Updated November 3, 2026
Pinellas County is a long barrier-island beach strip on the Gulf side with downtown St. Petersburg on the bay side. Most visitors split a weekend between the sand (Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Pass-a-Grille) and the city (the St. Pete Pier, the Dalí, the Central Avenue bar scene).
Getting around: the beach towns run along Gulf Boulevard, and the drive from Clearwater Beach to Pass-a-Grille takes longer than the map suggests on weekends. Pick a home base on one end and plan your day around it.
Jump to: Things to do · Beaches · Restaurants · Bars & nightlife · Hotels · Golf & tee times · Fishing charters & piers · Diving & snorkeling · Boat tours & water fun · Tours & adventures
Things to do in Pinellas Beaches
Sharkey's Glass Bottom Tours
Guided glass-bottom kayak tours, including LED-lit night trips with fish feeding and a mangrove-tunnel day paddle near John's Pass.
Museum of the Unknown
Small museum opened in 2026 that displays carved relics its owner presents as evidence of ancient alien contact.
Photo: qwesy qwesy · CC BY 3.0Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Working marine rescue and rehab center where visitors see dolphins, sea turtles and otters; it also runs its own dolphin boat tours.
Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0The Dalí Museum
Waterfront museum devoted to Salvador Dalí, with paintings, rotating exhibits and a sculpture garden beside the bay.
St. Pete Pier
City-run pier district with walking paths, a splash pad, fishing deck, shops and restaurants stretching into Tampa Bay; free to enter.
Fort De Soto Park
Large county park spread over five keys with beaches, a historic coastal fort, paddling trails, fishing piers, a dog beach and campground.
Photo: Christopher Hollis · Public domainHoneymoon Island State Park
State park island reached by causeway, with shelling beaches, a pine-flatwoods nature trail and the ferry dock for Caladesi Island.
Pier 60 Park & Sunsets at Pier 60
City park and fishing pier on Clearwater Beach that hosts a free nightly sunset festival with street performers and artisans (sunsetsatpier60.com).
Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks
Historic Greek-American waterfront lined with sponge shops, bakeries and Greek restaurants, plus boat tours from the docks.
Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
Encyclopedic art museum on Beach Drive with collections spanning ancient works to contemporary photography.
Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art
Museum showing American Western and wildlife art, with galleries built around a sandstone-canyon-style entrance.
Chihuly Collection (Morean Arts Center)
Permanent gallery of Dale Chihuly glass installations run by the Morean Arts Center, which also offers glassblowing demonstrations nearby.
Imagine Museum
Museum focused on American studio glass art, showing works by many contemporary glass artists.
Sunken Gardens
City-owned botanical garden dating to the early 1900s, with winding paths, waterfalls, flamingos and dense tropical plantings.
Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY 2.5Weedon Island Preserve
County preserve of mangroves and boardwalks with a paddling trail, observation tower and a cultural and natural history center.
Photo: Allieflbg · CC BY-SA 4.0Florida Botanical Gardens
Free county botanical garden with themed plantings, part of the larger Pinewood Cultural Park in Largo.
Photo: Dlohcierekim · CC BY-SA 2.5Egmont Key State Park
Boat-access-only island with a historic lighthouse, ruins of Fort Dade, quiet beaches and nesting-bird areas.
John's Pass Village & Boardwalk
Waterfront boardwalk village with more than 100 shops and restaurants, a fishing fleet, dolphin tours, parasailing and boat rentals.
Clearwater Ferry
Water taxi linking downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach, also running sightseeing trips and private charters.
Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise
Pirate-ship sightseeing cruise from Clearwater Beach Marina with costumed crew, games and sunset sailings.
Beaches in Pinellas Beaches
Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0Clearwater Beach
Wide white-sand city beach centered on Pier 60, with lifeguards, cabana rentals and plenty of nearby dining.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY 2.5Sand Key Park
County beach park just south of Clearwater Pass with a broad beach, picnic shelters and paid parking.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 2.5Caladesi Island State Park
Undeveloped barrier island reached by ferry from Honeymoon Island, with a long natural beach and a kayak trail through mangroves.
