WELCOME to our Islands ... To the West of Tampa Bay lie the barrier islands of Florida's West Coast. Some of the finest beaches in America and proximity to many of Florida's great tourist attractions make these islands world famous. Relax, put yourself on Island Time Take a Tour of our Island Communities. A bit of history, some attractions, politics, maps, some pictures and interesting tidbits .... check out these city links. Enjoy!		ISLAND COMMUNITIES SITE INDEX Clearwater Beach Sand Key Belleair Beach Belleair Shores Indian Rocks Beach Indian Shores Redington Shores North Redington Beach Redington Beach Madeira Beach Johns Pass Treasure Island St. Pete Beach Pass A Grille Tierra Verde Pinellas County Mainland Towns Tampa Home Page

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World Famous, the 4 mile long beach is one of the largest in the Tampa Bay area. A tourist mecca with major hotels and small, family owned properties.

Parasailing, jet skiing, catamaran sailing available on the beaches.

Major Volleyball tournaments are frequently featured on the beach, and volleyball nets provided on the beach are often in use by tourists and locals.

There are many Excellent Restaurants on Clearwater Beach, some including outside dining areas for enjoying the scenic views.

Daily Sunset celebrations at Pier 60 featuring Arts, Crafts & Music attract many visitors.

Fishing charter boats, dinner cruises, parasailing, and other boating excursions are available from the Clearwater Beach Municipal Marina.

The Clearwater Marine Science Center, located on Island Estates, between Clearwater Beach and the mainland, is worth a visit.

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Sand Key is primarily a residential area with condos, townhouses, and a few single family homes. The Shoppes on Sand Key provide restaurants, goods, and services. 2 Major hotels are at the North end.

Sand Key County Park and the Clearwater Sailing Center attract many visitors and locals. A US Coast Guard station is located on Sand Key.

Sand-Key.com
Internet Portal for Sand Key (Clearwater) Florida

Shifting Sands
Presents the beach restoration that was accomplished during the Summer of 1998 along the shores of Sand Key & Belleair Beach.

Sand Key Photos
The beach, some condos, people, and more

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Belleair Beach is a community of single family homes, many built on canals or the Intracoastal Waterway, and condominiums built on the Gulf of Mexico. Three motels comprise the total business in this community.

Incorporated on March 16, 1950, much of Belleair Beach's 1 1/2 square miles was build with a "dredge and fill" operation creating fingers of land reaching into the Intracoastal Waterway.

Gulf Boulevard runs North and South through Belleair Beach, connecting Sand Key (Clearwater Beach) and Indian Rocks Beach. 2,200 residents - a mix of Seniors, professionals, and families - call Belleair Beach home.

Belleair Beach is at the West end of West Bay Drive, connected to the mainland via causeway and drawbridge. Belleair Bluffs is directly to the East, accross the Intracoastal, from Belleair Beach.

Residents may take advantage of two city owned tennis courts, a boat ramp, a 20 slip municipal marina, Gulf Beach access easements & parking, as well as several parks on the Intracoastal Waterway

SHIFTING SANDS
The beach restoration accomplished during the Summer of 1998 along the shores of Belleair Beach.

City of Belleair Beach Florida Web Site

Belleair Beach Police Department Web Site

Aerial Photo of Belleair Beach

Another Aerial Photo of Belleair Beach

Another Aerial Photo of Belleair Beach

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Belleair Shores occupies just 18 city blocks (1 block wide) between Gulf Blvd. and Belleair Beach to the East and the Gulf of Mexico to the West. Housing in Belleair Shores consists of Gulf Front single family homes, all in the million dollar plus range.

The only signage indicating the City of Belleair Shores even exists are these "Private" signs at the beach access parking lot gates. There are no public beaches in Belleair Shores ... and therefore the beach restoration project skipped over this area, leaving a "gap" in the new beach.

SHIFTING SANDS
The beach restoration accomplished during the Summer of 1998 that skipped the shores of Belleair Shores.

