Is Waterside safe?
St. Petersburg, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Waterside as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Waterside
“Go. Waterside is a secure, waterfront-oriented residential community offering a peaceful coastal environment with low crime rates. While visitors and residents will need a car for shopping and dining, the neighborhood itself is exceptionally tranquil and well-maintained.”
Recent local news has focused on coastal storm resilience, tidal flooding mitigation, and rising property insurance rates affecting waterfront properties across Tampa Bay.
About the area
Waterside is a picturesque residential and condo enclave located on Coquina Key along Big Bayou in southeast St. Petersburg. Known for its extensive canal network, private marinas, and gated layouts, it provides resort-style living just minutes from downtown St. Petersburg.
- Waterfront Residential
- Quiet & Gated
- Boating Hub
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Waterside
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 52/100
Internal community streets are quiet and easy to bike, but connecting to the downtown St. Pete trail system or the Pinellas Trail requires navigating busy multi-lane corridors without dedicated protected bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Private gated access with 24-hour security checkpoints maintains very low violent crime levels within the community.
- Well-maintained waterfront properties with abundant amenities including pools, tennis courts, and private boat slips.
- Direct water access to Tampa Bay makes it a premier spot for boating, kayaking, and coastal recreation.
Cons
- Located in an evacuation zone highly vulnerable to hurricane storm surges and seasonal tidal flooding.
- Completely car-dependent with no retail, grocery stores, or restaurants located inside the community.
- Surrounding areas outside Coquina Key experience moderately higher property crime rates, requiring vehicle vigilance.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually nonexistent within the gated community boundaries; minor panhandling is occasionally observed at commercial intersections along 4th Street South over a mile north.
What Waterside is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very safe and peaceful, with residents walking dogs along the marina seawalls and exercising in the morning sun.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and pleasant as boaters head out to Tampa Bay and residents enjoy community pools.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and well-lit internally, offering a very safe environment for an evening stroll.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet with minimal through-traffic, kept secure by active gate staff and private patrols.
Transit, parking and getting around
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) operates routes like Bus 20 along nearby main roads on Coquina Key, but transit service into the gated community itself is nonexistent, making personal vehicles or rideshares essential.
Ample parking is available in private surface lots and assigned condo spaces; visitors must register through the security gates, and street parking outside the development is limited.
Things to do in Waterside
- Paddleboard or kayak through the quiet canals of Big Bayou out toward Tampa Bay.
- Visit neighboring Coquina Key Park for outdoor pickleball, tennis, and waterfront walking paths.
- Enjoy sunset views over the bayou from the community docks and private yacht club promenades.
Local favorites
- Mullet's Fish Camp & Market · Seafood Restaurant · 4.7★ (1850)Lively nearby fish shack serving smoked mullet, fish tacos, and craft beers on a breezy patio.
- The Chattaway · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (3100)Historic St. Pete institution known for legendary burgers, English-style pub fare, and an eclectic garden patio.
- Southside Coffee Brew Bar · Coffee Shop · 4.8★ (260)Popular neighborhood cafe serving specialty espresso drinks, local pastries, and light breakfast bites.
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.