Indian Shores is a quieter, less crowded alternative to its larger and better-known neighbors such as Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach. It's a great place for vacationers seeking a quiet or family vacation.

Originally called "Indian Rocks Beach, South Shore" as a way to distinguish itself from Indian Rocks Beach, the town of Indian Shores was incorporated in 1949 and changed its name in 1973. Despite its small population (1,400) and limited extent (19 city blocks long and 1 city block wide), Indian Shores provides plenty of entertainment for its visitors.

The largest non-profit wild bird hospital in the United States, the Sun Coast Seabird Sanctuary, is located in Indian Shores.   The sanctuary houses and treats injured pelicans, herons, egrets, owls, hawks and other birds. Many other activities such as adventure golf and boat rentals are within an easy drive.

Indian Shores is also home to some fantastic restaurants. No trip to the area would be complete without a visit to the famous Salt Rock Grill. Weather permitting, sit outside on the waterfront deck and enjoy the view.

Other restaurants and bars in Indian Shores include The Hungry Fisherman, Chateau Madrid and The Pub Waterfront Grill. If you want to experience what a Key West style bar was like in the days of Ernest Hemingway, visit Mahuffer's (a.k.a Sloppy John's) on Gulf Blvd, just north of the Park Blvd bridge. Self-described as the "wurst" place on the beach, with lousy food and warm beer, Mahuffer's has received numerous accolades from HGTV, the Travel Channel, Travelocity, and has been named Best of Tampa Bay two years in a row. Worth a visit, even if you decide you don't like it.

Johns Pass Historic Fishing Village and Boardwalk:
Pinellas County's #1 tourist attraction located 10 minutes south on Gulf Boulevard.  This quaint turn of the century fishing village features more than 1-- unique shops, inviting eateries and a 1,100 foot long pier.

Suncoast Seabird Sancturary:
Located within walking distance of the condo, this non profit organization is the largest wild bird hospital and rehabilitation center in the United States.  They are open 365 days a year and admission is free.

Tiki Gardens:
Located just down the street from the condo offering nature and equiestrian trails, canoeing, observation tower, pier and umbrells/cabana rental.

Suncoast Beach Trolley:
Trolley stops right outside our condo.  Hop on the Suncoast Beach Trolley^SM and you can explore all of the unique beach communities from Clearwater Beach to Pass-A-Grille. Check out the shops on Corey Avenue, enjoy the sights at John's Pass Village, or just take in a beautiful sunset. It's the fun, easy, and affordable way to do and see everything you want to on the beach. Service on the Suncoast Beach Trolley^SM is provided under contract to the City of St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island. The cities that are not served are Kenneth City, Belleair Beach and Belleair Shore.

Johns' Pass Water Sports:
Several companies are located in the John's Pass area and rent waverunners and boats.  They rent on an hourly or daily basis and have professional staff to help select and guide you and your budget.

LOCAL BEACHES:

Clearwater Beach - is the most popular of all the area’s many beaches. Clearwater Beach offers just about every water and beach activity imaginable. Pier 60 Park on Clearwater Beach features a family recreation complex on Clearwater’s wide open beach with covered playgrounds, fishing and concessions. The Sunsets at Pier 60 festival features music, entertainment and a beautiful Gulf of Mexico sunset throughout the year.

Sand Key Park - is a 90-acre county park featuring a white sandy beach rated among the top 20 beaches in the United States. The park offers two bathhouses, picnic shelters, nearly a thousand metered parking spaces. The park is open every day from 7 a.m. to sunset. Lifeguards are on duty from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can reach Sand Key by driving south from Clearwater Beach over the Clearwater Pass Bridge or by taking the Belleair Causeway and then going north on Gulf Boulevard.

St. Pete Beach - is a barrier island near the southern tip of the St. Petersburg Clearwater area. It is accessible from Interstate 275 by taking the Pinellas Bayway. Access to the beach is available at Upham Beach Park on Gulf Boulevard from 67th to 70th Avenue and Pinellas County Beach Access Park on Gulf Boulevard at 44th Avenue. Both have metered parking. Several area resorts and shops offer a wide assortment of water sports including waverunners, scuba diving, fishing, parasailing and more.