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Indian Rocks Beach is a favorite among tourists and locals, maintaining a quaint "old Florida" look and feel. A pleasant place to live, work, & vacation.

Over 20 beach access points and a county park along the 3 miles of Gulf frontage provide many opportunities to enjoy the fine beaches and stunning sunsets.

Indian Rocks Beach is a vibrant, thriving community with a variety of both large and small businesses. Real Estate, outstanding restaurants, merchants, and professional services are all readily available.

Indian Rocks Beach
Internet Portal to Indian Rocks Beach Florida

Aerial Photo of Indian Rocks Beach

Indian Rocks Beach County Beach Access

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Indian Shores is a small community of Condominiums and Gulf front cottages, Intracoastal homes and townhomes. It is the home of the famous Seabird Sanctuary for wounded birds that is open to the public free of charge. Noted for excellent restaurants, Indian Shores also boasts the Tiki Gardens County Park and public boat ramp with boaters only free parking.

The Official Web Site of the Town of Indian Shores

The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary is located in Indian Shores.

Tiki Gardens - Indian Shores Beach Access

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Redington Shores has several Gulf front condominiums and homes, also there are homes on the canals, condo's on the Intracoastal with docks.

The Redington Long Pier, a fisherman's dream, with many varieties of fish in the day's catch, is also located here.

Free Parking is available at beach accesses, and there is also a county park on the beach in Redington Shores

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North Redington Beach is a prestigious Gulf front community, with many top rated restaurants and shops, catering to any need. It is the home of the new Tides Condominium and Tides Village Townhomes, also many upscale homes on the Intracoastal waterways. There are several gulf front condominium complexes as well as a hotel and motels to accommodate guests.

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Redington Beach is a residential Gulf front community with exceptional homes directly on the Gulf of Mexico. The town has many homes on the canals that link directly to the Intracoastal waterway, the waterways are good boating waters for power vessels as well as sailboats. There are several peaceful parks and a special park for children of all ages.

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Madeira Beach is a major tourist area, with direct entry to the Gulf there are fishing charters, daily cruise and gambling trips at the Boardwalk on John's Pass, along with lots of shops and waterfront restaurants. There are investment or vacation condo's, as well as waterfront homes with easy access to the Gulf, this area has many multiple type family dwellings.

PUBLIC BEACHES:

Archibald Beach Park is on Gulf Boulevard at the end of Madeira Way. It has a pavilion, restrooms, showers, and parking.

Bicentennial Park is on State Road 699 (Tom Stuart/Welch/Madeira Beach Causeway) just southwest of Madeira Middle School.

County Park is on Gulf Boulevard between 144th and 146th Avenues. It has restrooms, showers, and parking.

John’s Pass Park/South Beach is across Gulf Boulevard from John's Pass Village. There are restrooms and substantial parking.

Kitty Stuart Park is on Gulf Boulevard between 140th and 141st Avenues. It has a pavilion and parking

Madeira Beach City Website

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John's Pass, a unique historic fishing village, is geographically located at the South end of Madeira Beach, across the Pass from Treasure Island. Politically, John's Pass is a part of Madeira Beach

The "Pass" was created by a hurricane and its shores were settled by commercial fisherman. John's Pass is still a major fishing center, and a unique shopping and eating experience.

Weekends often feature Arts & Craft Shows, musical entertainment, and other attractions to entertain the locals and tourists who come to this area to eat, shop, & relax.

The annual John's Pass Grouper Festival, a three day event held at the end of October, attracts over 100,000 visitors for food, arts & crafts, entertainment and shopping.

Click here for more information about John's Pass Florida

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Treasure Island is a popular tourist area located just North of St. Pete Beach. The Kingfish Wharf is located here.

Access the Official Treasure Island Web Site - Click Here

Treasure Island Beach Access

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St. Pete Beach is famous for its miles of hotels, motels and restaurants, this is an area that boasts the famous Don Cesar Hotel.

