HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Looking for the beach experience without the actual beach? While there's no shortage of sandy white beaches in Florida, another option has emerged for members of the Sunshine State: man-made lagoons.
The Florida heat is in full swing, meaning there's a serious need for cooling relief while enjoying the outdoors.
One way to beat the heat of course is going to the beach. However, with Clearwater Beach already feeling like bathwater it might not be much of a cooldown.
Plus, there are a lot of variables in the ocean — jellyfish, stingrays and even sharks could be present close to the shore, posing a potential safety threat to beachgoers. Dangerous rip currents can pose an even greater threat to swimmers.
Not only that, not everyone in Florida lives close enough to the beach to warrant a day trip. For those reasons and perhaps more, some families may want the beach experience with all the perks and without the cons.
This is where man-made lagoons come into play. They reportedly offer people crystal-clear water and a slew of water-centric activities, including a swim-up bar for the adults. MetroLagoons built the ones in Florida.
If you're looking to plan a trip to one of Florida's three man-made lagoons, all conveniently located in the Tampa Bay region, here's what you need to know.
Epperson Lagoon is Florida's first man-made lagoon, according to developers MetroLagoons. Spanning seven acres in Wesley Chapel, it sports a swim-up tiki bar, a 30-foot waterslide, a water obstacle course, paddleboarding and kayaking, sandy beaches and food and drink options.
Location
Price
How much you'll pay at Epperson Lagoon depends on what kind of ticket bundle you choose and what day of the week you visit. In addition to the cost of general admission, guests who want to access all the water activities must buy an unlimited splash pass. To buy tickets or view prices, click or tap here.
The week:
General admission: $25 for adults; $20 for kids (3 and under are free)
General admission + unlimited splash pass: $40 for adults; $35 for kids
The weekend:
General admission: $40 for adults; $35 for kids
General admission + unlimited splash pass: $50 for adults; $45 for kids
These costs don't cover cabana or beach rentals, which have varying price points, depending on what you choose. Prices also vary for equipment on the weekend versus a weekday.
Hours
Operation hours for Epperson Lagoon vary depending on the day. For exact hours, check out the lagoon's calendar by clicking or tapping here.
Do's and Don'ts
Do bring:
- Towels — pack the beach towel; otherwise, you'll need to buy one at the lagoon.
- Sunscreen
- 1 pool noodle per person
- Personal life jackets
- Water toys (no toy guns or anything that looks like a firearm)
Don't bring:
- Chairs
- Shade
- Umbrellas larger than 6 feet
- Pop-up shade structures
- Floats
- Coolers
- Food & drinks
- Large Bluetooth speakers (ones that are small enough to fit in a purse or small backpack are OK)
Find more information by clicking or tapping here.
Southshore Bay Lagoon in Wimauma is a little bit smaller than Epperson Lagoon, but people will still have a good time in the water. Across the lagoon's five acres, Southshore Bay also offers many of the same fun-filled activities including kayaking, a water obstacle course, a waterslide and standing paddleboarding.
Location
Price
How much you'll pay at Southshore Bay Lagoon depends on what kind of ticket bundle you choose and what day of the week you visit. In addition to the cost of general admission, guests who want to be able to access all the water activities must buy an unlimited splash pass. To buy tickets or view prices, click or tap here.
The week:
General admission: $25 for adults; $20 for kids (3 and under are free)
General admission + unlimited splash pass: $40 for adults; $35 for kids
The weekend:
General admission: $40 for adults; $35 for kids
General admission + unlimited splash pass: $50 for adults; $45 for kids
These costs don't cover cabana or beach rentals, which have varying price points, depending on what you choose. Prices also vary for equipment on the weekend versus a weekday.
Hours
Operation hours for Southshore Bay Lagoon vary depending on the day. For exact hours, check out the lagoon's calendar by clicking or tapping here.
Do's and Don'ts
Do bring:
- Towels — pack the beach towel; otherwise, you'll need to buy one at the lagoon.
- Sunscreen
- 1 pool noodle per person
- Personal life jackets
- Water toys (no toy guns or anything that looks like a firearm)
Don't bring:
- Chairs
- Shade
- Umbrellas larger than 6 feet
- Pop-up shade structures
- Floats
- Coolers
- Food & drinks
- Large Bluetooth speakers (ones that are small enough to fit in a purse or small backpack are OK)
Find more information by clicking or tapping here.
The nation's largest man-made lagoon, Mirada Lagoon in Pasco County boasts 15 acres of crystal-clear water with plenty of space to swim, chairs for lounging, a water slide, and access to a swim-up bar all with that beach-like feeling. Oh, and we can't forget the splash zone where kids can find a fun jungle gym to cool off.
Location
Price
How much you'll pay at Mirada Lagoon depends on what kind of ticket bundle you choose and what day of the week you visit. In addition to the cost of general admission, guests who want to be able to access all the water activities must buy an unlimited splash pass. To buy tickets or view prices, click or tap here.
The week:
General admission: $25 for adults; $20 for kids (3 and under are free)
General admission + unlimited splash pass: $40 for adults; $35 for kids
The weekend:
General admission: $40 for adults; $35 for kids
General admission + unlimited splash pass: $50 for adults; $45 for kids
These costs don't cover cabana or beach rentals, which have varying price points, depending on what you choose. Prices also vary for equipment on the weekend versus a weekday.
Hours
Operation hours for Epperson Lagoon vary depending on the day. For exact hours, check out the lagoon's calendar by clicking or tapping here.
Do's and Don'ts
Do bring:
- Towels — pack the beach towel; otherwise, you'll need to buy one at the lagoon.
- Sunscreen
- 1 pool noodle per person
- Personal life jackets
- Water toys (no toy guns or anything that looks like a firearm)
Don't bring:
- Chairs
- Shade
- Umbrellas larger than 6 feet
- Pop-up shade structures
- Floats
- Coolers
- Food & drinks
- Large Bluetooth speakers (ones that are small enough to fit in a purse or small backpack are OK)
Find more information by clicking or tapping here.