I did not love this beach area. It is abused, tired looking and beaten down. You can almost hear Mother Nature groaning while trying to support the weight of people , animals and trash that was packed in along the waters edge for as far as the eye can see. read more

What a sorry excuse for a beach! On a positive note (), I did find a huge amount of varied colors of sea glass... Clear. Brown. Green. Oh and they each had their own branding! Bud Light...Coors... Heineken, etc. If sea glass isn't your thing, you can always collect a multitude of shells! The shells of cigarette butts, empty cigarette packaging, chewing tobacco containers.. the list goes on! And on your way out, don't forget to hit the souvenir shop where you can find unlimited amounts of garbage. One man's trash is another man's treasure! read more

Took my girlfriend out for a late night sunset date night- we even saw a dolphin!! Super cute - clean beach. read more

Redneck Riviera - Aspen our puppy - Beaches Near Me - St Petersburg, Florida

The Redneck Riviera... The name really does say it all! Every summer this patch of sand near the Gandy Bridge is packed with Florida's finest folks sun bathing, fishing, flying kites and drinking from this spot. There aren't any restrooms or a picnic area, but no one seems to mind. Everyone brings their own coolers and grills and spends the day here. Since there is no parking lot you just drive your car onto the beach and set up tent in front of your car. The Redneck Riviera has gotten so popular that it has attracted food vendors and craft huts with tacky embroidered rugs and dolphin art. I haven't ever sun bathed at the Redneck Riviera, but I have gone running here in the evenings. The beach is very rocky in certain spots so this is not the best spot to run at. read more

Everything I dreamed and more. There are spots to pull up. Water views of the bay. Some trash. Some trash cans. Birds. Some trees and scrub. Great place to launch a watercraft or grill some hotdogs. In comparison to the French Riviera, the crowd here is also fabulous but only men go topless. read more

I used to live about 10 minutes from this beach and have always wondered how people can swim in the water in this beach. There's a good stretch of beach and it's got real easy access because it's by the Gandy blvd road. This beach can get pretty crowded on the weekends when I would drive by past it. The only times I've been is to take my dogs because they do allow them. This is a good dog beach but definitely not for people to swim in. It's also good because you can park your car real close to the actual beach. read more

Redneck Riviera - At least my pup enjoyed it - Beaches Near Me - St Petersburg, Florida

I got two ear infections after swimming here two different times. I cannot say with 100% certainty that the Redneck Riviera caused these ear infections, but I wasn't going to go back a third time to confirm. All I can do is present the facts: I swam in the water and shortly after (i.e. next day) had an ear infection - twice. I haven't been back and I haven't gotten an ear infection since. If it wasn't for those pesky ear infections, I really enjoyed this place. I am a floater. I enjoy relaxing on a pool toy (either inflatable or a couple noodles) and laying back to contemplate life. Yes, I could do this in a pool, but I like having perceived limitless space. I don't want to float into walls. The Redneck Riviera was the perfect solution. It is close to where I live and there are no waves. You can literally wade out and almost immediately have enough depth to float. Another positive is you don't have to pay for parking! You just pull off the Gandy Bridge wherever you find a spot. We always went during an off hour, after work during the weekday as opposed to on a weekend, so we always had a secluded area to ourselves. I wanted so badly for this place to work. Alas, my health comes first. I wouldn't come here just to lay out or walk around, so if I can't float, I have no need for this "beach". I give it two stars, however, because I see other people swimming and I'm hoping they aren't continuously coming back after getting ear infections! I may just have sensitive ears. read more

I wish I lived closer. I love how close you can park to the water! I would not swim in that water....Doesn't look very clean. I've seen lots of fish bones around! I just park and enjoy the view! Not much of a crowd during the week. The weekend can get crowded. read more

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The name really says it all. But this place does have some things to offer. Pros: - Dogs are allowed - Parking available right near the water. No long walk to the beach because you're right there when you pull up. - Free, which is a plus when you live in Florida and want to spend time at the beach. Cons: - Can be dumpy with cans and food on the beach and in the water. - First few feet of water is nasty and grassy, but gets better when the water is deeper. Overall, my husband and I enjoy coming here because it's convenient when we want to bring our dog. The swimming isn't terrible but not great either. read more

