Is Ballast Point safe?
Tampa, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Ballast Point as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Ballast Point
“Go. Ballast Point is an upscale, exceptionally peaceful South Tampa neighborhood offering scenic bay views and very low crime rates. It is an ideal spot for a relaxing day at the waterfront park or a leisurely drive through quiet residential streets.”
About the area
Nestled along Hillsborough Bay just north of MacDill Air Force Base, Ballast Point is a scenic residential neighborhood characterized by oak-canopied streets, historic bungalows, and waterfront mansions. Its crown jewel is Ballast Point Park, which features an iconic fishing pier providing panoramic views of the downtown Tampa skyline across the water.
- Waterfront / Coastal
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet / Leafy
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Ballast Point
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 55/100
Biking through the quiet neighborhood streets is pleasant, and cyclists can easily connect northward to the Bayshore Boulevard Linear Park trail, though shared micro-mobility rentals are sparse.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are among the lowest in the city of Tampa
- High household incomes and strong homeownership promote well-maintained properties
- Public waterfront park with a 600-foot fishing pier, splash pad, and playground
Cons
- High vulnerability to coastal storm surge and tidal flooding during tropical events
- Limited walkable commercial amenities, requiring a vehicle for most dining and shopping
- Occasional opportunistic property theft and unlocked vehicle rummaging
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within Ballast Point, with no encampments or panhandling present in the parks or along residential streets.
What Ballast Point is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene, with joggers, dog walkers, and anglers heading out along the waterfront pier.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Pleasantly active with families utilizing the playground and shaded green spaces in complete safety.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and breezy as residents gather at the park to watch the bay sunset or dine locally.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet on the residential avenues, remaining safe though unlit stretches require basic awareness.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) operates Route 19 along South MacDill Avenue and Route 36 nearby on Gandy Boulevard, but service is infrequent and the interior neighborhood is primarily car-dependent with no rail service.
Ample free surface parking is available at Ballast Point Park and throughout the neighborhood's residential side streets without metered zones or parking garages.
Things to do in Ballast Point
- Walk the 600-foot Ballast Point Fishing Pier for expansive views of Hillsborough Bay and downtown Tampa
- Relax or picnic under the Spanish moss-draped live oaks in Ballast Point Park
- Shop for fresh local produce, honey, and plants at the South Tampa Farm open-air market
Local favorites
- Taste of Boston · Seafood Restaurant · 4.4★ (1350)Laid-back waterfront spot serving New England-style seafood, clam chowder, and ice cream directly adjacent to the park pier.
- Interbay Meat Market · Butcher & Deli · 4.7★ (460)Neighborhood staple famous for authentic pressed Cuban sandwiches, quality cuts of meat, and hot lunch specials.
- South Tampa Farm · Farm Market · 4.8★ (240)Charming local farm stand offering fresh produce, local honey, fresh eggs, and seasonal flowers.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.