Madeira Beach is a tiny, mostly residential, beach town on a barrier island between the Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal Waterway, just west of St. Petersburg. A Madeira Beach vacation rental puts you close to the popular and busy John's Pass entertainment area, plus 2.5 miles of sandy beachfront on the Gulf shore. Sunning, swimming, fishing, and all kinds of watersports rule the day. It's a reasonable drive to aquariums, theme parks, museums, and shopping malls throughout the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area.
A Madeira Beach vacation rental puts you into the thick of this little resort town's main attraction: a quiet time on the beach, the sun warming your body, the surf soothing your mind. If that wears thin, the hustle-bustle of John's Pass is right down the road. More ambitious excursions can be had in the wider metro area—marine aquariums await in both Clearwater and Tampa. St. Pete hosts the unique Salvador Dali art museum and Great Explorations Children's Museum, and there are also major art museums in Tampa. Shopping malls and family-friendly amusements dot the area.
Mostly residential Mad Beach, as it's known, hosts 1 big attraction: John's Pass Village and Boardwalk, a quaint fishing village-themed entertainment area whose 1,100-foot boardwalk draws crowds to 130 shops and restaurants. It's also the place to book parasailing, jet skiing, and other watersports, plus boat rentals, deep-sea fishing charters, and eco-tours. In October the Seafood Festival attracts 130,000 visitors for food, music, and arts and crafts. The Alligator Attraction at John's Pass lets kids safely get up close and personal with Florida's famous reptiles, along with tortoises, fish, frogs, and sting rays.
Madeira Beach benefits from the balmy climate of Florida's Gulf Coast. Summer, June through September, is hot and humid, with temps in the 80s or 90s—perfect for a relaxing beach sojourn or an ocean excursion from your Madeira Beach vacation rental. In winter, temps in the 60s will brighten the outlook of travelers from snowy climes—and all the more if it hits the 80s. Spring and fall are in-between-ish. Expect rainfall any time of year, but it's wettest in summer, especially August. You'll get the most sunshine in April and May, the least in December.
Madeira Beach's isolated location on a narrow spit of land keeps it quiet, while Gulf Boulevard connects it with communities up and down the barrier island and a causeway links it to the mainland. Dolphin- and whale-watching cruises can be booked at John's Pass. Feed injured pelicans at the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary in Indian Shores, and learn about local beach bird life. Wildlife refuges are on some islands off St. Pete. For a simple boardwalk view of local flora and fauna, with parking, stop at the 9-acre nature preserve in Indian Rocks Beach.
The nearest airport is in Tampa Intl. Airport (TPA), located 20.4 mi (32.8 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you could book a flight to St. Petersburg-Clearwater Intl. Airport (PIE), which is 9.9 mi (16 km) away.
Madeira Beach boasts numerous kid-friendly attractions to explore on a family trip. Vacation homes can be found near places like the Pirate Ship Royal Conquest, a pirate-themed ship with boat tours and onboard activities like storytelling and dancing, and R.O.C. Park, a waterfront memorial park with a pier, landscaped areas, and sports fields. Kids will also like Heritage Village, a museum with exhibits offering local history, live reenactments, and a library.
Couples can enjoy an array of romantic places in Madeira Beach. Vacation rentals are available near places like Walsingham Park, a park with multiple habitat areas, a botanic garden, hiking trails, and fishing, and Lake Seminole Park, a sanctuary for alligators and other wildlife with multi-use trails. You could also visit Boca Ciega Bay, a tranquil preserve with beaches, boat launches, fishing piers, mangroves, and cave systems.
The heart wants what the heart wants, and right now it wants to go on vacation. Now's the time to pack your suitcase and escape to one of these top vacation rentals in or near Madeira Beach:
For even more great options, use the search bar at the top of the page to find the perfect Madeira Beach vacation rental for you.
For a unique experience, book a tiny house rental in Madeira Beach. Do be warned though — after you've stayed in a tiny house, the temptation to downsize and move into one of these fun-sized digs will be tough to resist!
Your Monday to Friday will be much easier to face if you've got something epic planned for the weekend. Give yourself something nice to look forward to by arranging a stay at one of these top weekend getaways in or near Madeira Beach:
Typically small, affordable and well located, it's easy to be impressed by a studio apartment. Settle into one of these vacation rentals and experience Madeira Beach up close:
There are loads of sights around Madeira Beach you won't want to miss. Nourish the culture lover in you by visiting Chihuly Collection and Freefall Theatre.
Every once in a while, you just need to take some time out, even if it's only for a couple of days. Enjoy a nice combination of relaxing and exploring at one of these short-term rentals in or around Madeira Beach:
Forget about flowers and chocolates. Sometimes all you need is to take off for the weekend, just the two of you. At Vrbo, we've got romantic getaways in and around Madeira Beach that would make Cupid envious. Here are some we think you'll adore:
If you're seeking somewhere to reconnect with loved ones this vacation, why not make it memorable? These mansions for rent in or near Madeira Beach will fit your entire gang while doing it in serious style:
Big groups mean big-time fun. They also mean finding someplace that'll effortlessly fit your whole gang. Browse our large group vacation rentals in or around Madeira Beach and get everybody together under the one roof:
Of all the conveniences a vacation rental can offer, a pool is hands down the most fun. Have a look at these houses for rent with a pool in or near Madeira Beach and spend your days splashing around. Just remember to take your inflatable flamingo:
Unsure how to pack your suitcase for your Madeira Beach break? This impressive destination has a humid subtropical climate. In the summer months, you can expect average temperatures ranging from 80 ºF to 90 ºF. Check out our selection of Madeira Beach vacation rentals by using the search bar at the top of the page. Simply adjust the filters to get more inspiration on where to stay.
Every family get-together should be memorable. Whether you're organizing some time off with the kids or a party with relatives, our large family vacation rentals in or near Madeira Beach offer a home away from home with ample space for everyone:
When you're ready to get out and explore, there are plenty of family-friendly attractions in the area to keep everyone happy and entertained. Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Great Explorations Children's Museum and Beach Walk should be on your must-do list.