ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – St. Pete Beach has been named the third most popular holiday boating destination in the United States for the upcoming Labor Day weekend, according to national booking data released by rental platform Boatbooker.
The ranking comes from an analysis comparing national booking records from the 2025 Labor Day period with early advance reservations for the Sept. 4–6, 2026 holiday weekend.
Out of hundreds of coastal towns nationwide, St. Pete Beach placed third overall, outranking traditional holiday travel destinations across California, New England, and the Carolinas.
Data points to the area’s local waterways as a key driver of visitor traffic. The location offers shallow routes along Boca Ciega Bay and direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, with frequent holiday traffic directed toward local spots like the Bunces Pass sandbar and eco-charters at Shell Key Preserve.
“St. Pete Beach’s performance in our 2026 holiday projections is incredibly strong,” said Vukan Simic, CEO of Boatbooker. “Ranking #3 nationwide proves that the Tampa Bay region is one of the top destinations in the country for recreational boating. Travelers are seeking out the privacy and fun that only a day on a private boat can offer.”
Florida locations claimed three of the top five spots in the report based on Boatbooker’s Holiday Demand Score metric:
- Destin, FL – Holiday Demand Score: 98.4
- Orange Beach, AL – Holiday Demand Score: 84.2
- St. Pete Beach, FL – Holiday Demand Score: 72.1
- St. Augustine, FL – Holiday Demand Score: 61.3
- Wanchese, NC – Holiday Demand Score: 59.8
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