Best Florida Fishing Piers

A visit to a fishing pier is a highlight of many Florida vacations. Fishing piers offer wide open views of the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Tampa Bay or other waterway. They’re a way to get out on the water without getting seasick. They’re the perfect place to enjoy a hot dog or ice cream cone. They’re great for people watching, or watching colorful sunrises or sunsets. And, yes, they’re also good for fishing.

There are many fishing piers across Florida, and each has its own character. For many Florida residents, the best fishing pier is their local fishing pier where they can throw a line into the water to see what’s biting, meet up with friends, or take in the sunset at the end of a busy workweek.

For tourists, a visit to one of the best Florida fishing piers may be the highlight of their vacation. While any “best” list is subjective, below are 10 of the best and most unique Florida fishing piers that will please any tourist. They’re listed in alphabetical order since they’re all wonderful places!

215 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach. See: http://www.flaglerbeachpier.net/

The Flagler Beach Pier juts into the Atlantic Ocean and is 806 feet long. Amenities include the Pier Shop, which sells t-shirts, hats, fishing equipment, bait, snacks and drinks. The Pier charges a $1.50 fee to walk the Pier ($1.00 for seniors & the military) and a $6.00 fee for fishing ($4.00 for seniors & the military). The Pier is located just off the Flagler Beach Boardwalk, which offers many picnic facilities for visitors.

15 12^th Avenue South, Naples. See: http://www.naplespier.com/

Naples Fishing Pier was originally built in 1888, although it has been rebuilt three times due to hurricane damage. Its 100 feet long, and offers romantic sunset views over the Gulf of Mexico. It is a short stroll from Naples’ many fine restaurants in its charming downtown (http://www.fifthavenuesouth.com/). It offers a concession stand and bait shop, and there are no fees for walking on or fishing from the Pier.

8579 Gulf Blvd., Navarre. See: http://navarrepier.com/

The Navarre Beach Fishing Pier is 900 feet long and extends into the Gulf of Mexico from the beautiful white sand beaches near Destin, FL. The walking fee is $1.00, and the adult fishing fee is $5.00 ($2.50 for children ages 6 – 12). The Pier offers a restaurant with outdoor dining and music on the weekends.

1030 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Ft. Walton Beach. See: http://www.okaloosaislandpier.com/

The Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier, also known as the Ft. Walton Beach Fishing Pier, is a very long 1262 feet. A concession stand offers bait and tackle, pole rentals, and snacks & beverages. The walking fee is $2.00 for ages 6 and up. Fishing fees are $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors, and $4.50 for ages 6 – 12.

16101 Back Beach Rd., Panama City Beach. See: http://www.pcbgov.com/visitors_citypier.htm

The Dan Russell Pier, or City Pier, is a monstrous 1642 feet long! It’s adjacent to Aaron Bessant Park--the site of numerous festivals--and wide beaches. A bait shop also offers general merchandise. The walking fee is $2.00. Fishing fees are $6.00 for people over 6 years old and $3.00 for seniors and active military.

41 Ft. Pickens Rd., Pensacola Beach. www.fishpensacolabeachpier.com/

The Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier is 1471 feet long, and offers terrific fishing action throughout the year. The end of the Pier includes a 40 by 60 foot fishing platform. The fee for walking the Pier is $1.25. The fishing fees are $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors and military, and $4.50 for children age 6 and up.

1 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach. See: http://www.sunsetsatpier60.com/

Pier 60 is the setting of a nightly festival to celebrate the gorgeous sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. Along with the views, the festival features street performers, musicians, artisans and craftspeople. A family friendly movie is shown every Friday and Saturday (weather permitting), with soda and popcorn. The Pier 60 Bait House offers fishing equipment and general merchandise. Pier 60 charges a $0.50 fee to walk the pier, and $8.00 for fishing ($6.75 for seniors and $5.25 for children ages 5 – 15).

Boardwalk area, Daytona Beach. See: http://www.sunglowpier.com/

The Sunglow Fishing Pier is 950 feet long and conveniently located at the Daytona Beach Boardwalk. It’s a great place to get a seafood meal directly above the water at Crabby Joe’s Deck & Grill. Walking fees are $1.00 for adults and $0.50 for kids. Fishing fees are $7.00 for adults ($3.00 for children under 12).

Off I-275, St. Petersburg; Sarasota. See: http://www.skywaypiers.com/

Perhaps the most spectacular fishing piers in Florida (and possibly the world!) are the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers between St. Petersburg and Sarasota at the entrance to Tampa Bay. The North and South Piers remain from the original Skyway Bridge, which was demolished. The South Pier is the world’s longest fishing pier, at 8860 feet long (more than 1.5 miles!). Visitors will enjoy spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa Bay, and the soaring Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Both the North and South Piers feature comprehensive bait shops with live and frozen bait, tackle, rod rentals and plenty of food and drinks. The fees include $4.00 per car plus $4.00 per adult age 12 and up, $2.00 per child age 6 – 12.

