20 Things To Do In Treasure Island

Treasure Island is a small city in Florida with less than 7000 residents. The city covers an area of 5.3 square miles (13.8 square kilometres), with much of the area being water. People lived in Treasure Island from 300CE until 1528 when De Narváez arrived looking for gold. Sadly, many Native American peoples were killed or forced to leave during this invasion.

The name ‘Treasure Island’ comes from a clever 20th-century marketing ploy to encourage more people to buy property in the area. In 1915 developers secretly buried some treasure chests and pretended to discover them. When the news spread, people soon began to call the area Treasure Island, and the name has stuck ever since.

Treasure Island has long stretches of pristine white sands, the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, incredible sunsets and a relaxed family vacation vibe. The three-mile beach is relaxing and is Treasure Island’s biggest draw. Hotels, bars and restaurants are in abundance. Treasure Island is also close to Florida’s theme parks opening up things to do for families a little further afield. It’s a perfect base for your Florida vacation and the ideal spot for a day trip from nearby Tampa or St Petersburg. Here are 20 things to do in Treasure Island.

Treasure Island, Florida

20 Things To Do In Treasure Island

1- Sunset Vista Park

Sunset Vista Park is the perfect spot to escape crowds, unwind, and relax.

This stretch of beach is less crowded than other beaches in the local area.

Sunset Vista Park has Treasure Island’s signature soft white sands and, of course, the warm and inviting waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

While at Sunset Vista, keep your eyes peeled for the local residents.

Manatees and dolphins can be seen swimming close to shore.

Head to Sunset Vista in the early evening to see why the area got its name.

The sunsets from the beach are breathtaking.

Sunset Vista Park is at 9750 Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island, FL 33706.

2- Rent a Boat

While Treasure Island’s land mass is small, its waters are large, open and inviting, so head out in a rental boat to make the most of the waters around the island.

Boats for rental vary in size and power, however, they are all affordable options to help you start your coastal adventure.

Once settled in your boat, sail to nearby locations such as Clearwater Beach to the north, Terra Verde or Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve.

Pack snacks, plenty to drink and your camera, and enjoy a relaxing day on the water.

Treasure Island Boat Rentals is at 11025 Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island, FL 33706-4711.

3- Take Part in a Sunday Sunset Drum Circle

If you’re visiting on Sunday, this musical ritual is an incredibly immersive experience to take part in.

The drum circle begins at around 4 pm on Sundays and lasts until sunset.

The drummers are talented and very friendly, encouraging all who come to watch to join in if you have something to play.

Dancing is encouraged if you do not have a drum or instrument.

For those who want to listen to the music and watch the sunset, pull up a beach chair.

The drum circle is behind Sloppy Joe’s restaurant.

Sunday Sunset Drum Circle is at Treasure Island Beach is at 11260 Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island, FL 33706.

4- Middle Grounds Grill

A trip to a seaside location would not be complete without a tasty seafood dinner.

Middle Grounds Grill offers one of the best selections of seafood available in Treasure Island.

Middle Grounds Grill serves the finest and freshest top-quality fish, all transformed into a range of delicious dishes.

The Grill is considered a fine dining restaurant, however, it has a laid-back atmosphere and is family-friendly.

As seafood isn’t for everyone, a range of non-fish dishes is also available on the menu.

A daily happy hour occurs with special offers and live entertainment on certain evenings.

Middle Grounds Grill is at 10925 Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island, FL 33706.

5- Beach Yoga at Caddy’s

Visit Caddy’s early for a unique experience at a beachfront restaurant.

Caddy’s is a restaurant with a private beach area. Open all day, the restaurant serves tasty breakfasts, lunches and their renowned evening BBQ.

Held on several mornings a week, Caddy’s offers a beach yoga session as the sun rises.

The sessions are friendly and inviting and offer a range of challenge levels and adaptations to suit your current level of fitness and yoga experience.

Caddy’s is at 9000 West Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island, FL 33706.

6- Paradise Spa

Treasure Island is an incredibly relaxing location to visit in Florida, however, for even more relaxation and pampering, a visit to Paradise Spa is a must.

Paradise Spa offers traditional treatments such as massage, aromatherapy and facials.

They also have hydrotherapy facilities, body wraps and infrared sauna sessions.

Massages at Paradise Spa have customisable options to personalise your treatment further.

Choose to elevate your experience through essential oils, heat packs, cupping or Reiki.

Paradise Spa’s treatment rooms have soft, relaxing lighting and soothing music to help you unwind.

Paradise Spa is at 174 107th Avenue, Treasure Island, FL 33706.

