Clearwater / Gulf Coast

[SagMan]

Going to Clearwater in a couple of weeks and have some plans in place , a lot around water !
Anyone have any great ideas for gulf coast touring ?
Thank you

[Abtj]

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park

[Rollin]

Pass a grille is nice

[rufmeister]

You won’t go wrong anywhere there, it’s all beautiful.

We hired jet skis from Johns Pass, and had umpteen dolphins around us the whole time, was stunning.

Charter a boat with Captain Todd, search Private Island Charters on FB. He takes you out to sand bars and islands near Tarpon Springs.

[fourstardan]

Delnor wiggins is a bloody long drive down from location.

Sanibel and are nice but again long drives.

I stayed south of Tampa in bradenton last year and was on Anna Maria Island quite a bit, it had a Keys feel to it up the top of the island.

I'd recommend St Petersburg as well for an afternoon chill and walk about out the sun, it's got a nice long pier with restaurant/bar up the top with some great views even for a beer/cocktail.

[SunsetZed]

I wouldn't drive all the way down just to go there but I thought that the Old Salty Dog by Mote Marine aquarium at Lido Key off Sarasota is a lovely spot for food / a few beers.

[AB]

SunsetZed said:

I wouldn't drive all the way down just to go there but I thought that the Old Salty Dog by Mote Marine aquarium at Lido Key off Sarasota is a lovely spot for food / a few beers.

I spent all summer around there when I was growing up. The Old Salty Dog was on Man vs Food at some point around there.

There's also the Dry Dock, the Chart House and the Lazy Lobster around Longboat Key too.

Lovely, quiet, chilled out place.

[RC1807]

fourstardan said:

Delnor wiggins is a bloody long drive down from location.

Sanibel and are nice but again long drives.

I stayed south of Tampa in bradenton last year and was on Anna Maria Island quite a bit, it had a Keys feel to it up the top of the island.

I'd recommend St Petersburg as well for an afternoon chill and walk about out the sun, it's got a nice long pier with restaurant/bar up the top with some great views even for a beer/cocktail.

As you'll be lacking culture I recommend the Dali Museum in St Pete

[Shy Torque]

RC1807 said:

fourstardan said:

Delnor wiggins is a bloody long drive down from location.

Sanibel and are nice but again long drives.

I stayed south of Tampa in bradenton last year and was on Anna Maria Island quite a bit, it had a Keys feel to it up the top of the island.

I'd recommend St Petersburg as well for an afternoon chill and walk about out the sun, it's got a nice long pier with restaurant/bar up the top with some great views even for a beer/cocktail.

As you'll be lacking culture I recommend the Dali Museum in St Pete

[belleair302]

Caladesi Island, Crystal River too. Do you want restaurant ideas and where are you staying? I spend six months a year there so am pretty familiar with the areas from Tarpon Springs down to St Petersburg.

[SagMan]

Thank you all for the amazing suggestions .
I’m there with my 25 year old daughter, so trying to mix it up. She’s is having horse swimming / beach adventure in Bradenton , I’ve got golf booked nearby . We are staying in Indian Rocks , so any drive trips within 2.5hr range and local restaurants would be great . Have dolphin, fishing and jet ski trips researched locally.

Thanks all

[SagMan]

belleair302 said:

Caladesi Island, Crystal River too. Do you want restaurant ideas and where are you staying? I spend six months a year there so am pretty familiar with the areas from Tarpon Springs down to St Petersburg.

Thank you
Any tips would be very appreciated . Staying Indian Rocks .

[fourstardan]

SagMan said:

Thank you all for the amazing suggestions .
I m there with my 25 year old daughter, so trying to mix it up. She s is having horse swimming / beach adventure in Bradenton , I ve got golf booked nearby . We are staying in Indian Rocks , so any drive trips within 2.5hr range and local restaurants would be great . Have dolphin, fishing and jet ski trips researched locally.

Thanks all

I might know where that horse riding is, was a lovely spot just outside the town. And Where are you playing golf out of interest?