Indian Shores, FL Local Area Information

Indian Shores is located on a barrier island, with Indian Rocks Beach to the north and Redington Shores to the south. It was originally incorporated as Indian Rocks Beach South Shore but changed its name to Indian Shores in 1973. Indian Shores is one of the longest beach communities in Pinellas County, averaging only 1 block wide but extending 2.65 miles along the Gulf of Mexico. The town's full time population of about 1,500 residents grows to more than 5,000 in the winter high season. There are no major hotels, but the beach is lined by condominiums, timeshares, and small motels. Housing is a mix of single family homes, condos, and townhomes, many of them waterfront.

Indian Shores is home to the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, North America's largest wild bird hospital. The facility has emergency facilities, a surgical center, and indoor and outdoor rehabilitation areas where hundreds of injured birds are on display. Another local fixture is Mahuffer's Beach Bar a ramshackle Key West style bar with fish nets, autographed bras, automobile seats and old ship parts. Saltrock Grill offers waterfront dining if you're looking for something a little more formal.

Parking is available at six of the town's 11 beach access points. About 200 parking spaces also are available on the west side of Gulf Boulevard at the Tiki Gardens County Beach Access Park. The park has restrooms and showers for visitors. The Jolley Trolley is very inexpensive, and a fun way to see the beaches. It runs up and down Gulf Blvd 7 days a week.