7- Parasailing The Pass

There are many exciting and immersive ways to experience the beauty of Treasure Island, from kayaking, sailing and hiking. For a more adventurous experience, try parasailing.

Sail out to the Pass before taking to the skies in your parasail.

From the skies, views towards Treasure Island take on a new light, and the waters below can be seen teaming with marine life such as dolphins, manatees and schools of colourful fish.

Parasailing The Pass is Treasure Island’s only parasailing company, and their trained staff will be on hand throughout your experience to ensure a safe and exhilarating experience.

Parasailing The Pass is at 12754 Kingfish Drive, Treasure Island, FL 33706-5022. If parasailing is a bit too adventurous, rent a kayak or paddleboard online before you go as they are popular activities.

8- Hire A See-Through Kayak

For a more unusual water-based experience, explore the bay in a glass bottom kayak.

Booking a glass-bottomed kayak tour includes double or single-seated kayaks and beach chairs should you want to break for lunch or a spot of fishing.

Snorkelling equipment is also provided to give you a close-up experience with the marine life below your kayak.

Once settled into your see-through kayak, head towards Buccaneer Island and John’s Pass Islands.

For a truly spectacular experience, head towards the mangrove tunnels at John’s Pass Islands to explore the area’s diverse wildlife.

Book your tour here and meet at the Treasure Island Boat Ramp, 123rd Avenue and Lagoon Lane, Treasure Island, FL 33706.

9- Gators Cafe and Saloon

Treasure Island is known for its restaurant and bar culture, and for an all-in-one, experience to avoid bar hopping, head to Gator’s Cafe and Saloon for an unforgettable night out.

Gators is said to hold the world’s longest waterfront bar and is over multiple levels offering a range of experiences.

Visit their exclusive beer tasting room to sample local craft beers or head to the Tiki lounge for tropical drinks.

Gators also has a restaurant, giant TVs showing sporting events and regular live entertainment on its many stages.

For a truly luxury experience, arrive by boat just before sunset and enjoy cocktails on the waterfront.

Gators Cafe and Saloon is at Kingfish Drive, Treasure Island, FL 33706.

10- Treasure Island Beach

Treasure Island Beach is undoubtedly the main draw to this particular part of Florida.

The beach covers 3 miles (4.83 kilometres) of soft, white sands and is wide in some sections allowing for plenty of space to relax even when the tide is on its way in.

The beach is popular with families as the warm and calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico welcome paddlers, swimmers and snorkellers.

It’s also a popular destination for kites, with a yearly kite festival on its sands.

You can rent paddle boards, kayaks, sunbeams and shady cabanas from vendors on the beach.

There are also plenty of bars and restaurants close to the beach, ensuring you can stay and relax all day.

Treasure Island Beach is at 11260 Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island, FL 33706.

11- Go On A Dolphin Tour

The Gulf of Mexico is a welcome habitat for many sea creatures, including dolphins, so venture out to sea on a dolphin tour to catch a glimpse of these beautiful animals.

Dolphin Tours head out to Indian River Lagoon from the Treasure Island Marina, which is the ideal spot to see dolphins swimming, jumping and talking to each other.

Shell Island Beach Tours takes visitors out on their boats for a guaranteed sighting of the dolphins.

Each tour is run in small sizes allowing for plenty of photographic opportunities and a more intimate and educational experience.

The tour company provides cameras if you do not have one and offers binoculars to ensure your sighting is perfect.

During tours, sights of bottlenose dolphins are seen frequently, however, lucky visitors may also see the beautiful, rare and endangered humpback whales.

Find out more about a Dolphin Quest Cruise here.

12- Sunset Cruise

One of the best things to do when visiting a seaside location is to explore from the water on a cruise and book one at sunset to see the sights bathed in a golden glow.

Treasure Island’s sunset sailing experience is perfect for couples or those looking to relax. Boats depart Treasure Island an hour before sunset to ensure the best experience possible.

Book this tour, which provides would-be sailers with bottled water, sodas, and blankets if things get chilly. There are also drink coolers provided if you want to bring your own.

Another fantastic way to experience the water is to join this schooner cruise aboard Suncoast Horizon, the only gaff-rigged schooner in the region.

Sunset Cruise’s meeting point is at 15015 Madeira Way, Madeira Beach. Suncoast Horizon meets at 400 Treasure Island Causeway.

13- Go On A Pirate Sailing Adventure

For families or visitors who are young at heart, there is no better way to explore the waters of Treasure Island than by taking a Pirate Ship out to sea.

Hop on board a Pirate Sailing Adventure in a specially designed ship engineered to give children and adults as close to an authentic experience onboard a pirate ship as possible.

