parking, so come early to get a spot.
 
Lots of people take the free shuttle to the Anna Maria Pier and then walk the mile to Bean Point.
 
While here, you’re just a short walk from the Rod & Reel Pier Restaurant, where you can walk the pier, go fishing, and have some food & drinks.
 
Bean Point is an hour and 10 minutes from the Tampa airport.
 
See the best beaches in Anna Maria Island!
 

Anna Maria Island has some of the nicest beaches in Florida's Gulf Coast!

How Close Is Tampa To The Ocean?

 
While Ben T. Davis Beach is in Tampa, it’s located on Tampa Bay.  If you’re looking for the closest beach on the Gulf of Mexico, then Clearwater Beach is your best bet.
 
It’s just 40 minutes from the Tampa airport and you get some great water views along the way.  (And you pass by Ben T. Davis Beach, too).

 

 

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With a narrow stretch of beach on the southern end of St Pete, Pass A Grille Beach gets my vote for the nicest beach in the Tampa area.

What Is The Nicest Beach In Tampa?

 
With a narrow stretch of beach on the southern end of St Pete, Pass A Grille Beach gets my vote for the nicest beach in the Tampa area.
 
Pass A Grille is a charming little beach town and the beach here is a little quieter than the rest of St. Pete Beach to the north.  With boutiques and waterfront restaurants nearby, as well as the Merry Pier, Pass A Grille makes for a perfect day at the beach.

Final Thoughts:15 Best Beaches Near Tampa, Florida!

 

As you can see, there are many amazing beaches in Tampa, Florida, and nearby!
 
All of these beaches are also just a short drive from the International Airport, making Tampa a perfect vacation spot!

 

 

You may be interested in these related posts on the Tampa Florida Page!

Booking a last-minute trip to Tampa?  

If so, we have you covered.  Here are some top recommended tours and hotels!

Top Tours in Tampa

Guided Tampa Tour In A Deluxe Street Legal Golf Cart – (Best Guided Tampa Tour)

Tiki Boat – Downtown Tampa – (Authentic Tampa Floating Tiki Bar)

Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise From Tampa – (1.5 Hour Dolphin Watching Cruise)

Tampa History Cruise – (Learn Tampa’s History On A Cruise)

Historic Ybor City Food Walking Tour – (Guided Food Tour In Ybor City)

Top Hotels & Accommodations in Tampa

Courtyard By Marriott Tampa – (Budget To Mid-Range Stay In Tampa)

AC Hotel By Marriott Tampa Airport – (Top Rated Hotel Near Tampa Airport)

Hyatt House Tampa Airport/Westshore – (Highly Rated Hotel With Bar & Pool)

Hotel Haya – (Best Rated Hotel Near Ybor City)

Looking To Get Around In Tampa

Check out rental car rates here! 🚗

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