Photo: Jec8992 · CC BY-SA 3.0Indian Rocks Beach
Quieter residential beach town with numerous small public access points along Gulf Blvd.
Archibald Memorial Beach Park
City beach park in Madeira Beach with a pavilion and parking, a short drive from John's Pass.
Treasure Island Beach
One of the widest beaches in the county, with a beach pavilion, volleyball and paid municipal parking.
St. Pete Beach
Long stretch of Gulf beach lined with resorts and beach bars, served by public access parking along Gulf Blvd.
Photo: WhisperToMe · CC0Pass-a-Grille Beach
Historic southern tip of St. Pete Beach with metered beachfront parking, small cafes and sunset views.
Restaurants in Pinellas Beaches
Frenchy's Rockaway Grill
Beachfront outpost of a local seafood group known for grouper sandwiches; sister Frenchy's spots operate nearby.
Photo: Astrophobe · CC BY-SA 4.0Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish
Longtime open-air spot smoking mullet, mackerel and salmon over red oak; open Wednesday through Sunday.
The Hurricane Seafood Restaurant
Multi-level seafood restaurant facing Pass-a-Grille Beach, with a rooftop deck for sunset watching.
Columbia Restaurant Sand Key
Gulf-view branch of Florida's historic Spanish-Cuban restaurant family, serving its 1905 salad and paella.
Salt Rock Grill
Waterfront steak and seafood restaurant on the Intracoastal with dock seating and an early supper club menu.
The Original Crabby Bill's
Casual family-run seafood house serving crabs, fried baskets and stone crab claws in season.
Teak
Restaurant at the far end of the St. Pete Pier with bay views on three sides.
Hellas Restaurant & Bakery
Greek restaurant and pastry bakery on the Sponge Docks serving gyros, moussaka and baklava.
Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill
Seafood grill on the Anclote River at the end of the Sponge Docks, tied to its own seafood market.
Island Way Grill
Waterfront seafood and sushi restaurant on Island Estates with Sunday brunch and an early-evening menu.
Caretta on the Gulf
Sandpearl Resort's beachfront restaurant, which the resort says holds a AAA Four-Diamond rating.
Bon Appétit Restaurant
Waterfront dining room at the Dunedin marina known for weekend brunch and views of St. Joseph Sound.
Bob Heilman's Beachcomber
Long-running family restaurant on Mandalay Avenue serving classic American dishes such as fried chicken and steaks.
Sloppy Joe's on the Beach
Beachfront restaurant and bar on Treasure Island with deck entertainment and a dog-friendly outdoor patio.
Bars & nightlife in Pinellas Beaches
Caddy's Treasure Island
Beachfront bar and grill on the sand at Sunset Beach, known for sunset gatherings; no coolers allowed.
Jimmy B's Beach Bar
Open-air beach bar at The Beachcomber hotel with several bars, two stages and daily live music.
Crabby's Beachside Pavilion (formerly Palm Pavilion)
Beachside bar and grill that hosts regular live music; the old Palm Pavilion domain now redirects to this name.
Wave Nightclub at Shephard's
Nightclub inside Shephard's Beach Resort, which also runs tiki bars and a stage with live bands by the pool.
Pier Teaki
Tropical-themed rooftop bar above Teak at the end of the St. Pete Pier.
Canopy Rooftop Lounge at The Birchwood
Rooftop lounge atop a boutique inn on Beach Drive, overlooking downtown and the waterfront.
3 Daughters Brewing
Large production brewery taproom with games, food trucks and scheduled events.
Green Bench Brewing Company
Brewery with a large outdoor beer garden, trivia nights and other events.
Dunedin Brewery
Brewery that calls itself Florida's oldest microbrewery, with a pub menu and a live music calendar.
Photo: LittleT889 · CC BY-SA 4.0Jannus Live
Open-air courtyard concert venue downtown that books touring bands and DJs.
