Apollo Beach Preserve — Attraction in Riverview

After go to this place for years and always having a great experience. I now have to change my opinion . I drove up there as I have dozens of times previously, only this time I was told it was not allowed to launch kayaks from the park. I'm not sure who the. Guy was, some type of maintainence worker. I told him I had launched dozens of times over the past few years but he said I had been doing it illegally . I wasn't in a mood to argue so I just left. Has anyone else run into this ?

Nice area with free parking. Its a great place for a walk and get a good view of the water in a couple directions or climb the tower for a birds eye view. To the north is a phosphate processing plant, so the view in that direction is not so great, unless you happen to be a fertilizer fanatic I guess.

The one thing I dont see mentioned in the reviews and probably the most important thing to know is this:

Be extremely careful if you wander into the water. There is no swimming allowed but I often see individuals wade out to the rock pilings or wade out to fish. The rip currents at this location are no joke and can be extremely powerful and dangerous. Just this past sumer an adult man and his 3 year old child both drowned because they got caught in the rip current and it dragged them for a long long long way. A tragic event, but it gets worse. The current also took the life of a 27 year old good Samaritan who jumped in to try and save them. One of the men was dragged out so far that his body wasnt able to be located until the following day.

So just be extremely cautious, mother nature doesnt always play nice in this area. Keep a constant eye on your children and even your pets if you have brought them. It can happen so fast and you may not have time to react. Best to stay out of the water...

Scenic location that’s photo perfect. Beautiful sights to see. There’s an observation tower that has wide flat ramp all the way to the top platform that can accommodate wheels. It has a slight incline. You can see 360 degree views from any level. You don’t have to go all the way to the top to see an ocean view. Free to the public beach and nature preserve. Lots of beach and trails to walk and explore. Outhouse/latrine type public bathrooms on premises. We did not use them. No idea how clean they are. Nice that they are available. We visited during snowbird season midweek. Plenty of parking and not too packed. Probably could fit a vehicle in tow in parking lot. It you’re passing through and want a nice picnic area, it would be a good spot. There are a lot of sharp little shells in the sand in this area. Some rocky areas around trails. No swimming. The people who were in the water were idiots that ignored picture/easy to read signs warning no swimming because of the strong current. It’s disheartening to see people allow their young children to take such risks when there’s plenty of other beaches to take them to. This is just a great place to lay out in the sand on a beach towel and relax with ocean breeze. It’s peaceful and serene even with other people sharing the same views. There’s park rangers on premises. I felt pretty safe and comfortable...

A Hidden Gem of Calm and Creativity — Apollo Beach Preserve

Apollo Beach Preserve is a true hidden treasure, offering a peaceful and scenic escape perfect for family fun or quiet relaxation. This calm, inviting beach is ideal for a variety of activities — whether you're building sandcastles with the kids, spread out with a good book, or bringing your paints to capture the beautiful surroundings.

One of the best features of this spot is its tranquility; the gentle waves and serene atmosphere make it a perfect place to unwind and enjoy nature. It’s a fantastic location for laid-back beach days, picnics, or even some creative pursuits like painting or journaling.

However, a word of note: you cannot swim or get into the water here. The friendly man patrolling the area will make that very clear, so it’s best to come prepared with other activities in mind. Despite this, the preserve’s charm lies in its calmness and natural beauty — a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the scenery without the worry of strong currents or crowds.

Overall, Apollo Beach Preserve is a delightful spot for those seeking a peaceful retreat, family-friendly fun, or artistic inspiration. Just remember, it's more about enjoying the view and the vibe than...