Destination America

Central West Coast

Miles of pristine white sandy beaches, breathtaking sunsets, a semi-tropical climate and plenty of sunshine (an average of 361 days per year) are reason enough to head to Florida’s Central West coast region but there is so much more to enjoy on the Gulf coast. The popular destinations of Clearwater and St. Petersburg and unspoiled places that make up the Nature Coast offer a variety of shopping, cultural, sporting, leisure and entertaining activities.

Featured Locations: Belleair Beach, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Crystal River, Dunedin, Hudson, Indian Shores, Isla Del Sol, Madeira Beach, Newport Richey, Palm Harbour, Redington Beaches, St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach, Sand Key, Spring Hill, Tarpon Springs, Treasure Island.

Belleair Beach is a quiet residential community that borders Clearwater and Sand Key Park to the North and Indian Rocks Beach to the South. Miles of gorgeous white sand beach await you for swimming, sunbathing, sandcastle building, shelling and snorkelling. There are four beach accesses with parking located in Belleair Beach, along with the Causeway Beach area, a boat ramp and a municipal marina. Belleair Beach has waterfront dining, fast food and a mini mall with lots of shops.

Clearwater Beach is a vacation paradise with its pristine sugary white wide sandy beach combining with the tropical gulf breezes, the gentle waters of the Gulf of Mexico and an average of 361 days of sunshine per year. All the water-sports recreation you can imagine including jet-skis, water bikes and parasailing and you can rent boats for everything from a relaxing sail to a deep sea fishing adventure. Shopping opportunities are numerous, all types of dining cuisine and nightly entertainment.

Crystal River, home to the manatee, lies 90 miles northwest of Tampa and is an unspoiled playground. Snorkel or swim with the manatees, one of Mother Nature’s most amazing creatures in the Crystal and Homosassa Rivers, kayak with dolphins or take a fishing trip. Crystal River is also known for great seafood, hospitality and water restaurants. About 20 minutes south is the Homosassa State Wildlife Park. There is something for everyone in Crystal River including all types of leisure activities.

Dunedin is located just north of Clearwater near the Gulf of Mexico offering an abundance of recreational activities including fishing, boating, sailing, swimming and snorkelling. Championship golf courses and tennis courts are open year round. Five miles of gorgeous coastline can be found in Dunedin, and the shell-strewn beaches of Caladesi Island State Park and Honeymoon Island State Park are nearby. Dunedin celebrates its Scottish heritage each spring with the Highland Games and Festival.

Hudson is a great little town situated between Spring Hill and New Port Richey in the Central West region of Florida, an area known as the ‘Nature Coast’. Some of the best fishing in the country can be found here, both salt water and fresh water. There are numerous golf courses in and around the town of Hudson plus several state parks in the area that offer swimming, hiking and biking. Wildlife includes sea otter, turtles, alligators, deer, great blue herons and egrets.

Indian Shores is a popular and tourist friendly town on the Gulf of Mexico, in an ideal location between Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach, with over 2.5 miles of beautiful white sandy beach. There is a variety of shops and restaurants and leisure activities include swimming, shelling, sunbathing, beach volleyball, and fishing. For more excitement, you can rent jet skis, wave runners or powerboats. You are sure to find exactly what you’re looking for in the beautiful town of Indian Shores.

Indian Rocks Beach is a favourite for seasonal guests and extends for less than three miles along the Gulf of Mexico and faces either the Gulf or the Intracoastal Waterway. At some points along this narrow piece of land you can view both bodies of water.

A quiet town of approximately 4,000, Indian Rocks Beach was initially developed in the 1920’s as a weekend getaway destination for wealthy inland residents. Its 2.7 miles of beachfront are popular with all ages and between its array of motels and condominiums there are more than 20 beach accesses.

Despite its sleepy appearance, Indian Rocks Beach is home to some of the best known restaurants along the Gulf Coast, and holds an Arts and Crafts Festival every November and April. The easily accessible beaches and intracoastal waterways provide an array of enjoyable activities for residents and visitors alike. Whether you swim, fish, boat or just sunbathe there are an endless number of amenities available for your pleasure.

Indian Rocks Beach - Casa de Playa - Pinellas Suncoast - 2 Bed Condos - Sleeps up to 6 persons: Casa de Playa 'The Beach House' of Indian Rocks Beach is an intimate tranquil 14-unit property with heated swimming pool and decking directly overlooking the grassy dunes and white sandy beach featuring unobstructed grand views of the Gulf of Mexico...
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Isla Del Sol is a 350-acre island community surrounded by the expansive tropical waters of Boca Ciega Bay and located on the southernmost tip of St. Petersburg. The island boasts an 18-hole championship golf course, the Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club, local shops at the Shoppers Village Complex as well as a beautiful white sandy beach with mature coconut palms. There are numerous leisure activities, restaurants and varied shopping only a short drive away in St. Petersburg or St. Pete Beach.

