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| Warm Sand and Water on the Gulf Coast at Treasure Island |
The Best Florida Beach near Orlando - Treasure Island Wins!
Florida beaches offer enjoyment like no other, The Best Florida Beach near Orlando-Treasure Island Wins!…only a short drive from , Next2Disney vacation villa, in Kissimmee, Florida.
We found this beach by literally stumbling
onto it one day when visiting the Tropicana Baseball Stadium in St. Petersburg. No visit to Florida is complete now, without a
visit to Treasure Island.
This beach just doesn’t get any better.
The island boasts of wide pure white sandy beaches, the widest on the Gulf Coast, unique
beach bars, bountiful seafood dining with terrific night life. Take time to spend a relaxing week or weekend
at a sleepy 1950’s style Florida cottage or motel. The only requirement is flip-flops and brightly
colored light cotton beachware.
Treasure Island in Pinellas County, Florida, a three miles long southern barrier island on the Gulf of
Mexico. To the north is John’s Pass, south is Blind Pass. There is a little commercial building construction that
has occurred; not nearly comparable to the larger more commercial beaches on
the Gulf.
The traditional colors of Florida
Salmon and Aqua so reminiscent of the earlier days in Florida are the colors
that exist today.
Treasure Island offers both private and public access to the beautiful beach, either way…you
will have a bit of a walk to the water.
Bring your sandals as the sand can get quite warm. Consider this your cardio for the day! The rest of the day will be floating in the
water and snoozing under the delicious Florida Sun!
If you run out of any necessary beverages…there are several great bars
and eateries along the beach…only a short walk across the sand to find your 5
o’clock somewhere.
If your interested in a little shopping or catching a deep sea fishing
charter…head to Johns Pass
Village where the main shopping between Madeira Beach and TI is
located. This vibrant seaside village
offers pulsating bars, souvenir shops, waterfront dining, fishing charters for
the day and tours. This is the
commercial district of TI and Madeira Beach.
Some visit TI for the shops alone, offering unique and traditional
kitschy souvenirs.
If visiting John's Pass , plan to experience one of the
15 restaurants available. Seafood is
the main fare on the island, but there are choices for land lubbers as well.
Spring Break can be a little over the top with tourists, and yet still
retains the old Florida Charm… If you do not like crowds during the busy
season..head to the pier for some quiet fishing or to watch the dolphins
playing nearby.
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| Parking at John's Pass requires quarters |
Parking at Johns Pass requires quarters for a two Parking slot. Parking Tickets are quite common here, so arm
yourself with a bundle of quarters if parking at the shopping district.
The history of Treasure Island is exciting.. After 1528, European fishermen who also harvested
turtles, living in shacks slowly began to populate this beach. During the
1900’s weekend tourists began to populate the island relying on the Ferry
Service from St. Petersburg. The
tourists were escaping the commercial building going on at St. Petersburg. The
state sold an acre for $1.25. to
attract more investment, it was said that chests full of treasure were found on
the island, and so goes the boom for land and search for treasure. The name stuck.
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| Treasure Island Causeway- view from vehicle |
In 1939 the causeway bridge was completed and
the dependency for ferries no longer existed.
There is some speculation on the naming of St. John’s Pass, and every
story can have a wonderful spin…but the story line that keeps coming back is
the name John LeVeque.
Some suggest that
he was a pirate, with no known record of upheaval or sorted behavior.. Other stories suggest that he was a humble
fisherman. All of that is great for
storytelling..but the truth is that during the September 27, 1848 Gale, Mr.
LeVeque was seeking safe harbor while sailing north in the Gulf of Mexico
towards Madeira Beach, his home… Come sunrise on the 28th, the storm
had cut his island into two and discovered a new passage to Boca Ciega
Bay.
It is said that, John LeVeque was
the first to sail through this newly formed passage. The gale also created two smaller islands,
Isle of Palms and Capri Isle.
Our personal history of Treasure Island is one of retreat from the
Attractions in Kissimmee and relaxation during the winter months up north. The peacefulness and tranquility as well as
the calm and clear waters are a sure winner for our family. We bring an inflatable raft and oars, some
sand toys, a full cooler with wheels, umbrella, skin care and recreation soccer
and footballs. We all lather up with
lots and lots of sunscreen and replenish frequently as the sun is so warm and
plentiful - a sure burn for us fair skin freckled folks from the north.
The drive is 90 minutes to paradise from Next2Disne vacation villa…a
seafood dinner at John's Pass is assured after a relaxing day on the beach. We either return home to Next2Disney vacation villa or spend a few nights…either way…this is where we load up
on our beach souvenirs and fun Florida attire.
Think salmon, think aqua, thing tropical.
Make it one of your “must do’s” when visiting Orlando.
See you at the Beach!
Caroline
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