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| The only argument your teens will lose on this vacation — whether or not the Treasure Island sunset was worth putting the phone down for. (Spoiler: it was.) 📸 |
Traveling with teenagers can feel like a high-stakes negotiation —
they're too old for sandcastles but too young to be left to their own
devices. The good news? Treasure Island and the surrounding Gulf Coast
area is genuinely one of the best destinations in Florida for teens.
Between the beach action, water sports, nearby attractions, and a
surprising amount of "actually cool" things to do, you might even hear
the words "this is awesome" — and mean it. Here's your guide to keeping
teens happy while staying in Treasure Island.
1. Skimboarding — Right from Your Rental
Let's start with the one teens discover on day one and can't put down. Skimboarding is huge on Treasure Island's wide, shallow shoreline — the beach is perfectly suited for it with its long, flat wave wash and wide sandy expanse. Guests staying at Funshine Pointe Capri will find skimboards already waiting for them — grab them and head two blocks to the beach. It's one of those activities that looks simple and turns out to be wildly addictive. Teens will spend hours on it.
2. Parasailing over the Gulf
For the teen who wants a genuine adrenaline rush, parasailing over the Gulf of Mexico is hard to beat. Parasailing The Pass at 12754 Kingfish Drive is the only parasailing company right here on Treasure Island, run by the legendary Captain Tony who has 18 years of experience and a boatload of five-star reviews. Soaring 400–600 feet above the turquoise water with views stretching across the coastline is a bucket-list experience — and teens who are nervous about heights tend to love it once they're up. Single, tandem, and triple flights available. Free parking included. Book ahead! 📞 (727) 367-3597
3. The Capybara Café — St. Pete's Most TikTok-Famous Experience
If you want to guarantee your teen puts down their phone and pays attention — bring them here. The Capybara Café at 4703 Park Street N. in St. Pete is the most talked-about new experience in the Tampa Bay area, and for good reason. You get up-close guided encounters with capybaras (the world's largest rodents and the internet's favorite animal), lemurs, wallabies, fennec foxes, armadillos, skunks and more. Every experience is 25 minutes, expertly guided, and designed around the animals' comfort — no petting zoo vibes here, just genuine wildlife connection. Run by Noah's Ark Sanctuary, every visit supports animal rescue and conservation. Teens who discovered capybaras on TikTok will absolutely lose their minds here. Book well in advance — it fills up fast! 📞 (727) 430-4135
4. Jet Skis & Boat Rentals at Island Marine Rentals
Nothing says "best vacation ever" to a teenager like getting behind the wheel of a jet ski. Island Marine Rentals on Boca Ciega Bay offers jet skis, pontoon boats, deck boats, paddleboards, scooters, and bikes — basically everything you need for a full day on the water. Boaters frequently encounter dolphins out on the bay, which never gets old regardless of age. Book in advance on busy weekends.
5. Glass Bottom Kayak Adventure
This one surprises teens every time — transparent kayaks that let you see straight through to the Gulf floor beneath you. Glass Bottom Kayak Tours out of St. Pete Beach take small groups through mangroves and out to sandbars where you can spot sea life, rays, and fish right beneath your seat. It's genuinely unlike anything most people have done before and makes for incredible photos and videos for the 'gram.
6. The Giant "Hippo" Waterslide on the Beach
Right on the beach at 10400 Gulf Blvd, the giant inflatable "Hippo" Waterslide by Treasure Island Beach Services is open daily from 9am–5pm, weather permitting. It's exactly as fun as it sounds — a four-story inflatable waterslide right on the sand, and yes it's for teens and adults too, not just little kids. You can also rent oversized cabanas with loungers right next to it, and paddleboard and kayak rentals are available on site too. A great way to make a full beach day out of it!
7. Sandbox VR — Full-Body Virtual Reality in St. Pete
This is the one teens will be talking about for weeks. Sandbox VR at 2228 Central Ave in St. Petersburg is Florida's first full-body virtual reality experience — you're kitted out with a haptic vest, motion sensors on your wrists and ankles, and a headset, then unleashed in a private holodeck with your group to battle zombies, fight pirates, or compete in Squid Game-style challenges. Every session ends with a personalized highlight video of your group's adventure. Teens absolutely love this. Book in advance — it fills up fast, especially on rainy days and weekends.
8. Atomic Claw Arcade — Right Here on Treasure Island
Tampa Bay's first Japanese-style "clawcade" is right here at 245 107th Ave on Treasure Island, and it is a legitimate hit with teens. Atomic Claw features over 60 claw machines stocked with Pokemon, Naruto, Disney, Nintendo and more — and unlike the old-school rigged machines, these are actually built for you to win. The owner hands out bags because you're going to need them. Plays start at $1–$2 and it's addictive for every age group. A perfect stop for a couple of hours any time of day.
