Ben T. Davis Beach
(813) 281-8881
7740 Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa 33607
Located on the causeway running across Tampa Bay to St. Petersburg, the park is part of a miles-long beach surrounded on both sides by water. The park offers concessions, picnic facilities and metered parking. 

Davis Island Beach
900 Martinique Ave, Tampa 33607
Popular with boaters this beach is perfect for sunning and relaxing with a good book.

Picnic Island Beach
(813) 832-1222
7404 Picnic Island Blvd, Tampa 33616
At Picnic Island you can rent a shelter for a party, play on the beach and playground, or go fishing on the pier. The boat ramp is available 24 hours a day.

Caladesi Island State Park
(727) 469-5918
3 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin 34698
Take a ferry from nearby Honeymoon Island to this three-mile beach that ranks as "the second best" in the nation. Kayak, swim or fish in the warm blue water of the Gulf of Mexico. Boat camping only.

Fort DeSoto Park
(727) 582-2267
3500 Pinellas Bayway S.Tierra Verde, 33715
Ranked #2 in the country by "Dr. Beach." Fort DeSoto is a barrier island and 900-acre park. Features a clean, wide beach with lots of shore birds. This park boasts a fishing pier, historic fort and bays.
 
Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area
(727) 469-5942
1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin 34698
Next to Caladesi Island, but accessible by car, this park is on a barrier island that just barely escaped development. Now it provides swimming, shelling, fishing, and a nature trail. The beach can be rocky in some areas, so a pair of flip-flops helps!

Pier 60
(727) 462-6466
1 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater 34630
Located in the heart of Clearwater Beach, Pier 60 offers excellent fishing opportunities, and it’s open 24hours a day. Ranked the #1 city beach in the country by "Dr. Beach," this wide beach of sugar-fine sand draws volleyball players, sun worshippers and swimmers. In other words, "this is where the action is."

Indian Rocks Beach
(727) 363-9236
1700 Gulf Blvd. Indian Rocks Beach,  33785
Lots of restaurants are within walking distance of this beach, attracting a quieter crowd with low-rise shorelines. With more than 20 beach accesses along Gulf Boulevard, you'll be able to hit this laid-back beach in a hurry.

Madeira Beach
(727) 363-9236
143700 Gulf Blvd. Madeira Beach,  33708
A favorite among tourists and locals - perhaps because alcohol is permitted here. This wide, sandy beach is packed on weekends with families, singles, young and old. Also home to John's Pass.

Pass-A-Grille Beach
(727) 363-9236
155 Corey Ave. St. Pete Beach,  33706
Most of the beach is wide, perfect for sunbathers at this National Historic District (it was the first established town on Florida's West coast barrier islands). Fishermen like it here too because they can fish from jetties. You won't want to miss a brilliant sunset here.

Sand Key Park
(727) 588-4852
1060 Gulf Blvd. Clearwater, FL, 33767
This flour-fine sandy beach may be one of the widest - and whitest - in Florida beyond the Panhandle. It's best to go on weekdays, early, or later in the day because it's a favorite with families.

Bunche Beach
(239) 432-2006
18201 John Morris Rd., Fort Myers, 33908
This 731-acre facility is a natural tidal wetlands area that is located on San Carlos Bay. This pristine, completely natural area that is indicative of the area before the introduction of exotic plant species, is old Florida. This beach is an example of a living ecosystem that ranges from a sandy beach to mangrove forests to salt flats and contains a wide variety of wildlife. For passive recreational day use and has no amenities. Parking is limited, but is free. Hours: sunrise - sunset. 

Fort Myers Beach
With its down-home image and unpretentious style, Fort Myers Beach has long been considered a great place for anyone seeking "fun in the sun." The sandy beaches are as wide open as the town's attitude, offering everything from family fun to beachfront bars and restaurants.

Lowdermilk Park/ Beach
434-4698 Banyan Blvd. and Gulf Shore Blvd.
A true playground on the beach, Lowdermilk Park in Naples has a little something for everyone. The kids will enjoy the nice sand beach, play area and volleyball courts, and everyone will appreciate the gazebos, picnic areas and concessions. Nearby sandwich shops and restaurants provides easy access to a wide variety of eateries.

Lely Barefoot Beach
South off Bonita Beach Road, North Naples.
Over 350 acres of pristine beaches and woodland trails highlight a trip to Barefoot Beach Preserve in northern Collier County. The beach runs untouched for 1-1/2 miles, and a great trail system meanders through tropical hammock and mangrove swamp. A learning center features exhibits on sea turtles and shorebirds, and occasional lectures are offered on subjects as varied as shelling and fossil collection.

Gasparilla Island According to legend, the infamous pirate Jose Gaspar used this pristine barrier island as a hideout, thus resulting in the name "Gasparilla." Modern day visitors won't find any of his gold, but the treasures to be discovered here are far more priceless. Powdery white sand beaches lead to crystal clear green waters, and the views across the sound at the southern tip of the island are breathtaking. Reminiscent of a New England fishing village, Boca Grande, the only town on the island, manages to retain the unhurried flavor it has boasted since the 1920's. The town bills itself as the tarpon-fishing capital of the world, and a world class tournament celebrates the annual tarpon run each July.