Bowling Green FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Bowling Green, Florida.
1. Manatee Public Beach
PARADISE ON WHITE SAND
Manatee Public Beach offers soft, powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters perfect for a serene beach day. Visitors can enjoy strolling along the shoreline, swimming in the Gulf waters, or relaxing on the beach with lifeguards on duty year-round. This personal paradise provides a true slice of Florida bliss with beautiful horizons and tranquil surroundings.
2. Lake Manatee State Park
FRESHWATER RECREATION HAVEN
Lake Manatee State Park features a 2,400-acre reservoir that serves as a popular destination for fishing, boating, and swimming. The park offers peaceful shorelines surrounded by pine flatwoods and sand pine scrub where visitors can observe wildlife in their natural habitat. With picnic areas and camping facilities available, it's an ideal getaway for families seeking outdoor recreation near Bowling Green.
3. Clearwater Beach
AWARD-WINNING GULF SHORE
Clearwater Beach is renowned for its spectacular white sand beaches and clear, shallow waters that make it perfect for swimming and water activities. Located about two hours from Sebring near Bowling Green, this beach consistently ranks among America's best beaches for its pristine conditions and vibrant atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy water sports, sunset celebrations at Pier 60, and numerous beachfront dining options along the promenade.
4. Anna Maria Beach
UNSPOILED ISLAND RETREAT
Anna Maria Beach offers a more relaxed and less commercialized beach experience on the northern tip of Anna Maria Island. The beach features soft white sand, emerald waters, and spectacular sunset views in a charming old Florida setting. Visitors appreciate the laid-back atmosphere, absence of high-rise buildings, and the opportunity to spot dolphins playing in the Gulf waters.
5. Hillsborough River State Park
RAPIDS AND RIVER FUN
Hillsborough River State Park offers one of the few places in Florida where visitors can experience class II rapids, making it a unique destination for kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts. The park's river access provides opportunities for swimming in designated areas while being surrounded by lush, natural Florida wilderness. Nature lovers can explore the 7 miles of nature trails that showcase diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife along the river's edge.
6. Sebastian Inlet State Park
SURFER'S PARADISE BEACH
Sebastian Inlet State Park is a premier destination for surfers, featuring world-class waves at first peak and a consistent surf break that attracts wave riders from across the country. Beyond surfing, the park offers excellent fishing from its jetties, beautiful beaches for swimming, and the calmer waters of Indian River Lagoon for kayaking. Nature enthusiasts can also explore the park's diverse ecosystems while beach lovers enjoy the pristine shoreline with stunning Atlantic Ocean views.
7. St. Andrews State Park
EMERALD WATERS, WHITE SANDS
St. Andrews State Park boasts over 1.5 miles of sugar-white sandy beaches bordered by emerald green waters of both the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. The park is renowned for its exceptional snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities, with an offshore reef and jetties teeming with colorful marine life. Visitors can enjoy the full beach experience with swimming, paddling, fishing from the pier, or taking a boat shuttle to the pristine Shell Island for a more secluded beach adventure.
8. Bahia Beach
FAMILY-FRIENDLY BAY RETREAT
Bahia Beach offers a family-friendly waterfront experience on the shores of Tampa Bay with calm waters perfect for children and beginners. The beach area features picnic shelters, playgrounds, and fishing spots where visitors can enjoy a relaxed day by the water without large crowds. Its location near the Little Manatee River makes it an ideal spot for wildlife viewing and kayaking adventures in addition to traditional beach activities.
9. Simmons Park Beach
RUSTIC WATERFRONT ESCAPE
Simmons Park Beach provides a natural, less-developed beach experience along Tampa Bay with scenic views and abundant fishing opportunities. The park encompasses mangrove-lined shores, sandy beach areas, and boat ramps that give visitors multiple ways to access and enjoy the water. Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the camping facilities, walking paths, and wildlife observation opportunities that make this a comprehensive waterfront destination.
10. Perdido Key State Park
PRISTINE COASTAL WILDERNESS
Perdido Key State Park preserves an unspoiled stretch of barrier island with pristine white sand beaches and rolling dunes covered in sea oats and other native vegetation. The park's beach offers some of Florida's most natural and uncrowded swimming and sunbathing experiences along the Gulf of Mexico's clear waters. Visitors can enjoy beachcombing for shells, observing coastal birds and wildlife, and experiencing the raw beauty of Florida's gulf coast in its most natural state.