Madeira Beach Holidays
Madeira Beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida is a charming base for a quiet beach holiday that offers a peaceful and laid-back resort close to many local attractions. Located on a barrier island between the Gulf of Mexico and the Intercoastal Waterway, Madeira Beach lies a short distance from the busy resorts of St. Pete beach and Clearwater and is within reach of Tampa Bay. The resort is best known for St. John's Pass, the quaint fishing village which has become a major centre for shopping and dining in the area.
The beach is an ideal base for those looking to relax and take in the slow pace of the region, and to enjoy the scenic Gulf of Mexico and its quiet charms. Family-friendly and boasting a lovely natural setting, Madeira Beach offers white sandy beaches and a host of water-based activities to indulge in, as well as numerous boat trips that depart from Hubbard's Marina which run up and down the shoreline. There are dolphin-spotting trips, dinner cruises, floating casinos, pirate ship rides and deep-sea fishing excursions, with most visitors taking to the seas to experience the beauty of the Gulf. Madeira Beach offers plenty of water sports, but is best known as a major surfing destination - the best on the Gulf coast - thanks to the fantastic surf which attracts many enthusiasts throughout the year. John's Pass is the hub of the resort with over 100 shops and waterfront restaurants serving freshly-caught fish and seafood, especially the local grouper. The village has a distinctly Old World charm with its boardwalks and arts and crafts shops and is fun to stroll around both during the daytime and the evening.
Visitors to Madeira Beach have plenty of natural wilderness areas to tour and some first-class parks such as Fort Desoto, with walking, hiking, biking and bird-watching being popular pastimes along the Gulf. As well as the deep-sea fishing, there are numerous golf courses in the area, and activities such as tennis and shuffleboard. Local attractions include those in St. Pete Beach and Clearwater such as the Aquarium, various museums, and the Sunken Gardens, plus plenty of lively nightlife and entertainment. Busch Gardens in Tampa offers a family day out at a world-famous theme park. Orlando is just a 2-hour drive, whilst the Space Coast on the Atlantic is a 3-hour trip.
Weather in Madeira Beach
Winters see the best conditions for a holiday to Madeira Beach with temperatures between 22C - 25C, and at least 7 hours of sunshine each day. There is little or no humidity during this time, and winters also see the driest conditions at the resort, with plenty of activities on and around the beach for visitors to enjoy. November receives the least rain, with just 40mm falling during the month, and the season seeing a monthly average of 50mm - 60mm. The sea temperature hovers around 16C - 20C, a little chilly for swimming, but the shallow waters and tidal currents mean excellent surf conditions in Madeira Beach, and the resort remains the most popular spot for enthusiasts along the coast.
All Inclusive Holidays to Madeira Beach
This relaxing Florida family holiday resort excels when it comes to well-equipped resort hotels and affordable family holidays. A typical 3 star beach hotel in Madeira Beach will offer the kind of in-house facilities you would expect from an all inclusive holiday: superb pools, first-class sports facilities and a choice of bars and restaurants. Self-catering holiday apartments are also popular. Do bear in mind that you are very unlikely to find all inclusive holidays in Madeira Beach offering the limitless food and drinks you would expect to find on an all inclusive holiday in Spain or the Mexico. This kind of 100% all inclusive package is rare in the USA. However, a typical Madeira Beach hotel does offer free access to the kind of in-house amenities and family holiday facilities you would find in Egypt or the Caribbean. The best hotels come with spacious accommodation, kids clubs, spa and fitness centres, a choice of restaurants and access to superb beaches.
