Ahhh, Indian Shores, Florida. Have you been here? If so, you know how easy it is to fall in love with the beach here. If not, let us share with you why Indian Shores beach captures the hearts and minds of those who visit (and live) here.
Read on to find out why the beaches of Indian Shores will steal your heart on your next Florida vacation.
1. The Gulf of Mexico laps at your feet.
Nestled between the towns of Indian Rocks Beach to the north and Redington Shores to the south, Indian Shores is a barrier island paradise in Pinellas County, Florida, that boasts more water than land. With a total area of 0.9 square miles, you’ll find 0.3 of it land and 0.6 of it water.
Our beachfront community gets to enjoy the fabulous Gulf of Mexico waters year round. Feeling the warm waters lapping at your feet, seeing the sun sparkle off the crystal-clear gulf, and watching the sun sink into the coastal horizon never gets old.
You are literally steps from your Indian Shores vacation rental to the Gulf of Mexico. What’s not to love about that?
2. The Intracoastal Waterway is in your backyard.
Indian Shores beach offers 2.65 miles of barrier island sand and shoreline. With the Gulf of Mexico on the west and the Intracoastal Waterway on the east, you’ll be sure to enjoy the best of both worlds offered by the two bodies of water that embrace you.
Whether your Indian Shores beach vacation rental sits on the Gulf front or has the Intracoastal Waterway view, the panoramic coastal scenery is endlessly beautiful either way. Make the most of the aquatic adventures that await you or just sit back and enjoy the view.
3. The Indian Shores sand is soft and inviting.
When is the last time you felt the sugary sand on your feet? Walked for miles on a pristine shoreline? Searched for seashells?
You can do all this and more each and every day on Indian Shores beach. Spend some time with your toes in the sand and see what you’ve been missing. Indian Shores offers a quiet tranquility where you can immerse your senses in all things beach related. Live it, breathe it, love it.
4. Imperiled shorebirds find respite here.
Indian Shores is home to the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, a non-profit agency dedicated to the care and release of injured birds native to the Gulf Coast. It’s the largest bird hospital in the United States, which is funded exclusively from private donations. Admission to the sanctuary is free and makes for a great family-friendly day out.
It’s not only imperiled shorebirds that flock to Indian Shores beaches. Other shorebirds bask on the beach and nest on the shoreline. From May through August, Black Skimmers depend on Indian Shores beaches to lay their eggs and raise their chicks. The Skimmer colony has returned to its Indian Shores home this year in front of the Sand Dollar condo building. There are several new babies that you may catch a glimpse of if you’re here.
If you happen upon a nest during your time on Indian Shores beach, keep a reasonable distance from the nests and please be careful not to step on eggs or small chicks. Read more about what you can do to help here.
5. Sea turtles nest on the beach.
Sea turtles love Indian Shores beach, too! The sea turtle nesting season begins annually on May 1 on Florida’s beaches and lasts through the end of October. Sea turtle eggs have an incubation period of about two months, so this time of year is when you’ll see the hatchlings begin to emerge and start their life’s journey back to the sea.
If you come in contact with a sea turtle in need of help, the Florida Wildlife Commission can be of assistance. Beachgoers can report sick, injured, entangled or dead sea turtles to the FWC�s Wildlife Alert Hotline: 1-888-404-3922, #FWC or *FWC on a cell phone or text [email protected].
You can read more about sea turtles on the Gulf Coast of Florida here.
What’s your favorite thing about the beaches of Indian Shores, Florida?
