20 Florida beach towns worth a weekend road trip from Tampa

Cape Canaveral

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 1 hour and 56 minutes
While Cape Canaveral is home to the Kennedy Space Center, it's not only a destination fit for space lovers. Cape Canaveral houses several local beaches including Canaveral National Seashore, 24 miles of undeveloped beach filled with plants and animals.
Photos via VisitFloridal.com

Boca Grande

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 1 hour and 44 minutes
What’s great about it: Boca Grande is located on Gasparilla Island and is only accessible by boat, while guests can park at one of the five Gasparilla Island beach parking areas. The island’s beaches can be reached by any one of the more than a dozen beach access points. A popular beach destination, coined the Sandbar by locals, can be found right next to the Sandbar Restaurant.
Photos via VisitFlorida.com

Cocoa Beach

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 2 hours and 12 minutes
What’s great about it: Located on Florida’s east coast, Cocoa Beach offers four different parks with beach access. While it is typically a heavily tourist-populated destination, Cocoa Beach remains a spot perfect for those wanting to relax on the shore, stroll down the Cocoa Beach Pier or eat at one of the area’s beachside restaurants.
Photos via CocoaBeach.com

Don Pedro Island

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 1 hour and 53 minutes
What’s great about it: Located between Little Gasparilla and Knight Island, Don Pedro Island is only accessible by private boat, ferry or the on-the-water taxi service. The island’s 1-mile stretch of white sandy beach is perfect for snorkeling or sunbathing, or you can explore the many hiking trails.
Photos via FloridaStateParks.ord

Flagler Beach

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 2 hours and 27 minutes
What’s great about it: Located on Florida’s Atlantic coast between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, Flagler Beach is a small, historic city with quaint oceanside areas and amenities. You can spend the day on the sand or strolling through the old-time Florida town.
Photos via VisitFlorida.com

Gulfport

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 28 minutes
What’s great about it: This historic waterfront village offers one beach and plenty of independently owned shops and restaurants throughout town. Less than a half hour drive from Tampa, Gulfport Beach is known for its white sand and calm waters overlooking Boca Ciega Bay.
Photos via MyGulfport.us

New Smyrna Beach

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 2 hours and 12 minutes
With several beach access points, New Smyrna Beach is known for its 17-mile stretch of white sand and east coast waves. If you’re travelling with furry friends, New Smyrna’s dog-friendly beach is located on the north side of the jetty at Smyrna Dunes Park. Otherwise, some notable beach spots include the Flagler Avenue drive-on beach approach and the Smyrna Dune Park.
Photos via VisitNSBFl.com

Pass-A-Grille

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 2 hours and 31 minutes
What’s great about it: The quaint beach town that is Pass-A-Grille is home to a very old-Florida-feeling beach. Here, you can go snorkeling or shelling or visit some local boutiques and restaurants, like the locally famous Hurricane Seafood Restaurant, where you can watch the sunset atop their rooftop bar.
Photos via Pass-A-Grille/Facebook

Sanibel Island

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 2 hours and 29 minutes
What’s great about it: Home to many public beaches, some of the most notable Sanibel Island beaches include Causeway Beach Park, Lighthouse Beach Park, Bowman’s Beach, Gulfside City Park, Turner Beach and Blind Pass Beach. While perfect for snorkeling or just strolling, these beaches are particularly known to frequenters as some of the best shelling beaches around.
Photos via Sanibel-Captiva.org

Siesta Key

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 1 hour and 12 minutes
What’s great about it: Siesta Key is home to three white sand beaches, Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach and Turtle Beach. Each beach offers something different, whether it be Turtle Beach’s volleyball courts and fishing areas, Siesta Beach’s proximity to the shops and restaurants of Siesta Key Village and Crescent Beach’s colorful marine life.
Photos via VisitSarasota.com

Venice

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 1 hour and 10 minutes
What’s great about it: In addition to Venice Beach, the city of Venice offers more than 30 parks, including dog-friendly Paw Park and intracoastal Venetian Waterway Park. While Venice offers many waterfront dining options, a local favorite is Sharky’s on the Pier, planted right on the white sand beach.
Photos via VeniceGov.com

Vero Beach

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 2 hours and 27 minutes
What’s great about it: Vero Beach’s Atlantic coast public beaches include Wabasso Beach, Golden Sands, Round Island Park, Tracking Station Beach and Treasure Shores, among others. Vero is also known for its historic oceanside shops and eateries like Riverside Cafe.
Photos via Vero Beach/Facebook

Lido Key

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 1 hour and 10 minutes
What’s great about it: Just west of Sarasota, Lido Key is known for its sunsets and scenic beach, featuring a concessions stand, gift shop and picnic tables. Lido Key is also home to St. Armand’s Circle, a hub for boutiques, shops, fine dining and snack bars.
Photos via VisitFlorida.com

Tarpon Springs

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 45 minutes
What’s great about it: The “sponge capital of the world” is a great beach destination with a historic downtown center filled with antique and specialty shops. With several beach access areas, Tarpon Springs offers beaches varying in size and activity level.
Photos via VisitFlorida.com

Cedar Key

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 2 hours and 31 minutes
What’s great about it: If you’re looking for a quiter, quaint beach, Cedar Key is the place to go. While not a typical Florida stretch of sand, Cedar Key Beach is perfect for spending a day by the water before visiting some of the many mom-and-pop shops and bars of this fishing village.
Photos via VisitFlorida.com

Nokomis

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 1 hour and 5 minutes
What’s great about it: Bordered by Sarasota and Venice, Nokomis is known for its beach, located at the south end of Casey Key. Nokomis Beach offers free parking, picnic tables, restrooms and a concession stand serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, where you can order pulled pork sandwiches or a wine margarita. Beach wheelchairs are available for use.
Photos via Google Maps

Anna Maria Island

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 1 hour and 2 minutes
What’s great about it: Anna Maria Island has three main beaches: Anna Maria Bayfront Park, Manatee Public Beach and Coquina Beach. Along with the area’s many shops, eateries and galleries, visitors can also go on one of the many tours offered, like the Anna Maria Island Dolphin Tours.
Photos via VisitFlorida.com

Dunedin

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 35 minutes
What’s great about it: Home of Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island, Dunedin offers a variety of local beaches and amenities for beach goers and nature lovers. Visitors can enjoy the waters and shoreline of Honeymoon Island or take to one of the many Caladesi Island State Park hiking trails.
Photos via FloridaStateParks.org

Bradenton

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 47 minutes
What’s great about it: Less than an hour drive south from Tampa, Bradenton is home to popular destinations Coquina Beach and Bradenton Beach. A short walking distance from the white sands and waves is Bridge Street, this beach town’s shopping and dining hotspot complete with a fishing pier and scenic views.
Photos via VisitFlorida.com

Manasota Key

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 1 hour and 25 minutes
What’s great about it: A popular spot for parasailing and fishing, Manasota Key offers beaches are on the quieter and more relaxed side, perfect for those wanting to get away from neighboring bustling beaches. Stump Pass Beach State Park, located on the southern tip of Manasota Key, is another outdoor area to explore and do some wildlife spotting.
Photos via VisitSarasota.com