Next Friday I am going to finish a business meeting in Tampa about 2pm and my flight out of Tampa Airport doesn't leave until 8:30pm. I'd like to go to the beach for a few hours. Can anyone recommend a beach that is not too far from the airport and has facilities for showering and changing? Thanks!

Not closest, but fastest beach might be Fort DeSoto. You hop on I-275 Southbound, go across the bridge and through St. Petersburg, then exit at the Pinellas Bayway (westbound toward the Gulf). Follow the signs to Fort Desoto. The park has concessions, changing facilities, a fishing pier, kitesurfing beach, dog beach, and several beautiful people beaches.

However, having said that, your time may be quite tight. Driving distance is about 30-40 minutes, and if you have to return a rental car, then you will want to be back at the airport about 6:00-6:30, which is the tail end of rush hour. Occasionally there is an accident on that bridge returning to TPA. But I suppose it would still give you about three hours at the beach, so go for it! Bring the sunscreen!

Here's the website:
http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm

I'd head over to Bonita Springs Beach, it's not far.

fun2travel, that is indeed very far. Well over two hours each way. Were you maybe thinking of Ft. Myers airport?

You're so correct, sorry, we did two Florida trips this year, one to Marco Island and one into Tampa, got my wires crossed...my bad.

If it were me, I would take route 60 west straight out to clearwater beach, and then take a quick jog south to Sand Key. It's about 17 miles but with traffic lights, it will take about 30 minutes or so. Clearwater Beach has gotten so congested these days, and Sand Key park is just south of it and so much less crowded. Plus Sand Key has changing facilities, etc., which I don't think Clearwater Beach does. The beach is truly gorgeous here - it's "real Florida" - soft white sand, palm trees, blue-green water. The webiste for Sand Key Park is http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/15_Sand_Key.htm

I would make sure to leave your meeting at 2 p.m. sharp (earlier if possible) and plan on hitting the sand by 3 p.m. (leaving time for parking, changing, etc.). I would then be back in the vehicle by 5 or 5:15 p.m. to head back out (I hate being late). The good thing about Route 60 is that it's usually not backed up at all going into Tampa in the evening, whereas I-275 (if you were to go to Ft Desoto) is almost always backed up for evening rush hour.

Thank you everyone for the information. I'll get out my map now and see which of the beaches is the most convenient from where my meeting takes place. I appreciate the info!

Ft Desoto would be my first choice for the beach. For 8.5 years, until our last transfer, I lived in a hotel right next to the airport and that was the fastest beach (and prettiest) for us to get to. There is one traffic light between the hotel and the beach. It's 35 cents to get onto Ft Desoto (state park) then no fees for parking and there is more than enough. After going through the booth, the road Ts--go right, then as far as you can on that road for the nicest section of beach.

The drive to Clearwater, there are 101 ( ) traffic lights if there's one, between the airport and the beach, and they are timed perfectly to hit each on red. It is a miserable drive. As pretty as that beach is too, I much preferred the easier drive to Ft Desoto. Mile-wise it's further, but a quicker and less frustrating drive.

We always went to the north beach at Ft Desoto, and although there are restrooms there, there is no shower. Looking at other websites though, they talk about showering facilities near the concession stand, which I believe is at the fort itself.

As birder said, traffic can back up coming back on 275, but it's just one area that is bad, where the Howard Frankland bridge narrows down on the Tampa side and there is a squeeze play for lanes. By 6:30 however, I would think that would be entirely cleared out and clear sailing.

Although not the prettiest beach, Ben T Davis beach on the Courtney Campbell Causeway might be your best bet if you are pressed for time and worried about traffic. The only problem is, that although they have pretty powdery white sand, it is not a Gulf beach, but on Tampa Bay. It's always jammed on weekends, but a Friday you'd probably not find it bad at all, and it's only 10 minutes in a worst case scenario, from the airport. Despite living practically next to it, we never went there so I don't know what their changing facilities are like, or if there are showers.

OK, so now I have a follow up question. My meeting is is Brandon which is east of Tampa. If I am going to Fort DeSoto at about 1-2pm is it better to take 75 south to 275 and take that over to Ft. Desoto rather than go through Tampa and St. Peterburg? Once again thanks for the comments and advice.

Oh ick. Brandon!

I'd think 275 would be best, or perhaps better, the Crosstown X-way, then the Gandy bridge over the bay, then I275 south.

Now you are talking a drive though. Count on about an hour to Ft Desoto.

I agree with OO - if you are in Brandon, then crosstown expressway to Gandy bridge to 1-275, and follow the signs from there. Someone who lives in Brandon posted here previously and said it only took her 45 minutes to get to south St. Pete from Brandon using this route? I live in Pinellas so I don't know. But this is definitely the fastest way to go to get to Ft. DeSoto. Clearwater Beach & Sand Key Park are too far away from Brandon, in my opinion, for a short trip.

Just a little clarification for JohnK, in case you do go to Ft. Desoto. When OO wrote:
"After going through the booth, the road Ts--go right, then as far as you can on that road for the nicest section of beach" she meant the second toll booth. The first toll booth is the Bayway, 50 cents, turn left at the second light, then continue through the next toll both (35 cents). When you get to the park, then make that right that OO is referring to.

We don't want you to get lost!

Good catch Joan...I could have had John in Clearwater Beach after all if he went to the T in the road after the Bayway toll booth!

I decided to go to Ft. De Soto State Park. I went to "North Beach" which is the one that got best beach award in 2005. There were outdoor showers so I was able to swim and rinse off before getting dressed and headed to Tampa Airport. I left the beach at 4:30 but I didn't hit traffic until the Tampa side of the bridge on RT275. It took about an hour to get there. I want to thank everyone for their help and suggestions.

John, how wonderful! Glad you managed to hit the beach before having to leave the area. And thank you for letting us know how it went!

Glad it worked out. "Toes in the sand" time is always wonderful!

I too am glad it worked out. Come on back someday!