Beaches
Nine public beaches, from the Art Deco sand of Ocean Beach to the quiet Gulf shore of Port Gellhorn, with today’s flags and what to know before you go.
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Open the State mapCartography: Yanis & gtadb.org, CC BY 4.0
9 beaches
White sand in front of the pastel hotels of Shore Drive, a lifeguard tower every few blocks and the busiest beach walk in the State.
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A long, wide strip north of Ocean Beach with room to spread out, volleyball nets, a fitness trail along the dune walk and smaller crowds on weekdays.
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The family end of the city: a sheltered beach next to the marina, shallow water at low tide, a playground on the sand and a dog beach at the north end.
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A short crescent of sand a few blocks from the marina, with a swimming area roped off from boats, shaded picnic tables and a pier for the evening crowd.
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The ocean beach of Coral Shoals State Park: white sand, a living reef 300 yards out, snorkel gear for rent at the dock and glass-bottom tours twice a day.
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A long, narrow beach on the ocean side of Tarpon Key, first stop after the causeway, with shallow flats you can wade across for a hundred yards.
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A sandbar off Sandspur Key, a short boat ride from Key Lento, with no buildings, no shade and the clearest water in the county. The county keeps the moorings and nothing else.
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Quiet dunes across the harbor from Port Gellhorn, a 600-foot fishing pier and shells at low tide. Calm water most days and wide, empty sand.
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The beach the old resort town was built for: a wide Gulf shore in front of the boardwalk, nearly empty on weekdays. The first stretch of boardwalk has reopened; the rest is still fenced off.
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Beach flags
Lifeguards raise a flag on every guarded beach each morning and change it when the sea changes. No flag does not mean safe water.
Low hazard. Calm water: swim with normal care, near a lifeguard.
Medium hazard. Moderate surf or currents: weak swimmers stay in shallow water.
High hazard. Strong surf or currents: stay out unless you are a strong swimmer, and never alone.
Water closed to the public. Do not go in.
Dangerous marine life: jellyfish, man-of-war or stingrays. Look before you step in.
The same rules on every public beach, from Washington Beach to Port Gellhorn. Lifeguards and officers enforce them.
From March 1 to October 31, sea turtles come ashore at night to nest on Leonida’s beaches, and their hatchlings crawl toward the brightest light they can see.
Before you go
The visitor line reads the day’s flags for any beach, every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.