Fort De Soto Park - the park consists of 900 unspoiled acres, seven miles of beaches, two fishing piers, and picnic and camping areas directly on the Gulf of Mexico. A concession stand, bathrooms and covered picnic shelters are available. A fort built during the Spanish-American War is located on Mullet Key, the largest of the five islands which make up this unique area which lies southwest of St. Petersburg. The area has a popular biking and skating trail as well as rental facilities for canoes, kayaks and bicycles.  Fort De Soto rated as the seventh best beach in the United States in a 1999 national study.

Indian Shores - Tiki Gardens beach access park at 19601 Gulf Boulevard is the most popular beach access point in Indian Shores. Tiki Gardens features 170 time metered parking spaces, restroom facilities, benches, a water fountain, beach showers and a pedestrian crossing light at Gulf Boulevard. Several other access points are also available. The Park Boulevard Causeway connects Indian Shores to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area mainland.

Treasure Island - one of the widest beaches in the area and features several sporting activities including an annual kite-flying contest and the Taste of Treasure Island food and music festival. Beach access is available at lots at six parking areas along Gulf Boulevard including Treasure Island Beach Access Park at 10400 Gulf Boulevard with metered parking spaces, restroom facilities, a water fountain and beach showers. Three public boat ramps and a marina are available. Treasure Island is directly west of St. Petersburg and can be accessed by the Treasure Island Causeway off Central Avenue.

Maderia Beach - several beach accesses are available in Madeira Beach including the County Park at 14400 Gulf Boulevard. This 1.5-acre site features 450 feet of beach on the Gulf of Mexico with time metered parking for 104 vehicles, a restroom, and two showers located on the beach. Madeira Beach is also home to "fish famous" John’s Pass. The John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk offers commercial and charter fishing as well as casino and sightseeing cruises. Fishing is popular from several public piers. The Tom Stuart Causeway connects Madeira Beach to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area mainland.

Indian Rocks Beach - this area features more than 20 beach accesses located along Gulf Boulevard with free parking. Indian Rocks Beach access park, located at 1700 Gulf Boulevard, features metered parking spaces for vehicles, a restroom and outdoor showers. The Walsingham Road Causeway connects Indian Rocks Beach to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area mainland.

Pass-A-Grille Beach - the first established town on Florida’s West coast barrier islands and is a registered National Historic District. The area on the southern tip of St. Pete Beach has no condominiums or "high-rise" buildings keeping it a unique slice of old Florida. Sunset watches are popular at the area’s public-access beach. The beach runs from 1st to 22nd Avenue along Gulf Way. Metered parking is available.

Egmont Key - this 440-acre island at the southernmost tip of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is the home of the last government-manned lighthouse (built in 1858) in the United States. Now a wildlife refuge, Egmont Key was a camp for captured Seminole Indians during the Third Seminole war and was a Union Navy base during the Civil War. Several boats offer snorkeling excursions to this island which is accessible only by boat. Visitors can snorkel over grass beds and ruins of two gun batteries from the fort, or enjoy the unspoiled beach.

Caladesi Island - one of the few remaining large undeveloped barrier islands on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Caladesi is only accessible by boat. The island is ideal for swimming, shelling, fishing, picnics, skin and scuba diving and nature study. The park also has a three-mile nature trail winding through the island’s interior. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. A ferry departs hourly from nearby Honeymoon Island. Docks are available on the island for private boats. A snack bar and shelters are also available

Honeymoon Island - this state park features sunbathing, shelling, swimming, fishing, picnic pavilions, bathhouses and a park concession building. The Caladesi Island ferry departs from Honeymoon Island. Like Caladesi Island, Honeymoon Island is one of the state’s few undisturbed barrier islands. The Island also features two bird observation areas, a pet beach, two nature trails and one of the few remaining south Florida virgin slash pine stands. These large trees serve as important nesting sites for osprey. Honeymoon Island has more than 208 species of plants and a variety of shore birds, including several threatened and endangered species. The Island has a long history considering it is only 7,000 years old. Originally settled by members of the Tocobaga tribe of Native Americans, a wave of explorers, pirates, traders and fisherman came and went. Originally named Sand Island, a successful hog farm changed the island’s moniker to Hog Island in the 1880s. A hurricane in 1921 separated what is now Caladesi Island.