The small community of Madeira Beach had its genesis as a sleepy fishing village on the Gulf of Mexico. The town more than doubles in size during the vacation season in the winter months, welcoming throngs of visitors and vacationers. Legend holds that a pirate named John LeVique was the first European to "settle" the Madeira Beach area. Today, this Gulf of Mexico beach city, just west of St. Petersburg, is best known for the sea-themed John's Pass Village and Boardwalk, which serves up shops and eateries and a 1,100-foot boardwalk along the Intracoastal. Madeira's 2.5-mile beach attracts devotees of sun and sea, and fishing in the primary sport activity. More grouper is brought into John's Pass than any other place in the state. In addition, each October, the community hosts the Seafood Festival at John's Pass, which attracts as many as 130,000 visitors to its celebration of food, music, and arts and crafts. Commercial fishing still remains an important industry and a focal point of community festivities. Most of the housing is single-family residences that harmonize with a limited number of condominium developments.
