Johns Pass

John's Pass is both a historic area, tourist attraction, and modern residential community. Every year, it seems, more of the old is torn down to make way for new condos, shopping areas, etc. Recently a new higher drawbridge replaced the long-standing structure between Madeira and Treasure Island.

John's Pass Village is the major tourist attraction and shopping/dining area. Here you can find anything from kitschy souvenirs and beach clothing to high end art. There are numerous specialty shops including Wild Time, a clothier featuring Jimmy Buffet's fashion line and other Caribbean/reggae style goodies.
Construction began in 2005 on a new mall and parking garage at the west end of the boardwalk, which opened in 2008. When complete, it will include a museum, several new restaurants including a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and dozens of new shops.

Restaurants range from boardwalk hot dog and ice cream stands to seafood specialists. Sculley's (topside) and The Hut (under the boardwalk) are good choices for specialties such as grilled local fish. The Friendly Fisherman (boardwalk) is a family style option. There are numerous bars, grills and ethnic places dotted around John's Pass Village and surrounding streets.

Attractions include the Pirate's Ship Cruise, dolphin watching nature cruises, bird watching and shell hunting trips, para-sailing, boat rentals, personal watercraft/jet ski rentals, and fishing charters.

AHOY Mateys!
A fun annual event is John Levique Days, a humorous remembrance of "pirate" John (or Jean) Levique's unfortunate treasure loss here in a 19th century hurricane. The festival's 2008 dates are Friday through Sunday June 6-7-8. There will be music and merry-making and events for adults and children alike!

Review from an attendee:
"JOHN LEVIQUE DAYS is a three-day pirate themed event celebrating the discovery of John's Pass by John Levique after the September 1848 hurricane. Scheduled activities included a pirate ship battle and invasion of the Pass, street parade, story telling and a village-wide treasure hunt.
Various strolling entertainment and artisans fill the Village and provide Piratical Merriment for attendees.
The parade travels from Madeira Beach Causeway through John's Pass onto the Treasure Island Bridge."

Another popular annual event is the Johns Pass Seafood Festival, whose 2008 dates are October 25 and 26.

Fishing competitions and other events are held through-out the season.

Although not famous for it's shell abundance like it's more southerly Gulf "sister" at Sanibel, the Madeira Beach area offers some amazing opportunities for the beach comber.

I collected sand dollars as large as 5 inches across there, as well as jars of Moon Snails, Fighter Conchs, Spotted Olives, and a variety of bi-valves.

In my experience the best shell hunting at Madeira is found just north of the John's Pass Inlet breakwater and in the area around 130th Avenue.
Best times for finding shells? After storms and when the tide is turning.

Happy hunting!

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