15 Best Things To Do In Treasure Island, Florida

Victor
Posted Aug 08, 2022
| 7 min read

The small resort city of Treasure Island, located on a barrier island along the Gulf of Mexico, is right adjacent to St. Petersburg. The island is known for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, welcoming and unique hotels and a number of attractions. Whether you are a solo traveler, a couple or you are visiting with your entire family, Treasure Island will not just welcome you with open arms, but also will ensure that you have more than enough to see and do, so that you can get the fun and relaxation you would have wanted for a holiday. You can choose among the top vacation rentals and beachfront hotels for a place to stay on the island. Here is a brief look at some of the fun things to do in Treasure Island for your next visit to this beautiful resort island.

1. See the beautifully crafted sand sculptures in Sanding Ovations Master's Cup

Sanding Ovations Master’s Cup is an annual four-day sand sculpting exhibition and competition located on the beach behind Bilmar Beach Resort. It is held on the weekend before Thanksgiving.

With renowned sand sculptors throughout North America participating, you are treated to the wonderful sight of magnificently made sand sculptures. Fireworks light up the night sky on Saturdays, complement with wonderful music played by local, regional, and national touring bands. To top it all off, this event is free and open to the public.

Sanding Ovations Master's Cup

Address: 10400 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706, United States

Website: Sanding Ovations Master’s Cup

2. Laze on the white sands of Sunset Beach

Alone, with a loved one, or with the entire family, walking down lazily on the white sands of Sunset Beach is something you can always look forward to at any time. The soft sand on your feet, the cool sounds of the ocean and the smell of the sea salt makes a stroll worth taking when you want to get lost in thought and savor the pleasantries of the moment. This Treasure Island attraction is great to relax, and it doesn’t matter whether it is morning, midday or evening, though the sounds and the scenery will be great at sunrise and sunset.

Sunset Beach

Address: Sunset Beach, Treasure Island, Pinellas County

Website: Sunset Beach

Opening hours: 24/7

3. Savor a scrumptious meal at Middle Grounds Grill

Munching on hearty food is always a good idea if you don’t know what to do in Treasure Island. Never let the discomfort of an empty stomach come in the way when enjoying your vacation at Treasure Island. And to help you ensure this never happens, all you need is a generous serving of high-quality seafood at Middle Grounds Grill. This establishment is not just one of the prime angling spots in Florida, but also it is one of the best places to check out when you need a quality supply of finest, fresh catches that the sea has to offer.

Middle Grounds Grill

Address: 10925 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706, USA

Website: Middle Grounds Grill

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 4:30pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 4:30pm - 11pm

4. Watch the manatees at the Sunset Vista Trailhead Park

Another exciting thing to do around Treasure Island is meeting the animals at this attraction. If you love watching sea animals, then you will have a spectacular chance to get up and close with manatees, also known as sea cows at the Sunset Vista Trailhead Park. These animals are large, herbivorous and fully aquatic marine mammals. They may not be the most beautiful of all the sea mammals, but watching them stroll with their young ones in Trailhead Park is a sight to behold. You can get closer if you want, but you will see them swimming with the dolphins all day long at the beach.

Sunset Vista Trailhead Park

Address: Gulf Blvd and West Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706

5. Get some massage therapy at Paradise Spa

A vacation is meant for relaxation and there is no better way to relax after a day of hopping from one attraction to another than get a good relaxation massage therapy at Paradise Spa. This is one of the premier day spas in the region, and you will gladly enjoy the variety of relaxation treatments they have. But kindly note that you will have to set up an appointment before showing up.

Paradise Spa

Address: 174 107th Ave, Treasure Island, St. Petersburg, FL 33706

Website: Paradise Spa

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 6pm (closed on Sun)

6. Snap photos with Bucky Big Pirate of Treasure Island

The Bucky Big Pirate is a 20-feet (6.1 meters) tall fiberglass figure whose history dates back to the 1950s during the time of the Buccaneer Motel. The statue was like the signature figure of the motel, and when the motel closed down in 2005, it was donated to the city of Treasure Island. It is one of the most photographed things on the island, and I guess you will also enjoy posing for a shot or two with the gigantic pirate.

Bucky Big Pirate of Treasure Island

Address: Park Place, Treasure Island, FL

7. Sip on margaritas at the VIP Lounge & Mexican Restaurant

With the Gulf of Mexico in sight, why not get a feel of the Mexican flair by indulging in mouthwatering margaritas at the VIP Lounge & Mexican Restaurant. This is an exciting festive joint where you will find a variety of margaritas, burritos, and many other familiar Mexican fairs to quench your thirst and appease your appetite. The ambiance under which such are served is great, and you will also fall in love with the views you will have as you take your bites.

VIP Lounge & Mexican Restaurant

Address: 10625 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706, USA

Website: VIP Lounge & Mexican Restaurant

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10:30pm

8. Sail with the Treasure Isle Boat Rentals

How about venturing out in the seas during the heat of the day or the cool of the evening? The relaxation you get from this is akin to lazing in the white sandy Treasure Island beaches, only that you will be sailing smoothly in boat rental. Enjoy the beautiful sunsets on the gulf, the soothing sounds of the waves and the cool breeze, as you venture out to explore more and find out what the neighboring attractions have to offer. The boat rentals are affordable, and they will give you the convenience to reach places such as Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve, Tierra Verde, Boca Ciega Bay, and Clearwater Beach.

