The sanctuary is more than a hospital, though- it has become home to birds of all feather, from small songbirds and terns to eagle-eyed birds of prey, including hawks and owls. Young born to the permanent residents are always returned to the wild.

Brown Pelicans are one of the best reasons to visit to the sanctuary. At Suncoast, these majestic, endangered seabirds are bred and studied as part of a program to replenish the species worldwide. Fear not- the sanctuary features far more than pelicans. Suncoast features over 150 different species on which to gander, enough to satisfy the casual watcher and expert wildlife photographer alike.

Admission to the sanctuary is free, a welcome respite from the high costs of other Tampa Bay area attractions. You can take in the grounds on your own, or fall in line with a guided tour.

It’s easy to make a day of fun on the adjacent beach and strolling in and out of the sanctuary- in fact, that’s exactly what many visitors do. Birders searching for Florida beach vacation rentals should definitely consider the cottage rentals along the Florida coast close to the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary!

Sometimes, however, we all need a little time away from the rest of our vacation. The Indian Rocks Historical Museum provided us an excellent breather from the action as well as a cool place to duck out of the sun. To our surprise, even the kids enjoyed learning about the history of this small island.

The barrier beach of Indian Rocks hasn’t always been as developed as it is now, and the small, family-friendly museum housed in a beach cottage in scenic Chic-a-Si Park makes that clear. The prehistoric relics, Native American weapons, dolls and other artifacts fascinated the kids the most, but the museum tracks the history of the area from its earliest known inhabitants through its more modern pioneers, right up to the age of the great condominium builders.

Visitors to the museum can see how a rustic, wood swing bridge once connected Indian Rocks Beach to the mainland. The museum also holds the bridge tender’s chair, a period lantern and a pictorial history of the bridge itself.

Opportunities for Indian Rocks Beach vacation rentals include many cottages close to the museum, and our rental cottage was perfect for our Gulf Coast stay.