Gulfport
An artsy little waterfront town with a slow pace and a friendly main street.
You wander the galleries on Beach Boulevard and catch live music by the water.
The scorecard
Tap any score for the local's take.
Nightlife3
Live music sits close to the water. Hurricane Eddie's on Shore Boulevard reopened in March 2026 with bands, O'Maddy's is open on the waterfront, and the Night Market runs until 9. The Casino Ballroom is closed for repairs.
Meet people4
Easy to fall into. A Tuesday Fresh Market year round, a Night Market on first Fridays and third Saturdays, sailing school and weeknight races at Boca Ciega Yacht Club, and GeckoFest every Labor Day weekend.
Peace and quiet3
Slow on an ordinary day, with no resort strip and free parking in the village. Market Tuesdays, Night Markets and festivals pack Beach Boulevard, and waterfront repairs were still under way in 2026.
Walkability4
Beach Boulevard runs a few blocks from the shops and galleries down to the bay beach, with restaurants on Shore Boulevard along the water. It's all flat and close. The marina and Clam Bayou are a short bike ride east.
On the water4
The Gulfport Municipal Marina has a public ramp with 70 trailer spaces, a fuel dock and a kayak launch beside Clam Bayou. Boca Ciega Yacht Club races on the bay, and the Gulf is about four miles out.
Beaches2
A small bayfront beach on Boca Ciega Bay with volleyball courts and calm water. It's pleasant, but it is not a Gulf beach. For surf and wide sand you drive about 15 minutes to St. Pete Beach.
Dining and arts4
A lot for a small town. Restaurants and working galleries line Beach Boulevard, Neptune Grill is back on Shore Boulevard, the Catherine Hickman Theater stages shows, and the Fine Arts Fest and Plein Air Festival fill out the year.
Outdoors and wellness3
Clam Bayou Nature Park has walking trails, fishing docks and a kayak launch. Add the bay beach, the dog park at Chase Park and the Tuesday market, and you have a good small town mix.
Affordability3
Bungalows and cottages cost less than homes on the Gulf islands, though prices have climbed. Low streets flooded in Helene, so elevation and flood insurance can change the math from block to block.
Airport access5
Close to both. Tampa (TPA) is about 30 minutes up I-275, and St. Pete Clearwater (PIE) is about the same. Downtown St. Petersburg is 15 minutes away.
Scores last checked October 2026. Scores rate what the town offers, never who lives there. How we score
Community and social scene
You park once and walk. Dinner on Beach Boulevard, then live music at a waterfront bar on Shore Boulevard, or the Night Market on a first Friday or third Saturday. It's mellow and winds down earlier than downtown St. Pete.
Community at a glance
Tap any row for places and times.
PickleballOn the map
See pickleball courts near Gulfport on the mapTennisOn the map
See tennis courts near Gulfport on the mapGolfOn the map
See golf courses near Gulfport on the mapLive musicOn the map
Live music sits close to the water.Hurricane Eddie's on Shore Boulevard reopened in March 2026 with bands, O'Maddy's is open on the waterfront, and the Night Market runs until 9.See live music near Gulfport on the mapTrivia nightsOn the map
See trivia nights near Gulfport on the mapPro sportsTeams nearby
Tampa Bay Rays (MLB) in St. Petersburg, 3 miles awayTampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) in Tampa, 20 miles awayTampa Bay Lightning (NHL) in Tampa, 20 miles awaySpring training: Philadelphia Phillies at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, 15 miles awaySpring training: Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, 18 miles awayMiles are in a straight line, so the drive is longer.Places of worshipOn the map
See places of worship near Gulfport on the mapWe don't list or rate congregations. The map shows what is in and around town.More ways to meet people
Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market
Every Tuesday, year round, on Beach Boulevard. 9am to 2pm, and until 3pm January through April.Gulfport Night Market
First Fridays and third Saturdays, 5 to 9pm on Beach Boulevard. It replaced the Art Walk and IndieFaire.Boca Ciega Yacht Club
Adult sailing school, Sunday and Tuesday night racing and a full social calendar.GeckoFest
A street festival and walking parade on Beach Boulevard each Labor Day weekend. 2026 was the 26th.Gulfport Connects
The city's volunteer portal, a quick way to find a local project to help with.We write about places and events, never about who lives there. Times and dates change, so confirm before you go.
