Pinellas

Sandwiched between Tampa Bay to the Easy and the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Pinellas County beaches stretch 25 miles from the tip of Pass-a-Grille to the tip of North Beach. In between are over a dozen distinct beach towns. There truly is a spot for every type of person from blue collar to white collar. Family man to party animal. Let’s cover all the areas so that you can have an idea of what we have to offer. Some simple math: 11 unique municipalities + 6 additional distinct areas = 17 beaches in Pinellas from Pass-a-Grille to North Beach. Let’s take a quick look at each one; they are listed in order from north to south. Have some info that will help? Email us your pics and tips; tap on our email at the bottom of the page.

St Pete Scoreboard

Grand Prize Chances. Data updates every 5 hours. Please check at least every-other-day. Tap on any number to see details [it will take some time to load; be patient]. If you do not see your points added properly, let me know via DM with details. For example, "my points were right three days ago. Daily Data was 44 or 46. Now it shows my Daily Data points as 24. It should be around 48 or 50". I will not research issues like "my points are not right; I like everyday."

⚠️ View 🎇 Additional Finalist Bonus section of the rules for details ⚠️

Less

North Beach

My personal favorite beach in Pinellas County, North Beach is the northernmost beach. The north end of Clearwater Beach

My personal favorite beach in Pinellas County, North Beach is the northernmost beach. The north end of Clearwater Beach often claims to be North Beach, but don't be fooled, North Beach is 100% residential. Drive until Gulf Blvd ends, and the small roundabout to North Beach welcomes you. A variety of well-kept cottages to the newest mansions welcome you in this truly cozy beach town. The white sugar sand on the beach welcomes you and your pets - and very few tourists since public parking is very hard to find. To get here, it is best to take a bike where you can park at the beach access or hire a driver to drop you off. Spend the day in peace and quiet - and less than a mile walk to the hustle and bustle of Clearwater Beach.

Less

Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach is the #1 beach in the US, and considering everything else around, possibly the world. No beach on the

Clearwater Beach is the #1 beach in the US, and considering everything else around, possibly the world. No beach on the Gulf Coast comes close to Clearwater Beach in terms of popularity. The update infrastructure includes a nice walking path and over 6,000 rooms within a mile-and-a-half, and two new hotels [Wyndam and the Opal] are going up now at the north and south end of the Beach Walk area. The sugar sand slips between your toes and the sun instantly tans your skin a perfect tone on Clearwater Beach. If you don’t like a lot of people Clearwater Beach is not for you, otherwise, this is the spot for your family’s beach vacation.

Less

Sand Key

You know you’ve entered Sand Key when buildings go from two stories to twenty stories. This mostly residential area ha

You know you’ve entered Sand Key when buildings go from two stories to twenty stories. This mostly residential area has more rooms per square foot than any other area, including Clearwater Beach. If you’re planning on staying for an extended period of time in the area, Sand Key might be a good choice. The only drawback is the drive to the local grocery store – your best bet is going over the Belleair Causeway to Belleair Bluffs, else you’ll have to stomach the drive into Clearwater Beach – which sucks most of the year.

Less

Belleair Beach

Belleair Beach sits just north [and east] of Belleair Shore. Really not much to say; it’s residential, and is cheaper

Belleair Beach sits just north [and east] of Belleair Shore. Really not much to say; it’s residential, and is cheaper than Belleair Shore for real estate.

Less

Belleair Shore

Belleair Shore is home to the most expensive homes in Tampa Bay. Truly residential, Belleair Shore is only on the west s

Belleair Shore is home to the most expensive homes in Tampa Bay. Truly residential, Belleair Shore is only on the west side of Gulf Blvd. Belleair Beach takes up the intracoastal side of GB, and gazes aimlessly across the street that is the man-made beauty. If you’re staying in IRB or Sand Key, spend an afternoon walking the beach on Belleair Shore. Remember this IS reality. Oh and that really, really big one. The guy that owns that makes more money in one year than the cost of the house!

Less

Indian Rocks Beach

If you want to party with the locals, head to Indian Rocks Beach. With a nice mix of top-notch restaurants and wallet-fr

If you want to party with the locals, head to Indian Rocks Beach. With a nice mix of top-notch restaurants and wallet-friendly watering holes, IRB will leave you with new friends and vacant memories. From Guppy’s to the north to Red Lion to Sandbar to Crabby Bills to Villa Gallace: eats and fun times are plentiful in IRB.

Less

Indian Shores

Indian Shores quietly represents Pinellas’ longest beach and narrowest beach. Indian Shores is the only town with only

Indian Shores quietly represents Pinellas’ longest beach and narrowest beach. Indian Shores is the only town with only one street – Gulf Blvd. Indian Shores tries to stay true to locals, but finds itself somewhere between long-term vacation rentals, a fishing town and Indian Rocks Beach’s local feel. Salt Rock Grill is one of the best restaurants around and Mahuffer’s is the best dive bar in the world, both located just north of Gulf Blvd.

