A walk along the docks on Dodecanese Blvd takes visitors past working sponging boats loaded up with giant specimens, along with numerous (and fairly tacky) souvenir shops, Greek restaurants and advertisements for local boating excursions. Signage tells the history of the sponge business, which got its start in the late 1800s. They even have sponge smiley faces for sale.
Historic Sponge Docks
Nature Coast
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
27.97 MILES
The theatrical exterior of the Salvador Dalí Museum speaks of great things: out of a wound in the towering white shoe box oozes a 75ft geodesic glass…
9.35 MILES
Directly to the south of Honeymoon, this park is accessible only by boat and is virtually as nature made it: unspoiled and pristine. Consequently, it…
24.17 MILES
Tampa's excellent aquarium is among the state's best. Cleverly designed, the re-created swamp lets you walk among herons and ibis as they prowl the…
23.2 MILES
Like a patchwork quilt of variegated greens tossed out over Tampa Bay, this 3700-acre preserve protects a diverse aquatic and wetland ecosystem. At the…
22.24 MILES
This theme park has 10 loosely named African zones, which flow together without much fuss. The entire park is walkable. Admission includes three types of…
26.68 MILES
Why is there a Buddhist Thai temple in the middle of Tampa? Who cares, the noodle soup is amazing. On Sundays hundreds of people show up for the food and…
22.64 MILES
This 30-acre water park has everything a modern, top-flight water park requires: a long lazy river, a huge wave pool, bucket-dumping splash zones, a…
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
27.34 MILES
Since 1947 tourists have been lured by the siren song of Weeki Wachee Springs, one of Florida's original roadside attractions. Esther Williams, Danny…
Nearby Nature Coast attractions
1. St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
0.67 MILES
Erected in 1907, this historic cathedral doubles as a Greek American community center and host for the yearly Epiphany celebration. With a stately dome,…
7.58 MILES
Honeymoon Island's Nature Center offers exhibits on local habitats and wildlife, and hosts monthly presentations from wildlife experts, artists and other…
3. Honeymoon Island State Park
7.64 MILES
This park, so named in the 1940s when marketeers pitched the island as the perfect getaway for newlyweds, is graced with the Gulf Coast's legendary white…
9.35 MILES
Directly to the south of Honeymoon, this park is accessible only by boat and is virtually as nature made it: unspoiled and pristine. Consequently, it…
12.82 MILES
The home of Winter the dolphin, this nonprofit aquarium rescues and rehabilitates injured sea animals, such as dolphins, sea otters, fish, rays, and…
12.99 MILES
In high season, Clearwater's long stretch of smooth, white sand becomes a scrum of sun-baked coeds and extended families. Hotels, resorts and raucous…
14.06 MILES
If you want a less-crowded beach day, free of commercial folderol, head to this 65-acre, family-friendly beach park. It's at the northern tip of the…
18.82 MILES
This quieter, family-oriented beach appeals to day-trippers looking for their own stretch of sand. Most of the action is clustered around 17th Ave, where…