Indian Rocks Beach 

and Indian Shores, Florida

Pictures from Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores.

Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores are on the southwest coast of Florida, west of Tampa and St. Petersburg. They share the island of Sand Key with several other municipalities and are bordered by Belleair Shores on the north and Redington Shores to the south. The western shoreline is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and the eastern shores are bordered by the Intracoastal Waterway.

Each city has a permanent population of around 2,000 people and swells vigorously during the winter tourist season. Besides accessing these areas from their north and south borders along Gulf Blvd., there is mainland access via Indian Rocks Causeway at 5th Avenue and the Park Boulevard Bridge in south Indian Shores.

Sand Key is less than 1 mile wide at all points through these two cities and at some points so narrow that the Intracoastal and the Gulf almost touch. Visitors and residents don't mind, though because from almost anywhere it's always only a short walk to the beach!

In Indian Rocks Beach, between Gulf Blvd. - the main highway through the area - and the Gulf of Mexico are small developments of beachside cottages and single-lane, paved and unpaved, alleyways. These charming neighborhoods have dozens of beachside dwellings not more than a few hundred feet off the beach. Some are brightly painted, ground level units and others are 2 story stilt houses with 2nd floor decks built to take advantage of the views. On the east side of Gulf Blvd. more traditional Florida houses prevail. Many of these are newly constructed and are on waterways that access the Intracoastal Waterway.

Visitors to Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores, Florida can tour many South Florida cities by car.  The beach island cities of Clearwater Beach, Belleair Beach, Belleair Shores, The Redingtons, Madeira Beach, Treasure Island and Pass-a-Grille can all easily be reached by car. Tampa and St. Petersburg require a 20-30 minute drive to the mainland. This area can be accessed best by aircraft from the Tampa International Airport (30 minutes).

Indian Rocks Beach

(Please pardon the picture quality - overcast days make areas look depressed :-( )

Indian Rocks Beach Cottages and Beach Houses

Cute cottages down the narrow alleyways on the Gulf side of Gulf Blvd. These are a "stone's throw" to the beach and some areas are very cozy.

Streets and Roads in Indian Rocks Beach

Views along Gulf Boulevard looking north and south. The island is very narrow here and the roadway (Gulf Blvd.) is sandwiched between the Intracoastal Waterway (above, right) and some condos on the Gulf beach.

Indian Rocks Beach Houses

Indian Shores

The community of Indian Shores is a mostly residential community. The island is very narrow through the city and many of the structures are smaller condos along Gulf Blvd.