Sand Key Park
Sand Key Park
4.5
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- Irene Eng2,371 contributions1.2 miles ows: 59 minutesThis 95 acre park is at the northern most part of the Sand Key barrier island, a short hop through Sand Key Bridge up to Clearwater Beach, and 21 miles west of Tampa airport TPA. The parking at the park is $5 for the day. The amenity (list) includes outdoor showers @ Boardwalk #3, and #4 which is behind the bathroom and changing room. I'm here for the 1.2 mile open water swim: it was fantastic!!! Our event has 167 swimmers. I car pooled with my friend. At 7am on this Saturday, the parking lot looks vacant. But by the time we leave, at 11am, there are still many parking spots. Not sure it has anything to do with the water temp hovering around 69°F. Some swimmers say they saw dolphins. I see plenty pelicans, and a few other water birds.Visited March 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 3 March 2024
- JoodlePerkasie, Pennsylvania12 contributionsSand key. BeachThis is a beautiful beach. The sand is white and the water is so clear. This is a great place to go to in Clearwater. Crowds are not bad. Plenty of parking and no charge or beach tags require. If you want to rent two recliner chairs and an umbrella that will cost you $37. It's a good deal if you are travelingVisited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 March 2024
- Jacob86723 contributionsAwesome weekend!Best beach on the gulf coast! The morning walks were great and had so many awesome views of the ocean. Food truck had great food and had kayak rentals we used each day we were there. Will come back again soon!Visited August 2023Travelled with familyWritten 16 March 2024
- FamilyTravelers4everErie, Pennsylvania163 contributionsPretty, quiet and clean beachWe stopped at this beach to check it out. It is a very nice, clean beach. It’s a bit further if a walk to the water than some other beaches but it was not bad. There is a blue mat from the beach entrance to closer to the water for those that are pulling wagons or in wheelchairs. The restrooms were clean. It is not a big shell beach but I did find a few. It is a much quieter beach than those directly in Clearwater Beach (this is just outside it). There is plenty of parking for $5 which covers the whole day. I wish we’d had more time here.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 March 2024
- Leslie FClermont, Florida12 contributionsRelaxing Fun DayIt was a wonderful day. It was so easy to get to. Parking was easy with tons of parking spaces. Getting to the water with the beach wagon was not difficult at all. There was lots of space to stretch out and not have neighbours right up against you. There were a few dolphins swimming and we even saw Little Toot (an amazing tour everyone must take at least once!). The dolphins playing in their surf was a highlight. We will definitely be back!Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 May 2024
- Ross GNorwich, United Kingdom4 contributionsLovely beachThis lovely beach was so much nicer than Clearwater It was flooded the day we went but that just made it that much better Food from truck was lovely had a great day watching the birds So nice we walked back to our hotelVisited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
1,713 reviews
Excellent
1,049
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503
Average
129
Poor
21
Terrible
11
yesi
Berkley, MI11 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
Clean beach. The "bathhouse" is just toilets, sinks (with no mirror) and changing rooms. The showers are outside and the water pressure on them was great! It's those kinds that you push once and it stays on for a while(I was able to wash my hair with shampoo and rinse it off with just one push) The parking is 5$ for all day. I got there at 8:15 am and there was only a few people walking along, collecting seashells. The seashells are cute and located ALL OVER, a lot of nice people all around and though it took me a little over two hours to get there, I will be making the trip back because it's the best secluded beach I've visited.
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hikinghappily62
South Bend, IN96 contributions
Mar 2021 • Solo
So many positives! Large, beautiful beach area with amazing views of Clearwater Beach and passing boats. $5 to park all day. Ample parking and clean restrooms. One day I watched over 30 surfers while the Coast Guard plane kept circling (training?). It was really neat to watch. This is an excellent family location.
Written 21 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tim r
Morgantown, IN118 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
We started at Clearwater beach and then headed to Sand Key. The sand wasn't as pristine and clean as Clearwater but it was still nice. Much less crowds. Parking is only $5 for the day compared to $3 an hour at Clearwater beach. An added bonus was the free EV charging station.
Written 13 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TJ K
Chicago, IL85 contributions
Jun 2021
Pensacola Beach still rates as my favorite beach in the U.S. But this was close. It's the same sand, surf, and turquoise water of Clearwater Beach with half the number of people. Plenty of parking. And even a food truck if you didn't pack a lunch (although a little expensive). Chair/umbrella rentals were available, a little pricey ($35 w/ tip), but were comfortable and stayed put when the wind picked up.
Written 9 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele B
Lakeland, FL444 contributions
May 2020 • Family
Today we went to Sand Key Park, located just South of Clearwater.
Sand Key Park is almost exactly like Clearwater (sand is a little rougher, crushed shells) but with no crowds and ample CHEAP parking. Parking here is done by electronic pay stations, in a large lot, for only $5 for the entire day.
