I had a long layover in Tampa, so I decided to grab an Uber and spend a few hours relaxing on the beach. It's pretty close - the Uber was less than $15. There was some trash along the shore, but it was peaceful and a great place to spend some time outside read more

This is a small, free public beach in Tampa. We came to watch the sunset, and it was pretty. The beach itself was very dirty though, and I would avoid walking in the sand barefoot because of the debris. The water was murky. There were people absolutely blasting music on their speakers, which did not make for a serene ambience. Parking is paid, and the lot was very crowded, but we got lucky and got a spot close to the beach. read more

Ben T Davis Beach - Sunset views - Beaches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Parking is rough. Not enough space for the crowds. Gang activity. Internet searches noted this as a good beach for kids; couldn't disagree more. read more

Me and my cousin were in the area and stopped by here to walk around and enjoy the area. We paid for the affordable parking and enjoyed the scenery. We initially we in the area where people were parked and enjoying the beach from the rocky area. We walked towards the sand area, and it was more crowded. It's a small beach and there were lots of families with small children. The ocean appeared to be very low depth because we saw children far out in the water standing up on their own. That's my type of beach as a non swimmer. The bathrooms were decent. They have a few shaded picnic table areas. It's not the best or worst beach I've been to. However, I still loved the ambiance. The ocean breeze felt amazing with the fresh air. This is a spot I would check out again. read more

Love coming here to run, the parking goes quick on weekends and they close gates to most of the parking area at sunset. I really like how you can just park your vehicle close to the water and relax and take in the view. There are bbq spots available as well as a couple food vendors. It's a beautiful place for sunset and taking a dip in the ocean. read more

Ben T Davis Beach - Sunset - Beaches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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This is a little beach at the east end of the Cortney Campbell Bridge . They have decent location if you are just looking for some water and sand but don't want to drive another 20 minutes and sit on a actual beach. There is a decent amount of parking but you have to pay by the hour here. There always seem to be a large group of homeless here every time we have been here but we have never had any problems. They do have some shelters with charcoal grills so if you are looking to grill with some friends maybe this would work for you. We parked here to walk across the bridge on a nice stroll with the wife and our dogs. I took away two stars because this place is always a little dirty and the homeless situation around here is a little disconcerting. read more

This beach was only a walk from our hotel so we stopped by to catch the sunset on our way to dinner. The sunset was a mixture of pink tones overlooking the water. One of the best sunsets I've seen but since it was dark, we decided to come back the next day to really check out the beach. The beach in daylight wasn't the cleanest though. The color of the water didn't really convinced me to go in. The beach was quite small and not crowded. However, you really have to bring your own umbrella because summer in Florida is scorching hot. We didn't end up staying too long. read more

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Ben T Davis Beach is open, the beach is lovely. The amenities are not open yet, but you can use the bathroom facilities. If you are looking to use the tables for food or big gatherings they aren't available yet, but you can still enjoy the white sand beach. Parking is available and it was for an easy access, not full when I visited. If you like to walk along the path is a wonderful way to enjoy the ocean breeze and exercise with your family. The path is also for biking but no motor vehicles are allowed. Everyone was very respectful of social distancing when I walked, although no one wear masks or coverings anywhere in that area. The beach it's a little rocky so I decided not to go into the water but I did enjoyed been by the ocean. I noticed there were a families enjoying the day, walking along the path, joggers, bike riders and couples walking along the beach. Some of the photos also include the views of the walking path. I also uploaded a video! Visit this beach and enjoy the ocean breeze with your family and or friends. read more

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I feel so strange leaving a negative review about a beach, but unfortunately my experience at this beach wasn't great. We paid for two hours of parking (the parking is cheap and there were plenty of parking spaces, not sure what parking is usually like). We ended up leaving 15-20 minutes later. The water is extremely shallow and murky and the beach is pretty esthetically unpleasant It wasn't crowded when we went, but when passing this beach at busy times it appears to be packed. The beach isn't well kept and it appears to be a bit of a party beach for drinking and smoking. It is right new to Whiskey Joe's, which seems to be a popular restaurant/watering hole, but we decided to dine elsewhere afterwards, because the beach wasn't the greatest experience. There are also no dogs allowed. read more

Glass on beach. Unacceptable. Water looks dirty which we expected. But unsafe walking and wading not cool at all. Plus people smoking weed behind us. Not sure if this is what I call family friendly. read more

Ben T Davis Beach - Glass on beach. Unacceptable - Beaches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I am new to the area so I went to the beach that was closest to me This is a small beach with a small parking fee. It is stinky and lots of seaweed. The sand area is strewn with litter. read more