It was a hot day... needed some relief. I googled "Beaches Near Me". Gandy Beach came up so I rode there on my scooter. The roads are NOT scooter friendly. Finally reached the beach, took off my shirt and made a B-LINE straight to the water. UGH, it was boiling. I felt like a lobster. It felt hotter being in the water than before I got in. No relief. I felt really icky and I had this sudden feeling like the water was unsafe to be in. I got out and hurried home home and googled "Is Gandy Beach safe? I found a website which said: "You may be asking about Gandy Beach. Unfortunately, the Florida Department of Health does not currently do testing at this site. If this changes, we will include it. This grossed me out. I ran the shower and tried to wash all of the disgusting filth off me. I should have done that in the first place. It was cool looking, and I guess if you just want to hang out on the beach part then thats cool, but I don't suggest swimming here. Sources: https://www.tampavet.com/DrWebsters-Blog/beach-report/ read more

This comes up on a search of Gandy Beach and the first thing everyone who finds it on search needs to know is that it doesn't qualify as a beach on any common concept of the word. This is just a strip of muddy sand next to the road. The shock absorbers on your vehicle will get a nice workout driving to the parking area. If you get a front row parking spot you will have a fabulous scenic view of a power station. On the other hand, if you'd like to try some junior mudding there are usually a couple water filled holes perhaps 40 feet in diameter in the... uh... driveway, yeah that's it, to the parking area. Since it is not a beach or a park, just a place by the side of the road there is no need to be concerned about typical beach or park rules. So it is okay to bring your dogs, plenty of beer, a smoker grill, your fishing gear, your loud tunes, and to put up a tent for sun protection. (Note, though, no overnight camping.) The full sun exposure area is to the east and to the west is a shaded area accessible if you are willing to let the bottom of your car drag when your tires fall to the bottom of the ruts. Don't worry about getting stuck though. There will always be some people around with four wheel drives who have been waiting for months to put that four wheel drive to actual use. They will be eager to help. People are generally well behaved and police runs to the area are rare. That doesn't mean there isn't occasional excitement. A few years ago a guy was shooting bottle rockets out the window of his car and accidentally set the car on fire. Since it is presented as a beach 1 star is plenty. Being able to park on the sand doesn't make it even a distant relative of Daytona. Remember that if you go you are not going for the industrial scenery, the muddy sand, or the dirty water. You are going for the cultural experience. read more

Redneck Riviera, Hmm, I think the name is pretty fitting. This is not a touristy beach by any means. Not a fancy Touristy crawling Clearwater Beach, or a St. Pete Beach by any means. This is just a plain piece of our mother nature with sand next to the water. Many different types of people go here from families to those seeking some basking in the sun, to those just chilling with their dogs and some beer and a portable grill. Just simple outdoorsy cheap free fun. Cars park right next to the side of the water, get their coolers and grills out and bring their chairs, and chill out. Whatever makes you happy makes you happy. You are in Florida and should be outdoors when the weather is nice. People bring their family, kids and dogs with them. We brought our dog, but didn't find it comfortable to throw the ball around with him. Just bc cars could come at anytime. Since cars drive up to the beach, the sand is not very smooth. This place is okay to drive up and see the water, but I can not really see myself coming back. Unless I visit the new place "The Getaway" down the street. read more

The name says it all.,Think Jerry Springer meets the beach. On weekends its a people watching paradise.

