If you are going to the Tampa area, Clearwater Beach is nice, but will be crowded, and is tourist oriented. Just a little north is Dunedin. Honeymoon Island is very nice, and not as crowded as Clearwater. There is also a ferry to Caladesi Island, which is even less crowded. You can see Dolphins pretty often from the ferry. In South St. Pete, Ft Desoto Park is a very cool place to visit. Decent Beaches, and the old Fort to explore.
