Activities and Attractions in Redington Shores FL: A Local Guide

Redington Shores is a quiet barrier island community of about 2,400 residents located between Indian Shores to the north and North Redington Beach to the south along Gulf Boulevard (SR-699) in Pinellas County, Florida. The town is intentionally low-key. There are no amusement parks, major hotels, or big-box commercial strips. What Redington Shores offers is Gulf of Mexico beach access, Intracoastal Waterway water sports, a handful of low-key local businesses, and quick access to the broader barrier island corridor.

I have worked with buyers and sellers on these barrier islands for over two decades. Most people who move to Redington Shores know exactly what they are getting: a small, residential beach town where the beach is the main attraction and neighbors still wave to each other. This guide covers what there is to do on the island and in the surrounding area.

What Does Redington Shores Actually Offer?

Gulf Beach Access

The Gulf of Mexico beach is the defining feature of Redington Shores. Public beach access points are located along Gulf Boulevard, and the beach itself is wide, clean, and significantly less crowded than Clearwater Beach or St. Pete Beach. According to Pinellas County Parks, the barrier island beaches have an average width of 100 to 150 feet, which gives swimmers and sunbathers room to spread out.

The Gulf water temperature runs approximately 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit from December through March, 72 to 80 degrees from April through June, 83 to 87 degrees from July through September, and 74 to 82 degrees from October through November. The calmer, shallower Gulf waters make this an easier beach for young children compared to Atlantic-facing beaches.

Intracoastal Waterway Water Sports

The Intracoastal Waterway separates the barrier islands from the mainland and runs the entire length of the island on the east side. This calm, protected waterway is ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding, and small boat cruising. Several rental operations along Gulf Boulevard and in neighboring communities offer kayak and paddleboard rentals. The Intracoastal is also good for dolphin spotting; bottlenose dolphins are common residents of the waterway year-round.

Fishing

Redington Shores itself does not have a public fishing pier. Intracoastal fishing is popular from kayaks and small boats, with snook, redfish, trout, tarpon, and sheepshead among the common catches. The nearest public fishing pier is the Indian Rocks Beach Fishing Pier approximately three miles north. For offshore Gulf fishing, charter boats operate from multiple marinas including those at Johns Pass Village in Madeira Beach, about five miles south.

What Nearby Attractions Are Worth the Drive?

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary (Indian Shores)

The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary is located at 18328 Gulf Boulevard in Indian Shores, approximately two miles north of Redington Shores. According to the sanctuary's website, it is one of the largest wild bird hospitals in the United States and has treated more than 60,000 birds since its founding in 1971. The sanctuary maintains a permanent resident population of birds that cannot be safely returned to the wild, including pelicans, herons, egrets, osprey, roseate spoonbills, and owls. Admission is free, with donations accepted. This is a genuinely worthwhile stop and very popular with families who have young children.

Johns Pass Village (Madeira Beach)

Johns Pass Village is located in Madeira Beach approximately five miles south via Gulf Boulevard. The drive takes 10 to 15 minutes by car but can stretch to 20 to 30 minutes during peak season weekends. Johns Pass Village offers waterfront dining at multiple restaurants, souvenir and gift shops, dolphin watching and sunset cruise boats, deep-sea and inshore fishing charters, jet ski rentals, and a working commercial fishing dock. The Hubbard's Marina, John's Pass Seafood Company, and Bubba Gump Shrimp are anchor tenants. According to Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, Johns Pass Village is one of the most visited attractions in Pinellas County.

Fort De Soto Park

Fort De Soto County Park is located at 3500 Pinellas Bayway S in Tierra Verde, approximately 25 miles south of Redington Shores via Gulf Boulevard and I-275. The park covers 1,136 acres across five islands and includes a dog beach, two fishing piers, a kayak launch, bicycle trails, and the historic Fort De Soto fort dating to the Spanish-American War. According to Pinellas County Parks, Fort De Soto is one of the most visited county parks in Florida, drawing over 2.8 million visitors annually. The drive takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.

Sand Key Park (Clearwater)

Sand Key Park is a Pinellas County beach park located at 1060 Gulf Boulevard in Clearwater, approximately 12 miles north of Redington Shores. The park has a wide Gulf beach, restrooms, showers, parking, and a boat launch. It is less crowded than the main Clearwater Beach area because parking is limited to the park itself. The drive takes 20 to 30 minutes via Gulf Boulevard.

