Gulf Pier Beach

Located in Fort De Soto Park, Gulf Pier Beach is a white-sand beach with sparse vegetation in Pinellas County that is situated along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. A pier named Gulf Pier – which is also known as Gulf Fishing Pier – is present on this beach - this pier is around 1,000 feet long. 

Gulf Pier Beach does not have lifeguards. However, the beach and the area around it have many amenities including picnic areas, gift shop, beach umbrella/cabana rental facility, a multipurpose trail, a museum, concession stands, and restrooms. Dogs are not allowed in Gulf Pier Beach. 

Gulf Pier Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, fishing, hiking, biking, wildlife watching, picnicking, kayaking, canoeing, surf-skiing, paddleboarding, jet-skiing, water-skiing, and boating. It is important to note that swimming in the water near Gulf Pier Beach is prohibited under the local regulations. Depending on the time of the year, you can view many kinds of animals in the water near this beach including dolphins, manatees, horseshoe crabs (during spring), and sea turtles. In addition, sea turtles also seasonally use Gulf Pier Beach as a nesting spot. The Gulf Pier present on this beach offers amazing Instagram-worthy views of the Gulf of Mexico. If you like birdwatching, you can view many kinds of shorebirds around this pier, especially during windy days in late fall and winter. In addition, this pier is also an amazing fishing spot - you can catch many kinds of fish in the water around this pier including ladyfish and Spanish mackerel, along with a large variety of smaller fishes. While you don’t require a license while fishing from his pier, we recommend ensuring compliance with the local fishing regulations while fishing in the area around Gulf Pier Beach. A historic fort named Fort De Soto is present near this beach - this fort was constructed around the turn of the 20th century and offers an interesting insight into local history.

Fort De Soto Park, which is also known as Fort DeSoto Park, is a county-managed park that is spread over 1,136 acres and is composed of five artificially inter-connected islands. You can explore the park’s vibrant biodiversity via hiking and biking trails - this park has a large variety of habitats including mangroves, wetlands, palm hammock forests, and hardwood forests and you can see many kinds of native plants here. Fort De Soto Park is also a fantastic bird-watching spot – more than 328 bird species are known to live around the park.  Fort De Soto Park has a boat launching facility, restrooms, picnic areas, children’s playgrounds, concession stands, and two fishing piers. In addition, the park also has a campground which accommodates both tents and RVs. If you are planning to camp in Fort De Soto Park, you can visit Pinellas County’s website for more information regarding camping rules and amenities

Getting to Gulf Pier Beach is easy - the entrance for De Soto Park is present near 3500 Pinellas Bayway South and is easily accessible from Interstate 275. It is important to note that you have to pay an access fee to enter this park. Once you pay the fee, you need to head south on Pinellas Bayway South and then turn right towards Anderson Boulevard. The parking lot for Gulf Pier is easily accessible from Anderson Boulevard. There are many paths which lead to Gulf Pier Beach from the parking lot. It is important to note that accessing this beach is slightly more difficult as compared to the nearby and more popular North Beach.

There are many attractions near Gulf Pier Beach within a 30-minute drive. North Shore Park is a large waterfront recreational park which has tennis courts, a softball field, playgrounds, volleyball courts, and benches. This park has walking paths which you can use to explore the beautiful St. Petersburg shoreline. Lake Vista Recreation Center is situated along the shores of Lake Vista. A recreational park is present near this center which has tennis court, basketball courts, a skate park, and an indoor gymnasium. In addition, this center frequently offers a variety of fun fitness-oriented programs for kids and adults. If you are looking for another attraction near Gulf Pier Beach, Sunken Gardens is a 100-year old botanical preserve that is often dubbed as "St. Pete’s oldest living museum." Sunken Gardens’ marvellously landscaped premises are home to more than 50,000 tropical plants - some of these plants are among the oldest tropical plants in this region and you can explore this wonderful flora via walking paths. In addition, Sunken Gardens has amazing demonstration gardens, waterfalls, and it is also the residence of a flock of flamingos. 

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Gulf Pier Beach within a 25-minute drive. 1200 Chophouse is known for serving excellent seafood and steaks. In addition, this restaurant also has been praised by Tampa Bay Times and Nation’s Restaurant News. Tony & Nello's Southern Italian Cuisine is an Italian restaurant which serves amazing Italian entrees including pizzas, pastas, Italian sandwiches, stromboli, and calzone. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Gulf Pier Beach, China Wok offers an amazing variety of Chinese dishes.

If you are looking for a hotel near Gulf Pier Beach, there are many great nearby options within a 30-minute drive. The 4-Star TradeWinds Island Grand Resort offers many amenities including a spa, seven pools, and 11 eateries. In addition, the hotel also organizes fun water activities. The hotel also offers additional amenities for a resort fee including unlimited rides on the water slide and the use of paddle boats, the tennis courts, the fitness center, and beach cabanas. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Residence Inn by Marriott St. Petersburg Tierra Verde which has many amenities including a restaurant, a pool, and a 24-hour gym.  If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Gulf Pier Beach, the 2-Star Sabal Palms Inn offers many amenities including a pool, a sundeck, a barbecue, and laundry facilities.