The Gulf Coast of Florida is famous for being home to a laid-back crowd, much more so than those visiting the beachfronts in Miami and the Atlantic Coast. The city of St. Petersburg, Florida is a prime example of it, as is the coastal township of Madeira Beach, sandwiched between St. Pete and the Gulf of Mexico.
“Mad Beach” has become a booming tourist destination, due mainly to the John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk, which sits on the Intercoastal Highway and has become the #1 tourist attraction in Pinellas County, Florida. Surveys on travel sites consistently rate it very highly, as we will see below.
The famous pass brings in anglers and boaters in addition to regular tourists and is known as one of the best fishing regions in Central Florida.
Let’s see why!
Where is John’s Pass?
As mentioned above, John’s Pass Village is part of the township of Madeira Beach. Located on the waterfront at its namesake pass (more on that below), the quaint little fishing village was established around 40 years back, building upon a history dating back to 1848.
John’s Pass, the water channel, separates Madeira Beach in the north from Treasure Island to the South. It is a short walk from the village to the sandy beach on the Gulf Coast waterfront. The area is adjacent to St. Petersburg, and within easy driving distance of Clearwater and Largo to the north. Tampa Bay is less than 30 miles away along I-275 S.
Location and Direction
Madeira Beach is 20 miles from Tampa International Airport, and 10 miles from St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport.
If you are in Madeira Beach itself, it’s hard to miss John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk – turn west off of Gulf Boulevard before crossing over the John’s Pass Bridge going south.
There are many ways to get to the location as you drive along Alt. 19. The John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk is a 15 minutes’ drive north of St. Pete Beach, with Treasure Island in the middle as you drive North West along the Gulf Blvd (Coastal Highway 699).
Address: 12901 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach, FL 33706
Phone Number: 727-238-3671
Websites: https://www.johnspass.com/ ; www.johnspassvillage.net
When is John’s Pass open? Business Hours
John’s Pass is currently open during the following hours during normal business:
Weekdays: 11 am and 6 pm
Saturday-Sunday: 9 am and 9 pm
Without COVID related restrictions, the hours may be longer:
Sunday-Thursday: 10 AM to 10 PM
Friday-Saturday: 10 AM to Midnight
There is no admission to the village and Boardwalk area itself, though there are over a hundred retail stores and restaurants, along with a variety of activities on water which you must pay for.
If you are booking a tour launching from the Village, it may be advisable to book 24 hours or more in advance, since the area gets crowded with tourists during the summer months.
Parking at John’s Pass
As you pull up to John’s Pass Village, there is plenty of metered parking on the street.
There is also a six-story modern parking garage that had been opened in 2007, on the south-west corner of John’s Pass at 179 Boardwalk Place W, Madeira Beach, FL 33708. The building is hard to miss, being on the east side of Gulf Blvd just before cross the John’s Pass Bridge.
Parking in the garage is $2.50 per hour, $40 per week and $90 per month. The garage is open from 6 AM to 12 AM every day of the week.
In case you are parked in a different part of the city, there is a free shuttle whose route is described later in this article.
Are dogs allowed at John’s Pass?
There are pet restrictions in the Madeira Beach by-laws, but for the most part, small dogs on leashes may be allowed on John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk area, though certain business will tend to enforce blanket restrictions. Regardless of how friendly the people and businesses around may be, dogs should be kept on leashes in public areas for the safety of humans and the pets themselves. Taking large dogs to John’s Pass is not a good idea.
How long is the John’s Pass Boardwalk?
The 125+ stores and other establishments at John’s Pass Village are spread along an 1,100 feet boardwalk.
History
The area around what is now Madeira Beach was settled by Panfilo de Narvaez, a one-eyed Spanish conquistador, when he sailed into Bahia de la Cruz (now Boca Ciega Bay) back in 1528. Through centuries of tumultuous and uneasy co-existence between Native Americans and European invaders, Florida remained a lawless, swamp infested jungle filled with pine trees and mangroves. In the 19th century, Florida remained a territory that the planters from the Southern Colonies absolutely hated, since it became a favorite runaway spot for their slaves – who would often intermarry with the natives to form a new “wild”, mixed tribe called the Seminoles.
Upon hearing entreaties from the plantation owners from the Southern Colonies, President Andrew Jackson decided to take matters into Federal hands, launching Florida headlong into he Second Seminole Wars. In a desperate attempt to rid Florida of “Indians” and introduce white settlers into the area, the US Government instituted the Armed Occupation Act of 1842. Under this Act, white homesteaders would be given 160 acres of land provided they (nominally) tilled the land and helped the government contain (and theoretically eliminate) the Indian problem.