The Toasted Monkey BeachBar & Sports Grill
St. Pete Beach bar and sports grill advertising live music every day, with family- and dog-friendly outdoor areas.
Coconut Charlie's Beach Bar
Beach bar at the Hilton Garden Inn on St. Pete Beach advertising live music every day.
Shephard's Tiki Beach Bar & Grill
Open-to-the-public tiki bar and grill on the beach at Shephard's Beach Resort in Clearwater Beach.
Undertow Beach Bar
Beach bar on St. Pete Beach with sand volleyball courts and tiki huts.
Hotels in Pinellas Beaches
Sandpearl Resort
Upscale beachfront resort in the Opal Collection with a spa, Caretta on the Gulf and Tate Island Grill.
Shephard's Beach Resort
Party-friendly beach resort with a heated pool, tiki bars, live bands and a nightclub on site.
The Beachcomber St. Pete Beach, Outset Collection by Hilton
Gulf-front hotel that includes Jimmy B's Beach Bar and its daily live music.
The Birchwood
Historic 18-room boutique inn on Beach Drive with the Birch & Vine restaurant and a rooftop lounge.
John's Pass Hotel
Small hotel inside John's Pass Village offering efficiency rooms and 2- and 3-bedroom apartments.
Photo: porkfork6 · CC BY 2.0The Don CeSar
Historic pink beachfront resort on St. Pete Beach, first opened in 1928, which reopened to overnight guests in 2025 after hurricane repairs.
TradeWinds Island Grand
Beachfront resort with five pools, a water slide, restaurants, a spa and kids' activities; reopened in November 2024 after hurricane damage.
Opal Sands Resort
Gulf-front resort at the south end of Beach Walk near Pier 60, with a private Gulf-view balcony in every room or suite.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
Walkable beachfront resort near Pier 60 with 286 rooms and suites, a spa, a pool deck and the SHOR restaurant.
Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach resort hotel on Coronado Drive, opened in 2017.
The Luce St. Pete Beach (formerly Postcard Inn)
Retro-Florida beachfront hotel on Gulf Boulevard that reopened in 2026 as The Luce, a Tribute Portfolio hotel (formerly Postcard Inn on the Beach).
Photo: Philipp Michel Reichold · CC BY-SA 3.0The Fenway Hotel, Autograph Collection
Historic Jazz Age hotel on the Dunedin waterfront with two restaurants, a rooftop bar and event space.
Photo: Elisa.rolle · CC BY-SA 4.0The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection
Historic downtown St. Petersburg resort with its own marina and golf club.
Golf & tee times in Pinellas Beaches
Mangrove Bay Golf Course
City of St. Petersburg municipal golf course that takes tee times online through Chronogolf.
Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club
Course open to the public with time-of-day pricing, reduced junior rates (ages 6-15) and tee times bookable up to seven days ahead; a separate driving range is at 2987 N McMullen Booth Rd.
Dunedin Golf Club
Dunedin golf course with online tee times up to 7 days ahead and published seasonal rates that include a cart.
Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club
Club offering a public tee-times booking option through its website.
Fishing charters & piers in Pinellas Beaches
Hubbard's Marina (John's Pass)
Party-boat and charter fishing from John's Pass with 5-hour half-day, shark, 10-hour all-day, night, overnight and jigging trips; office open daily 6 AM-8 PM (closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas).
Photo: DanTD · CC BY-SA 4.0Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
Former Sunshine Skyway bridge spans used as fishing piers, open 24 hours; anglers must complete a free-to-take annual online pier education course, and a notice says vehicle/pedestrian access beyond the bait shop ended Oct 27, 2025 and the south pier had no power as of Mar 16, 2026.
Fort De Soto Park fishing piers (Gulf and Bay)
Two county-run fishing piers (Gulf Pier with bait concession, Bay Pier rebuilt in 2023) open 7 a.m. to sunset; a Florida fishing license is required throughout the park including the piers.
