The United States of America is home to some of the world’s best beaches, but the country has such an exceptionally long coastline, with thousands of miles of sandy and rocky shores to explore, that it can be quite hard for the average resident or traveler to choose which beach they’d like to visit first. It would take multiple lifetimes to explore and experience all the beaches of the United States across the nation’s three major coastal areas, but if you want to see some of the best beaches right away, Florida is definitely the place to be. The Sunshine State has more coastline than any other contiguous American state and is home to some truly world class beaches.
More ideas: Best Weekend Getaways, Best Day Trips
Names like Clearwater, Sanibel Island, Caladesi Island, Siesta Key, and Miami Beach stand out as some of Florida’s best beaches, and if you want to see some of the finest shoreline spots in the Sunshine State, the Tampa Bay area is a good place to start. One of the prettiest little places in Tampa Bay is Apollo Beach. Situated in Hillsborough County, Apollo Beach is an unincorporated census-designated place that around 14,000 people call home. It's just south of Tampa and is conveniently located within a short drive of some of Florida's prettiest Gulf Coast cities like Sarasota, Clearwater, and St Petersburg, offering lots of opportunities for fun in the sun.
Best Beaches in Apollo Beach FL
One of Apollo Beach's most famous landmarks is the Big Bend Power Station, but if you want to appreciate the natural beauty of this area, all you need to do is head down to one of the many local beaches. There are some genuinely breathtaking beaches to be found in and around the Apollo Beach area, making it one of the best places to visit if you want to check out Florida’s favorite beaches. Read on to learn all about the amenities and activities at the best Apollo Beach beaches.
Ben T. Davis Beach
Conveniently located in Rockpoint, Ben T. Davis Beach is filled with the kind of sugary white sands that wouldn't look out of place on a Caribbean island. It's a beautiful little beach and a great place for families to come for a full day of fun in the sun. Pack a picnic and enjoy it at one of the beach's many sheltered picnic areas or simply head into town when you get hungry and dine at one of the many local Tampa eateries. Visit at weekends if you're looking for a lively vibe or check out Ben T. Davis Beach in the middle of the week for something calmer and quieter. This is one of the best Apollo Beach beaches to watch the sun go down in the evenings as well.
Honeymoon Island State Park
One of the best and most beautiful state parks in all of Florida, Honeymoon Island State Park is a must-visit Apollo Beach beach location. Conveniently located near neighboring Caladesi Island, which is another excellent beach just a short drive from Apollo Beach, Honeymoon Island State Park is filled with multiple miles of soft sand and scenic hiking trails. Despite being an island, it's accessible by car and comes with a lot of good amenities, as well as a nature center to help you learn more about the local flora and fauna. Wildlife spotters will find a lot to love about Honeymoon Island State Park and other fun activities to do here include kayaking and fishing.
Clearwater Beach
No list of beautiful beaches in the Apollo Beach area could possibly be complete without this one. Clearwater Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world and has repeatedly been ranked as the best beach in America. The sands here are made up almost entirely of tiny quartz crystals, meaning that walking along this beach is one of the most soothing and enjoyable sensory experiences you could ever imagine. Clearwater Beach is also equipped with lots of good amenities and the waters are, as the name suggests, crystal clear and perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Indian Rocks Beach
A very attractive beach just a short drive away from Apollo Beach, Indian Rocks Beach has soft, sugary white sands and is largely untouched by the tourism industry. You won't find any towering hotels or resort complexes around here, which all helps to give this beach a laid-back, relaxing vibe that people of all ages can appreciate. The water conditions are quite calm here too, so little ones can splash around among the waves with minimal risk and there are some basic amenities like restrooms and showers to help you get through the day without any worries.
St Pete Beach
Just a short distance away from Apollo Beach in the gorgeous coastal city of St Petersburg is St Pete Beach. Beloved by locals and international travelers for many generations, this is one of the biggest beaches in the area. There's a huge amount of space here, making this beach perfect for ball games, picnics, sand sculptures, and more. It's a lovely space for the adults to sunbathe and the kids to paddle around among the waves, and there are plenty of great hotels and restaurants just short walks off the sand.
