Indian Shores was once a part of Indian Rocks Beach, Florida

Indian Rocks Beach  is North,  Redington Shores is South; Indian Shores is located right in between. But it wasn’t always independent. In 1927, the government filled the pass just north of the present day town limits, joining the upper Sand Key to the lower beaches. Incorporated in 1949 and called Indian Rocks Beach South Shore, the town shortened its name to Indian Shores in 1973. Visit the Town of Indian Shores website to learn more about this barrier island beauty.

Indian Shores is home to a seabird sanctuary.

The largest non-profit wild bird hospital in the United States, the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, is located in Indian Shores and is funded exclusively from private donations. The sanctuary houses and treats injured pelicans, herons, egrets, owls, hawks and other regional birds. Admission to the sanctuary is free. It’s open 365 days a year.

You have access to the best of both water worlds.

Because Indian Shores is a barrier island located just west of St. Petersburg and Tampa, it is perfectly situated between Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal Waterway. Not only do you get to enjoy 2.65 miles of pristine beach, but you also get close and convenient access to both bodies of water.  Make the most of it!

You can golf with the gators.

Smugglers Cove Mini Golf is more than a putt-putt course. It’s an alligator adventure, too! Along 18-holes, you’ll navigate through caves, pirate ships, waterfalls,  and live alligators. Take it up a notch and feed the alligators, if you dare. Try your hand at the cane fishing pole technique and give those gators a tasty snack. You can learn more about Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf in Indian Shores here.

Sea turtles love Indian Shores beach.

Sea turtle nesting season brings these amazing aquatic reptiles to our shoreline each every year from May through October. They love our soft sand. You can learn more about sea turtle nesting on the Gulf Coast here. Also, check out this sea turtle slideshow for more cuteness overload.

The beach is not the only place to find a piece of paradise.

Town Square Nature Park in Indian Shores is a nature lover’s dream. Find peaceful bliss in this local park. Walk the 800-foot boardwalk, stroll under the majestic mangroves, watch the egrets, and enjoy the fishing pier. There are family-friendly facilities including free parking, picnic pavilions, restrooms and observation areas. It is a hidden gem and well worth the visit.

There is a lost Tiki Garden in Indian Shores.

Tiki Gardens was a South Seas Polynesian theme park  in Indian Shores, opened in 1964. The park was closed in the 1980s and sold by the owners, “Trader” Frank Byars and Wahine Jo Byars, to a developer who planned to build a hotel on the large property. Pinellas County, Florida bought the property from the developer and turned it into a public parking lot now called Tiki Gardens Beach Access.

Indian Shores has a Key West style bar reminiscent of the days of Hemingway.

Mahuffer’s (a.k.a Sloppy John’s) is a quick bike ride away on Gulf Blvd, just north of the Park Boulevard bridge. It’s self-described as the “wurst” place on the beach with lousy food, warm beer, sometimes live music, and sometimes live food. Mahuffer’s has received numerous accolades from HGTV, the Travel Channel, Travelocity, and has been named Best of Tampa Bay two years in a row. It’s worth a visit, even if you decide you don’t like it. It is the textbook definition of a dive and Mahuffer’s is proud of it.

Also a bike ride away (a little farther south in Redington Shores), and even more low-key, The Seabreeze Island Grill always has food,  an Intracoastal deck, happy hour deals and live music on weekend evenings.

Indian Shores is a small town with big events.

It is not just about the beaches in Indian shores. Though they are the main attraction, Indian Shores also hosts some fun local events and festivals.  The Indian Shores Sunday Morning Market  has some of the best local growers, gourmet food items, and fine arts and crafts found anywhere. Indian Shores goes all out during the holidays with a St. Patrick’s Day Festival and Holiday Lighted Boat Parade.  Coastal cleanups are part of the endeavor to keep our area beaches and waters in pristine condition for residents and visitors alike;  join in the action if you can. Take a look to see what’s happening during your stay on the Indian Shores Event Calendar.

While I admit that “sitting” might be the most popular activity at Sixpence, …and then maybe taking a walk…..I do want to point out these options:

There is a rental shop directly across the street…scooters, SUP’s, boats: https://islandmarinerentals.com/

Minor league baseball is cheap and easy:   http://www.milb.com/schedule/index.jsp?sid=t566  and  http://www.milb.com/schedule/index.jsp?sid=t424

We have bikes at the beach, so:  http://www.pinellascounty.org/trailgd/

Dunedin and Safety Harbor are adorable day trip towns: http://visitdunedinfl.com/       http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/21302    http://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/communities/safety-harbor

You don’t have to cross the Atlantic to visit Greece, just head to  The town of Tarpon Springs and the  TarponSprings Sponge Docks .

 

And if you want to go fishing:  http://www.plumleegulfbeachrealty.com/post/you-want-to-go-fishing-on-floridas-gulf-coast-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

http://www.floridasportsman.com/2008/02/01/tampa-gulf-coast-shore-bridge-fishin/