1600 Harbor Drive S., Venice. See: http://www.venicefishingpier.com/

Sunset visitors to the 700 foot long Venice Fishing Pier may find themselves face-to-face with one of the sharks that cruise the Gulf’s shoreline as dusk sets in. Nearby attractions include sand volleyball courts, picnic shelters, and a dog beach. The Pier is connected to Sharky’s on the Pier, offering Gulf-inspired lunch and dinner, tropical frozen drinks, and live music and dancing Wednesday through Sunday nights. Papa’s Bait Shop offers, among other things, Venetian coffee! There are no fees for using the pier.

Other Florida fishing piers are listed below. This list is also in alphabetical order since they’re all great!

Anna Maria City Pier (340 S. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria).

Ballast Point Pier (5300 Interbay Blvd., Tampa)

Bay Vista Park (Pinellas Point Dr. and 4^th St., St. Petersburg)

Bokeelia Island Seasport Pier (Bokeelia)

Bradenton Memorial Pier (North end of 12^th St. W, Bradenton)

Charlotte Harbor Fishing Pier (Port Charlotte)

Cocoa Beach Fishing Pier (401 Meade Avenue, Cocoa Beach)

Dania Fishing Pier (230 E. Dania Beach Blvd., Dania Beach)

Deerfield Fishing Pier (200 North Ocean Blvd., Deerfield)

Del Bello Park (17925 Gulf Blvd., Redington Shores)

Dunedin Marina (51 Main Street, Dunedin)

Eau Gallie Fishing Pier (Melbourne)

Egan Park (9101 Blind Pass Rd., St. Pete Beach)

E.G. Simmons Park (2401 19^th Ave. NW, Ruskin)

Family Pier 1 (Tierra Verde)

Fisherman’s Wharf (Pampano Beach)

Ft. Clinch State Park Fishing Pier (2601 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach)

Ft. DeSoto National Park Fishing Piers (3500 Pinellas Bayway South, St. Petersburg)

Ft. Myers Beach Fishing Pier (Old San Carlos Blvd., Ft. Myers Beach)

Green Bridge Fishing Pier (Palmetto)

Gulf Breeze Municipal Pier (Gulf Breeze)

Harbor Palms Nature Park (1820 Mapleleaf Blvd., Oldsmar)

H.S. “Pop” Stansell Memorial Park (797 Florida Avenue, Palm Harbor)

Jacksonville Beach Pier (Jacksonville Beach)

Jetty Park Fishing Pier (400 Jetty Road, Cape Canaveral)

Jungle Prada Park (Park St. and Elbow Lane N., St. Petersburg)

Juno Fishing Pier (A1A at Juno Beach Park)

Lafayette Park Pier (Apalachicola)

Lighthouse Park Pier (St. Augustine)

Lowry Park (7525 North Blvd., Tampa)

Melbourne Municipal Fishing Pier (Melbourne)

Merry Pier (801 Pass-a-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach)

Mexico Beach Public Pier (37^th Street, Mexico Beach)

Municipal Pier – Hart’s Landing (Sarasota)

Ocean Pier Casino (Daytona Beach)

Palma Sola Causeway (9450 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton)

Park Blvd. Boat Ramp (18651 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores)

Pass-A-Grille Fishing Jetty (Gulf Way and 1^st Avenue, St. Pete Beach)

Picnic Island Park (7404 Picnic Island Blvd., Tampa)

Pompano Fishing Pier (222 North Pompano Beach Blvd., Pompano)

Redington Long Pier (17490 Gulf Blvd., Redington)

R.E. Olds Park (107 Shore Drive W., Oldsmar)

Riverside Park – Green Bridge Pier (Riverside Drive and 9^th Ave. W, Palmetto)

Rod and Reel Pier (875 North Shore Dr., Anna Maria)

Safety Island Marina (110 Veterans Memorial Ln., Safety Harbor)

Sand Key Park (1600 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater)

Sanibel Island Fishing Pier (800 Dunlap Road, Sanibel Island)

St. Augustine Beach Fishing Pier (St. Augustine)

St. Pete Pier –The Pier (800 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg)

Titusville Veterans Memorial Fishing Pier (Titusville)

Weedon Island (End of Weedon Drive NE, Tampa)

Williams Fishing Pier (5400 Shore Blvd., Gulfport)

Williams Park (8749 US-41 Tamiami Trail, Tampa)

7^th Avenue Fishing Pier (701 Pass-a-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach)

11^th Avenue Fishing Pier (1101 Pass-a-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach)