Visit Madeira Beach at vacation home rentals
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.
Tourist attractions near Madeira Beach vacation rentals
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.
Activities near Madeira Beach vacation homes
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.
Climate for your stay in Madeira Beach vacation homes
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.
A narrow spit of land on the Gulf of Mexico's shores
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.
Transportation to and around Madeira 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.
Family fun near Madeira Beach vacation homes
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.
Romantic vacation homes in Madeira Beach
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.