John Levique Arrives at Boca Ciega Bay
The two protagonists whose actions are entwined with John’s Pass arrived as homesteaders into the area. John Levique settled around Upper Boca Ciego Bay. His neighbor to the north was Joseph Silva. The two became friends and would engage in various fishing, trapping and business activities along the Gulf Coast.
The Creation of John’s Pass
In the summer of 1848, Silva and Levique were on their way home back from New Orleans, having disposed of a cargo of green turtle, when they were beset by a fierce hurricane. The shoreline was literally getting rearranged before their very eyes with the gusting winds and rains, making it impossible to spot landmarks.
The two waited out the brunt of the storm in a sheltered cove somewhere on the shoreline. When the winds died down a bit, Levique began to look for an inlet into Boca Ciego Bay. He knew of a couple of waterways in the area, but what he ended up using was a brand-new waterway which had just been opened up by the hurricane – an inlet between what are now Treasure Island and Madeira Beach. This stretch of water, which at the time was some 5,000 feet north of where it is now, came to be known as John’s Pass after the fortunate discoverer of the passage.
The date of the discovery was September 27, 1848. The area continued in lawless fashion for the next hundred plus years, even after Florida became a state. Ruthless poachers were driving the wildlife along the coast to extinction, and some sort of a conservation effort became sorely necessary.
Finally, in 1980, William Hubbard convinced the city to help build a boardwalk as part of a public waterfront development. Beginning in 1982, he started adding quaint, old world flavored shops along the sidewalk. Over the next 40 years, the John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk Community has taken shape and become what it is today.
Restaurants at John’s Pass
Most restaurants at John’s Pass Village have unique angles and views of the waterfront. The area is also known for great seafood.
The best-known establishments include the following:
1. Bubba Gump
2. Hooters
3. Friendly Fisherman Seafood Restaurant
4. O’Shucks Seafood & Grill
5. Sculley’s Waterfront Restaurant
6. Walt’z Fish Shack
7. Wild Seafood Market
8. The Boardwalk Grill
9. Pirate’s Pub and Grub
10. Mad Pub Madeira Beach
11. Mad Beach Craft Brewing Co.
12. DeLosa’s New York Pizzeria
13. Cuban Paradise Cigar & Café
14. Bamboo Beach Bar & Grill
15. Addicted to Bean
16. The Floridian
17. Beach Bites Café
18. The Sand Bar
19. Yogurt City
20. Sugar Daddy’s Ice Cream
21. Kohr Family Frozen Custard
What is There to do? Activities at John’s Pass
John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk is always rated highly by tourist surveys. For example, 85% of over 3,500 respondents on Tripadvisor rates the attraction as being “Very Good” and “Excellent”, while less than 5% rate it as “Poor” or worse.
Among the activities available for couples, families and groups are shopping, dining or bar hopping – there are over a hundred unique retail establishments and restaurants/bars. In addition, there are myriad activities focused on the Gulf, such as jet skiing, parasailing, charter boat rides, island hopping tours, dolphin watching and shelling.
Some of the well-known activities include:
Group Tours & Family Activity
Group Tours are also available at John’s Pass for a number of activities, mainly on the Gulf. Some of the noted ones include:
1. Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center
Located on the southern part of the Village, this center boasts close to 200 animals, including alligators, lizards, pigs, guinea pigs, rabbits, snakes, sloths, skunks, fish and others. A combination learning center and rescued animal habitat, interacting closely with the denizens at this unique location is a treat that children and adult visitors rarely forget.
2. Dolphin Quest – An Eco-Friendly Dolphin Cruise Tour
Frequently cited as the best eco-friendly dolphin tour in Florida, there are up to four trips daily. Trips for smaller, private parties can also be organized. The dolphins are usually captive from wildlife rescue operations but roam free in their natural habitats. The tours visit beautiful spots along the coast, such as Boca Ciega Bay. The interactions with dolphins can be educational as well as fun for whole families and tour groups.
3. Hubbard’s Marina
This group offers 5, 10, 12, 39 and 44-hour party boat fishing tours. They also offer dolphin watching nature cruises and eco tours, corporate rentals and a daily sunset cruise with beer and wine. Another adventure is to take the Egmont Key Ferry, getting out to the island which is accessible only by boat. There are 3-hour beach shelling ours, and a variety of kayak, paddleboard and cabana rentals on offer for family and friends.
