Caladesi Island
DESCRIPTION: One of the few completely natural islands off the coast of Florida and only accessible by ferry or boat, it has acres of sand dunes, mangroves, maritime hammock, mangrove forests and miles of beautiful gulf beaches with shallow, clear, calm waters; this is a special place to connect with nature or just retreat; Caladesi Island was created in 1921 after a hurricane created Hurricane Pass and separated it from Honeymoon Island; Fishing, shelling and nature studies are ways to enjoy a visit to Caladesi; boaters enjoy day use or overnight in the 108 slip bayside marina; there is no camping on the island; Caladesi has the distinction of being voted America's best beach in 2008

DAYS & HOURS: daily 8a-Sundown

ADDRESS: 1 Causeway Blvd to the ferry  MAP

PHONE: 727-469-5918

WEBSITE: http://www.floridastateparks.org/CaladesiIsland

 

Honeymoon Island
DESCRIPTION: Vacationers first enjoyed this island in the 1940's with bungalows and gulf breezes that made for a perfect getaway; then in 1964, a causeway connected Honeymoon Island and Clearwater - developers arrived; Visitors can enjoy sunbathing or swimming in the warm Gulf waters; fishers like the tarpon, flounder, trout, redfish and  snapper in these parts; family friendly, the park features picnic pavilions, bathhouses, a concession stand, several nature trails, bird observation areas and the only "pet beach" in the state

DAYS & HOURS: daily 8a-Sundown

ADDRESS: 1 Causeway Blvd to the ferry, Clearwater  MAP

PHONE: 727-469-5918

WEBSITE: http://www.floridastateparks.org/CaladesiIsland

Clearwater Beach
DESCRIPTION: A great, clean family beach island with plenty of surrounding hotels; you can also charter fishing vessels, boat rentals and ride a catamaran to the area’s extensive water recreation and nature-based attractions; Clearwater Memorial Causeway connects to the mainland

DAYS & HOURS: daily 8a-Sundown

ADDRESS: South Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater  MAP

PHONE: 727-464-3347 Chamber of Commerce
WEBSITE: http://www.clearwaterbeach.com

 

Sand Key Beach & Park
DESCRIPTION: Opened to the public in 1984, it is another fine family beach island nestled against 95 acres on a barrier island between the Gulf of Mexico and Clearwater; it is sperated from Claearwater Beach by Clearwater Pass; the park contains 2 picnic shelters with grills, a playground, picnic tables, cabana rentals, 2 beach wheel-chairs, 9 outdoor shower towers and even a dog park; no loud noise for the beach, sea turtles deposit eggs here in their annual renewal of the ecosystem; Clearwater Memorial Causeway connects to the mainland

DAYS & HOURS: daily 8a-Sundown

ADDRESS: South Gulfview Blvd, Sand Key  MAP

PHONE: 727-588-4852
WEBSITE: http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/15_Sand_Key.htm

 

Redington Pier
DESCRIPTION: Aptly named, the wooden structure pier is 1,017 feet long with numerous shelters, benches,  a tackle and bait house; with features like these over the Gulf of Mexico, its very popular with fisherman

DAYS & HOURS: daily 8a-Sundown
17490 Gulf Blvd, Redington Shores
PHONE: 727-391-9398
WEBSITE: http://www.floridasbeach.com/moreinfo.php?ID=6731&type=parks

 

St. Pete Beach
DESCRIPTION: A small beach park opened in 1988, it is landscaped with a large parking lot, showers,  three boardwalks over natural sand dunes and sea oats to a white sandy swim area and a views of the Gulf of Mexico

DAYS & HOURS: daily 8a-Sundown
ADDRESS: 4700 Gulf Blvd, St. Petersburg  MAP
PHONE: 727-582-2267

WEBSITE: http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/17_StPete.htm

Fort De Soto Park and Beach
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1962, it consists of 1,136 acres on 5 interconnected islands located at the tip of Pinellas County in Tierra Verde; also known for its historiccanons that once guard the entrance to Tampa Bay, the park includes over 7 miles of the finest white sand beaches, boat docks, camp grounds, fishing piers, nature trails, and a canoe trail; has been named one of America's top beaches twice

ADDRESS: 3500 Pinellas Bayway, South; Tierra Verde  MAP

PHONE: 727-582-2267

WEBSITE: http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm

 

Egmont Key State Park
DESCRIPTION: This 440-acre island is the home to one of the last government-operated lighthouses (built in 1858) in the nation and the remains of Fort Dade, a Spanish-American War-era fort; now a wildlife refuge, Egmont Key was a camp for captured Seminoles during the Third Seminole war and was a Union Navy base during the Civil War; sunbathing, swimming in the warm bay waters, walking through the historic ruins of Fort Dade, or walking the brick paths that remain from the days Fort Dade was an active community with 300 residents; youth camping is available by contacting the park office; view the wildlife and natural environment at every turn; go snorkeling and take day-trip boating or fishing excursions to this island; only accessible by boat from Fort De Soto Park

DAYS & HOURS: daily 8a-Sundown

ADDRESS: Egmont Key  MAP

PHONE: 727-893-2627

WEBSITE: http://funandsun.com/parks/EgmontKey/egmontkey.html

 

Sunken Gardens
DESCRIPTION: This unique four-acre garden with meandering paths drops 15 feet below street level and has unique specimen tropical trees and flowering plants; a historic attraction since 1935, this botanical paradise in the city, is home to some of the oldest and most exotic tropical plants in the region, plus cascading waterfalls and demonstration gardens, more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-4:30p, Sun Noon-4:30p

ADMISSION: Adults $8, age 55+ $6, age 2-11 $4, age 1 and under enter FREE

ADDRESS: 1825 Fourth Street North, St. Petersburg  MAP

PHONE: 727-893-7336

WEBSITE: http://www.stpete.org/sunken.htm

Sawgrass Lake Park
DESCRIPTION: A mile-long boardwalk winds through this 400-acre preserve of swampland, wetlands, canals, lakes and an observation tower; the park’s mile-long boardwalk and dirt trail make it easy to see animals in their natural settings, such as butterflies, herons, egrets, ibis, wood storks, alligators and turtles

DAYS & HOURS: daily 8a-Sundown

ADDRESS: 7400 25th Street, North; St. Petersburg  MAP

PHONE: Environmental Center 727-526-3020

WEBSITE: http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/16_Sawgrass.htm

Weedon Island Preserve & Canoe Trail
DESCRIPTION: Cultural and Natural History Center opened in 2002 to interpret the natural, cultural and archaeological history of the this region; Native Americans played a major role in the workshops that include architects, archaeologists, marine scientists, ecologists, and museum specialists; paddle the 4-mile canoe trail through this mangrove island or hike a mile long boardwalk to the observation platforms and tower

DAYS & HOURS: daily 8a-Sundown

ADDRESS: 1500 Weedon Island Drive, St. Petersburg  MAP

PHONE: 727-453-6515

WEBSITE: http://www.weedonislandcenter.org

 

Florida Botanical Gardens
DESCRIPTION: opened in 2001, it features 30 acres of cultivated gardens and 90 acres of natural landscapes that showcase Florida's flora, fauna and natural resources in motivational surroundings that promote environmentally friendly techniques; Over 150 types of bird, mammals, and reptiles live here, including endangered or threatened species such as Southern Bald Eagles, Gopher Tortoises and Sherman Fox squirrels 

ADMISSION: FREE

DAYS & HOURS: Garden daily 7a-7p, Welcome Center Mon-Fri 8a-5p

ADDRESS: 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo  MAP

PHONE: 727-582-2100

WEBSITE: http://www.flbg.org