8 Things To Do In Madeira Beach Florida (a Gulf Coast Gem)
Referred to by the locals as Mad Beach, Madeira Beach Florida, is a small town located on a barrier island off the west coast of Florida. The city is known for its remarkable Gulf beaches and fishing village atmosphere.
Visitors to Madeira Beach can enjoy plenty of sunshine, swimming, fishing, shelling, and relaxing on the beach. There are also several restaurants and shops located along the waterfront. So whether you come to town to do ‘nothing’ but enjoy the beach or explore the area, here are 8 Things To Do In Madeira Beach Florida, a Gulf Coast Gem.
Where Is Madeira Beach Florida?
Madeira Beach is located on a stretch of island north of St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island and south of Reddington Beach, along the Gulf of Mexico. The city is about 25 minutes west of St. Petersburg and 28 miles southwest of Tampa.
8 Best Things To Do In Madeira Beach Florida
Whether you want to spend your days lounging on the sand, exploring the local shops and restaurants, or getting out on the water, there’s something for everyone in Madeira Beach Florida. Here are just a few of the best things to do while in town.
1. Swim In The Gulf Of Mexico
Madeira Beach’s white-sand beaches and clear waters are perfect for swimming. In addition, visitors can find public beach access points along Gulf Boulevard. These beaches are also great for sunbathing. There is lots of room to relax on the sand and soak up the Florida sunshine.
Shelling is another popular thing to do while in Madeira Beach Florida. Visitors can find many different types of shells washed up on the shore. So whether you’re looking to just layout or take a dip in the Gulf of Mexico, you’ll find plenty of nice spots to enjoy the water. And don’t forget to pack your sunscreen!
Here are a few must-see beaches when visiting Madeira Beach Florida
1. Madeira Beach Access- (Gulf Boulevard next to Schooner Hotel)
This Madeira Beach is in the heart of the city and can get pretty busy, so come early for parking and a good spot on the sand. It’s a rather narrow beach but offers some incredible views of the Gulf and has several restaurants nearby on Gulf Boulevard.
Archibald Memorial Beach Park is another well-known beach in Madeira Beach and offers beach chair rentals, has a picnic spot, food and drinks, and sand volleyball courts.
2. St. Petersburg Municipal Beach- Treasure Island
This beach is a lucky find tucked away in Treasure Island, just a short distance from Madeira Beach. St. Petersburg Municipal Beach is nice and wide, with lots of room for the entire family or group of friends. Here, you can go swimming, and there is a kids’ playground and volleyball nets, too.
If you get hungry, visit the concession stand, and they even sell gear for your day at the beach.
3. Pass-a-Grille Beach- St. Pete Beach
Pass-a-Grille Beach is one of the most popular beaches in all of Florida. Located near the southern tip of St. Pete Beach, this area is full of local shops and waterside restaurants.
Be sure to come to the nightly ringing of the bell at sunset at the beach. You can also get a glimpse of history at the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum.
For more on area beaches, check out the best beaches in Tampa and nearby!
2. Go Fishing Or Take A Boat Tour
Madeira Beach Florida is known as a fishing village, and there are many opportunities for you to go fishing! With its convenient location on the Gulf of Mexico, the town is a great place to try your hand at saltwater fishing.
The area offers several charter companies that offer half-day or full-day fishing trips. There are also several boat tour operators in Madeira Beach. In addition, visitors can take tours of the Gulf of Mexico and John’s Pass Village.
Dolphin-watching cruises are available from many different companies in Madeira Beach. These cruises offer visitors the chance to see marine life up close in their natural habitat.
3. Explore John’s Pass Village
Johns Pass Village is a historic fishing village located on Madeira Beach. The village features shops, restaurants, and attractions such as boat tours and dolphin-watching cruises.
The most popular attraction at John’s Pass is the Alligator Wildlife Discovery Center, where you can get up close and see alligators and 250 other animals.
This popular spot is home to various shops, restaurants, and activities. Stroll along the boardwalk, stop for a bite to eat, have an ice cream cone, rent a jet ski and enjoy the water! The Calypso Breeze does boat tours from here where you can eat a buffet meal or do a tropical party cruise.