The park has restrooms, changing stations, a snack bar (veggie burgers, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, fries and ice cream), chairs and umbrellas for rent (2 chairs and an umbrella for $20), a dog park and picnic areas with grills.
The water was much less calm than all of the other beaches we have been going to but if you like riding waves, this is your place. Our teens were enjoying their body boards today.
But for no crowds, tons of parking, facilities and a beautiful beach, head to Sand Key.
Sand Key Park is almost exactly like Clearwater (sand is a little rougher, crushed shells) but with no crowds and ample CHEAP parking. Parking here is done by electronic pay stations, in a large lot, for only $5 for the entire day.
The park has restrooms, changing stations, a snack bar (veggie burgers, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, fries and ice cream), chairs and umbrellas for rent (2 chairs and an umbrella for $20), a dog park and picnic areas with grills.
The water was much less calm than all of the other beaches we have been going to but if you like riding waves, this is your place. Our teens were enjoying their body boards today.
But for no crowds, tons of parking, facilities and a beautiful beach, head to Sand Key.
Written 20 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
636jeff
Fredericktown, OH346 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
The beach sand is not as sugary as Clearwater Beach just across the inlet, but still white sand. Plenty of parking, which only costs $5 for the entire day. The Beach houses are clean and modern. Rental for an umbrella and two beach chairs is only $29 for the entire day. There are also a couple of very large shelter houses for family reunions. Nice place to go as an alternative to the Clearwater beach, where they charge you for everything including breathing!!!
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mountain22
Mount Dora, FL727 contributions
Jan 2020
Very peaceful and quiet, feels like paradise compare to the hustle of Clearwater Beach. Enjoy either the beach or sit and enjoy the passing of the boats in the bay and occasionally seeing a dolphins.
There’s plenty of parking.
There’s plenty of parking.
Written 4 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveling C
Virginia Beach, VA18 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
This was a great beach to take the kids to. $5 to park all day until sunset. Picnic benches and bathroom areas were clean. We went on a weekday and got to see the Coast Guard do practice rescues over the ocean. Kids had a great time! I would recommend going on a weekday while school is still in session, as the beach is less crowded.
Written 17 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cynthia F
Fair Lawn, NJ3,356 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
Today I tried the hard-packed sand walking trails that begin near the park entrance and continue through the parking lot towards the beach.
These trails connect to many different boardwalks that lead to and from the parking lot and to and from the sandy beach along the Gulf.
Today I saw a food truck on the beach selling high-priced beverages and fast food. I will appreciate this concession if I ever run out of water while walking in this park.
I believe there are 2 buildings with bathrooms near the parking lot.
These trails connect to many different boardwalks that lead to and from the parking lot and to and from the sandy beach along the Gulf.
Today I saw a food truck on the beach selling high-priced beverages and fast food. I will appreciate this concession if I ever run out of water while walking in this park.
I believe there are 2 buildings with bathrooms near the parking lot.
Written 7 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia19,408 contributions
Jan 2020
We found this terrific sea park after spending some 3 hrs at the Clearwater beach. We drove across the Sand key bridge and came upon this park and beach in front of it.
There was a parking lot with a flat 5$ day rate (vs the same rate per hour in Clearwater). The beach is exactly the same as the main one few miles north.
However, we just stopped to take a look as we hadn't more time to spend as we had to arrive in Miami by night and visit St. Petersburg along the way.
There was a parking lot with a flat 5$ day rate (vs the same rate per hour in Clearwater). The beach is exactly the same as the main one few miles north.
However, we just stopped to take a look as we hadn't more time to spend as we had to arrive in Miami by night and visit St. Petersburg along the way.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are no rentals here, so you need to bring your own windsurfing equipment. Also, the gulf side of Florida is not known for having big waves or a ton of wind--but it does happen on occasion. It all depends on the day. Beautiful beach--and fairly quiet--especially compared to Clearwater Beach.
Written 19 October 2020
Yes, but watch for swimmers.
Written 2 October 2020
I did not notice anyone using a grill while I was on the beach. They do have a concessions trailer right on the beach. I did, however, make use of the picnic area in the park, which was wonderful. It is not on the beach, however. But it offers a covered (large) area with tables. There is probably a grill area there. This area is within walking distance of the beach and I enjoyed it just about as much as I did the beach.
Written 4 September 2020
What is a bathhouse? Online it says "2 bath houses with separate changing stalls and restrooms." What exactly is it? Are the showers like gym showers (private) or just out in the open?
Written 1 March 2020
There was no curtains. Recently went.. and they just had regular outside showers (the one that look like one pole and all around there are buttons you push to start the water to rinse off) and the bathhouse only had changing rooms and toilets.
Written 11 March 2020
The park map on the website shows the restrooms are only open on weekends and holidays. Is this accurate?
Written 30 December 2019
We were there during the week and they were open
Written 30 December 2019
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