Tampa Bay’s Pinellas County has 35 miles of stunning beaches. Sadly, most of these beaches don’t have lifeguards. To keep your family safe in the water we have put together a list of the best beaches that have lifeguards and all the beach activities your family loves to do.

1. Clearwater Beach – Clearwater – Central Pinellas
Website: www.clearwaterbeach.com

Lifeguards – Lifeguards are on duty 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 365 days a year. For more details click HERE.

Food – Clearwater beach is at the top of the list when is comes to the availability of food with dozens of restaurants and sandwich shops just across the street from the beach. They even have a sunset festival at the Pier with free outdoor movies  (warmer months).  For details on Pier 60 click HERE. Clearwater Beach is also the home of a Marine Aquarium and Winter the Dolphin.

Parking – The lots close to the beach fill fast and are costly (up to $2.75 an hour).  There are discounts if you buy a day pass – $10 to $16 depending on where you park. For lot locations and their fees click HERE.

Extras - Volleyball (bring your own ball), para-sailing, playgrounds, a pier, fishing, Jet ski rentals, and shopping on the boardwalk.

Looking for best restaurants for sunsets and grouper dinners?  Click HERE.

Rather take the kids to a pool? Click on this link for the Best Public Pools For Kids in Tampa Bay.

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2. Sand Key Beach- South of Clearwater Beach – Central Pinellas
1060 Gulf Blvd./ Clearwater, FL 33767
Website: www.pinellascounty.org

Sand Key photo credit http://www.pinellascounty.org

Lifeguards – Seasonal lifeguards who work from March – Labor Day

Food - small concession stand on the beach and the nearby Sheraton ( just south and on the beach). The Sheraton has bars and snack shops around their pool. If you are into cooking your own food, Sand Key Park does have a few grills under a couple of pavilions.

Parking – Metered parking is available for 75 cents an hour. There is a change machine that takes bills. Parking lot is huge and closes at sunset.

Looking for a list of the best Pinellas beaches you can drink a beer on? Click HERE.

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3. Fort Desoto Park’s North Beach – Southern Pinellas
3500 Pinellas Bayway S. /  Tierra Verde, FL 33715
(727) 552-1862 / Website: www.pinellascounty.org

Fort Desoto Photo credit http://www.pinellascounty.org

Lifeguards – Lifeguards are on duty at the park’s North Beach March – Labor Day.

Food – small snack bar or concession stand, grills for outdoor cooking.

Parking – Fort Desoto has a 35 cent each way toll leading to the park and admission into the park is $5 per car.

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4. Honeymoon Island Beach & Park – Dunedin – Northern Pinellas
#1 Causeway Boulevard / Dunedin, Florida 34698
(727) 469-5942 / Website: www.floridastateparks.org

Lifeguards – 4 guards that patrol only during the season (March – Labor Day weekend)/

Food – small snack bar or concession stand.

Parking – $8 per car load.

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5. Fred Howard Beach & Park – Tarpon Springs- Northern Pinellas
1700 Sunset Dr./ Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Website: www.pinellascounty.org

Fred Howard Beach photo credit http://www.pinellascounty.org

Lifeguards – Seasonal lifeguards on duty March – Labor Day weekend.

Food – Only covered picnic areas with grills.

Parking – $5 per car load for the day.

***Showers & Restrooms
All 5 beaches listed have showers to clean off the sand as well as water fountains and restrooms. Although, Clearwater Beach has the most restrooms that appear to be  the best kept.