The Hut is a fun restaurant, and you can enjoy a bite to eat either inside or outdoors on the dock. Other restaurants at John’s Pass include Bamboo Beach Bar, Delosa’s Pizza, and Mad Pub.
Here are a few other activities that you can do at John’s Pass- parasailing, banana boat rides, wave runner tours, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking.
4. Stop By The St. Pete Pier
Just 10 miles away from Madeira Beach Florida, St. Pete Pier is only a couple of years old and filled with fun activities.
At over 3,000 feet long, the pier is located in downtown St. Petersburg and offers fishing, a beach area, a kids’ splash pad, and five restaurants. Learn about the area at The Tampa Bay Discovery Center or have drinks at Pier Teaki, the rooftop bar at the end of the pier.
With vendors, street performers, and other entertainment, the St. Pete Pier will be something you won’t forget!
While at the pier, you’re also next to the downtown St. Petersburg shops, restaurants, and art galleries, which are worth visiting. There are also several large parks in the area surrounding the pier with walking and biking trails.
5. Play At Area Golf Courses
If you love to golf, you’ll be happy to know that the area surrounding Madeira Beach Florida is home to to several championship golf courses. So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced golfer, you’ll find a golf course to challenge you. And with beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico at several of these courses, you’re sure to enjoy a round of Florida golf.
With its beautiful courses, fantastic scenery, and laid-back atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy a game of golf. So grab your clubs and tee off at one of these great courses:
- Belleair Country Club
- Clearwater Country Club
- Dunedin Golf Club
- Feather Sound Country Club
- Plantation Palms Golf Club
6. Visit Clearwater Beach
Just a short drive from Madeira Beach Florida is Clearwater Beach world-renowned for its pristine white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and fantastic resorts.
This beach town has something for everyone, whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, enjoy some waterfront dining, or participate in various water activities.
- One of the most popular things to do in Clearwater Beach is simply to relax on the beach and soak up the sun. The powdery white sand and gentle waves make it the perfect place to unwind.
- If you love seafood, you’ll be in heaven in Clearwater Beach. Countless waterfront restaurants are serving fresh, delicious seafood.
- Frenchy’s Rockway Grill is one of the best restaurants in the city and is located right at the beach.
- Palm Pavillion, Clear Sky Cafe, and Coco’s Crush Bar North Beach are other restaurants nearby.
- And no visit to Clearwater Beach is complete without a stop at the world-famous Pier 60, where you can go fishing or watch the beautiful sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.
- If you’re looking for more fun things to do, Pelican Walk Plaza and Clearwater Marine Aquarium are right here in Clearwater Beach.
7. Enjoy The Outdoors At R.O.C. Park
R.O.C. Park is a great place to enjoy the outdoors in Madeira Beach Florida.
This waterfront memorial park has a kids’ splash pad, a baseball field, basketball court, tennis courts, a playground, a butterfly garden, and a dog park.
The park also has a fishing pier where you can try your luck at catching some of the local fish. In addition, there are fishing tournaments here on occasion and other events throughout the year.
8. Try Madeira Beach Restaurants
There are plenty of fantastic restaurants to check out while you’re in the Madeira Beach area. Head to Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill or Crabby Bill’s Seafood for fresh seafood.
Try The Pearl Restaurant or Salt Rock Grill if you’re looking for a more upscale dining experience. And for something in between, check out Jimmy Guana’s or Dockside Dave’s.
No matter your taste, you’re sure to find something to your liking in Madeira Beach or even more of the best restaurants.
Free Things To Do In Madeira Beach & Nearby
- John’s Pass
- R.O.C. Park
- St. Pete Pier
Things To Do In Madeira Beach, Florida, and The Surrounding Area
There are many exceptional things to do in Madeira Beach, one of the best beaches in Florida. The beaches are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the beautiful weather. Madeira Beach is a great place to visit for a fun and relaxing vacation!
This article was produced by Planner at Heart