November 14–30, 2026 · St. Pete Beach and beyond
America’s Sunset Capital
The countdown to sunshine, sandy toes, dolphin sightings, waterfront discoveries, and unforgettable family stories starts here.
Picture warm sand at sunset, dolphins playing offshore, a cold drink at a beach bar, the excitement of spotting a manatee, and a day trip that turns into everyone's favorite story. From St. Pete Beach to Clearwater, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, Crystal River and Tampa, this is our invitation to explore.
Our home base is Mariner Beach Club. Thanksgiving is reserved for family time together. The rest? Pick an adventure, follow the sunshine, and make some memories.
St. Pete Beach, Pass-a-Grille, Treasure Island, Clearwater and those unforgettable Gulf Coast evenings.
Explore beaches →Dolphins, manatees, Fort De Soto, island beaches and excursions worth getting out of the lounge chair for.
View adventures →Casual beach bars, waterfront dining, local favorites and time with family—without a rigid schedule.
Find restaurants →From easy beach afternoons to two-day escapes, pick the outing that fits the mood. Each plan includes suggested stops and a map route. Nothing is mandatory—especially on vacation.
Start with the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center: boardwalks, ray touch tank, education exhibits and optional trails. Spend 1–2 hours there, then consider a relaxed bayfront walk at Apollo Beach Nature Preserve. The preserve is not a swimming beach. For the best chance of manatees, check the official webcam and aim for a cooler day.
Manatee center: Nov 1–Apr 15, 10 AM–5 PM, trails close 4 PM; free admission and parking; closed Thanksgiving Nov 26. Wildlife sightings not guaranteed. Check both locations before travel.
Visit the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center for hands-on marine learning and the St. Pete Pier waterfront. For an expanded outing, book a naturalist-led Tampa Bay Watch Eco-Tour; the boat boards at a separate location.
Eco-tour is optional and ticketed. Confirm departures, child age requirements, conditions and museum hours.
Browse the little historic district, relax on the beach, then pick a waterfront spot for sunset. Great low-effort outing.
Flexible plan, not a reservation or verified driving-time estimate. Confirm opening hours, conditions and admission before leaving.
Pack water and sunscreen; choose a beach walk, birdwatching, or a short kayak rental. Keep kayaking optional and check equipment capacity.
Flexible plan, not a reservation or verified driving-time estimate. Confirm opening hours, conditions and admission before leaving.
Spend the morning on the sand, explore the boardwalk and shops, and consider a dolphin cruise if conditions cooperate.
Flexible plan, not a reservation or verified driving-time estimate. Confirm opening hours, conditions and admission before leaving.
Choose one museum rather than rushing both, then enjoy the Pier and an evening meal. Gulfport is an optional add-on.
Flexible plan, not a reservation or verified driving-time estimate. Confirm opening hours, conditions and admission before leaving.
Start at Clearwater Beach, explore Dunedin’s walkable downtown, and decide where to watch sunset. Parking can take time.
Flexible plan, not a reservation or verified driving-time estimate. Confirm opening hours, conditions and admission before leaving.
Walk the sponge docks, enjoy Greek food and pastries, then finish with a beach or park stop.
Flexible plan, not a reservation or verified driving-time estimate. Confirm opening hours, conditions and admission before leaving.
Choose the aquarium or a Riverwalk museum, then head to Ybor City for architecture and dinner.
Flexible plan, not a reservation or verified driving-time estimate. Confirm opening hours, conditions and admission before leaving.
An early start helps. Manatee encounters are seasonal and never guaranteed; verify park access and tour rules.
Flexible plan, not a reservation or verified driving-time estimate. Confirm opening hours, conditions and admission before leaving.
Day 1: travel north and explore Crystal River. Stay overnight locally. Day 2: visit springs or wildlife park before returning. Book lodging separately.
Flexible plan, not a reservation or verified driving-time estimate. Confirm opening hours, conditions and admission before leaving.
Day 1: island beaches and waterfront dining. Overnight near Sarasota or Anna Maria. Day 2: explore Sarasota and return at leisure. These are proposed new guide areas.
Flexible plan, not a reservation or verified driving-time estimate. Confirm opening hours, conditions and admission before leaving.
Day 1: Sarasota museum or waterfront, then overnight. Day 2: Venice beach and historic downtown. Check museum hours before planning.
Flexible plan, not a reservation or verified driving-time estimate. Confirm opening hours, conditions and admission before leaving.
Day 1: drive and settle in with a low-key outing. Day 2: choose one age-appropriate attraction; tickets and lodging require separate planning. This is a longer-distance option.
Flexible plan, not a reservation or verified driving-time estimate. Confirm opening hours, conditions and admission before leaving.
Let the little ones explore the hands-on exhibits at Great Explorations, then visit the nearby Sunken Gardens for a relaxed outdoor stroll.
Check hours, tickets and nap-time needs.
Choose a ferry to historic Egmont Key or a family-friendly Shell Key boat excursion. These are separate outings, not a combined guarantee.
Verify actual operators, departure times, weather and landing restrictions.
Visit Tampa Electric’s seasonal Manatee Viewing Center, then enjoy a nearby nature stop if time allows. Manatee sightings are never guaranteed.
Confirm seasonal operating days and access before leaving.
Explore the preserve’s accessible boardwalk and observation areas. Add a guided kayak excursion only if the open routes, conditions and equipment suit your group.
Check paddling-trail closures before visiting.
Explore downtown Safety Harbor, visit the colorful Art & Music Center, and finish with a waterfront stroll.
Check performance schedules before making an evening plan.
Take in mangrove views and observation areas; kayaking is optional, not essential.