Ben T Davis Beach - Beach area looking out - Beaches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

The beach is decent, enjoyable. Shallow, calm water, not many rocks in the sand, and volleyball net. Crowded with a fair amount of parking. I will definitely go back. read more

I wouldn't let my dog swim in this beach (if I had a dog). It is nasty. The water is murky and there is so much litter in the water I was scared of stepping on a syringe or something. The trail is great for walking/running or a nice scooter ride. Lots of dolphin sightings. But as far as a beach, find another one. read more

Come here for beautiful sunsets and people watching lol! Also to use the free beach and the walking path along the Causeway! We had a great evening at this Tampa beach on New Years Eve 2020! The walking paths are not just used for walking, but for riding bikes, skating running and other physical activities. There are a few benches scattered for seating along on the causeway as well. The beach was semi clean. There was plenty of parking but you have to pay for it. I paid $1.15 for two hours. Not a bad price! read more

Ugh... my sister and I decided to try out this beach because: -traffic/parking at Clearwater is crazy -figured wouldn't be as packed as Clearwater -this beach was walking distance of our hotel -wouldn't have to worry about parking if we walk We quickly realized that it was mistake coming to this beach because: -this is tiniest beach ever -was pretty crowded still -seemed "dirty" -water was murky and "sea weedy" -sand was NOT soft (like Clearwater) -tons of broken, sharp shells to walk on We stayed for maybe 40 minutes and decided to head to Clearwater Beach instead... should have just gone to Clearwater in the first place. read more

Ben T Davis Beach - Sand isn't soft.. lots of debris in it. - Beaches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

It was really beautiful watching sunset from here. It was a big parking area and you could see the water really close by and get in the water too. It's beautiful, I recommend it read more

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I absolutely love love love coming to this beach. However, If you are searching for a beach to swim and/or lay out at I wouldn't recommend this beach. This is more of a beach park. I come here to run several times each week. The trail is alongside the beach and crosses over the bridge on CCC. There are multiple entrances but I always park at the very first entrance. I park there mainly because there are restrooms and every time i have been here the restrooms are well kept and there has always been toilet paper. Very grateful and appreciative of that! I love that the trail stretches for many miles because I run long distance. I always see other runners, people walking, running, biking, roller blading, skating and many people fishing as well :). It's a great and well kept, clean trail. After running I do take my shoes off and walk into the water. I have also stayed and have been here a few times for sunset. I also noticed that (mostly on weekends) many people use the grills and picnic benches and play music etc. I have yet to have a negative experience! One of my favorite running trails in Tampa thus far! read more

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Looking for one last sunset before a flight out of Tampa? Provided you can find parking (it's free here but can get crowded) this beach is less than 10 minutes from the Tampa airport! I was so grateful for one last sunset view and the chance to wade in the water here as a farewell to Florida before returning to Texas! One of the security officers at out gate asked why the bottom of my pants were wet and seem touched when I told her we had to see the sunset before our flight! Simple joys like this are hard to beat! Nothing to criticize here--only praise:)!! read more

Ben T Davis Beach - Beaches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Stopped by one of the beaches here on the side of the main road. Nice view of the sun setting. Small sandy beach area. Restroom not well kept. It's a nice spot if you need a breather. Paid parking. read more

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This is not a REAL beach. If you're visiting the area, you're better off driving out to Clearwater to get an actual beach experience. Ben T Davis has a beach area where there is sand but the water was so disgusting. We were there for 10 minutes and left for Clearwater. There was algae all over the place, not just on the shore line. It also smelled so gross out there. They do have chair and umbrella rentals and the staff was very friendly. $30 for 2 chairs and an umbrella all day. read more

Since I was in the area I decided to stop by Ben T Davis Beach. It has a very narrow shore line and nice sand. It goes along the Courtney Campbell Bridge and is usually crowded with locals. They have public restrooms that are moderately clean considering the traffic it gets throughout the day. This is a great place to park with a picnic and enjoy the sunset or to watch for dolphin. read more

This is more of a 3.5 star rating. Ben T Davis isn't a large beach, but that didn't stop us from having a nice time. Pros: The bathrooms are clean, cool and fully stocked. There are jet ski rentals nearby. Cons: A great deal of broken shells along the shore. It makes walking along the edge difficult. You basically have to go a few feet in for a comfortable walk and then you can see a school of tiny fish. The surface area of sand is extremely limited. Everyone has to crowd together. read more