Florida fishing licenses (FWC)
FWC says Florida residents fishing from shore need a free shoreline license or regular saltwater license (exemptions include age 65+ and under 16, and anglers on a licensed pier), anyone fishing from a boat needs a regular license, and charter-boat passengers are covered by the captain's license.
Queen Fleet Deep Sea Fishing
Two-boat party-boat fleet at Clearwater Municipal Marina running half-day and full-day Gulf trips; listing shows daily hours 6:30 AM-7 PM.
Double Eagle Deep Sea Fishing
Party-boat operation at Clearwater Municipal Marina offering half-day and all-day Gulf trips; listing shows daily hours 7 AM-7 PM.
Above Average Fishing Charters
Private offshore charters (1/2, 3/4 and full day) on a 30-foot Coast Guard-licensed boat for up to 6 passengers, with bait, tackle, license and filleting included per the listing.
Pier 60 Fishing Pier (Clearwater Beach)
City park with a fishing pier, rod rentals and bait/tackle; park open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily and daily, weekly and yearly fishing passes are sold.
Photo: Mykhaylovdimitriy · CC BY-SA 4.0Dunedin Causeway
City causeway open 5 am-11 pm for recreation including shoreline fishing (Florida fishing license required), with kayak and sailboat rentals from Sail Honeymoon.
Diving & snorkeling in Pinellas Beaches
St. Nicholas Boat Line (Sponge Diving Cruise)
Narrated boat cruise from the Sponge Docks where a diver demonstrates traditional sponge diving in a 170-lb suit (diver availability varies); daily 10:30 AM-4:30 PM, no reservations needed.
Egmont Key Ferry and snorkel add-on (Hubbard's)
5-hour ferry trip to Egmont Key with 3 hours on the island; snorkeling at Fort Dade ruins or grass flats is a day-of add-on with rental gear, not guaranteed and dependent on water clarity and weather.
Tanks-A-Lot Dive Charters
Clearwater operator running Gulf scuba charters (including the Clearwater wreck) since 1996, with certification courses and a full-service dive shop.
Narcosis Scuba Center
Dive shop and training center with courses, sales, rentals and special trips such as night dives.
Scuba Cat Charters
Family-owned small-group scuba charters, usually six passengers, suited to beginners and experienced divers per the listing.
Boat tours & water fun in Pinellas Beaches
Caladesi Island Ferry (Caladesi Connection)
Round-trip ferry from Honeymoon Island to Caladesi Island State Park with stays of up to 4 hours; tickets sold in person only, daily weather permitting.
Egmont Key Ferry (Hubbard's Marina)
Five-hour round trip from Fort De Soto to Egmont Key with about 3 hours on the island; snorkeling sold separately on the day.
Royal Conquest Pirate Ship (Boat Tours at John's Pass)
Daily 90-minute pirate ship cruises from under the John's Pass boardwalk, with special-event sailings such as a Ghost Ship cruise.
Dolphin Quest (Boat Tours at John's Pass)
Daily dolphin-watching sightseeing cruises from John's Pass, including sunset departures.
StarLite Cruises
Narrated 1.5-2 hour daytime sightseeing cruise on a dining yacht with reserved tables and food ordered on board; evening dinner cruises also offered.
St. Nicholas Boat Line
Half-hour boat tour on the Anclote River with a live sponge-diving demonstration in a traditional diving suit; operating since 1924, tickets sold at the booth.
Tours & adventures in Pinellas Beaches
Empower Adventures Tampa Bay
Two-hour guided zip line tours (about 3,000 ft of line, 65 ft up) over Tampa Bay, with sunset and moonlight tours and guided mangrove paddleboard tours; ages 7+.
Good to know
- Sunset is the main event on the Gulf beaches. Pier 60 in Clearwater runs a nightly sunset celebration, and Pass-a-Grille is the classic quieter spot.
- State parks like Fort De Soto, Honeymoon Island and Caladesi charge a park entry or parking fee. Check the official page before you go.
- Many beach bars and boat tours are weather-dependent. Call ahead if the forecast looks rough.
- Parking, trolleys, Uber and Lyft: see getting around Pinellas Beaches.