Tierra Verde in Focus
Tierra Verde in Focus
The Tampa Bay Beaches is a gulfside strip on the west coast of Florida, comprising multiple municipalities which attract visitors every year. We took a closer look at each of these communities to provide some background and explain the safe activities you can do while visiting our beaches. Now let’s take a closer look at Tierra Verde Florida.
MEET THE BEACH: Tierra Verde & Fort Desoto
The boating community of Tierra Verde is located on the southernmost tip of Pinellas County, Florida. What was once 15 islands covered with foliage, is now five interconnected islands along the Gulf of Mexico. This opulent neighborhood is home to the largest park in Pinellas County, and the best beach to visit while in Tierra Verde, Fort Desoto.
Take a visually stunning drive down to the end of Tierra Verde and you will find Fort DeSoto Park. It was rated America's #1 Beach in both 2008 and 2009 by TripAdvisor. Fort DeSoto features rare, pristine, white sandy beaches along with unadulterated wildlife, plants, and birds. The park is complete with hiking trails, historic forts, kayak rentals, a large campsite, and a popular fishing pier. A day at the park is nothing of uninterrupted fun. Fort DeSoto offers a stunning glimpse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, particularly during twilight hours, just as the sun is about to set.
ACTIVITIES: Here’s what to do
For a small $5 fee you can support this landmark as well as have an all day, all access pass to explore the many activities Fort Desoto has to offer. There’s no question why Fort Desoto has been dubbed “A Natural Attraction”. Spanning 1,136 acres, you have plenty of outdoor space to experience the natural wonders of the Tampa Bay beaches.
THE UNINTERRUPTED BEACH EXPERIENCE
Just one of the many beach accesses, North Beach Access is a one stop destination for your beach day at Fort Desoto. From the time you park your car, you have a pathway to the sandy white beaches and warm gulf waters. This particular access has a boardwalk right to the beach. You won’t have to worry about having to drag your belongings through the sand. Once you find a safe spot you can set up your beach chair and prepare to tan in the Florida sun or splash around in the waves. Getting hungry? Don’t worry, North Beach also has a Snack Shack to get your mid-day pick me up!
FISHING WITH A VIEW
One minute away from North Beach is the Gulf Pier. This 1,000 foot stretch of pier gives you a panoramic view of Fort Desoto Beach. Whether you are renting a kayak, dropping a fishing line or aiming to get the most instagrammable picture, the Gulf Pier at Fort Desoto checks all the boxes.
One of two piers, the Gulf Fishing Pier is open every day of the year with no charge to fish. Once you have your catch there are cleaning stations with running water to prep your meal.
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY
Even locals can forget about the history of Fort Desoto, where it gets its name sake. But, it’s hard to walk past this hidden gem without stopping to check it out. The Fort De Soto Batteries and Military Post was named in 1990 after the United States entry into the Spanish American War. You can discover artifacts in the Quartermaster Museum or walk the ground through dynamo rooms. You will notice the 12-inch seacoast mortar batteries that stood ready to defend the harbor of Tampa Bay. In 1977 these mortar batteries were what placed Fort Desoto on the National Register of Historic Places.
