Indian Rocks Beach

Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, comprising just 1.4 square miles on the Gulf of Mexico just south of Clearwater and west of St. Petersburg, is a residential community that offers an array of activities and attractions.

There are 27 beach access areas among the miles of shoreline. Residents can boat, fish and enjoy the water in any number of ways from virtually anywhere on Indian Rocks Beach. In addition, the small city enjoys a vibrant dining scene, with options throughout the community – from oyster bars and pizza joints to coffee shops and bakeries.

The Belleair Causeway and the Belleair Bridge, which connects Indian Rocks Beach directly to Clearwater and the rest of the Pinellas County mainland, can be accessed via Gulf Boulevard, the city’s main north-south thoroughfare.

While beach access and dining options are concentrated along the Gulf Boulevard corridor, a large portion of the city’s housing is found on the “fingers” of land carved out by dredging the Narrows, the name for the water on the east side of Indian Rocks Beach. There you will find an interesting mix of colorful homes that includes the typical Florida ranchers as well as larger homes evoking a variety of architectural styles.

In addition to beaches, Indian Rocks Beach also features a large water park complex. Splash Harbor includes water slides, pools, rivers with waterfalls, miniature golf and arcade games among its many amenities.

Numerous larger parks provide further outdoor recreation. Kolb Park is the biggest complex, featuring a skate park and facilities for baseball, basketball and tennis.

Indian Rocks Beach Nature Preserve offers visitors the opportunity to take in a more natural setting via boardwalks that wind their way through mangrove tunnels. There also is a dog park there, on Bark Avenue.

Indian Rocks Beach puts on community events through the year, including BeachFest, a daylong music festival and family fun day in April, Taste of IRB in November and events tied to the holidays.

Indian Rocks Beach Nature Preserve features multiple boardwalk trails, providing visitors the opportunity to take in the sights and sounds as they wind their way through mangrove tunnels amid a lush landscape that also offers unique waterfront views. The preserve also includes a community garden and a dog park, conveniently located on Bark Avenue.

Kolb Park, located across from City Hall, hosts many of the city’s big events, including Oktoberfest. It features Campalong Baseball Field, which is home to organized youth baseball and senior softball leagues, and a skate park. Other amenities include tennis and basketball courts and a large playground.

The Indian Rocks Historical Museum offers a visual experience featuring exhibits and artifacts. Photos, maps and a timeline that covers an entire wall help bring the city’s past to life.

With a mission of engaging the community in visual arts, the Beach Art Center offers a variety of classes, workshops and gallery shows. In addition, the center offers communal meeting space for community groups and a Creative Kids Summer Camp.

For a quick and convenient local immersion, visit Nekton Surf Shop, which sells weather-appropriate clothing and surfing-related accessories but also rents bikes, paddle boards and kayaks for those seeking to experience Indian Rocks Beach by land or sea.

The biggest attraction in Indian Rocks Beach is Splash Harbor Water Park, which includes multiple water slides, a lazy river with waterfalls, a splash zone and a zero-entry pool. Additional features offer visitors the opportunity to play miniature golf, spend time in the game room and mine for treasure. Splash Harbor, which is open year-round, also has a snack shack, a restaurant and boat rentals available for guests who stay at any of the nearby hotels.

Incorporated as a city, Indian Rocks dedicates much of its time and resources to planning and conducting community events throughout the year. Highlights include BeachFest, a daylong music festival and family fun day, Oktoberfest, Taste of IRB and a pair of Christmas parades – one on the city’s streets and another featuring decorated boats.

Written By

Matt Pallister

Photography Contributed By

David Hall