North Beach takes its name from its location on the northern end of Fort De Soto Park in Tierra Verde, Florida, a barrier island community in Pinellas County. Tierra Verde was originally 15 undeveloped islands covered with mangroves, pines, and bush used by Native Americans for ceremonial and burial grounds as far back as 500 years ago. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León visited the area in 1513 and again in 1521 when he received a fatal wound, followed by explorers Narvaez and Hernando de Soto, and later pirates including José Gaspar, Juan Gomez, and Jean Lafitte. The islands were purchased in 1959 for resort development, but progress stalled until the Pinellas Bayway opened in 1962, connecting the islands and St. Pete Beach to the mainland. Development accelerated in 1975 when the Mackle's Deltona Corporation partnered to construct condominiums in the Isla del Sol area, followed by a golf course sparking rapid expansion. Fort De Soto Park was created in 1948 when the Federal Government sold Mullet Key to Pinellas County, with Fort De Soto originally built in the late 1890s as a defensive military position protecting western Florida and Tampa Bay's mouth. The Spanish-American War-era fort remains preserved within the park, creating a unique combination of military history and natural beach recreation.
The beach features a picturesque backdrop for swimming with a huge tidal pool ideal for floating and splashing with children in calm, shallow waters. The 1,136-acre park offers kayaking, water skiing, snorkeling, and boogie boarding as popular water activities. The dog beach welcomes pets for off-leash play and swimming. Fishing is available from Bay and Gulf piers extending into productive waters. Birding attracts enthusiasts to observe migrating and resident species in diverse habitats. The Spanish-American War-era fort invites exploration of military history with preserved batteries and fortifications. Tranquil waterways provide paddling opportunities through mangrove-lined channels. Discovery trails wind through natural areas showcasing coastal ecosystems. Beach amenities include the North Beach Swim Center, though the beach experienced temporary closure due to late 2024 storm damage, with East Beach, the dog beach, fishing pier, causeway, boat ramp, and Area 3 campground reopening. Concessions operated by Fort De Soto Hospitality provide snack bar, souvenir shop, kayak rentals, beach chair and umbrella rentals, and bicycle rentals. Picnic facilities with grills accommodate family gatherings. The park's 7-mile paved trail system attracts cyclists and inline skaters exploring the scenic island environment.
Dining at Fort De Soto Park centers on concessions at the North Beach Swim Center, offering snacks, lunch items, and beverages for beachgoers. The food concession provides convenient on-site meals without requiring travel off the island during beach visits. For full-service dining, nearby Tierra Verde offers Alsace, named one of Florida's Top 10 French Restaurants, serving authentic French cuisine with refined preparations. The proximity to St. Pete Beach and St. Petersburg provides extensive additional dining options accessible via the Pinellas Bayway. Nearby restaurants include The Hurricane Seafood Restaurant with rooftop sunset views, The Brass Monkey offering waterfront dining with Gulf views, and Paradise Grille serving beachfront breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Crabby Bill's serves fresh seafood and waterfront dining with casual Old Florida atmosphere. The Wharf Restaurant overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway with grouper sandwiches and seafood specialties. Visitors can combine Fort De Soto's natural beauty with diverse dining experiences throughout the greater St. Petersburg beach communities surrounding Tierra Verde.