4. Florida Tiki Tours
This company offers an usual assortment of dolphin watching and sunset tours, but advertises special deals for romantic and family occasions, such as bachelor and bachelorette parties, birthdays, weddings and office events & meetings. They also offer a number of sandbar tours.
5. Locked Up Escape Room Experience
This is a unique experience, where people are “kidnapped” or “locked up”, that is, restrained in situations which they are to escape from. This attraction should be pursued by those who are looking for something totally different to break up their day.
6. Shell and Beach Walks
Offered thrice a week and starting a couple hours before sunset, this leisurely 90 minute walk along the beaches has been hailed as a small gem in terms of finding and learning about shells and the local wildlife, such as turtles and beach birds. The educational value, in the backdrop of a gorgeous Florida sunset, is sure to leave an impression on children and adults.
7. The Royal Conquest Pirate Ship Tour
Kids will love the one-and-a-half hour tour aboard the authentic pirate ship, with crew all playing the role of pirates as would happen a couple of hundred years back. The cruise takes in the beautiful beaches and water, as well as dolphin tours and other kid-friendly entertainment.
Water Sports
In addition to the more relaxed family fun, there are a number of more strenuous adventure sports and water activities that are available for you at John’s Pass Village and Madeira Beach. Some of the more notable ones include:
1. Gator’s Parasail
The top-rated parasailing experience at Madeira Beach (per Tripadvisor), the boats carrying the parasailers leave right from John’s Pass Village. The options range from a gentle lift, to being dipped head to toe during the ride and a freefall to simulate parachuting.
2. Fly & High Waverunners and Parasail
This company offers jet-ski rentals and parasailing adventures for individuals. The Waverunner Jet Ski rentals can accommodate multiple people on them.
3. Other Water Sports Rentals
Other jet ski and parasailing activities are offered by several companies, including Calypso Breeze, Mad Beach Water Sports and JP Cat.
4. Variety of Charter Boats
There are many companies offering fishing and other charters of various lengths of time, including Lady Godiva Fishing Charters, Shark Boat Rides, Don’s Dock, Dagger Fishing Charters and Early Riser Charters. Details on each can be found by calling them or visiting the John’s Pass Village website and looking up the respective tours.
Festivals Held in the John’s Pass Village
There are a number of festivals held in John’s Pass Village. Among those held on an annual basis are the following:
1. John’s Pass Seafood Festival
The most famous festival held at this location is the John’s Pass Seafood Festival. The 39th edition of this annual event is currently scheduled for Jan 21-24, 2021. It is billed as the second largest seafood festival on the East Coast.
The event features free concerts, the world’s largest Bloody Mary (current record 155 gallons) & Bloody Mary Toast (current record 2457 people) and a John Levique Pirate Day in honor of the founder of the Pass. The event is sponsored by the city and municipal authorities and a host of other companies. It raises money for charities. In general, a great time is had by all.
Information about the festival can be found at www.johnspassseafoodfest.com.
2. John Levique Pirate Day Festival
This festival, in memory of the founder of John’s Pass, is typically held in May. Attended by several tens of thousands of visitors, the festival is a cornucopia of stalls, entertainment, food and beverages. Pirate themed merchandise abound, along with themed performances, fair style rides (mechanical bull, anyone?) and rollicking fun under the clear Florida skies.
One of the featured acts is an enacted battle featuring dozens of pirate actors, replete with musketry, sword fights and walking the plank. Thunderous cannon fire rocks the boardwalk and railing as the crowd watches on.
Local Restaurants near the John’s Pass in the St. Pete Area
There are close to 50 eateries within a 5 miles radius of John’s Pass, too many to list. There are multiple sites right there, a list of which was provided above. Within driving and cab riding distance are a whole host of bars, coffee houses and culinary delights, including the likes of Marker 14 Waterside Dining (Seafood) at the Club at Treasure Island, Castile Restaurant (Mediterranean cuisine) at St. Pete Beach, Rococo Steak at St. Pete, Il Ritorno (Italian) at St. Pete, Ruth’s Chris Steak House at St. Pete, Parkshore Grill (Contemporary American) at St. Pete, Birch and Vine at the Birchwood (Global, International) at St. Pete, Seaweed Steaks. A little further away are restaurants such as the Seafood & Sushi and Bellair Bluffs, Bascom’s Chop House in Clearwater and Caddy’s Indian Shores (Seafood) at Clearwater.
