Moving to Apollo Beach, FL: Living Here Guide (2026)

Apollo Beach is Hillsborough County’s boating town. Built on the east shore of Tampa Bay, it has an estimated 55 miles of canals that lead out to the bay, and plenty of homes here come with a dock out back. The community dates to 1923, but it got its name in 1958, when developer Francis Corr renamed it Apollo Beach “for the area’s greatest benefit — sunshine.”

Today Apollo Beach mixes older waterfront streets with newer master-planned communities like MiraBay and Waterset. It suits boaters and anglers, families who want newer homes and resort-style amenities, military families commuting to MacDill, and retirees who want to be on the water without living in a big city. It is also where people go every winter to see manatees at the Manatee Viewing Center.

Planning a move to Apollo Beach? Call our Tampa team at 813-544-0048 or get your price online.

Where Is Apollo Beach?

Apollo Beach is in southwestern Hillsborough County on the eastern shore of Tampa Bay. Downtown Tampa is about 17 miles to the north, and Bradenton is about 25 miles to the south. It is an unincorporated community, so Hillsborough County handles local services, and it is part of the area locals call the SouthShore.

I-75 runs just east of Apollo Beach for trips north to Tampa and Brandon or south to Bradenton and Sarasota.
U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) runs through the community parallel to the bay.
Apollo Beach Boulevard and Big Bend Road are the main connectors between the waterfront, U.S. 41 and I-75.

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the nearest major airport. Riverview is just to the northeast, and many Apollo Beach residents shop, work or go to the hospital there.

A little history: Apollo Beach was established in 1923 on land owned by the Dickman family. In the 1950s, New York investors started developing it as “Tampa Beach.” Francis Corr bought the land in 1957 and renamed it “La Vida Beach,” then settled on Apollo Beach in 1958. His son Thomas Corr went on to lead much of the development that shaped the canal neighborhoods you see today.

Apollo Beach Population & Demographics

Apollo Beach had 26,002 residents in the 2020 Census, and the 2020–2024 American Community Survey estimate was about 33,355, a big jump from the 2020 count. It is a high-income, highly educated community: median household income for 2020–2024 was $127,617, and 42.6% of adults have at least a bachelor’s degree. The median age is 41.4.

A few more numbers stand out. Per capita income is $61,868, the poverty rate is 4.6% and 96.1% of adults finished high school, all according to the Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 estimates. About one in ten residents (10.1%) was born outside the U.S.

Measure	Apollo Beach	Florida
Population (2020 Census)	26,002	—
Population (ACS 2020–2024 estimate)	33,355	—
Median age (ACS 2020–2024)	41.4	—
Under 18 / 65 and over (2020–2024)	24.9% / 17.9%	— / 22.8%
Median household income (2020–2024)	$127,617	$74,568
Bachelor’s degree or higher, age 25+ (2020–2024)	42.6%	34.1%
Owner-occupied housing rate (2020–2024)	85.7%	—
Persons per household (2020–2024)	2.79	—
Mean travel time to work (2020–2024)	35.3 minutes	—
Land area (2020)	19.67 sq. mi.	—

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Apollo Beach CDP and Florida (2020 Census; 2020–2024 ACS 5-year) and Census Reporter (ACS 2024 5-year).

Is Apollo Beach Safe?

Apollo Beach is served by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. We did not find a crime report specific to Apollo Beach that we could cite, so we are not going to quote a rate here.

You can check reported incidents around any address on the Sheriff’s Office Crime Search Map. Several Apollo Beach communities are gated, and HOAs and neighborhood groups are another good source of local information.

Cost of Living in Apollo Beach

Apollo Beach costs more than nearby Riverview and Brandon, especially on the water. The Census median home value here ($472,700) compares with $384,200 in Riverview and $339,000 in Brandon. Incomes are high to match, and 85.7% of homes are owner-occupied.

Home Prices

According to Redfin, Apollo Beach homes sold for a median price of about $454,000 over the three months ending August 2026, down 1.4% from a year earlier. Homes took a median of 69 days to sell, and sales volume was up 10.6%. The Census Bureau’s median value of owner-occupied homes for 2020–2024 was $472,700, compared with $359,000 for Florida.

On top of the price, budget for flood and wind insurance, HOA dues and, in some newer communities, a CDD assessment. Ask for all of them before you compare homes.

Rent

Apartments.com’s July 2026 data put average Apollo Beach rents at $1,485 for a studio, $1,773 for a one-bedroom, $2,105 for a two-bedroom and $2,415 for a three-bedroom, up 1.5% from a year earlier. Apartments.com put Apollo Beach rent about 6.6% above the national average. The Census Bureau’s median gross rent for 2020–2024 was $2,293, versus $1,669 statewide.