Things to do
The honest details
- Home prices
- About $400K median sale price, all home types (fall 2026)
- Nearest hospital
- HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital, about 2 miles. Nearest trauma center: Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital (Level II), about 4 miles. Straight line distance, so the drive is longer.
- Airport
- St. Pete Clearwater (PIE) or Tampa (TPA)
- Season
- Easygoing year round
- Heads up
- Flooding in low lying streets. Hit hard by Helene in 2024
- Insurance
- Florida averages about $10,384 a year for $250K of coverage (MoneyGeek, 2026). Get a quote and check the flood zone for any address. Read more
- Why people love it
- Small town feel near a big city.
- Know before you go
- Low lying and flood prone.
- Schools
- See official grades and district info on the Florida Department of Education site.
Common questions about Gulfport
Is Gulfport walkable?
Yes, for the most part. Beach Boulevard runs a few blocks from the shops and galleries down to the bay beach, with restaurants on Shore Boulevard along the water. It's all flat and close. The marina and Clam Bayou are a short bike ride east.
Does Gulfport have a good beach?
It has a modest one. Better beaches are a drive away. A small bayfront beach on Boca Ciega Bay with volleyball courts and calm water. It's pleasant, but it is not a Gulf beach. For surf and wide sand you drive about 15 minutes to St. Pete Beach.
Is Gulfport affordable?
It sits around the middle for the Florida coast. Home prices: About $400K median sale price, all home types (fall 2026). Bungalows and cottages cost less than homes on the Gulf islands, though prices have climbed. Low streets flooded in Helene, so elevation and flood insurance can change the math from block to block.
What is the nightlife like in Gulfport?
Good bars and some live music, though it is only busy now and then. You park once and walk. Dinner on Beach Boulevard, then live music at a waterfront bar on Shore Boulevard, or the Night Market on a first Friday or third Saturday. It's mellow and winds down earlier than downtown St. Pete.
How busy does Gulfport get?
It is busy in season and calm the rest of the year. Slow on an ordinary day, with no resort strip and free parking in the village. Market Tuesdays, Night Markets and festivals pack Beach Boulevard, and waterfront repairs were still under way in 2026.
Is Gulfport good for boating and fishing?
Yes. This is a strong boating town. The Gulfport Municipal Marina has a public ramp with 70 trailer spaces, a fuel dock and a kayak launch beside Clam Bayou. Boca Ciega Yacht Club races on the bay, and the Gulf is about four miles out.
Which airport is closest to Gulfport?
Close to both. Tampa (TPA) is about 30 minutes up I-275, and St. Pete Clearwater (PIE) is about the same. Downtown St. Petersburg is 15 minutes away.
What should I know before moving to Gulfport?
The main things to plan for: Flooding in low lying streets. Hit hard by Helene in 2024. Florida homeowners insurance averages about $10,384 a year for $250K of dwelling coverage (MoneyGeek, 2026). Get a quote and check the flood zone for any address before you commit.
The closest matches to Gulfport across our ten scores.
Dunedin
Also strong on walkability and meeting peopleA walkable, laid back downtown near some of the Gulf's best island beaches.
Tarpon Springs
Also strong on walkability and boatingA working sponge port with Greek bakeries and restaurants along the docks and bayous winding through town.
CompareFort Myers
Also strong on meeting people and boatingThe City of Palms, with a brick street River District downtown and the winter homes of Edison and Ford on the river.
Safety Harbor
Also strong on meeting people and walkabilityA small town on Old Tampa Bay with oak shaded streets, a historic spa and a Main Street full of local shops.