Indian Rocks Beach & Indian Shores Guide
Spanning less than six collective miles, the communities of Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores sit between the Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal Waterway, offering visitors a wealth of opportunities for water sports, lazy downtown explorations, and relaxing beachfront afternoons.
Until 1949, Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores were part of the same town. The south shore of the city eventually broke off and was called Indian Rocks Beach South Shore until 1973, when the town’s name was changed to Indian Shores. Sharing a common history and a similar landscape, the sister cities are home to some of the Sunbelt’s favorite attractions, including the Suncoast Bird Sanctuary.
Indian Rocks Beach
Home to roughly 4,000 residents, Indian Rocks Beach has always been a popular weekend get-away destination. Founded in the 1920s to attract wealthy inland residents, today the island welcomes a variety of visitors to enjoy our safe beaches, environmentally-conscious businesses, and some of the very best restaurants on the Gulf Coast. We also host a twice-annual Arts and Crafts Festival every November and April that’s not to be missed!
Indian Shores
Home to less than half the year-round population of its northern neighbor, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores grows to over 5,000 residents during the winter months, and hosts a variety of events to keep its visitors coming back year after year.
We are proud to host the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, a non-profit organization dedicated to the "rescue, repair, recuperation, and potential release" of rehabilitated, sick, and injured birds native to the Gulf Coast of Pinellas County. The sanctuary is open every day to the public, and is happy to welcome visitors at no admission cost, thanks to generous contributions by members of the public. Some of the wild birds you might see at the sanctuary include brown pelicans, white egrets, and cormorants.