Madeira Beach is located between Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach, one of Florida’s most beautiful beaches with its 2.5 mile strip of sand that provides a haven for tourists offering swimming and water-sports opportunities. Madeira Beach is famous for the scenic harbour of John's Pass, with the charming John's Pass Village and Boardwalk, a collection of shops, galleries, restaurants, boat charter for fishing as well as casino and sightseeing cruises, festivals and events throughout the year.

Madeira Beach - Madeira Bay Resort - Pinellas Suncoast - 2 Bed Condos - Sleeps up to 6 persons: Madeira Bay Resort offers 2 Bed spacious condos across the street from the pristine white sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico just two blocks north of famous John's Pass Village & Boardwalk. Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach are only a short drive...
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Madeira Beach - The Chambre‘ - Pinellas Suncoast - 2 Bed Condos - Sleeps up to 4 persons: The Chambré offers 2 Bed 2 Bath Gulf front condos and has the making of that perfect Florida getaway right on the beach at Madeira Beach close to restaurants and shops. Heated Swimming Pool and Jacuzzi overlooks the sandy beach on the Gulf of Mexico...
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Newport Richey and Port Richey are dual cities, located on the sun-drenched Central Gulf Coast. New Port Richey has direct access to the Gulf of Mexico through the Cotee River. The Gulf’s beautiful blue-green waters offer swimming, sailing, jet skiing, scuba diving and snorkelling. There are a number of golf courses and other leisure activities including boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing. New Port Richey is around a two hour drive to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Theme Parks.

Palm Harbor sits along the Gulf of Mexico between Clearwater and Tarpon Springs, 20 miles west of Tampa. It has a friendly small town atmosphere, large shopping plazas, unique boutiques and gourmet restaurants. Leisure activities include golfing, tennis, swimming, sailing, fishing, snorkelling plus opportunities for hiking, biking and birding in the many local parks in the area. Palm Harbor’s location gives visitors convenience access to many of Florida’s most popular family attractions.

Redington Shores, Redington Beach and North Redington are located midway between Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach, an area considered to be one of Florida’s most desirable family vacation areas. Miles of wide sandy beaches and turquoise/emerald waters provide endless days of swimming, sunning, fishing, boating and other beachside activities. The Beach Trolley is available for trips to famous John’s Pass Village and the Nature Refuge. Shopping and fine seafood restaurants abound in the area.

St. Pete Beach is renowned for its sun-kissed white sandy beaches and gentle balmy waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Thrill seekers will never find a dull moment on St. Pete Beach with all types of water-sports activities including parasail and Wave Runner. Warm in the summer, temperate in the winter, close to the cultural and cosmopolitan attractions of St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa, St. Pete Beach strikes the perfect balance with its tropical boutiques, seafood restaurants and nightclubs.

St. Pete Beach - Park Side - Pinellas Suncoast - 2 Bed Condos - Sleeps up to 4 persons:  2 Bed 2 Bath Condos with communal heated swimming pool at Park Side near Sunset Beach in St. Pete on the Gulf of Mexico. Located directly across the street is a beautifully maintained public park with tennis courts and other sports facilities...
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Sand Key lies just south of Clearwater Beach and north of Belleair Beach, home to Sand Key Park with 90 tropical acres featuring half a mile of white sandy beach. Sand Key is well known for shelling on the beach and fishing on the jetty. The white sandy beaches are lined by sea oats and Florida pine trees, a great place to bask in the sun, picnic under the trees, walk the miles of beach or sit and watch a fantastic sunset. The Shoppes on Sand Key provide a variety of restaurants and shopping.

Spring Hill is located in the heart of Florida’s Nature Coast. This is a region of unspoiled coastline, rolling farmlands, natural springs and crystal clear rivers and streams. Other outdoor recreation in the area includes hiking, birding, fishing, canoeing, golf and biking on paved or wilderness trails. Spring Hill is home to Buccaneer Bay, Florida’s only waterpark that is in a completely natural setting featuring waterslides, a tube ride, bumper boats, children’s play area and beach.

Tarpon Springs is considered by many to be one of Florida’s most fascinating small towns, tucked into a little harbor at the mouth of the Anclote River. It is known as the ‘Sponge Capital of the World’ because Greek immigrants settled here in the late 19th century to harvest sponges. The docks in Tarpon Springs have a lively, carnival like atmosphere with quaint old buildings housing souvenir shops, family restaurants playing Greek music, and booths offering sightseeing and fishing boat cruises.

Treasure Island is a peaceful island with a lively beach area and dazzling white sand beach that has lots to offer including all types of water-sports activities, swimming, shelling, snorkelling, dining, shopping and nightlife. Over the pass is Kingfish Wharf, a quaint collection of shops, restaurants and cruise boats whilst across the street is a popular fishing area. Treasure Island is a sun lover's paradise and with its casual lifestyle is almost like going back in time.

Treasure Island / Pinellas Suncoast - Sunset Vistas Beach Resort - Central West - 2 Bed 2 Bath Condos with Ocean View - Sleeps up to 6 persons: Superior Beach Condos - All-Suite Resort - Oceanfront swimming pool overlooking Treasure Island Beach...
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