Ben T Davis Beach - Jet Skiers Racing - Beaches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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UGH! Maybe it's because I'm a native Californian. Maybe it's because I've experienced the beaches of Hawai'i, Galveston, and Miami Beach. But I decided to try out the strand of beaches along the causeway. My daughter loves the beach, maybe she'll love this. No way, Jose, olé. I'm glad I scouted it out alone. First, it's a small beach. and although it looks inviting, there's not enough sand or room to build a sand castle or play volleyball. Second, parking isn't all that good, and who knows if those pay machines work. Third, there are signs going into detail about the water health and how often it's checked, which has the effect of keeping you out of the water for the sake of your health. Fourth, there's only a beach near Clearwater and another in Tampa, the rest of the six miles is a bike path and fishing area. I hope there's another beach in the Tampa/St. Pete area where she can go, no way am I going to take her to Ben Davis. read more

Ben T Davis Beach - All this verbiage about the water, I ain't sure I wanna go in. - Beaches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

If you're speeding by on SR - 60 aka Courtney Campbell Causeway, it can be easy to miss this small, unobtrusive beach. While Ben T Davis is not the image that pops into your mind when someone mentions "Florida," it does have about a 10' wide berth of sand. The beach seems to be best for wading in the shallows, as the water is neither pristine, nor clear. It can be quite crowded here, which does not make it ideal for any type of beach sport or laying out for long periods of time. All this being said, the beach is not berift of benefit. It does contain covered picnic tables for that crazy unpredictable Florida weather, which are placed next to grills. There are clean public restrooms as well as some water points for rinsing off after wading. This beach is also located near the airport, and several dining options such as Bahama Breeze or Whiskey Joe's next door. For the ultimate Florida beach experience, drive the 30 minutes to Clearwater Beach or one of the other better suited options on the Gulf. read more

Ben T Davis Beach - Beaches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

This beach sits along Courtney Campbell Causeway. The city has done a lot over the years to renovate and improve this area. If you don't have time to make the drive to the gulf beaches this is an alternative if you want to get outside, be on the water and take in some vitamin D. The beach is quite small and narrow. The sand is mixed with broken shells so be careful. I suggest shoes. I think of this as being more of a park/recreation area on the water more than a beach. It certainly doesn't compare to our gulf beaches. It does not represent what Florida beaches are all about. You are not allowed to swim here, as the bacteria levels are high. The water is murky and dirty. This is bay water and can have a very unpleasant odor at times. There is metered parking, restrooms, concessions, covered picnic tables, grills and a volleyball area. During the weekends and summer this place can get quite crowded with more of a loud/parting crowd. Connected is a 4 mile trail that allows you to walk, bike or run. There are restaurants close by and one next door. This is not a destination for me unless for the trail. The drive over the Courtney Campbell Causeway connecting Tampa to Clearwater is beautiful. read more

I visited the smaller area closest to Whiskey Joe's. Pretty cool atmosphere. Not the MOST relaxing beach since the highway is so close, yet much of the area still somehow manages to be FAIRLY relaxing. Maybe a bit more of a "fun" beach. Yet, I also definitely noticed a person or two reading. Unique. I liked it. It was very clean. read more

The water is disgusting, smells bad, algae all over the place I used to love coming to this beach but F that now it has gotten so bad. Why do they still open this beach knowing damn well that it's not safe for people even the birds that used to be flying around are not here anymore. read more

Stinky stinky stinky.. not sure what it was that smelt so awful. Stayed at the Godfrey hotel and came here because it was the closest beach. Was there for 10 minutes maybe and then drove to Clearwater. read more

Pros: Good place to bbq with seating areas Good for joggers Ideal for a little people watching Located next to Hogans Beach (if u care) Volleyball net available Cons: Parking is not free The water is shallow and dirty most times Beach area is not very attractive Its a decent Beach, I'll visit a few times a year, but to quote other yelpers, there are indeed better options in Florida. Don't expect anything close to Clearwater Beach. read more

I wouldn't put this 'beach' anywhere near the same 'beach category as Clearwater, St Pete or Siesta Key. It's not that kind of beach. Its a 'redneck riviera' type place - It's a place where families go to grill with a nice view of the water. It's a place to set out some chairs and watch the sunset. It's not a vacation spot if you're looking for the best Florida beaches. What this place is good for is running. It has a nice wide paved trial that takes you over a bridge close the the border of Clearwater. Only problem is paying to park. I hate that crap. I deal with it when I'm going to the beach, but not when I'm just there to run. Still the cool thing about this place is the restroom facilities. They're new and very nice. read more

