Legend holds that a pirate named John LeVique was the first European to “settle” the Madeira Beach area. Today, Madeira Beach, a Gulf of Mexico beach city just west of St. Petersburg, is best known for the sea-themed John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk, which serves up shops and eateries and a 1,100-foot boardwalk along the Intracoastal.

Madeira Beach’s 2.5-mile beach attracts devotees of sun and sea, and fishing is the primary sport activity. More grouper is brought into John’s Pass than any other place in the state. In addition, each October, Madeira Beach hosts the Seafood Festival at John’s Pass, which attracts as many as 130,000 visitors to its celebration of food, music, and arts and crafts.