Caladesi Island State Park

Caladesi Island State Park is accessible only by ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, approximately 20 miles north. The island has a pristine Gulf beach, hiking trails through mangrove forests, and kayak trails through the interior. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Caladesi has been rated among the top beaches in the United States multiple times by Dr. Beach (Stephen Leatherman). The ferry ride takes about 20 minutes. This is an all-day outing rather than a quick side trip.

What Dining Options Are Available in and Near Redington Shores?

On-Island Dining

Redington Shores has very limited on-island restaurant options. The community is primarily residential and does not have a commercial dining district. Gulf Boulevard runs through the center of the island, and there are a small number of casual dining spots. Residents typically drive north to Indian Rocks Beach or south to Redington Beach and Madeira Beach for a broader restaurant selection.

Indian Rocks Beach (3 Miles North)

Indian Rocks Beach has a small but genuine local dining scene. Crabby Bill's Original (401 Gulf Blvd, Indian Rocks Beach) is one of the most recognized seafood restaurants on the central barrier islands and has been operating since 1978. Guppy's on the Beach (1701 Gulf Blvd, Indian Rocks Beach) is a local favorite for lunch and dinner with Gulf views. Sea-Guini (1500 Gulf Blvd, Indian Rocks Beach) combines Italian cuisine with seafood in a casual setting. The drive from Redington Shores takes 8 to 12 minutes.

Johns Pass Village (5 Miles South)

Johns Pass Village in Madeira Beach has the largest concentration of dining and entertainment options near Redington Shores. Waterfront seafood restaurants, casual bars, and take-out stands line the boardwalk. For a more significant dining outing, downtown St. Petersburg is approximately 25 to 35 minutes south via Gulf Boulevard to I-275, offering a much wider range of chef-driven restaurants, craft cocktail bars, and entertainment.

What Is the Lifestyle Like for Redington Shores Residents?

Community Character

Redington Shores is a small town in the traditional sense. According to the U.S. Census, the town has approximately 2,400 residents on 0.9 square miles of land. There is no commercial center, no town square, and no major retail. The Town Hall is at 17425 Gulf Boulevard and handles local government functions. The community is predominantly owner-occupied single-family homes, though there are some condominiums in the southern portion near the boundary with North Redington Beach.

Who Lives Here

The resident population skews toward empty nesters and retirees who chose the island specifically for its quiet character. There is also a segment of vacation home and investment property owners who rent to seasonal visitors from late fall through early spring. Families with school-age children are less common given the limited on-island services, though Pinellas County schools are accessible via the Walsingham Road/Tom Stuart Causeway connection to the mainland. The community attracts buyers who want the beach without the noise and crowds of more commercial barrier island towns.

What You Give Up

Living on Redington Shores means accepting certain trade-offs. There is no on-island grocery store; the nearest full-service grocery options are on the mainland in the Seminole or Largo areas, accessible via the Tom Stuart Causeway. The closest major retail corridor is approximately 20 to 25 minutes east. Getting anywhere for daily errands requires a car. Evacuation Zone A designation means hurricane preparedness is not optional; residents need to understand their evacuation routes and be ready to leave ahead of major storms.

Day Trips and Excursions from Redington Shores

Downtown St. Petersburg (25-35 Minutes)

Downtown St. Petersburg offers museums (the Salvador Dali Museum at 1 Dali Blvd is internationally recognized), the St. Pete Pier, Tropicana Field (home of the Tampa Bay Rays), restaurants along Beach Drive and Central Avenue, and the Mahaffey Theater for performing arts. According to Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, downtown St. Pete has seen significant cultural investment over the past decade and is now one of the most vibrant small-city downtown districts in the Southeast.

Tarpon Springs (30-40 Minutes North)

Tarpon Springs is home to the largest Greek-American community in the United States and a functioning sponge-diving industry. The Sponge Docks on Dodecanese Boulevard offer sponge diving demonstrations, Greek restaurants, bakeries, and boutique shops. The Spongeorama Sponge Factory Museum is free. The drive from Redington Shores takes 30 to 45 minutes via Gulf Boulevard to Alt US-19.

Tampa (45-60 Minutes)

Tampa is accessible in 45 to 60 minutes via Walsingham Road to US-19 to I-275 N or via the Howard Frankland Bridge (I-275). Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, the Florida Aquarium, Amalie Arena (Tampa Bay Lightning), and Ybor City are major draws. Tampa International Airport (TPA) is one of the most convenient major airports in the state and adds to the practical appeal of the barrier island location.