REDINGTON BEACH
Area: Florida
Country: United States of America


Location:
In the SE United States, on the Gulf coast, halfway down the peninsula of Florida State. 7 mls S of Clearwater Beach, 2 mls N of Treasure Island. Tampa International airport 35 mls E; St Petersburg/Clearwater airport 15 mls NE.

Telephone code from UK:
1 727

Position:
Lying astride Gulf Boulevard, the main road connecting all the barrier islands along the Gulf coast. Causeways link the beach area to the mainland, and the main artery (Park Boulevard) leads E towards the Gandy Bridge and Tampa.

Description:
Still primarily residential, and quieter than the other beach communities as a result. The area stretches for about 3 mls, taking in N Redington Beach and Redington Shores. Only a few hotels _ the Redington Beach Hilton being the main one _ sit along the waterfront. The buildings along the seafront road are a mix of low-rise villas and medium-rise apartment blocks; most of them sit directly on the beach. Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores extend for several miles N of Redington, both similarly sedate and residential.

Suitability:
Low-key, middle-of-the-road families and couples.

Accommodation:
Mainly apartments; one good hotel.

Shopping:
Limited to the basics. A few shops and restaurants, but not much else.

Beach:
Superb, Redington's jewel. Wide, with pale, fine sand.

Entertainments:
Daytime: all sorts of water sports are available at the hotels. A long pier in Redington Shores much used by local fishermen. Nightlife: Europa fun cruise _ dining, dancing and gambling; Europa Sea Kruz and Empress Cruise Line sail from John's Pass.

Eating:
Fast food to fine dining.

Public-transport:
A public bus runs along the coast road, and taxis can be booked from hotels and restaurants, but as the area is a distance from major entertainment and shopping, a hire car is recommended.

Local-excursions:
Suncoast Sea Bird Sanctuary at Indian Shores _ world-acclaimed facility where volunteers care for injured wild birds. See also Tampa.