Official St. Pete Beach City Web Site - Click Here

St. Pete Beach Access

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Politically part of St. Pete Beach, Pass-a-Grille is a popular residential and tourist area. One of the first beach communities in this area, Pass-a-Grille was settled by fishermen in 1911.

Houses, shops, and restaurants are across the road from the beach, which stretches for two miles at the south end of our islands.

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Once envisioned as a huge waterfront housing development, Tierra Verde was to be an island retreat for people escaping from the North. 667 acres were purchased by Louis and Fred Berlanti in 1959 for the original Tierra Verde development. Owners of a construction company in the Northeast, they planned to continue to develop the area over many years.

Tragically, both father and son were killed in a small plane crash in 1963. With only the first of three planned phases of the development finished, the project stalled. Other developers tried to revive the plans, but not succeeded.

Tierra Verde was eventually divided into individual lots, and now includes some of the finest waterfront homes in the Tampa Bay area.

Fort De Soto Park is down the road from Tierra Verde

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The mainland of Pinellas County contains many fine residential, shopping and business centers. Notable are:

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Belleair is a very upscale waterfront (intracoastal) community of estates, large homes and condos. Home to the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, built by railroad tycoon Henry Plant.

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Belleair Bluffs is an upscale waterfront (intracoastal) community of homes, condos, and apartments. Also a regional shopping center. For many Island Dwellers "the Bluff's" is the closest gas, grocery, drug and banking center.

Belleair Bluffs
Internet Portal to Belleair Bluffs Florida



A Little Bit of Belleair Bluffs History

The land to the North & South of West Bay Drive at the causeway to the islands was purchased in the 1880's by P. J. Bayly, an Englishman who migrated to this area from Australia. He established 20 acres of citrus groves on the bluffs which were protected from severe freeze's in the 1890's by the warming effects of Clearwater Harbor.

A two mile bike path of oyster and coquina shells was built by Mr. Bayly, allowing access for the pioneer families who picnicked on the bluffs. Some slide down the bluffs for fishing and swimming, but they faced the tough climb back up the big hill.

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Clearwater is a BIG town, and can not be easily characterized in a few short sentences.

Politically, Clearwater includes the Gulf Beaches of Clearwater Beach and Sand Key, but these are a small portion of the city.

Clearwater stretches from Gulf to Bay and boosts several large shopping centers, office complexes and light manufacturing districts.

Residential neighborhoods run the gambit from small to large, and old to new. Estates, houses, condo's apartments, mobile home parks are all available.

From family communities to retiree communities; shopping malls to antique and artist shops; Home to Phillies Spring Training.

The City of Clearwater has their own web site - click here

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Largo is a city of great family and retiree neighborhoods. There are many recreational centers, golf courses, country clubs and beautiful parks with fishing lakes. The beaches are only a few minutes drive away.

Shopping, Restaurants, Office, Distribution, and Light Manufacturing Centers provide employment opportunities for many.

Heritage Village in Largo contains relocated Pioneer buildings and a museum of artifacts.

The City of Largo has their own web site .... click here

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St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is a major business center on the West side of Tampa Bay. Home to museums, schools, cultural and entertainment complexes.

Tropicana Field, home of Tampa Bay Devil Rays (major league baseball) is located here.

The beaches are only a few minutes drive away.

For the official St. Petersburg Web Site - Click Here

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Across the Bay to the East of Pinellas County lies the Greater Tampa Area a major business, shopping and residential area.

Home to Busch Gardens, Tampa Performing Arts Center,

Educational institutions include the University of Tampa and University of South Florida

Transportation facilities include Tampa International Airport (TPA), Cruise Port, and intersection of Interstate Highways (I-275, I-4, I-75)

Major Sports Teams include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Major League Football), the Tampa Bay Storm (Arena Football Champs), the Tampa Bay Lighting (Hockey), and the Tampa Bay Mutiny (Major League Soccer).

Tampa has an official Web Site - Click Here

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11/07/05