Tampa Lakes

Lakes Close to Tampa

The weather is warm so it’s time to plan your next summer adventure. There aren’t many better options than a lake near Tampa. A lake vacation can be wonderful for those who love getting outside too, as they are a great way to see birds, fish, turtles and other animals in their natural habitat.

There are many brilliant arguments for a getaway to a lake in Tampa during the warmer months – the cool water for swimming, relaxing summer entertainment such as boating, fishing or swimming. Some of the lakes in Tampa have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. Browse through the table below and have a look the options including small lakes to all sports lakes for you and the family to visit.

Lakes Close to Tampa

Lake Activities

On a day trip to a lake near Tampa there are many activities that can be enjoyed by groups of all types. You could go for an exciting day trip or take a longer vacation at a hotel on the beach to make for a bigger, better getaway.

Let’s look at some of the options available to you when you arrive at a lake near Tampa:

Partake in some water sports. If you’ve got access to a ski boat, you might want to have some fun and make a day of flying around the water showing off your water sports expertise? Take the family out for some tubing or skiing as the all sports lakes offer you several options.

Canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. If paddling is your thing, pack up your board of choice and chart your course to a lake near Tampa that has a public launch and get out and soak up the scenery in all it’s glory.

Go fishing. For anglers, finding a good fishing hole shouldn’t be too hard to help you reel in a day of fun whether you’re out on a boat or tossing a line in from the dock.

Checklist for a Day at the Lake

Every day at the lake will have its own requirements depending on the lake you’re heading to, when you go, what your goals are for the getaway. However, we’ve created a list with some of our favorite ideas for your lake getaway so you have everything you need!

General items

When the plan is to be outdoors for the majority of the vacation, the list below is a good place to start when it comes to the necessities that you’ll be happy to have on hand.

  • Bug spray
  • Bottle opener
  • Something to dry off with
  • Plastic grocery bags (for trash and/or wet clothes)
  • A fully stocked cooler
  • Food and snacks
  • USB charger
  • Sweatshirt and sweatpants
  • Sunblock
  • Bathing suits

More lake gear

The gear in the list below could be helpful for trips to the lake considering your itinerary. You may want to double check some of these before heading out.

  • Something to clean up with like sanitizers or wet wipes
  • Your tackle box
  • Bait
  • Baby gear (if necessary)
  • Games for the beach
  • Swimming goggles
  • Kindle
  • Wine key
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Legal flotation devices

Lake Safety Checklist

While spending a weekend to the lake should be lots of fun, you always have to keep safety in mind. A day on the lake means safety first so here are some general safety tips to keep in mind.

  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Regularly apply sunblock throughout the day – following the product’s instructions
  • Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat

More Ideas for Lake Fun

If you’re going to visit the one of a kind lakes around Tampa, there are a few things that will make your itinerary substantially more rewarding. For example, each lake is going to have their own qualities so it’s important to consider what will make for an enjoyable trip when planning yours.

  1. No boat, no problem. If you’re near the water you’ll often find local marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy fishing with family and friends or tubing with the kids. Doing a quick Google search will typically help you find several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.
  2. Maximize the best local resources. When you have time for a longer stay, look for local state campgrounds and parks which give you the option to stay in a spot that is right on top of the water at an affordable price.
  3. Research your beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, sometimes the beaches near Tampa may be swarmed with tourists. To find more space to yourself, do some digging on a variety of lakes and beaches to learn about how busy they are if you want a more relaxing vibe. If you want to be where the party’s at, then look for the biggest, most happening beach!