A beautiful & quaint Beach Community with a small town feel located on a Gulf Coast Barrier Island between Clearwater Beach & Saint Petersburg Beach in Florida. This is a safe, affluent area with only 2 access bridges from the Mainland. There is only one Hotel nearby (Holiday Inn about a mile to the south). It hosts an indoor/outdoor Bar, Restaurant & Waterpark. Most of the homes in the neighborhood are owner occupied. Ask about our other properties VRBO #898995 - 1 Bedroom 1 Bath Waterfront Condo on Boca Ciega Bay with regular dolphin sightings from your couch (only 3 miles east of the Gulf of Mexico Beaches). Two more IRB Condo's coming on line Fall 2017 so if you are traveling with others they can have adjacent units.
Condominium Details
The Suite was completely renovated and newly furnished in Fall 2015. Tobacco usage is prohibited on the property. Located in the heart of Indian Rocks Beach, you are only 200 steps from the Gulf of Mexico (across Gulf Blvd.) and its calm clear waters. A large Nature Preserve borders the south side of the property. There are only 4 buildings in the complex, each holding 3 units. complete privacy. There is a table, 2 chairs and a Gas Grill outside your door. There is a large private yard which you can use for picnics or lawn games. Off Street Parking is available within direct sight of your unit. Take a look on Google Earth view (SE Corner of 10th & Gulf Blvd).
The Living Room has 3 Rocker Recliners, a working fireplace, 60” Flat Screen Smart TV, Bright House Cable, Wi-Fi, Blu-Ray DVD with 5.1 Surround Sound, End Tables and a Breakfast Bar with 2 comfortable white leather Bar Stools.
The Dining Room has a Glass Top Table, Plush Chairs and Service for 4.
The Kitchen has a large Refrigerator/Freezer with Ice Maker, full size Microwave with exterior venting Range Hood, Glass Top Electric Range & Oven, Toaster Oven, Coffee Maker, Britta Water Filter, Pots, Pans, and related accessories. A Bosch dishwasher was added in April 2017. There is a coin operated Clothes Washer & Dryer on site and a large coin laundry 2 blocks away.
The Bedroom has a Queen size Pedestal Bed with Tropical Bedding and a 32" TV. There is a 3 Drawer and a 5 Drawer Chest along with a 2 Drawer Night Stand. Two Closets, one for your clothing and personal effects, the other stocked with Toiletries, a Hair Dryer, Towels and Linens.
The Full Bathroom decorated in a Palm Tree Theme, with Tub & a powerful Shower is off your Bedroom.
Floors are Ceramic Tile throughout. Cleaning Service is available upon request.
The unit is cooled by a newer AC system with Hypo-Allergenic Filtration.
Check-in & Check-Out
Check-in is any time after 1100 am and Check-out is 1:00 pm. You will be provided with a unique keyless access code in advance of your arrival.
Although there are a few restaurants, there are no shopping plazas or major retail outlets on the island. There is a full service CVS Pharmacy & Store a mile South on Gulf Blvd.
The soft White Sand Beach is generally sparsely populated. The Gulf Water Temperature is in the mid to high eighty’s from June to October & the waves are usually less than a foot high.
Recreational Activities include swimming & snorkeling in the clear tropical waters, shell collecting, a Nature Preserve with an easily accessible boardwalk & inner coastal water views, lighted tennis courts, racket ball, shuffle board, a baseball stadium with a concession stand, playgrounds, parks, boat launches, a skate park, library, art’s and crafts all nearby.
There are many festivals & celebrations throughout the year (listed on the town website). If you want a little more excitement, clubs, shopping, live entertainment (most bands stop playing at 10pm due to noise ordinances), aquariums, amusements, etc., you can find them a relatively short distance away. Clearwater Beach & all its attractions can be found about 9 miles to the north. Saint Petersburg Beach offers similar activities about the same distance to the south.
Some of our favorites are:
A ride on the Sea Screamer at Clearwater Beach. One of the world’s largest speed boats with Dolphin Sighting Guaranteed. Sit in the very back of the boat to start (the bench behind the last seat). Once the Dolphin sighting is over move to the very front of the boat. Tickets are about $24 each. Their ticket agent will provide a discounted parking pass. Beer and Soft Drinks are available for purchase on the boat. The ride is about one hour. Leave your cell phone in the car as you may get wet. Saltwater and electronics don't mix. If you want to take pictures, pick up a disposable camera.
