After a day spent at Busch Gardens or at nearby Cypress Gardens, enjoy a more relaxing day in Tampa at one of its area beaches. Run your toes through soft, white sand and lose yourself in the colorful blue-green water. Have your share of fun in the sun at one of the Tampa beaches and take a leisurely walk along the shore at sunset before heading out on the town for some dinner and nightlife. The following list features eight notable Tampa Florida beaches.

These notable Tampa Bay beaches lie predominantly in and around the Tampa area, with the closest to the city center being Ben T. Davis Beach. The powder white sand at this beach offers a nice escape from the city, and is ideal for a picnic or just hanging out before heading downtown for some city fun.

Clearwater sits along the Gulf of Mexico shore just across the Tampa Bay from downtown Tampa. Tampa beaches found near here include the notable Clearwater Beach, the beach at Caladesi Island, and that of Honeymoon island. Clearwater Beach is a favorite among the beaches in Tampa, and its gleeming white sand and sparkling blue water offers a great backdrop for weddings in Florida. The beach here is wide and extends for four miles. It is a busier spot, where outdoor entertainment abounds. Different Florida events and holidays are celebrated here, and recreation includes boat and water sport rentals. Cast your line at one of the two fishing piers found here. Caladesi Island offers a nice getaway spot where you often feel like you have escaped from society. The beach is peaceful and is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and strolling. Keep your eyes peeled for the dolphins that often pass just offshore. To reach Caladesi Island, you must board a ferry from either Honeymoon Island or the Clearwater Marina. Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area features a beach formed when a 1921 hurricane cleared a sandy strip. It is among the more secluded beaches in Tampa and is ideal for fishing, swimming or enjoying a picnic.

Across the Tampa Bay, west of St. Petersburg, a small peninsula juts out on the Gulf where you will find St. Pete Beach. It is one of the busiest Tampa Bay beaches, and its white sand stretch is decorated with surfboards, sailboards and sailboats. St. Pete Beach is a great spot for water sport rentals, and fisherman can head out for deep sea fishing on one of the charter boats found here. South of St. Pete Beach down the Pinellas Bayway toll road, you'll find an out of the way selection for beaches in Tampa at Fort DeSoto Park. Fort DeSoto Park is an undeveloped and charming retreat. The beach here offers a pristine 7-mile stretch and recreational activities can be found canoeing, kayaking, bicycling or skating along Fort DeSoto trails.

South of Clearwater on Sand Key is the Sand Key Park Beach. It's a bit more serene than the busier Clearwater Beach and features a playground for kids, picnic tables and clean shores. One of the best Tampa beaches for swimming, the rock barrier offshore keeps the water nice and calm. South of Sand Key Park and north of St. Pete Beach is the more touristy of Tampa Bay beaches, John's Pass. Here you'll find dozens of restaurants and shops, and the chance to rent wave runners, motorized rubber rafts and power boats.