Best Neighborhoods in Apollo Beach

The Original Canal Neighborhoods

The older part of Apollo Beach, off Apollo Beach Boulevard, is laced with the canals that made the town famous. Many homes have private docks with direct water access to Tampa Bay. This is the spot for serious boaters and anglers. Pay close attention to flood zones, elevation certificates and seawall condition before you buy.

MiraBay

MiraBay is a gated waterfront community with a marina that has direct access to Tampa Bay, plus a clubhouse with a resort-style pool, fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts and a private beach, according to a local real estate guide. It includes townhomes, single-family homes and waterfront estates. It suits boaters who want amenities and a marina without a public ramp.

The same guide breaks MiraBay into four sections: The Cove (townhomes), The Villas (single-family homes on smaller lots), The Manors (standard lots) and The Estates (premium waterfront). Ask about both HOA dues and CDD assessments.

Waterset

Waterset is a master-planned community about 16 miles south of downtown Tampa. It has resort-style pools and a lagoon, paved trails, fitness centers, sports courts, several clubhouses including The Cove 55+ Club, and the SouthShore Sportsplex. Multiple builders offer single-family homes, townhomes and 55+ options, with base prices starting around $395,000 on the community’s site. Great for families and active adults who want everything built in.

Weather & Climate in Apollo Beach

Apollo Beach shares the Tampa Bay climate. Based on NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Tampa, Current Results reports mid-January highs around 71°F with lows near 52°F, and July and August highs around 91°F with lows near 77°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.5 inches, with most of it coming in summer thunderstorms.

A few more climate numbers from the same NOAA-based data: the area averages about 108 days a year with measurable rain and about 83 thunderstorm days, sunshine about 66% of daylight hours, and average humidity around 74%. In practice, that means clear mornings and a good chance of a storm by mid-afternoon from June through September.

Because it sits right on Tampa Bay, Apollo Beach has real storm-surge exposure. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and Hillsborough County expanded Zone A in some areas for 2026. Check your address at HCFL.gov/HEAT before you buy or sign a lease, and sign up for HCFL Alert.

Best months to move: November through April is ideal, with cooler, drier weather and manatee season at the Viewing Center. If you move in summer, start early and keep a backup date.

Things to Do in Apollo Beach

Manatee Viewing Center

Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center, at 6990 Dickman Road, is open daily from November 1 through April 15, when manatees gather in the warm-water discharge canal from the Big Bend power station. Parking and admission are free. There is a 50-foot observation tower, a 900-foot tidal walk, a 0.8-mile habitat trail and a ray touch tank.

An education building has interactive displays on manatee anatomy and local species. Most visitors spend one to two hours, and the trails close at 4 p.m., an hour before the center.

Apollo Beach Nature Preserve

This 63-acre county preserve at 6760 Surfside Boulevard has a small sandy beach, a 37-foot wheelchair-accessible observation tower, shoreline fishing and trails with views across Tampa Bay. It is open from 8 a.m. to sunset year-round and is a good spot for birding.

Of its 63 acres, seven are set aside for recreation and the rest is habitat restoration. Pets are welcome everywhere except the observation tower, and there are picnic tables and restrooms.

Boating the Canals and Tampa Bay

With about 55 miles of canals leading to the bay, boating is the main hobby here. If you don’t have a dock, the county’s Williams Park Boat Ramp on U.S. 41 in nearby Riverview has four lanes with access to the Alafia River and Tampa Bay, and the launch fee is $5.

Balm Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve

For a change from the water, head east to this 5,723-acre county preserve. Its south entrance in Wimauma has 25 miles of mountain bike trails, and its west entrance is set up for hiking. You may spot Florida scrub-jays and gopher tortoises.

Where to Eat in Apollo Beach

Circles Waterfront Restaurant (Apollo Beach Boulevard)

Circles sits at Lands End Marina, 1212 Apollo Beach Boulevard, with indoor and outdoor seating on the water, a tiki bar and dockside tables. The menu is seafood, steaks and pasta, and the Tampa Bay views are the draw.

Finn’s Dockside Bar & Grill (Apollo Beach Boulevard)

Finn’s, at 1112 Apollo Beach Boulevard, is a dockside bar and grill with seafood-focused dishes, craft cocktails, happy hour and regular live music. It is a casual place to end a long moving day.

Apollo Beach Diner (U.S. 41)

Apollo Beach Diner, at 6048 N. U.S. 41, is a nautical-themed breakfast and lunch spot that LoveFood.com named one of Florida’s two best diners in 2025. Think country-fried steak, big omelets and French toast. It is closed on Tuesdays.

