| About Indian Shores, Florida Indian Shores is a quieter, less crowded alternative to its larger and better-known neighbors such as Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach. It's a great place for vacationers seeking a quiet or family vacation. Originally called "Indian Rocks Beach, South Shore" as a way to distinguish itself from Indian Rocks Beach, the town of Indian Shores was incorporated in 1949 and changed its name in 1973. Despite its small population (1,400) and limited extent (19 city blocks long and 1 city block wide), Indian Shores provides plenty of entertainment for its visitors. The largest non-profit wild bird hospital in the United States, the Sun Coast Seabird Sanctuary, is located in Indian Shores. The sanctuary houses and treats injured pelicans, herons, egrets, owls, hawks and other birds. Many other activities such as adventure golf and boat rentals are within an easy drive. Indian Shores is also home to some fantastic restaurants. No trip to the area would be complete without a visit to the famous Salt Rock Grill. Weather permitting, sit outside on the waterfront deck and enjoy the view. Other restaurants and bars in Indian Shores include The Hungry Fisherman, Chateau Madrid and The Pub Waterfront Grill. If you want to experience what a Key West style bar was like in the days of Ernest Hemingway, visit Mahuffer's (a.k.a Sloppy John's) on Gulf Blvd, just north of the Park Blvd bridge. Self-described as the "wurst" place on the beach, with lousy food and warm beer, Mahuffer's has received numerous accolades from HGTV, the Travel Channel, Travelocity, and has been named Best of Tampa Bay two years in a row. Worth a visit, even if you decide you don't like it. "Families and couples seeking a relaxing place to enjoy the beach and good food should consider Indian Shores as their next vacation spot." |
| Things To Do If you desire a little more activity, you can still relax. You are just a convenient drive to Florida's major attractions and a short walk to many exceptional restaurants and activities. Indian Shores Beach Sea Bird Sanctuary Florida Gulf Coast Beach Directory Pinellas County Recreational Parks Pinellas County Visitor Information Super Shuttle Transport System Maderia Beach Gulf Beach Public Library John's Pass Village Pirate Cruise Dolphin Tours Majesty I & II Casino Cruises St. Petersburg Derby Lanes Dog Racing Florida Museum Great Explorations Museum of Fine Arts Salvador Dali Museum St. Petersburg Pier Tampa Bay Devil Rays Tampa Busch Gardens Florida Association of Museums Mosi Science Museum Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Lightning Tampa Bay Downs Dog Racing (Oldsmar) Tampa Bay Weather Center Tampa Dog Tracks Tampa International Airport The Florida Aquarium Orlando (2 1/2 hours) Disney World MGM Studios Epcot Center |
LOCAL BEACHES:
Clearwater Beach - is the most popular of all the area’s many beaches. Clearwater Beach offers just about every water
and beach activity imaginable. Pier 60 Park on Clearwater Beach features a family recreation complex on Clearwater’s
wide open beach with covered playgrounds, fishing and concessions. The Sunsets at Pier 60 festival features music,
entertainment and a beautiful Gulf of Mexico sunset throughout the year.
Sand Key Park - is a 90-acre county park featuring a white sandy beach rated among the top 20 beaches in the United
States. The park offers two bathhouses, picnic shelters, nearly a thousand metered parking spaces. The park is open
every day from 7 a.m. to sunset. Lifeguards are on duty from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can reach Sand Key by driving
south from Clearwater Beach over the Clearwater Pass Bridge or by taking the Belleair Causeway and then going north on
Gulf Boulevard.
St. Pete Beach - is a barrier island near the southern tip of the St. Petersburg Clearwater area. It is accessible from
Interstate 275 by taking the Pinellas Bayway. Access to the beach is available at Upham Beach Park on Gulf Boulevard
from 67th to 70th Avenue and Pinellas County Beach Access Park on Gulf Boulevard at 44th Avenue. Both have metered
parking. Several area resorts and shops offer a wide assortment of water sports including waverunners, scuba diving,
fishing, parasailing and more.
Fort De Soto Park - the park consists of 900 unspoiled acres, seven miles of beaches, two fishing piers, and picnic and
camping areas directly on the Gulf of Mexico. A concession stand, bathrooms and covered picnic shelters are available. A
fort built during the Spanish-American War is located on Mullet Key, the largest of the five islands which make up this
unique area which lies southwest of St. Petersburg. The area has a popular biking and skating trail as well as rental
facilities for canoes, kayaks and bicycles. Fort De Soto rated as the seventh best beach in the United States in a 1999
national study.
Indian Shores - Tiki Gardens beach access park at 19601 Gulf Boulevard is the most popular beach access point in
Indian Shores. Tiki Gardens features 170 time metered parking spaces, restroom facilities, benches, a water fountain,
beach showers and a pedestrian crossing light at Gulf Boulevard. Several other access points are also available. The Park
Boulevard Causeway connects Indian Shores to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area mainland.
