Sunset Beach (St. Petersburg)

Sandy beach
8800 W Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706, USA
241 miles from Panama City Beach, FL
Cleanliness
Water quality
Crowded
Impressions
Overall
Grades suggested by our reviewer
Water Quality
Unknown (read more)
LGBT-friendly

Beach amenities

  • AccessibilityEasy beach access
  • WCPublic restrooms nearby
  • RestaurantsF&B places nearby
  • PlaygroundKids will have fun!
  • ParkingCar parking nearby
  • ShowerPublic showers available
  • Picnic tablesPicnic benches available
👉 Download a FREE PDF map

About this beach

Warnings and hazards

There are rocky areas – water shoes are recommended.

Nestled on the southern tip of Treasure Island in St. Petersburg, Sunset Beach is one of the west coast’s premier LGBT beaches. However, the neighborhood welcomes the guests of all lifestyles so feel free to come in any case. The beach boasts a very friendly atmosphere, quiet and relaxing. This place is less busy than the other beaches in the area and you can even get the feel of being on a remote island without actually being on a remote island.

Location and Access

The beach is located at 9000 W. Gulf Boulevard on Treasure Island. There are a few metered parking lots along the way with an average cost of $2 per hour so parking isn’t going to be a problem. One of the parking lots is just a few feet from the beach – choose it if you have a lot of stuff to carry. At night, there are more free parking areas.

Facilities

Sunset Beach has public restrooms, showers, drink vending machines, food concessions to get some snacks, and a nice picnic area. There is also a children’s playground and a short boardwalk around the beach.

Sand and Water

The beach is relatively narrow – not like the central part of Treasure Island. The sand is white, soft and doesn’t stick too much to skin, or beach stuff, or clothes. There are many shells in it. The clear, turquoise water is very inviting. There are rocky areas, so water shoes are recommended.

Spectacular Sunsets

Being a fancy spot for watching sunsets, Sunset Beach absolutely lives up to its name. The area itself is scenic already and it’s a great bonus that you can catch a gorgeous view of the sun setting down into the Gulf of Mexico. Just set up a beach chair, relax, and enjoy the best view in the district.

Special Events

In October, the International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival takes place at Sunset Beach. In June, you can participate in St. Pete Pride (Tampa Bay’s LGBT Pride Celebration).

Driving Time

  • 40 minutes from Tampa, FL
  • 2 hours from Fort Myers, FL
  • 2 hours 10 minutes from Orlando, FL

Hotels and rentals

If you're considering staying for one or even a few nights, there are plenty of options available near the beach. Chose your preferred accomodation type and your favourite room provider:

Beaches nearby

Additionally, there's a number of beaches near Sunset Beach (St. Petersburg) which you can visit:

Beach reviewed by:
Phil R.
Photos from Google Maps
Rocky waterbreakerKayak on the seashoreSunset Beach St. PetersburgRainbow on the beachSunset Beach Florida
Show rooms near this beach×

Visitor questions:

Question: Does Sunset Beach still have that sand bar a little ways out from the shore? We used to paddle out on our surfboards and surf on the other side of the sand bar where there were waves.
Asked by E. Ferguson over 1 year ago
Answer: You never know if this sand bar is still present. It usually appears after storms and then gradually gets washed away after some time.
Question: Can you rent beach chairs at this beach?
Asked by Mk over 1 year ago
Answer: No, there are no chair rentals on Sunset Beach.
Question: Is this beach small and dog-friendly?
Asked by Troy Davis about 1 year ago
Answer: Sunset Beach is neither small nor dog-friendly. It is about one mile long, and no dogs are allowed (sadly enough). The nearest dog-friendly beach is St. Pete Beach, located on the neighboring barrier island. Check it out on our site.

Sunset Beach (St. Petersburg) videos

Treasure Island Florida Drone Footage
A serene drone made video of the island
Sunset Beach Walking Tour
An amazing video of the beach

Weather conditions

Current weather at the beach and 3 day forecast

Best times to visit

Average temperature (°F)
Beach map and directions
The beach is located in St. Petersburg, Florida 8800 W Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706, USA (Open on Google Maps)
Drag and zoom the map to view lodging options near the beach.
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Sunset Beach (St. Petersburg) reviews and photos
Reviewed on: February 22, 2020