If you’re a lover of sand and surf—and who isn’t? —the Sunshine State is one of the best destinations in the world. Postcard-caliber beaches come a dime a dozen in Florida, and with accommodations at Sirata Beach Resort, some of the very finest lie a mere stone’s throw away from your deluxe guest room or suite.
Get to know four of the very best seashore strands in Tampa Bay—and come get some sand between your toes on each of them next time you treat yourself to a Sirata getaway!
From palm hammocks to swimming-, fishing-, and paddling-friendly waters, Fort De Soto Park ranks among the finest recreational hubs on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Spread across a number of keys at the mouth of Tampa Bay, this massive park is just minutes away from Sirata Beach Resort. Its beachfront has garnered numerous accolades—including nods from the foremost “sand judge” around, Dr. Beach (aka Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman). Besides sunbathing and swimming, Fort De Soto offers much else in the outdoors department: from a paved bike path through subtropical verdure to kayaking routes amid mangroves. For travelers with furry friends, Fort De Soto has a beautiful dog beach so everyone can soak up the sun! Visit Website
Encompassing a barrier island edged by the open Gulf on one side and St. Joseph’s Sound on the other, Honeymoon Island is as celebrated a beachgoing destination as any in the region, and also one of the most popular state parks in Florida. When you can tear yourself away from the sand, the park offers an excellent nature trail through varied coastal habitats. You can also bike here via a side route off the Pinellas Trail, which we recently profiled here at the Sirata Beach Resort blog. Visit Website
Reachable by ferry from Honeymoon Island—to which it was once joined as a single barrier island—or by private boat, mostly undeveloped Caladesi Island is the perfect beach retreat for a nature lover. Its Gulf of Mexico shoreline has landed multiple times on Dr. Beach’s roundup of the best beaches in the country; it took top honors in 2008. You can also stroll through oak/pine hammocks or paddle your way through alluring mangrove corridors. Visit Website
Dive headfirst into Florida Gulf Coast beach vibes at Pass-A-Grille! A generous four-mile sprawl of public beach unfettered by high rises serves as the main attraction, but those pearly sands come backed up by the charming shops, galleries, bars, and eateries of Eighth Avenue. Visit Website
Come experience some of the best beaches in Florida with a vacation at Sirata Beach Resort! And remember that these gorgeous seashores opening to the Gulf of Mexico provide truly outstanding vantages for out-of-this-world sunsets…