Jobs & Economy in Apollo Beach

Apollo Beach is mostly residential, and the average commute is 35.3 minutes (2020–2024), a bit longer than Riverview’s 34.8 minutes. Employers and job centers residents rely on include:

Tampa Electric’s Big Bend Power Station, which provides power to the Tampa Bay area and is visible from much of Apollo Beach.
St. Joseph’s Hospital-South in Riverview, which serves south Hillsborough and has grown to 223 beds since opening in 2015.
MacDill Air Force Base in South Tampa, headquarters of U.S. Central Command and parent installation for more than 15,000 active uniformed military personnel. See our military moving page if you are coming on orders.
Downtown Tampa and Port Tampa Bay, reached via I-75 and the Selmon Expressway, and Tampa General Hospital, with about 15,000 team members systemwide.

Schools in Apollo Beach

Apollo Beach is served by Hillsborough County Public Schools, which describes itself as the nation’s 7th largest district. According to Wikipedia, schools serving the community include Apollo Beach Elementary, Inez Doby Elementary, Waterset Charter School (K–8), Eisenhower Middle School, East Bay High School, Dorothy C. York Innovation Academy, and SLAM! Apollo Beach, which serves K–12 as of January 2026.

For college, Hillsborough College’s SouthShore Campus is nearby at 551 24th Street NE in Ruskin. Zones change as the area grows, so confirm the zoned schools for any address with the district before you commit.

Apollo Beach Quick Facts

County	Hillsborough County (unincorporated)
Land area	19.67 square miles (2020 Census)
ZIP codes	33570, 33572
Area codes	813 and 656 (10-digit dialing)
Distance to downtown Tampa	About 17 miles
Distance to Bradenton	About 25 miles
Nearest major airport	Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Main roads	I-75, U.S. 41, Apollo Beach Blvd, Big Bend Rd
Canals	About 55 miles, leading to Tampa Bay
Named	1958

Moving to Apollo Beach: Tips From Our Crew

Ask about stairs on elevated homes. Homes near the water are often elevated, which can mean a full flight of stairs from the garage or driveway to the living area. Tell us when you call so we bring enough crew and plan the time.
Gated communities need a plan. In MiraBay and other gated neighborhoods, get gate codes or guard-house approval for the moving truck ahead of time, along with any HOA rules on moving hours and truck parking.
Narrow canal streets. If your street is tight, with cars, boat trailers or landscaping close to the road, tell us. Let us know about the street so we can send the right size truck.
Your boat is a separate move. Household movers do not haul boats. Line up your marina slip, dock space or a boat transporter separately, and plan for the boat to arrive after the house is set.
Check your evacuation zone and insurance first. Hillsborough County expanded Zone A in some places for 2026. For moves between June and November, keep a backup date and keep insurance papers, medications and valuables with you, not on the truck.
Time I-75 carefully. With a 35-minute average commute, I-75 and Big Bend Road back up at rush hour. Moving from Tampa? A mid-morning start usually gets us down and unloaded faster.
Salt air and outdoor furniture. If you are bringing patio furniture, grills or bikes, clean and dry them before the move and plan for corrosion-resistant covers once you arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Apollo Beach

How much do movers cost in Apollo Beach?

The price depends on how much you are moving, the distance, stairs (common in elevated waterfront homes), packing and the date. A move from Riverview to Apollo Beach is a different job from an interstate move. Call 813-544-0048 for a free quote, and an owner will call you back within 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. You can also read more about how our Apollo Beach movers work.

Is Apollo Beach in a flood zone?

Much of Apollo Beach sits right on Tampa Bay and its canals, so flood and storm-surge risk is a real consideration. It varies by property. Look up your evacuation zone at HCFL.gov/HEAT, ask for the elevation certificate and flood history, and talk to an insurance agent before you close.

How far is Apollo Beach from Tampa?

Downtown Tampa is about 17 miles north of Apollo Beach, mostly via I-75 and the Selmon Expressway or U.S. 41. The average commute for residents is 35.3 minutes, so rush hour matters.

When can you see manatees in Apollo Beach?

The Manatee Viewing Center is open daily from November 1 through April 15, when manatees gather in the warm water near the Big Bend power station. Admission and parking are free, and the trails close an hour before the center.

Can you move me into Apollo Beach from out of state?

Yes. We handle long-distance moves into Florida as well as local moves around Hillsborough County, and we offer storage if your new-construction closing date slips.

Move to Apollo Beach With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015. With our Owner’s Promise, you talk to an owner, not a call center. If anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day, and claims are resolved in 60–90 days. Our crews are background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employees, never subcontractors.

Our Tampa office serves all of Hillsborough County, including Apollo Beach, for local moves, packing and unpacking and heavy item moves (FL Mover Reg. IM3566). Learn more about our Apollo Beach movers, read our reviews, or call 813-544-0048.

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Moving to Apollo Beach, FL: Living in Apollo Beach Guide