Going to any of the beaches in Tampa Bay is an activity that never gets old, except for the parking. Whether you’re a local, or are just visiting for a few days, we can all agree that finding beach parking is the worst part about going to the beach. We thought we would make the trip easier by sharing the Tampa Bay beaches with cheap parking.
Beach days can be a very cost-effective activity, if it’s done right. Living so close to the water means we can usually take it for granted. But you can plan for a beach day and only spend money on food and parking. The food costs gets even cheaper if you plan ahead and bring your own snacks. But the parking is always a question. On popular beaches like Clearwater, you can find rates up to $3.50/hour with a 5-hour limit, or all day parking for $30-50, depending on the location/time of year. Many beach lots will also have flat rates for holidays like Memorial Day or the Fourth of July. The super helpful thing is most parking kiosks now work with the ParkMobile app. So you can pay to park with your phone and check/adjust your time while you’re still on the beach.
Here are 7 Tampa Bay Area beaches with cheap parking
Ben T Davis/Cypress Point Park
This narrow beach is the perfect hangout spot. It’s great for cookouts, birthday parties, and everything in between. Parking rates at Ben T. Davis are $2.50/hour. Or you can head to Cypress Point Park which is an oceanfront park with mangroves, canoe dock, picnic shelters, and a volleyball court. Parking here is free, you just have to get here early to claim a spot.
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Indian Rocks Beach
Indian Rocks Beach offers the most beach access parks (the most in Pinellas County). 27th Ave to 19th Ave, a few FREE public parking spots are provided at each access.
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Dunedin Causeway/Honeymoon Island
The Dunedin causeway is by far one of the cheapest options when it comes to beach days in Tampa Bay. It costs NOTHING to park at the causeway and enjoy the views of boaters, kayakers and jetski’s zoom across the bay. If you want that actual beach feel with soft sand and less rocks in the water, keep driving to Honeymoon Island. Parking is $8 per car and that’s all day. Let’s say you spend 5 hours out on the beach, that’s $1.60/hour.
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Pass-A-Grille
Pass-A-Grille also has plenty of cheap parking options. Meters are a $3.35/hour rate. Holidays are a $15 flat fee. You can also find a bunch of FREE parking along 8th ave.
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Sand Key
The daily parking fee at beach pay stations is $5. This lasts all day making it one of the cheaper options for beach parking!
Photo: Pinellas County