Treasure Isle Boat Rentals

Address: 11025 Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island, FL 33706, USA

Website: Treasure Isle Boat Rentals

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

9. Experience the thrill with Parasailing the Pass


If you are an adrenalin junkie and you desire some fun and adventurous activity, then you should consider going for the thrilling parasails with the Parasailing the Pass. This is the only parasailing company in Treasure Island and the best way to get a bird’s view of the island. With this comes a chance to enjoy the city’s views from the skies, and also to indulge in private dolphin tours and sightseeing day tours like never before.

Parasailing the Pass

Address: 12754 Kingfish Dr, Treasure Island, FL 33706, USA

Website: Parasailing the Pass

Opening hours: Fri - Wed: 10am - 4pm (closed on Thu)

10. Paddle among the sandbars in a kayak or a paddleboard

Another fun and adventurous activity you should consider when you visit Treasure Island is to go paddling among the sandbars in a kayak or a paddleboard. With this, you will be left on a kayak in the flat water on the bay, then it will be up to you to paddle your way to the sandbars. All you need is the willingness to do it because even if you have never paddled before in your life, you will be taught the skills you need and also shown the secrets spots that will give you a great experience.

Mad Beach Paddlesports

Address: Treasure Bay Resort & Marina, 11125 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706, USA

Website: Mad Beach Paddlesports

Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)

11. Tee across the Treasure Bay Golf, Tennis & Recreation Center

Tired of the waters, but you still want to relax and have fun? Why not go golfing on the sprawling greens of the Treasure Bay Golf & Tennis Recreation Center? This is the place to be if you want to indulge in outdoor sports away from the waters. On this recreational center, you will find a nine-hole, three par golf course, and eight clay tennis courts. Also present are one sand volley court, one basketball court, two shuffleboard courts, picnic pavilions, clubhouse, and open green spaces.

Treasure Bay Golf, Tennis & Recreation Center

Address: 10315 Paradise Blvd, Treasure Island, Florida

Website: Treasure Bay Golf, Tennis & Recreation Center

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 8am - 9pm; Fri - Sun: 8am - 8pm

12. Do yoga on the sands with Caddy’s on the Beach


Yoga on the sands with Caddy’s on the Beach is another great experience you should never miss when you visit Treasure Islands. Doing beach yoga comes with certain subtle benefits you will never get when you do it in other places. When the temperatures are high, your body temperature also rises, improving circulation in the whole body to make you more flexible in the joints. You will, hence, stretch more and attain pauses that may have never been possible if you were away from the beautiful beaches. Again, the sight of the ocean, the sounds of the waves and the smell of the sea salt are natural ingredients for perfect relaxation during yoga sessions.

Caddy’s on the Beach

Address: 9000 W Gulf Blvd, Sunset Beach, Florida

Website: Caddy’s on the Beach

Opening hours: 8am - 11pm (daily)

13. Grab a beer bucket at Ka’Tiki beach bar


Escape the heat and quench your thirst with a bottle of ice-cold beer at Ka’Tiki beach bar. This is the place to visit when the exhaustion starts setting in, following hours of outdoor adventure in the sand and in the sea. It is a nice way to relax as you appreciate the beauty of the ocean, and the fun moments you are experiencing during the vacation.

Ka’Tiki

Address: 8803 W Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706, USA

Website: Ka’Tiki

Opening hours: 8am - 2am (daily)

14. Dig into seafood at R Bar Treasure Island

Treat yourself to endless sumptuous seafood at R Bar in Treasure Island. All your lunch and dinner needs will be well taken care of and you will have a variety of cuisines to choose from. If you have never had a beer battered haddock, island crab cakes, salmon filet, stuffed flounder, or a shrimp cocktail, then this is your chance to indulge in these and eat all you can.

R Bar Treasure Island

Address: 245 108th Ave, Treasure Island, Florida

Website: R Bar Treasure Island

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 8am - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 8am - 2am

15. Spend a rocking time at CJ’s On the Island


Up for some beach party? CJ’s on the Island is a family-owned sports bar where you will find liquor, live music, karaoke, dancing, and lots of games. It is the ultimate joint to visit when you feel the partying mood setting in. Its location is convenient, with ample parking and security so that you have nothing bothering you as you enjoy your drinks, and the live music or when you hit the dance floor for a jig.

CJ’s On the Island

Address: 115 107th Ave, Treasure Island, FL 33706, USA

Website: CJ’s On the Island

Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 11am - 10pm; Thu - Sat: 11am - 11:30pm

Savor the treasures of Treasure Island

There is a lot you can see and do on Treasure Island. There are plenty of watersport activities, seafood joints, eclectic restaurants, spas and recreational centers where you can have fun and relax while you enjoy your stay. With so much to see and do, it would be a great idea to know beforehand what you will intend to do so that you make the most of your time. Some other attractions near Treasure Island that you may want to visit are Salvador Dali Museum and The Florida Holocaust Museum in Petersburg, and Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin.

If you have unlimited time here and a free and adventurous spirit, then you can just take it one day at a time. Enjoy the beauty and the treasures the island has in store for you. You can also stay in Vrbo vacation rentals that are available in the city.

Frequently asked questions about things to do in Treasure Island


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