Ben T Davis Beach - Beaches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Parking was .50 an hour which wasn't bad. Went on a Sunday and there was a lot of people, but still found parking so was happy about that. Didn't visit the restaurants, restrooms or surrounding facilities so can't comment on those. I sat at the edge of the beach to hang out, but didn't stay long because the water was really stinky. The beach is just a small area with very little sand and smelly water rolling in (no waves). I just moved to Florida but after visiting St Petersburg, Clearwater, and the Siesta Keys, I just didn't like the place. read more

Ben T Davis Beach - This is the beach area. Pretty much it. - Beaches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

First place to go to for a beach when you are by the airport. This beach is not quite a swimming beach. The locals know that it is the one that often closes for all the dirty stuff in the water. But it's a nice place to walk, and enjoy the water. It's a nice place to bring your bike, or bring your dog for a walk. It is so so pretty too. If you need somehwere to eat, I know there's a food truck parked there too. There's also places to change your clothes from the clothes you wear when you come from the north, to come to the south. It is alright, and glad it's there to show off how beautiful our area is. read more

It's not a beach Tampa people are proud of.....coastal erosion is slowly taking it away so the sand is spreading out making the water shallow in that area...city doesn't have a plan to save the beach, they must dredge/pump the sand back onto the beach....I recall back in the late 80s it extended the entire length of the parking lot and beyond....people pollute the water with cans and liter, fireworks during July and January....do yourself a favor drive 15-20 minutes to Clearwater Beach and enjoy a top 5 beach in the USA (simple drive just keep driving straight on CC to Gulf to Bay and then across the bridge in Clearwater) read more

I'm so mad at myself that it took me 2 years to know about this beach. It's perfect even for those that appreciate the beach but not necessarily the sand. That (paid) parking lot is pretty big and is lined with multiple picnic tables under covered areas if you just need to step out of the sun. The actual sand is on either side of the parking lot and there's even a restaurant at the far end. The beach is located along the Courtney Campbell Causeway and even has a trail that runs the whole length of the causeway. It's a wide, paved trail which is perfect for walking, running, skating, biking, etc. I'm noticing that a lot of people also like to come here just for lunch during their work week. read more

Nice sunset but party city is not my vibe. Whiskey joes looks fun but the hordes of people fighting for a parking spot is not. Too much noise for my taste. read more

It's fine. Not really all that clean. Just as likely to see a cigarette butt as a seashell.

Not necessarily a destination beach, but it has sand, sun and water! Located right next to Whiskey Joe's on FL-60, Ben T Davis beach is a perfect place to lay out in the sun if the traffic to Clearwater is just too much to handle. Parking is relatively inexpensive, but heck if you have lunch at WJ's, I'm pretty sure the staff won't have you towed. We visited in the middle of the week so there was plenty of parking and space to lay out our towels on this little beach area. This is a great place to bring kids since the water is very shallow and there is no rip current to worry about. The tide is pretty crazy. Those buoys that seem really far away? Come night time, the water will have receded past them and you can walk on "damp" sand. read more

Oh, what can I say? It is a very local thing to do, I suppose. NO waves, no thrill, no frill. Just a quiet steady ocean with about 10 feet of "beach sand" from the shore, and the length of it is not even that big. It is not definitely a clear coral blue, but at the same time, this is a free public beach. Some sea weed here and there, dead floating fish and jelly fish, and A LOT of folks. No real view, no cornucopia of tourists, restaurants, and anything really great, but in the end, it was alright. Prepare to wait quite some time on their public bathrooms. There is only a handful, and alocate that to the amount of visitors/locals they get, there simply is not that much to go around. Clearwater beach is about another 30-40 minutes up ahead, so if you have time to spare, you might as well go there. Otherwise, it is really close to the airport, but all in all, not that great of an experience: it is simply, doable and barely exciteable. read more

Plenty of parking and for 2 hours, was only $1.00. There are nice clean restrooms when you first come in the entrance to Ben T Davis. Whiskey Joes is located right next door if you're looking for a bite to eat or if you happen to be thirsty. read more

3 Stars because there is sand and water. It is also very close to the airport. This is the reason I went to this beach as I had a few hours to kill. The water is not really swimmable and the beach is ok. There is a nice pathway on both sides of the causeway for a run or walk. It is nice but the sound of the highway takes away from the experience. If I had to do it again, I would have went somewhere else. read more

Ben T Davis Beach - Beaches Near Me - Tampa, Florida