Check trails, conditions and kayak capacity before departure.
Make a leisurely trip to Cedar Key for its historic waterfront, small-town streets and Gulf scenery.
Confirm current storm-recovery access, lodging and restaurant openings.
Spend a scenic day among the gardens and historic tower, with time for a carillon performance if scheduled.
Verify performance times and seasonal hours.
Give younger children a hands-on morning at Glazer Children’s Museum and enjoy a nearby downtown stroll.
Plan around nap times and check timed-entry requirements.
Take a pirate-themed cruise and enjoy Clearwater Beach before or afterward.
Confirm sailing schedule and weather.
Pair the pinball and arcade collection at Replay Museum with the historic sponge docks.
Check Replay Museum admission and age policies.
Browse the Saturday market, then continue to the St. Pete Pier and waterfront.
Verify the market’s current seasonal site and operating dates.
Visit the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum as a relaxed indoor stop.
Confirm museum hours before driving.
Consider an overnight on the Atlantic coast with a full day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Long drive from St. Pete Beach; tickets and launch schedules require advance verification.
Explore the historic district, waterfront and Castillo de San Marcos on an optional two-day trip.
Overnight recommended; verify attraction hours and parking.
Choose one age-appropriate theme park or attraction per day, allowing time for rest.
Do not assume theme-park reservations or admission are included.
Thanksgiving Day, November 26, is reserved for family at Mariner Beach Club. Overnight and two-day ideas are optional additions, not booked trips.
Choose by cuisine, budget, atmosphere, and sunset view. Price bands are editorial estimates, not guaranteed menu prices. Nearby/short-drive labels are approximate, not measured distances.
$ · Beach burgers, sandwiches, casual American · Very close
Casual beach bar · Gulf sunset
Relaxed; small bar, no live music
$$–$$$ · Seafood, grouper, crab · Nearby
Casual, family-friendly · Gulf sunset
Kids menu; choose the St. Pete Beach location
$–$$ · American pub, bar food · Nearby
Lively neighborhood bar · No direct Gulf view
Better for adults or earlier casual meal
$$ · Seafood, American, breakfast · Short drive
Relaxed, family-friendly · No direct Gulf view
Good flexible breakfast or dinner
$$$ · Steaks, American · Nearby
Intimate steakhouse · No direct Gulf view
Adult-focused dinner
$$ · Beach bar, American · Short drive
Lively, music · Gulf sunset
Better for adults when music is loud
$$ · Maryland-style crab, American · Pass-a-Grille
Casual sports bar · Gulf sunset
Ravens games, upper-deck views
$ · Breakfast, burgers, beach snacks · Pass-a-Grille
Walk-up beach casual · Gulf sunset
Excellent simple kid-friendly beach stop
$$ · Seafood, American · Pass-a-Grille
Casual dockside · Bay/inlet view
Boats and possible dolphins; not Gulf-facing sunset
$–$$ · Breakfast, American, shrimp and grits · Pass-a-Grille
Historic family cafe · No direct Gulf view
Breakfast and lunch
$$ · American, seafood, beach bar · Treasure Island
Beachfront lively · Gulf sunset
Family by day; more adult later
$–$$ · Bar food, casual American · Sunset Beach
Live-music beach bar · Gulf sunset
Adults/music priority
$$ · American, seafood, pub · Treasure Island
Family-friendly, lively · Gulf sunset
Casual group meal
$$ · Brewpub, American · Treasure Island
Casual brewpub · Varies by seating
Good relaxed group option
$$–$$$ · Italian · Gulfport
Garden dining, date night · No Gulf sunset
Popular sit-down Italian
$$ · Seafood, grouper · Clearwater day trip
Casual beachfront · Gulf sunset
Pair with Clearwater beach
$$–$$$ · Spanish, Cuban · Tampa day trip
Historic full service · No Gulf sunset
Classic destination dining
$$ · Greek, bakery · Tarpon Springs day trip
Family-friendly, lively · No Gulf sunset
Pair with Sponge Docks
Price guide: $ modest · $$ moderate · $$$ expensive · $$$$ special occasion. Thanksgiving November 26: family meal at Mariner Beach Club.
Stock the condo, find a treat, or browse local shops. Important: Publix at Dolphin Village burned down and has not been rebuilt. Do not plan a grocery stop there.
Publix South Pasadena (1075 Pasadena Avenue South) is our primary supermarket. Publix Treasure Island (111 104th Avenue) is an alternative. For specialty foods, try Mazzaro’s Italian Market.
Browse Corey Avenue, Paradise Sweets, Lenny’s Surf Shop, Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market, and John’s Pass Village. For quick essentials, use the convenience-store map search in the directory; verify individual stores before leaving.
Shop earlier in the week for meal ingredients, drinks, snacks, ice and supplies. Thanksgiving Day remains family time at Mariner Beach Club.
Use the Groceries & Essentials area filter below for directions and information links.
Our featured picks are just the beginning. Use these outside directories to compare restaurants, check hours, find supplies and plan around weather. Links open in a new tab and require an internet connection.
Shopping reminder: Publix at Dolphin Village burned down and has not been rebuilt. Use South Pasadena or Treasure Island for a supermarket run; verify hours before leaving.
St. Pete Beach · November 14–30, 2026 · Eastern Standard Time
Stay after sunset for the colorful sky. Last light is the end of civil twilight, not the moment of sunset.
| Date | Sunset | Last light | Color (min) |
|---|
Favorite viewing ideas: Pass-a-Grille Beach · Mariner Beach Club · Treasure Island · Sunset Beach. Explore destinations
Source: your St. Pete Beach Sunset Times spreadsheet. Calculated times may vary by about a minute.