Treasure Island - one of the widest beaches in the area and features several sporting activities including an annual kite-
flying contest and the Taste of Treasure Island food and music festival. Beach access is available at lots at six parking
areas along Gulf Boulevard including Treasure Island Beach Access Park at 10400 Gulf Boulevard with metered parking
spaces, restroom facilities, a water fountain and beach showers. Three public boat ramps and a marina are available.
Treasure Island is directly west of St. Petersburg and can be accessed by the Treasure Island Causeway off Central
Avenue.
Maderia Beach - several beach accesses are available in Madeira Beach including the County Park at 14400 Gulf
Boulevard. This 1.5-acre site features 450 feet of beach on the Gulf of Mexico with time metered parking for 104 vehicles, a
restroom, and two showers located on the beach. Madeira Beach is also home to "fish famous" John’s Pass. The John’s
Pass Village & Boardwalk offers commercial and charter fishing as well as casino and sightseeing cruises. Fishing is
popular from several public piers. The Tom Stuart Causeway connects Madeira Beach to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater
area mainland.
Indian Rocks Beach - this area features more than 20 beach accesses located along Gulf Boulevard with free parking.
Indian Rocks Beach access park, located at 1700 Gulf Boulevard, features metered parking spaces for vehicles, a
restroom and outdoor showers. The Walsingham Road Causeway connects Indian Rocks Beach to the St.
Petersburg/Clearwater area mainland.
Pass-A-Grille Beach - the first established town on Florida’s West coast barrier islands and is a registered National
Historic District. The area on the southern tip of St. Pete Beach has no condominiums or "high-rise" buildings keeping it a
unique slice of old Florida. Sunset watches are popular at the area’s public-access beach. The beach runs from 1st to
22nd Avenue along Gulf Way. Metered parking is available.
Egmont Key - this 440-acre island at the southernmost tip of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is the home of the last
government-manned lighthouse (built in 1858) in the United States. Now a wildlife refuge, Egmont Key was a camp for
captured Seminole Indians during the Third Seminole war and was a Union Navy base during the Civil War. Several boats
offer snorkeling excursions to this island which is accessible only by boat. Visitors can snorkel over grass beds and ruins
of two gun batteries from the fort, or enjoy the unspoiled beach.
Caladesi Island - one of the few remaining large undeveloped barrier islands on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Caladesi is only
accessible by boat. The island is ideal for swimming, shelling, fishing, picnics, skin and scuba diving and nature study.
The park also has a three-mile nature trail winding through the island’s interior. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to
sunset. A ferry departs hourly from nearby Honeymoon Island. Docks are available on the island for private boats. A snack
bar and shelters are also available
Honeymoon Island - this state park features sunbathing, shelling, swimming, fishing, picnic pavilions, bathhouses and a
park concession building. The Caladesi Island ferry departs from Honeymoon Island. Like Caladesi Island, Honeymoon
Island is one of the state’s few undisturbed barrier islands. The Island also features two bird observation areas, a pet
beach, two nature trails and one of the few remaining south Florida virgin slash pine stands. These large trees serve as
important nesting sites for osprey. Honeymoon Island has more than 208 species of plants and a variety of shore birds,
including several threatened and endangered species. The Island has a long history considering it is only 7,000 years old.
Originally settled by members of the Tocobaga tribe of Native Americans, a wave of explorers, pirates, traders and
fisherman came and went. Originally named Sand Island, a successful hog farm changed the island’s moniker to Hog
Island in the 1880s. A hurricane in 1921 separated what is now Caladesi Island.
Clearwater Beach - is the most popular of all the area’s many beaches. Clearwater Beach offers just about every water
and beach activity imaginable. Pier 60 Park on Clearwater Beach features a family recreation complex on Clearwater’s
wide open beach with covered playgrounds, fishing and concessions. The Sunsets at Pier 60 festival features music,
entertainment and a beautiful Gulf of Mexico sunset throughout the year.
Sand Key Park - is a 90-acre county park featuring a white sandy beach rated among the top 20 beaches in the United
States. The park offers two bathhouses, picnic shelters, nearly a thousand metered parking spaces. The park is open
every day from 7 a.m. to sunset. Lifeguards are on duty from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can reach Sand Key by driving
south from Clearwater Beach over the Clearwater Pass Bridge or by taking the Belleair Causeway and then going north on
Gulf Boulevard.