9. Intense Escape — Treasure Island's Escape Room
Older teens especially love a good escape room challenge, and Intense Escape at 10681 Gulf Blvd (above the Chase Bank) is one of the best on the Gulf Coast. Multiple rooms at varying difficulty levels, from family-friendly adventures to genuinely scary challenges. TripAdvisor award winner for multiple consecutive years. Book ahead — walk-ins aren't always available and it fills up quickly on rainy days.
10. John's Pass Village & Boardwalk
Just a short drive up the road in Madeira Beach, John's Pass Village & Boardwalk is a teen-friendly goldmine. Rent jet skis, book a dolphin cruise, browse quirky shops, grab food, and watch the boats come in — all in one walkable waterfront area. It's lively, fun, and genuinely entertaining for the whole family. Pirate-themed cruises depart from here too, which even cool teens secretly enjoy.
11. Fishing off the Dock
This one is more low-key but consistently popular with teens who try it. Guests at Funshine Pointe Capri have access to the Intracoastal Waterway dock — grab a rod, drop a line, and see what bites. It's surprisingly relaxing and addictive, and the Intracoastal is full of snook, redfish, and flounder. For a more serious fishing adventure, charter fishing trips depart from John's Pass and around Treasure Island regularly.
12. Bike, Kayak & Paddleboard Rentals at Mad Beach Paddle Sports
Right here on Treasure Island at 11165 Gulf Blvd — next to the Waffle House — Mad Beach Paddle Sports rents bikes, e-bikes, kayaks, paddleboards, and SUPs, and even offers guided paddle tours out to the sandbar and mangroves. Weekly bike rentals are available too — perfect if you want to have wheels for your entire stay without paying daily rates. It's one of the most convenient and well-reviewed rental spots on the island, with five-star reviews consistently praising the friendly staff and well-maintained equipment.
And say hi to Chewy — the dock dog. Teens will love him. 🐶
Both Funshine Pointe Capri and Funshine Sunset Beach have dedicated bike racks on site, so you can rent for the week and keep the bike locked up safely at the property between rides. And here's a bonus for guests at Funshine Pointe Capri — you can rent a paddleboard from Mad Beach and launch it directly from the private Intracoastal dock right behind the building. No lugging boards down to the beach — just paddle straight out from your backyard into the bay. 🏄
13. The Treasure Island Beach Trail
The 0.85-mile paved Treasure Island Beach Trail runs right alongside the Gulf — perfect for biking, skateboarding, rollerblading, or just walking while watching the waves. Rent bikes from local vendors or bring your own boards. It's a casual, active way to explore the beach area without just sitting on the sand, which is sometimes exactly what a restless teen needs.
14. Beach Volleyball at Municipal Beach
The City of St. Petersburg Municipal Beach at 11260 Gulf Blvd has beach volleyball courts set right in the sand — free to use and almost always with a pickup game going. For athletic teens this is a natural magnet, and the wide open beach space gives plenty of room for frisbee, football, and general teenage chaos.
15. Sunset Cruise or Dolphin Tour
Even teenagers who think they're too cool for "tourist stuff" tend to melt a little when dolphins start jumping alongside the boat. Several operators offer dolphin tours and sunset cruises departing from Treasure Island and nearby marinas — Marine 13 Boat Charters gets consistently rave reviews from families. A sunset cruise on the Gulf is genuinely one of those experiences that reminds everyone why Florida is special.
Your Perfect Teen-Friendly Home Base on Treasure Island
All of the above is even better when you're staying somewhere that gives teens room to breathe and parents a place to actually relax. At Funshine Getaway, our Treasure Island properties are perfectly positioned for families with teens:
- 🌴 Funshine Pointe Capri — Skimboards and beach gear included, fishing dock on the Intracoastal, heated pool (Nov–April), and just 2 blocks to the beach. Sleeps up to 4.
- ☀️ Funshine Sunset Beach — Directly across from Sunset Beach with free parking, beach chairs, and a balcony made for evening hangs. Sleeps up to 4.
Book direct at funshinegetaway.com for the best rates — and reach out to Nancy at (813) 810-8574 for local tips and concierge services to make your family vacation truly unforgettable.
Also check out our guides to the best rainy day activities near Treasure Island and why Treasure Island beats St. Pete Beach for families looking for a more relaxed Gulf Coast experience.
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