Madeira Beach Things To Do

The beaches that line the western side of the island are generally uncrowded, and much quieter than neighbouring resorts such as St. Pete Beach and Clearwater, with the best spots being Archibald Pass, Madeira Beach Access Park and St. John's Pass. Most visitors to Madeira Beach are content to just sit back and enjoy the peace, and take in the lovely Gulf views.

 

This quaint waterside fishing village has an Old World charm, thanks to its boardwalks lined with galleries, craft shops and ice-cream stores. Ideal for strolling around, and with a large number of restaurants on the waterfront and over 100 shops, the village is the resort's major attraction.

Hubbard's Marina is the departure point for the many boat trips that travel up and down the coast, including dolphin-watching excursions, deep-sea fishing trips, sunset cruises, casino cruises, Pirate ship rides, shell-hunting tours and snorkelling trips. Private sailboat charters are also available.

 

The resort would be great for a water sports holidays. It is a well-known surfing destination thanks to the great wave conditions, and there are also facilities for jet skiing, wave boarding, snorkelling, scuba-diving and parasailing. Away from the beach, visitors can enjoy golf, tennis, mini-golf, shuffleboard and basketball, with bike and scooter rental a great way to get out and explore. 

 

Head to the stunning beach and nature park at Fort Desoto, walk or hike the Pinellas Trail, tour Boyd Hill Nature Preserve to see alligators and turtles amongst the marshlands and swamps, or visit the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary at nearby Indian Shores.

 

Madeira Beach (known as the Grouper Capital of the World) plays host to the annual Grouper Fest, held in the last weekend in October, when there is plenty of locally-caught fish and seafood to sample, as well as fishing expos, live entertainment, arts and crafts exhibitions and kid’s events.

 

The major resorts of St. Pete and Clearwater are close by, and both boast a range of attractions such as the Salvador Dali Museum, Sunken Gardens and local Aquarium, with the city of Tampa offering a great day out at its African-themed park, Busch Gardens. For those looking to venture further away and experience Florida's most popular tourist attractions, Orlando’s Disney World and Universal Studios are around an hour and a half away from Madeira Beach.