Beaches in St. Petersburg

Perched on the tip of a narrow peninsula between the Gulf and Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg is surrounded by sparkling, aquamarine water and laced with miles of sandy beaches ideal for swimming, fishing, surfing, windsurfing and just plain browning under the persistent St. Petersburg sun. Even downtown St. Petersburg has a spectacular white sandy beach, North Shore Beach, complete with a palm arboretum. But St. Petersburg's claim to beach fame is the epic Fort DeSoto beach, which in 2005 beat out Hawaii's famed beaches to be voted the best beach in the country. Nature trails, a perfect arch, fishing piers and concession stands, plus the historic Fort DeSoto, combine to make DeSoto beach one of St. Petersburg's top attractions.