I had my birthday party here and it was the best decision I ever made. Because the beach is basically just a strip of sand located straight off a high way, the others who frequent this beach aren't going to get upset if you have thirty 20-30 somethings hanging out, listening to music, and crushing some beers. In other words, no tourists, just a lot of Tampa locals looking to have some good cheap fun. The cruising patrol are pretty chill as well. They drive by frequently and make sure no one is doing anything really bad (so you never feel unsafe), but then they just let you have a good time (so you never feel like you can't have fun). So if you want some laid back fun in the sun with some friends, come to the Gandy Beach - throw up a canopy, fill up some coolers, and fire up those grills and you'll be golden. Oh but NO FIRES and NO GLASS (beer bottles) on beach. Stick with the rules, and be safe :) read more

Close to Tampa, entertaining, Sun, Sand, Waves, bonfires, drinks, good friends.... What else do ya need? read more

Redneck Riviera - No rednecks in sight yet! - Beaches Near Me - St Petersburg, Florida

Drive right up to the water. Usually can park within the mangove trees for shade. Kayaks, paddle boards and small boats can be launched directly from the car to the water. Water trails nearby. read more

Pro to park your car beachside. Con to swim in bacteria that water is so sketchy, I gave in and got in the water and the whole time you are in you feel like you are committing a crime it's just not clear like most areas around.It is indeed beautiful because it is the sea life but the beauty is disguised with an occasional piece of floating trash. People fish over here and you can bring your paw pals without a problem... read more

Kinda dirty but you can drive on it so that's cool and open at night. Great for walking and for dogs. Don't know if I would swim but I bet it's great for partying read more

Redneck Riviera - Beaches Near Me - St Petersburg, Florida

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Fun times at the Redneck!

It's really dirty. I mean really really dirty. We got here early to get a spot in one of the "mini beach" areas but they were all nasty and full of trash so we decided to go to the main beach. There were fish bones all around, the water smelled gross and the sand had trash all over it. We did see a dolphin hunting for his breakfast, so that part was neat. Overall, we stayed for 40 minutes and then packed up kids/dogs and went down to the dog beach in South Tampa. We won't be returning here. read more

Close proximity to me, so convenience factor is a plus when we want to kayak or let dogs frolic in the surf. No fees. Easy parking. No facilities. Fair amount if boat traffic making it less than optimal for swimming. But hey you get Florida sunshine, sandy beach and a water view. What mire do you need? read more

This beach is great. I have taken my dogs here to have some fun in the water without being tied to their leashes. I tend to avoid the weekends because the place gets a little crazy with the partiers and the alcohol. I wouldnt recommend a female coming out by herself though. Its right by the road so their is a few creepers that pull over, and pick at their belly button, lickin their lips, while watchin you. I always bring a friend, or my 185 pound great dane with me. You can pull your vehicle up, if you can find a space and pretty much do whatever the shit you want. Theirs no dogs must be on a leash sign. I always keep my sandles on because its called redneck riviera for a reason and you just dont know what you're gonna step in. Trash, crap, dirty diapers, vomit. Fun place!!! read more

Loved this place this weekend. Great place to ride jet skis cool out. A buddy even pulled up on his boat and it was nice and quiet.

This place is pretty hilarious. Gets super packed on the weekends, but it's a great time! Must less of a hassle than going all the way to Clearwater or St. Pete from Tampa, and parking is free! Can bring grills, tents, etc... we even brought a crab boiler out! Great place to enjoy some trashy Tampa fun with some adult beverages and friends on the beach. The only bad thing is that there is no bathroom (besides the bay...) and the beach is super rocky so I would keep your shoes on at all time! read more

This is an ancient spot. I grew up in Tampa and boated all over the bay. There used to be a squatter back in the day when the mangroves lined the causeway. He beached his shanty (big square hovel with green paint on the cabin and white hull) with his million cats! I beached my little 15' Whaler there once with engine trouble and walked across the road to WSUN and used the phone to call my dad to bring the trailer. I took an overly willing debutante of H.B.Plant High School there one sunset evening in my Barracuda. "Got my beer on" there back in the day when I wasn't old enough to drink in public. I fished it, walked it, peed in it, BBQ'd on it, and got many a sunburn there. Good Times, back before everyone was butt-hurt and snowflaked out. Before they bulldozed Florida to pour concrete. It was a great life! read more

Good place for a fun time near home. Love it. This a cheap and near place to enjoy the beautiful beach with family.

I love everything about Tampa Bay! Where else do you have such a selection of beaches large and small to hang out and everywhere you go it's beautiful. read more