Sand Key Map

Description: This map shows towns, villages, neighborhoods, streets, roads, beaches, golf courses, lakes, rivers, railways, railway stations, and parks in Sand Key.

Description: This map shows where Sand Key is located on the Florida Map.

Sand Key is a barrier island located in Pinellas County, Florida, just south of Clearwater Beach. Spanning approximately 3 miles in length, it is connected to the mainland by the Sand Key Bridge, which forms part of Gulf Boulevard (State Road 699). The island is primarily residential and resort-oriented, with high-rise condominiums and hotels lining much of its Gulf of Mexico coastline.

Sand Key Park, a 95-acre county park established in 1984, occupies the northern portion of the island. The park features a beach with cabana rentals, picnic areas with shelters, a dog park, and a salt marsh with a walking trail. It serves as an important nesting ground for sea turtles during summer months, and the park's management conducts conservation efforts to protect these endangered species. The offshore waters are monitored by lifeguards year-round, making it a popular swimming destination for both tourists and locals.

Unlike the more commercialized Clearwater Beach, Sand Key maintains a quieter atmosphere with fewer tourist attractions. The island has no traditional downtown area, though it does offer several restaurants and small shopping centers to serve residents and visitors. The western shoreline consists entirely of white sand beaches facing the Gulf of Mexico, while the eastern side borders the Intracoastal Waterway.

Sand Key is part of the city of Belleair Beach at its southern end and the city of Clearwater at its northern portion. It is one of several barrier islands along the Pinellas County coastline, which includes Redington Beach, North Redington Beach, Redington Shores, Indian Shores, Indian Rocks Beach, Belleair Shore, and Belleair Beach. The island experiences a subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. Hurricane protection is a significant concern for the barrier island, and local building codes reflect stringent requirements for storm resistance. The permanent population of Sand Key is approximately 2,000 residents, though this number increases substantially during winter months when seasonal residents from northern states and Canada occupy their vacation properties.