Is Maximo safe?
St. Petersburg, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Maximo as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Maximo
“Go. Maximo is a relaxed, waterfront-oriented community centered around its marina and parklands. While adjacent commercial strips along 34th Street South require standard urban awareness, the residential areas and marina grounds are generally safe and quiet for visitors.”
Recent multi-million-dollar modernizations of Maximo Marina and adjacent commercial parcels have bolstered the local hospitality and marine economy.
About the area
Maximo is situated along Boca Ciega Bay in southern St. Petersburg, famous for its large full-service marina, boat ramps, and Maximo Park. The area blends canal-front single-family homes, low-rise condominiums, and commercial centers along US-19. Visitors come primarily for boating, coastal park recreation, and casual waterfront dining.
- Boating & Waterfront
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Coastal
Walking and biking in Maximo
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 58/100
The neighborhood provides direct links to the Pinellas Trail and Skyway Trail, offering extensive dedicated multi-use paths south to the Skyway Fishing Pier or north toward downtown.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to urban core neighborhoods
- Stable residential fabric with high homeownership rates and well-kept waterfront properties
- Convenient access to Boca Ciega Bay, Maximo Park trails, and boat launch facilities
Cons
- Occasional property crimes such as vehicle break-ins and boat accessory theft
- Higher traffic speed and auto-centric congestion along the 34th Street South (US-19) corridor
- Limited late-night commercial activity and walkable entertainment options
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in the residential and marina sections, but individuals occasionally congregate or panhandle near bus stops and commercial shopping plazas along 34th Street South.
What Maximo is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and breezy, with joggers at Maximo Park and boaters heading out into the bay under calm conditions.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active around the marina and retail plazas along 34th Street South, with high visibility and safe pedestrian traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pleasant at marina dining spots and quiet in the residential pockets; stick to well-lit commercial areas.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and largely deserted; exercise basic caution regarding vehicle lockups along main thoroughfares.
Transit, parking and getting around
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) serves the neighborhood via Route 4 and Route 34 along US-19, connecting north to downtown St. Petersburg and south toward Pinellas Point; the nearest SunRunner BRT station is several miles north on Central Avenue.
Parking is abundant and largely free across surface lots at Maximo Marina, Maximo Park, and local shopping plazas; residential streets typically have ample curb space without meters.
Things to do in Maximo
- Launch a kayak or explore the nature trails and disc golf course at Maximo Park
- Watch the yachts and enjoy waterside drinks at Maximo Marina
- Cycle along the connected Pinellas Trail and Skyway Trail extensions
Local favorites
- Tiki Docks Skyway Bar + Grill · Seafood Restaurant · 4.3★ (2350)Vibrant waterfront restaurant at Maximo Marina serving tiki cocktails, oysters, and tropical-inspired fare.
- Skyway Jack's Restaurant · Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant · 4.6★ (3100)Quirky, long-standing local diner famous for hearty Southern breakfast classics and eclectic decor.
- Maximo Marina · Marina & Boat Yard · 4.5★ (340)State-of-the-art marina facility offering covered wet slips, fuel, and public waterfront access.
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.