Tampa Beaches

Heading out to a beach in Tampa, FL can be made into a fantastic adventure and has many benefits for you and your friends. Regardless of the activity – splashing in the waves, building sandcastles, playing volleyball, having a picnic, going on walks, or simply soaking up the sun, beaches are a home for many different fantastic activities.

You can discover several swimming beaches in Tampa that are near your location with the help of our table of beaches. If you could use some guidance with locating a beach near you, then locate a beach with our collection. Enter a beach, a city, or a zip code to filter beaches.

Beaches Near Tampa

Always look up the Tampa weather forecast for today before you head off to the beach. This ensures that you bring the right clothes for the beach and can also known when you need to head home.

Most beaches in Tampa, FL will be accessible to the public but many are closed to the public. Be sure to check their site to find out if it’s possible to go to the beach without any restrictions. Do not be shocked if a beach you want to go to is not open because of their daily hours, being closed on certain days, or the time of the year.

Rules of the Beach

Whenever you visit beaches in Tampa, there are always rules that you must follow. Nearly every beach will list the following guidelines.

  • Clean up any garbage that you brought to the beach.
  • Even if a lifeguard is on duty, understand that you’re swimming at your own risk.
  • Don’t bring alcohol to the beach.
  • Bottles made of glass can easily shatter, so don’t take bottles made of glass to beaches.
  • Check online for guidance on fires on the beach as they could be illegal or you must follow specific guidelines.
  • You must swim within the permitted areas for swimming.

Tampa Beach Tips

  1. Prepare for cold weather. Even if you are expecting a warm day at the beach, you should realize that the temperature in Tampa can change on a dime. It’s particularly necessary if you’re wanting to go swimming, so bring extra warm items such as a jacket, towels, pants, and shirts.
  2. Don’t forget the towels. Clean towels are essential for a fun beach experience. This is even more important if you are taking little children to the beach or if you are thinking of getting in the water.
  3. Rip tides. Rip tides aren’t on your mind if you plan to go to a beach on a small lake, however rip tides deserve a considerable of thought go to an ocean beach or an area which has frequent rip tides. Learn the warning signs and know what to do if you are caught in a rip tide.
  4. Always stay in the roped off swimming space. If there’s a ropped off swim region it is likely dangerous to venture outside of the area. There could be dangerous objects under the surface, be frequented by watercraft, or is unmonitored by a lifeguard.
  5. Alcohol. For many beaches in Tampa alcohol is not permitted do not allow the consumption of alcohol. If you’re unsure, leave the booze at home.
  6. Insects like the beach too. If you wish to go to the beach in the morning or late in the day, there’s a good chance that mosquitos, sand flies, fleas and other nuisance bugs may cause an issue.
  7. Remember Personal Flotation Devices for the children. Sadly, the water is always a risk whenever you visit a beach, particularly for kids. This is the reason that it is important to make sure you pack a life vest for anyone that require one. This is especially critical when there isn’t a lifeguard around. It’s also important to realize that water toys like arm rings, pool noodles, or beach balls are not substitutes for a properly adjusted PFD.
  8. Is there a lifeguard on duty? Many sizeable Tampa beaches will have a lifeguard supervising, however you shouldn’t depend on a lifeguard being at the beach. While heading out to the beach, look for lifeguard on duty signs. Sometimes they display lifeguard patrol times.