Pictures from Madeira
Beach.
Madeira
Beach (misspelled often as Madiera Beach) is on the Gulf Coast of Florida,
west of St. Petersburg and southwest of Tampa. It is one of the small
cities on a group of outlying barrier islands that run from the inlet to Tampa
Bay northward to Honeymoon Island State Park.
The city
of Madeira Beach has a permanent population of around 5,000 people and a large
tourist flux is seen during the winter tourist season. It is bordered on the
west by the Gulf of Mexico and on the east by Boca Ciega Bay. On the north it is
bordered by Redington Beach and the south by John's Pass and Treasure Island. It
has about 2 miles of beach along Gulf Blvd. and a large residential waterfront
area dredged from Boca Ciega Bay.
Visitors
to the area should plan a stop at John's Pass at the south end of Madeira
Beach. The village at John's Pass has great little shops with everything from
souvenirs to bikinis to furniture. Along the pass is the famous waterfront
boardwalk with restaurants and other merchants. Here you can sit and relax
enjoying a great seafood meal in a tropical environment or at the second story
level overlooking John's Pass. This is also a great area for those
romantic sunset dinners and strolls.
Madeira
Beach is a fine destination for a day trip or vacation. It has parks on the
beach with parking and restroom facilities, commercial areas for groceries
and shopping and great bay or ocean access for boating through John's Pass. A
drive through the waterfront homes on the canals of Boca Ciega Bay shows clean
neighborhoods, lush landscapes and upscale houses.
Visitors
to Madeira Beach, Florida can tour many West Florida cities by car.
St. Petersburg, the cultural center of the area, is about 15 minutes away
by car and Tampa about 25 minutes. The island cities north to Clearwater Beach
and south to Pass-a-Grille can easily be reached with a leisurely car ride
on Gulf Boulevard. This area can be accessed best by air from the Tampa
International Airport (25 minutes) or Sarasota International Airport (45
minutes)
(Madiera
Beach)
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