Sunrise Breakfast at Maggie Mae’s on Gulf Blvd. next to the Sand Key Mariott. Voted best breakfast on the beach. Sign in at the front noting where you will be, then go out back to watch the sunrise over the inner coastal waterway. If you don’t arrive early during peak season you may have to wait a significant amount of time. Maggie's has a 2nd location without the water view just across the Belleair Causeway (go North on Gulf Blvd then turn right at the traffic light). There is a Bonefish Grill next door to this Maggie's location.
Dinner at the Columbia Restaurant on Gulf Blvd (also next to the Marriott. We never had a bad meal here. Ask for a Table with a water view (#70) at check-in. You can make a reservation, but specific tables are not held. Keep in mind that outdoor seating is a smoking area at most Florida restaurants.
Palm Pavilion Bar and Restaurant or Frenchie's on Clearwater Beach. Try their Grouper Nuggets and Stone Crab when it is in season. Don’t skimp on the parking pass time frame as the Parking enforcement is stringent. Live music starts around noon. Good food and entertainment.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Go see Winter from the Dolphin Tale movie. See the movie 1st if you can.
Hop on the Sun Coast Beach Trolley (There is a stop 50 feet from your Suite). You can explore all of the unique beach communities from downtown Clearwater to Saint Petersburg Beach. Check out the shops, restaurants, enjoy the sights at John's Pass Village, or just enjoy the ride. It's the fun, easy, & affordable way to do & see everything you want to on the beach. We like to stop at the Hurricane Deck Bar & Restaurant on Saint Pete Beach for lunch. The Trolley runs every 20 - 30 minutes from 5:05 a.m. to 10:10 p.m., Monday through Thursday & Sunday, including holidays, with service until midnight on Friday & Saturday. Look for special trolley bus stop signs located frequently along the route. Trolley Drivers do not make change, exact fare is required. The bus and trolley fare is just $2.00 per ride, or ride all day with an Unlimited Daily GO Card. GO Cards are $4.50 & are available on board the trolleys & PSTA buses. The fare boxes are equipped to handle $1, $5 & $10 bills but do not give change. Open food & drinks are not allowed on the Trolley. Service Animals are the only pets permitted. The Trolley does not stop in Bellaire. It is best to ask the driver if the Trolley is going all the way to your desired location as some have different routes.
We often enjoy taking the Trolley a mile or two North or South then getting off and walking the beach back.
Travel Tips
Allegiant Airlines provide the most economical direct flights to Clearwater/Saint Petersburg Airport (PIE) from Columbus, Ohio; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Niagara Falls/Buffalo, New York; and Richmond, Virginia. They do not fly every day, so check their website to see if their schedule will fit into your travel plans. PIE is 12 miles (approximately ½ hour) from your Beach Home. With advance purchase Round-Trip Tickets can be obtained for less than $149 per person. Do your research regarding your origination location. Buffalo/Niagara Falls, NY generally only requires one hour advance arrival including baggage check-in. Clearwater/Saint Petersburg, FL is a major Allegiant Hub. If you will be checking luggage for your return flight, it is recommended you are in line at the airport at least 2 hours in advance. Allowing 3 hours will assure you will not miss your flight home. As an alternative to checking your return items, you may consider either shipping them home or if you like your stay as much as we think you will & plan to return, you can place your personal items in a standard plastic tote which we will provide and store for you at no charge for up to 1 year from your departure date. With Allegiant, the advantage of returning with nothing more than a small carry-on item is you can either use your smart phone or pre-print your boarding pass (a HP Printer is in the condo for your use) allowing you to proceed directly to the Security Check Point upon arrival at the airport saving a couple of (early morning) hours. If you would like assistance or guidance in obtaining lower cost services, please ask.
The next closest airport is (TPA) Tampa International (27 miles/45 minutes without traffic). This airport is serviced by most airlines & has rental cars available on sight. Being in the airport 1 hour before your return flight is generally sufficient.
Don’t rule out Orlando International Airport (MCO). It is 112 miles (about a two hour drive). The advantage is cheap flexible flights serviced by all major airlines & the lowest cost for rental cars. You will need to be in that airport 2 hours before your scheduled departure.
You will enjoy your stay.