Things to Do Near Indian Rocks Beach
Things to Do in Indian Rocks Beach, FL
Your Complete Guide to Beaches, Water Sports, and Local Fun
You’re staying in one of the best-located beach towns on Florida’s Gulf Coast — close enough to everything, far enough from the crowds. Below is our own local guide to help you make the most of your time here, from the beach right outside your door to day trips up to Clearwater and down to John’s Pass.
Right Outside Your Door
Indian Rocks Beach has 27 public beach access points along Gulf Blvd, most with free parking. The sand is firm enough near the water for beach cruiser bikes and soft and comfortable just a few yards up.
–Seaside Seabird Sanctuary — Free avian hospital and rescue sanctuary in Indian Shores, home to 100+ resident birds of prey, pelicans, and owls. Open daily, roughly 8am–4pm.
–Indian Rocks Beach Nature Preserve — A shaded boardwalk trail through the mangroves.
–Beach Yoga — Regular sessions at the 22nd Ave beach entrance.
Water Parks & Splash Fun
–Splash Harbour Water Park — Right in Indian Rocks Beach at the Holiday Inn & Suites Harbourside. A 42-foot water slide, lazy river, tubing slide, and kids’ splash area — a perfect half-day with little ones.
–Adventure Island (Tampa, ~45–55 min) — A full outdoor water park for older kids and teens.
–Treasure Island Waterslide & Cabanas (~20–25 min) — A smaller beachside slide option.
Boats, Jet Skis, Kayaks & Paddleboards
Right in town, local outfitters rent everything from pontoon boats to kayaks:
–Indian Rocks Beach Boat Rental — Center console, dual console, and pontoon rentals, plus beach cruiser bikes and beach chairs.
–Ocean Fun Rentals — Pontoon rentals for cruising and dolphin-watching toward John’s Pass.
–Island Marine Rentals (Indian Shores) — Boats, kayaks, paddleboards, bikes, and scooters in one place.
Popular destinations by boat: John’s Pass, Caladesi Island State Park, Honeymoon Island, and Fort De Soto Park.
Bikes & Golf Carts
Gulf Blvd runs 15 miles south to St. Pete Beach and 8 miles north to Pier 60 — a great cruise by bike or golf cart. Several local companies offer free delivery and pickup right to your rental, including Indian Rocks Golf Cart Rentals, Goin’ Coastal Golf Cart Rental, and Going Native Golf Cart Rentals. Golf carts are street-legal on roads posted 35 mph or under, but aren’t permitted on beaches, sidewalks, or bike paths, and a valid driver’s license is required.
John's Pass Village & Boardwal
A half-day trip about 15–20 minutes south: a historic 1,000-foot boardwalk with 100+ shops, waterfront restaurants, jet ski and parasailing rentals, dolphin-watching cruises, and a family-friendly pirate ship cruise complete with water cannons.
Clearwater Beach & Pier 60
About 20–25 minutes north: the nightly Pier 60 Sunset Celebration with street performers and artisan vendors, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (home of Winter the dolphin from *Dolphin Tale*), and speedboat or pirate cruises from Clearwater Marina.
Spring Training Baseball
Indian Rocks Beach sits right between two MLB spring training stadiums: BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater (Philadelphia Phillies, since 1947) and TD Ballpark in Dunedin (Toronto Blue Jays). Games typically run late February through late March.
Golf & Mini Golf
East Bay Golf Course and Pinecrest Golf Club in Largo for a full round; Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf in Indian Shores for mini golf with the family.
Day Trips
St. Pete Pier and downtown St. Petersburg (~30 min), Fort De Soto Park (~35–40 min), Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island (~30–40 min or by boat), and Tampa (~45–60 min) for Busch Gardens and the Florida Aquarium.