Less

Redington Shores

Redington Shores is just south of Park Blvd and takes on the identity mixed between Indian Rocks Beach and Redington Bea

Redington Shores is just south of Park Blvd and takes on the identity mixed between Indian Rocks Beach and Redington Beach: touristy and residential. It’s location puts it directly at the midway point of all the beaches, so you can drive to Clearwater Beach to the north or St. Pete Beach to the south without too much of a hassle [though the two lane roads through Indian Shores does suck during the busy months]. With a dozen bars and restaurants, Redington Shores is a nice place to visit for an extended vacation. Picture by @r.m.visuals on Instagram

Less

North Redington Beach

North Redington is pound-for-pound the best beach in Pinellas. With the Redington Pier at its south end and the Redingto

North Redington is pound-for-pound the best beach in Pinellas. With the Redington Pier at its south end and the Redington Shores pier to the north, staying in North Redington is the photographer’s dream spot.

Less

Redington Beach

The Redington Beach pier offers some of the best sunset pictures around. Finding parking in this exclusive community can

The Redington Beach pier offers some of the best sunset pictures around. Finding parking in this exclusive community can be tough, so plan ahead. North Redington Beach is less than a mile long but packs a punch. With over 2,000 rooms and several eateries,

Less

Madeira Beach

North of John’s Pass rests Madeira Beach. Once associated as the trailer park of the beaches, Mad Beach has quickly be

North of John’s Pass rests Madeira Beach. Once associated as the trailer park of the beaches, Mad Beach has quickly become the most-improved beach in Pinellas. With regular summer concerts [Summerland Tour completed early June with Everclear, Toadies and Fuel] and a renewed focus on tourism, watch Madeira Beach grow from a residents special to a truly beautiful beach town. If you’re a fisherman, Madeira Beach is a must with several boat-friendly establishments and easy access to the Gulf through John’s Pass. It is also home to two of the best restaurants you’ll find: Gulf Bistro and Mario’s. Redington Beach, a residential beach town, lies north of Madeira, and offers a quiet beach day for those looking to just relax.

Less

John's Pass

Across the Treasure Island bridge sits John’s Pass, a must-visit spot while on vacation. With over 100 shops from the

Across the Treasure Island bridge sits John’s Pass, a must-visit spot while on vacation. With over 100 shops from the standard t-shirts and souvenirs to speciality shops to jet skis and parasailing rentals to charter fishing to great seafood: John’s Pass has it all. And it even has a pet friendly beach right under the humongous drawbridge – sun, sand and shade [yes, shade is a luxury in the summer in Florida!]

Less

Treasure Island

Treasure Island welcomes you with the largest beach in Pinellas County. They are home to the annual Sanding Ovations Wor

Treasure Island welcomes you with the largest beach in Pinellas County. They are home to the annual Sanding Ovations World Sand Sculpting Championship in the fall. This is the largest beach which is great for a small crowd, but it can make for a long walk from your car to the water. Also, wear your flip flops - sand spurs are all over that jab your feet.

Less

Sunset Beach

After crossing over Blind Pass from St. Pete Beach to Treasure Island, you’ll find Sunset Beach. Mostly residential, S

After crossing over Blind Pass from St. Pete Beach to Treasure Island, you’ll find Sunset Beach. Mostly residential, Sunset Beach is known for boisterous party-goers setting up shop at Caddy’s on the Beach. While this hold-over mentality still stands strong, the strip of sand between Blind Pass Rd and Blind Pass [i.e. the actual inlet to the Gulf of Mexico] is one of the best kept secrets in Pinellas. There is very little parking, but if you drive to the extreme south end of Treasure Island through Sunset Beach, you’ll find a slice of paradise – tranquility hard to match anywhere else. Bring everything you need though – nothing is within walking distance. Pic on Instagram by @irinabilka

Less

Upham Beach

Upham Beach sits at the north end of St. Pete Beach. Thanks to a recent beach nourishment project that pumped in thousan

Upham Beach sits at the north end of St. Pete Beach. Thanks to a recent beach nourishment project that pumped in thousands of tons of sand, Upham no longer sticks out with ugly inflatable yellow T-Groins. Instead, it proudly welcomes you with a Pinellas County special: a breath-taking, expansive white sand beach. This gem is a local favorite and a beach where you can hang out, enjoy the sun, sand and new friends.

Less

St Pete Beach

St. Pete Beach stretches roughly 2 miles from the bayway bridge’s red carpet roll-out of the Don Cesar pink palace to

St. Pete Beach stretches roughly 2 miles from the bayway bridge’s red carpet roll-out of the Don Cesar pink palace to the northern section that stops with the triumvirate of the Toasted Monkey, Jimmy B’s and PCI. While officials like to tag St. Pete Beach as family friendly [and certainly it is], you visit St. Pete Beach to party on the beach. With over a dozen bars directly on white sand, it stand as the undisputed champion of beach bars in the world

Less

Pass-a-Grille

Pass-a-Grille reminds one of a mini-version of Anna Maria Island. Located at the south end of St. Pete Beach, near the s

Pass-a-Grille reminds one of a mini-version of Anna Maria Island. Located at the south end of St. Pete Beach, near the skyway bridge, and PAG boasts pristine waters and a laid-back atmosphere. A few restaurants and boutique shops allow you to make PAG your only destination for your beach getaway

Less