St. Pete Beach - is a barrier island near the southern tip of the St. Petersburg Clearwater area. It is accessible from
Interstate 275 by taking the Pinellas Bayway. Access to the beach is available at Upham Beach Park on Gulf Boulevard
from 67th to 70th Avenue and Pinellas County Beach Access Park on Gulf Boulevard at 44th Avenue. Both have metered
parking. Several area resorts and shops offer a wide assortment of water sports including waverunners, scuba diving,
fishing, parasailing and more.
Fort De Soto Park - the park consists of 900 unspoiled acres, seven miles of beaches, two fishing piers, and picnic and
camping areas directly on the Gulf of Mexico. A concession stand, bathrooms and covered picnic shelters are available. A
fort built during the Spanish-American War is located on Mullet Key, the largest of the five islands which make up this
unique area which lies southwest of St. Petersburg. The area has a popular biking and skating trail as well as rental
facilities for canoes, kayaks and bicycles. Fort De Soto rated as the seventh best beach in the United States in a 1999
national study.
Indian Shores - Tiki Gardens beach access park at 19601 Gulf Boulevard is the most popular beach access point in
Indian Shores. Tiki Gardens features 170 time metered parking spaces, restroom facilities, benches, a water fountain,
beach showers and a pedestrian crossing light at Gulf Boulevard. Several other access points are also available. The Park
Boulevard Causeway connects Indian Shores to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area mainland.
Treasure Island - one of the widest beaches in the area and features several sporting activities including an annual kite-
flying contest and the Taste of Treasure Island food and music festival. Beach access is available at lots at six parking
areas along Gulf Boulevard including Treasure Island Beach Access Park at 10400 Gulf Boulevard with metered parking
spaces, restroom facilities, a water fountain and beach showers. Three public boat ramps and a marina are available.
Treasure Island is directly west of St. Petersburg and can be accessed by the Treasure Island Causeway off Central
Avenue.
Maderia Beach - several beach accesses are available in Madeira Beach including the County Park at 14400 Gulf
Boulevard. This 1.5-acre site features 450 feet of beach on the Gulf of Mexico with time metered parking for 104 vehicles, a
restroom, and two showers located on the beach. Madeira Beach is also home to "fish famous" John’s Pass. The John’s
Pass Village & Boardwalk offers commercial and charter fishing as well as casino and sightseeing cruises. Fishing is
popular from several public piers. The Tom Stuart Causeway connects Madeira Beach to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater
area mainland.
Indian Rocks Beach - this area features more than 20 beach accesses located along Gulf Boulevard with free parking.
Indian Rocks Beach access park, located at 1700 Gulf Boulevard, features metered parking spaces for vehicles, a
restroom and outdoor showers. The Walsingham Road Causeway connects Indian Rocks Beach to the St.
Petersburg/Clearwater area mainland.
Pass-A-Grille Beach - the first established town on Florida’s West coast barrier islands and is a registered National
Historic District. The area on the southern tip of St. Pete Beach has no condominiums or "high-rise" buildings keeping it a
unique slice of old Florida. Sunset watches are popular at the area’s public-access beach. The beach runs from 1st to
22nd Avenue along Gulf Way. Metered parking is available.
Egmont Key - this 440-acre island at the southernmost tip of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is the home of the last
government-manned lighthouse (built in 1858) in the United States. Now a wildlife refuge, Egmont Key was a camp for
captured Seminole Indians during the Third Seminole war and was a Union Navy base during the Civil War. Several boats
offer snorkeling excursions to this island which is accessible only by boat. Visitors can snorkel over grass beds and ruins
of two gun batteries from the fort, or enjoy the unspoiled beach.
Caladesi Island - one of the few remaining large undeveloped barrier islands on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Caladesi is only
accessible by boat. The island is ideal for swimming, shelling, fishing, picnics, skin and scuba diving and nature study.
The park also has a three-mile nature trail winding through the island’s interior. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to
sunset. A ferry departs hourly from nearby Honeymoon Island. Docks are available on the island for private boats. A snack
bar and shelters are also available
Honeymoon Island - this state park features sunbathing, shelling, swimming, fishing, picnic pavilions, bathhouses and a
park concession building. The Caladesi Island ferry departs from Honeymoon Island. Like Caladesi Island, Honeymoon
Island is one of the state’s few undisturbed barrier islands. The Island also features two bird observation areas, a pet
beach, two nature trails and one of the few remaining south Florida virgin slash pine stands. These large trees serve as
important nesting sites for osprey. Honeymoon Island has more than 208 species of plants and a variety of shore birds,
including several threatened and endangered species. The Island has a long history considering it is only 7,000 years old.
Originally settled by members of the Tocobaga tribe of Native Americans, a wave of explorers, pirates, traders and
fisherman came and went. Originally named Sand Island, a successful hog farm changed the island’s moniker to Hog
Island in the 1880s. A hurricane in 1921 separated what is now Caladesi Island.
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