Hotels and Beachfront Accommodations Close to John’s Pass
There are a number of accommodations right next to John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk, and certainly many more in the greater Madeira Beach area. Some of the better-known ones listed on the John’s Pass website include:
Less than a 10 minute walk from John’s Pass, the beautiful paradise getaway of the Eiko’s Beach House is always popular with guests. Comfortably accommodating up to 13 sleepers, the Eiko’s Beach House has all you amenities you could possibly need, including a heated swimming pool, hot tub, private tropical garden and private access to Treasure Island Beach! Dogs are also welcome meaning that the whole family can truly have the vacation of their dreams!
2. Barefoot Beach Club
One of the most popular hotels on Madeira Beach, this hotel is 2 blocks away from John’s Pass Village, along a pristine stretch of beachfront along the coastal road from St. Pete to Clearwater. Besides constant access to a private beachfront, the hotel has luxurious amenities along with fabulous views.
3. John’s Pass Condos
1-, 2- and 3-bedroom vacation condominiums are available for rent in this complex next to John’s Pass, right on Madeira Beach. Besides being steps away from the Village and Boardwalk, the free shuttles that travel up and down the coast stops right outside your doorstep if you stay there. The same company owns vacation homes in other nearby beachfront communities.
4. The Cottages at Madeira Beach
Less than half a mile from John’s Pass Village, these cottages do not have a lot of upscale amenities but are on the beachfront and reasonably priced for family and groups.
5. The Crystal Palms Beach Resort
Spacious two-bedroom apartments with luxurious amenities and pristine beach access are a feature of this resort on Treasure Island. It affords easy access to John’s Pass Village and the surrounding areas through local modes of transportation, including a shuttle.
6. Fusion Resort and Marina
Another Treasure Island resort, this establishment offers 2- and 3-bedroom suites in a location that offers a 3600 view from the rooftop. A large suite of amenities is provided in rooms and the hotel premises. Premium beach access is available, and transportation is provided to nearby facilities via golf carts and shuttles.
7. Las Brisas Condominums
Situated about a mile and a half from John’s Pass Village, these 2- and 3- condos are higher priced (especially because there are not a lot of on-site amenities) but superbly located and known for privacy – both in terms of the living accommodations and beach access.
8. Regular Commercial Establishments
A number of commercial hotels, such as Holiday Inn Express and Courtyard St. Petersburg Clearwater/Madeira Beach by Marriott, are present in the vicinity of John’s Pass. Additionally, there are quite a number of reasonably priced motels a bit further inland. Due to the shuttle service, it is possible to stay a little inland, away from the commercially developed beach areas, and enjoy John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk on a daily basis.
Other Things to Do in the Area
You will doubtless notice that John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk is one of the top attractions, which should not be surprising. But there are other activities lined up to suit your tastes, be it the Dali Museum or the Chihuly Collection if you are a fan of art, taking Glass Bottom Boat Tours or visiting the Marine Aquarium to see more sea life, or simply enjoying the tranquility of the Sunken Gardens close to downtown St. Pete.
Besides the above, there are many beachfront activities that can be carried out in the area, including those centered around Madeira Beach, St. Pete Beach, Clearwater Beach, Treasure Island, Indian Rocks Beach and Redington Beach.
How to Get Around – Free Shuttles Up and Down the Coast
There are so many different places to visit in the area that it may be difficult to fit all of them in. But fear not, at least transportation may not pose a problem. You can traverse the area stretching as far north as Clearwater Beach and as far south as St. Pete Beach using the Free Beach Ride service or the Suncoast Beach Trolley. It stops at the following points:
· Downtown Clearwater
· Island Escapes
· North Clearwater Park
· South Clearwater Beach
· Sand Key Park
· Bay Park
· Indian Rocks Beach
· Indian Shores
· Readington Shores
· North Redington Beach, and
· St. Pete Beach
Summary
The descriptions above have hopefully convinced you to stop by this premier tourist destination in Central Florida, especially if you are in St. Petersburg, Clearwater or Tampa Bay. There are so many options for laying back in the sun to relax along the luxurious beachfront, to shop at the stores along the boardwalk, eat your fill of seafood or visit a pub while gazing at a sunset. But there are many active pursuits as well, something for all ages and tastes to enjoy. Overall, be thankful that you are visiting a relatively pristine corner within an urban habitat – where the comforts of daily life can be easily had but you are allowed to escape into the wild to be one with nature whenever you desire to do so.