Discover Pinellas County Through Ecotourism

Each year, Pinellas County greets over 14 million tourists eager to vacation on our beautiful beaches and enjoy the yearlong summer weather. With the holiday season right around the corner, tourism across Florida will reach its peak. While this is a great boost for our local economy, the increased foot traffic can be harmful to our environment and waterways. Fortunately, there are sustainable ways to travel while still enjoying a relaxing holiday.

Why Ecotourism?

According to the International Ecotourism Society, ecotourism is defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.” By traveling sustainably, tourists can create lasting memories while also preserving Florida’s natural beauty and resources. This creates a win-win scenario for both travelers and the local economy, which is reliant on the tourism industry. Florida locals also benefit from the jobs offered through the tourism industry as well as the preservation of their local resources. 

Experience Ecotourism in Pinellas County

Here are some of our favorite suggestions for eco-friendly attractions, activities, and forms of transportation for your next Florida vacation:

  • Kayaking

    • If you’d like to immerse yourself in the beauty of Pinellas’ clear beaches, mangrove islands, and nature preserves, kayaking is an excellent activity that is both educational and enjoyable. Don’t have your own kayak? ECOmersion Kayaks is a environmentally minded local business that donates a percentage of their profits to local and national environmental groups. They also organize monthly cleanups, so be sure to check out their newsletter for more information. 

    • If you’re interested in a clear kayaking experience, consider booking a tour with Get Up and Go Kayaking. A percentage of all clear kayak bookings gets donated to Florida land conservation efforts 

  • Visit a local park

    • Pinellas County is home to a multitude of beautiful parks and nature preserves which are great for hiking, picnicking, or simply enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. These parks can be found all over the county, providing easy access no matter where you are staying. Some park suggestions include:

  • Ditch your car and take public transportation

    • St. Pete’s SunRunner is a Rapid Bus Transit system that makes frequent trips from Downtown St. Petersburg to St. Pete beach, getting riders to and from the beach while minimizing environmental impact by keeping more cars off the road. 

  • Walk or bike the Pinellas Trail

    • Get active by utilizing the Pinellas Trail, a multi-use trail that stretches from south St. Petersburg all the way to Tarpon Springs. The trail offers a unique and carbon neutral option for exploring Pinellas. Plus, it is completely free!

  • Try Voluntourism

    • If you’d like to make a difference during your next Florida vacation, consider volunteering. Volunteering activities could include beach or park cleanups, native planting events, or invasive species removals. Keep Pinellas Beautiful hosts frequent cleanups all across Pinellas County, offering a great way to interact with and give back to the community. Join our newsletter to reserve a spot at our next cleanup or visit our website to find a list of upcoming events. 

Eco-Friendly Lodging with KPB’s Eco-Partnership

To take your ecotourism experience a step further, consider taking advantage of KPB’s Eco-Partnership Program by staying at a participating hotel. KPB partners with local coastal hotels, offering free ecotourism and volunteer activities for hotel staff and guests. This opportunity is available at:


To find out more information about our Eco-Partnership program, check out our blog post here.

Audrey BoltonComment