Treasure Island • June 9, 2018

Get to Know Treasure Island, Florida

by Tina Herrell

In the early 1900s, tourists from all over the country first began flocking to Florida’s beautiful beaches, transforming tiny fishing villages into attractive vacationing spots. Several property owners attempted to boost sales of new developments on their island with an elaborate publicity stunt: they faked the discovery of wooden pirate chests filled with gold. News of this “Treasure Island” spread quickly, and the name stuck.

While Treasure Island is truly an island, it is a very connected area. Residents have easy access to Madeira Beach to the North, St. Petersburg to the East, and St. Pete Beach to the South.

Boasting some of the widest stretches of beach in the county, Treasure Island remains a popular spot for tourists and for residents alike. The city has a large number of single-family homes directly located on the bay and attracts many avid boaters.

Treasure Island had a ton of great festivals and events that boost community interaction and bring in locals and tourists alike to check out the unique scene. The annual Sanding Ovations sand sculpture tournament features sculptors from across the globe competing for the top prize, and the sculptures are left up for days afterward for the viewing pleasure of beach-goers who didn’t catch the competition. A yearly boat parade brings festive lights to the water each December–watch from your own watercraft or on dry land alongside the waterways. A massive fireworks display on Independence Day makes Treasure Island a favorite spot for locals on the 4th.

Check out this amazing areal video provided by Re.Max Metro.