The ships are manned by pirates, who will also wear costumes and use props to entertain you on your pirate adventure.

The captain and crew are entertaining and act out pirate scenes for your enjoyment while explaining key sights seen from the waters.

You can also participate in sword fighting, firing cannons and singing sea shanties.

Finding treasure is, of course, also possible on your journey.

Pirate Sailing Adventure is at John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk, 140 Boardwalk Place West, Madeira Beach, FL.

14- Visit The Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Centre

The Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Centre is a must-visit for animal lovers in Treasure Island.

The centre is home to exotic rescues and pet surrenders, allowing them to live their best lives, as due to their prior circumstances, they cannot be returned to the wild.

The centre has over 250 animals, including small mammals, turtles and tortoises, fresh and saltwater marine life and alligators.

Alligator and Wildlife Discover Centre aims to educate the public about the natural history of the wildlife they care for and the dangers of illegal pet sales.

They encourage education through a range of programs both on and off-site.

Visitors can also book to experience some of the species cared for by the centre in hands-on experiences to learn more about the animals.

Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Centre is at 12973 Village Boulevard, Suites A-J, Madeira Beach, FL 33708.

15- Treasure Island Beach Trail

Treasure Island Beach Trail is a pleasant way to explore the area on foot but if you’d rather not walk, you can rent electric bikes to get around.

Spanning 3.1 kilometres (1.93 miles) there and back again, this gentle walk takes approximately 33 minutes to complete.

Walk on the trail early in the morning for quieter surroundings or during the evening to make the most of the sunset.

During the day, this stretch is popular with walkers, runners and cyclists. Dogs on a leash are also welcome.

Treasure Island Beach Trail is at 11260 Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island, FL 33706.

16- Take A Helicopter Tour

If seeing Treasure Island from the water was not enough, take to the skies on a helicopter tour of Treasure Island and the nearby John’s Pass, Don Cesar Resort & Bay.

This unique experience opens up the Florida coastline and its key landmarks and the pilot will identify important sites and provide commentary on the destinations you fly over.

From your helicopter, sights such as Downtown St Petersburg, the incredible architecture of the Dali Museum, the pink palace of Don Cesar, and Treasure Island can all be seen.

Keep a lookout for dolphins in the water.

While the tour is over Treasure Island, you will take off from nearby St Petersburg, a short drive away.

The meeting point for a helicopter tour of Treasure Island is at 540 1st Street South, St Petersburg, FL 33701. Find out more here.

17- Get a Souvenir from Florida Shell Shop

A popular past-time when visiting a beachside location is looking for shells, but if you come up empty or cannot find the shell you are looking for, pay a visit to Florida Shell Shop.

The same family has run the Florida Shell Shop since 1955.

The shop offers an outstanding range of shells from the locality, coral and sea glass.

The store gives a feeling of ‘Old Florida’, a vibe found throughout Treasure Island.

The shells are laid out neatly in wooden crates, apothecary style.

Florida Shell Shop is at 9901 Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island, FL 33706.

18- Discover Treasures Of The Ocean On A Snorkelling Tour

To make the most of the marine life in the waters surrounding Treasure Island, venture below the waves on a snorkelling tour.

Many dolphin sightseeing tours also include the opportunity to snorkel, so booking a tour that offers both is a fun experience.

Once in the water, it is also possible to swim with the dolphins as tours are conducted in small groups to not scare these mammals away.

In the waters, you will also encounter sea horses, starfish, blue crabs and sea urchins.

Snorkelling Tour is at 11125 Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island, FL 33706.

19- Treasure Bay Golf & Tennis

For something sportier during your visit to Treasure Island, stop by Treasure Bay Golf and Tennis.

Treasure Bay is considered Treasure Island’s flagship waterfront recreation centre.

At the centre golf, tennis, footgolf and pickleball are offered, alongside many other activities.

After participating in an activity or two, relax and unwind at one of Treasure Bay’s picnic pavilions equipped with BBQ grills, or head to the clubhouse for a drink and something to eat.

Treasure Bay Golf & Tennis is at 10315 Paradise Boulevard, Treasure Island, FL 33706.

20- Sanding Ovations

If visiting Treasure Island in November, head to the beach to see Sanding Ovations.

Sanding Ovations is Treasure Island’s annual sand sculpting exhibition and competition.

Master sculptures gather together on Treasure Island Beach and create incredible works of art from the sand around them and the water.

Aside from masterpieces in the sand, Treasure Island’s beach has beach food courts, beer gardens, craft stalls and activities for children during the week-long festival.

Sanding Ovations is at 11260 Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island, FL 33706.