St. Pete Beach is a barrier-island city at the southern end of the Pinellas beaches, formed in 1957 from Pass-a-Grille, Don CeSar Place, Belle Vista, and St. Petersburg Beach. Corey Avenue is its downtown, the Don CeSar hotel stands near its south end, and the Pass-a-Grille Historic District holds its tip.
St. Pete Beach is the southernmost of the Tampa Bay beach towns, stretching from Blind Pass to the tip of Pass-a-Grille. It runs from a resort district in the middle of the island to the historic, low-rise streets of Pass-a-Grille at the south end, with canal and bayfront homes along Boca Ciega Bay.
Shane Vanderson works with buyers and sellers of Gulf-front condominiums, waterfront homes, and Pass-a-Grille properties from Engel & Völkers South Tampa.
Living in St. Pete Beach
The north end, from Blind Pass to Corey Avenue, has restaurants and bars along Gulf Boulevard and Upham Beach on the Gulf. Corey Avenue is the city’s downtown, with local shops, restaurants, and a Sunday market. South of it, Gulf-front resorts and condominiums run toward the Don CeSar, which opened in 1928. Pass-a-Grille, at the southern tip, is a National Register historic district of older cottages and low-rise buildings, with a public beach and the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum.
Three bridges connect the island: the Blind Pass bridge north to Treasure Island, the Corey Causeway east to South Pasadena, and the tolled Pinellas Bayway southeast to St. Petersburg and I-275. Downtown St. Petersburg is typically 20 to 25 minutes, and Fort De Soto Park is a short drive south by the Bayway.
The St. Pete Beach market
The range is wide. Gulf-front condominiums and condo-hotels make up much of the mid-island inventory. Pass-a-Grille trades on its historic setting and limited supply. On the Boca Ciega Bay side, single-family homes on canals and the bay offer docks and bay access.
Hurricane Helene’s September 2024 surge flooded much of the island, and the city issued substantial damage determinations that require some older homes to be elevated or rebuilt. Some owners reported errors in those letters, so confirm the city’s final determination in writing for any home you consider. The FEMA 50% rule and Clearwater Beach vs. St. Pete Beach for condo buyers give more context.
Boundaries
The Gulf of Mexico to the west and Boca Ciega Bay to the east. Blind Pass separates the city from Treasure Island to the north, and Pass-a-Grille Channel lies at the southern tip. The Corey Causeway connects to South Pasadena, and the Pinellas Bayway connects to St. Petersburg and I-275.
Homes in St. Pete Beach
Pass-a-Grille’s historic cottages, bungalows, and small low-rise buildings at the south end; Gulf-front resorts, condo-hotels, and condominiums through the middle of the island; and single-family homes on canals and the bay along Boca Ciega Bay. Older homes share streets with new elevated construction, especially since the 2024 storms.
Nearby amenities
Corey Avenue shops and restaurants; Upham Beach; the Don CeSar; Pass-a-Grille Beach and the Pass-a-Grille Historic District; Gulf Beaches Historical Museum; the Shell Key Shuttle from Pass-a-Grille; Fort De Soto Park by the Pinellas Bayway; Treasure Island across Blind Pass; downtown St. Petersburg, typically 20 to 25 minutes; Tampa International Airport, typically 35 to 45 minutes.
Newest listings in St. Pete Beach
Frequently asked questions
Is St. Pete Beach part of St. Petersburg?
No. St. Pete Beach is a separate city. It was formed in 1957 from Pass-a-Grille, Don CeSar Place, Belle Vista, and St. Petersburg Beach, and it took the name St. Pete Beach in 1994.
What is Pass-a-Grille?
Pass-a-Grille is the neighborhood at the southern tip of St. Pete Beach. It was a separate town until 1957 and has been a National Register historic district since 1989, with older cottages, low-rise buildings, a public beach, and the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum.
How do you get to St. Pete Beach from Tampa?
Take I-275 south to the Pinellas Bayway, a toll road, or take the Corey Causeway from South Pasadena. Tampa International Airport is typically 35 to 45 minutes away.
How did Hurricane Helene affect St. Pete Beach?
Helene’s September 2024 storm surge flooded much of the island. The city issued substantial damage determinations, and some owners reported errors in their letters. Confirm the city’s final determination, the repair permits, and an elevation certificate for any home.
Where do the St. Pete Beach market figures on this page come from?
The key-facts table is pulled from Stellar MLS and shows the month it was updated. Gulf-front, canal-front, and interior properties behave differently, so rely on a direct valuation for a specific home or condominium.
