Are you looking for a laid-back vacation with low key beaches and towns? If you are looking for a beach bum type of experience, not far from the hustle and bustle, this is the list for you! Each of these Gulf Coast spots are only a few short hours away from Tampa, but feel like you have stepped into a hidden vacation getaway gem.

Beach Towns Near Tampa Family Style

There are lots of family friendly places to go near Tampa with gorgeous beaches and a chill vibe.

Holmes Beach

This small city on Anna Maria Island is a perfect escape. The white sands and turquoise waters are unbeatable. Manatee Public Beach is a whopping 7 acres and has everything you would want for a day at the beach including volleyball, a small cafe and more.

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Anna Maria

Not far from Holmes Beach you will find Anna Maria. This is one of the island’s main beaches and what it was named after. Bean Point Beach is also located here and a bit more secluded. Bring a picnic lunch – you will want a full day to relax and explore these pristine beaches.

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Bonita Springs

Bonita Springs is well-known for being surrounded by state parks and nature reserves. Talk about off the beaten path! This special spot is also only about 2 hours from Tampa. The Barefoot Beach Preserve is one of the signature local spots you will want to visit. The picture above is a walkway to this beautiful untouched beach. You may even see a sea turtle! There are also some mainstream options available like mini golf, shopping and some yummy local restaurants.

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Calling all Nature Lovers – Best Beach Towns Near Tampa

If you are looking for something besides the beach, with more outdoor activity options, we have the perfect getaway spots for you! The Everglades, state parks and aquatic wildlife are unbeatable in these locations.

Fort Myers Beach

Fort Myers is a fantastic location for fishing, hiking, trail running, biking or exploring state parks like Lovers Key State Park. If you’re feeling adventurous head to Black Island to explore the 5 miles of trails. Kayaking, paddle boarding and canoeing are also popular on the calm waters here. This is a perfect vacation spot for anyone looking to get back to nature.

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Marco Island

This barrier island is a paradise for golfers, nature lovers and avid beach goers. We have vacation rentals throughout the area, some just steps from the beach. Shell collecting is a must here, as well as, bird watching at the nature preserves.

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Vibrant Towns Near Tampa

Looking for a little more glitz in your next vacation to Florida? These bustling towns will give you more of a cosmopolitan type getaway. They all offer great shopping, nightlife for that happy hour or after hours fun, golf and great restaurants, along with the beaches.

St. Petersburg

There is so much to love about St. Petersburg! This Sunshine City has everything from Sunken Gardens to explore to the surreal Salvador Dalí Museum to breathtaking ocean views. Make sure to check out the views at Sunshine Skyway Bridge in particular. As a finale for your day enjoy a glass of wine on the deck of your vacation rental at or at one of the nearby bustling restaurants.

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Naples

This popular Florida city is known for its iconic golf courses, high end shopping, world-class dining, art galleries and so much more. If you are looking for an upscale vacation with the surrounding beauty of the Everglades and beaches – Naples should be first on your list!

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Sarasota

Our Sarasota vacation rentals are perfect for those travelers that want less crowds, but still want to be close to Tampa. Sarasota is about an hour from Tampa. So a quick hop, skip and jump away. Saint Armands Circle has amazing shopping with upscale boutiques, fantastic restaurant options with local seafood and lots of art galleries. There are also lots of museums and beautiful beaches to explore. Sarasota has it all!