If you’re coming to the Gulf Coast and you’re looking for interesting things to do that are recommended by the locals, well you came to the right place. I’m going to spill the beans for you here and offer a wealth of information and advice for your upcoming trip! These tips should suit you whether you are spending a day, a week or a month on our beautiful beaches.
I do however want to lay a few customary guidelines for enjoying our beaches. If you’re not from around here – this is for you.
Please fill your umbrella and castle holes for the turtles. Small baby turtles who call these beaches home become trapped in these holes and DIE
Please reconsider bringing small plastic wrappers to the beach or other materials that can easily be left behind for a turtle or small bird to discover – pick up all your trash items and properly discard when leaving the beach
Please consider purchasing reef friendly sunblocks. It’s been proven that most sunblocks ruin the ocean due to the chemical make up of them. Reef Safe Sunblock is a bit more expensive – with that being said I think it’s important to spend more money on purchases that make a difference.
Please consider picking up OTHER people’s left behind trash. I know it’s super sad that this is even a THING, but I have discovered that when others see me picking up left behind trash items, it sparks something in them to also do the same if they see something.
THANK YOU KIND PEOPLE – THE TURTLES, BIRDS AND BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE OF TREASURE ISLAND THANK YOU
Free (Awesome) Things To Do
Who doesn’t enjoy free stuff? The more you know the more you save!
1. Visit The Seaside Seabird Sanctuary
A free educational experience for locals and visitors alike. This is the place doing the most good in the community for our beautiful native birds. You can visit here early in the morning and learn about the birds currently at the rehab facility. The Sanctuary also offers some fantastic views of the beach from the “bird nest.” Also, if you spot an injured bird at the beach – these are the people to call.
**PRO TIP: I would get here either really early in the morning, or later in the afternoon on cooler days. When you congregate a lot of birds together – they tend to smell a bit and it can be a bit overwhelming (at least that was my experience). Still worth a look see.
2. Attend the Weekly Drum Circle
If you’re down for cool, weird and interesting vibes head down to the beach for an interesting event known as the drum circle! This good time takes place every Sunday from 6pm – 10pm right by the Publix near my home, which is now featured on Airbnb. You can check them out with the link below!
The Palm Apt @ John’s Pass
The Little Blue Apt @ John’s Pass
3. Get Around For With Free Taxi Rides All Along The Coast
That’s right! You can get a FREE ride anywhere along the beach! You just need to tip the friendly people of freebeachrides.
They go all up and down the entire Gulf Coast – from Clearwater Beach to Passagrille.
4. Attend The Ding Dong Sunset @ PassaGrille Beach
The antique bell is attached to a post set in the seawall at the municipal building at Gulf Way and 10th Avenue currently occupied by the Paradise Grill. Over the years, thousands of people from around the world have rung the bell at sunset and recorded their names in the Historical Museum’s “campanologist” guest books, which are now on their 19th volume. This is an every day event, rain or shine.
