Last checked: September 2026. Weather figures come from the Visit St. Pete/Clearwater weather page, event dates from official organizers. Dates and rules can change, so confirm before you book travel.
If you are searching for snowbird rentals in Florida, you probably want three things: a home that feels like living here, a pool you can actually use in January, and a fair price for a long stay. We are Johan and Mia, and we manage eight private-pool homes around Clearwater, Largo and St. Petersburg. This guide explains how a winter month in Pinellas County works with us, what the weather and pool heat can and cannot do, which home suits which kind of stay, and what is happening from November through April.
What winter is really like in Pinellas
Pinellas is a peninsula, so you are never far from water, and everything is close. Here are the average daytime highs and overnight lows the local tourism board lists for the winter months.
| Month | Average high | Average low |
|---|---|---|
| December | 72 F | 57 F |
| January | 70 F | 54 F |
| February | 72 F | 56 F |
| March | 76 F | 60 F |
Source: Visit St. Pete/Clearwater weather FAQ. These are averages; individual days and cold fronts vary, so pack layers.
In practice that means light jackets in the evening, beach walks in the afternoon and comfortable days for gardens, ballparks and bike rides. It is not swimsuit-all-day weather every day, which is why pool heat matters.
How the pool heat works, honestly
Six of our homes have heated pools: Casa Blue Horizon, On the Creek, Tortuga Hideaway, Goodtimes Waterfront, Indian Shores Family Oasis and Seminole Sands. Heating is included in the rate. Our heat pumps warm the water roughly 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above the current air temperature. That is enough to make a January afternoon swim pleasant on many days.
What it cannot do is beat a hard cold snap. One January guest told us the pool did not reach the temperature it was set to, and we would rather you know that now. If a cold front is coming, message us and we will tell you what to expect. Hibiscus House and The Salty Parrot have private pools that are not heated.
Which home suits a month-long stay
| Home | Area | Sleeps | Pool | Nearest beach by car | To Tampa airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tortuga Hideaway | Largo | 6 | Heated saltwater | Archibald Beach Park 20 min | 24 min |
| On the Creek | Largo | 10 | Heated | Indian Rocks 18 min | 26 min |
| Goodtimes Waterfront | Largo | 16 | Heated | Indian Rocks 10 min | 35 min |
| Casa Blue Horizon | Indian Rocks Beach | 10 | Heated saltwater and spa | Four blocks to the Gulf | 39 min |
| Indian Shores Family Oasis | Seminole | 10 | Heated | Archibald Beach Park 7 min | 32 min |
| The Salty Parrot | St. Petersburg | 10 | Private, not heated | Archibald Beach Park 6 min | 33 min |
| Hibiscus House | Pinellas Park | 6 | Private, not heated | Archibald Beach Park 19 min | 23 min |
Drive times are the typical minutes listed on each home’s page, not live traffic.
A couple or two friends
Tortuga Hideaway is new in 2026, sleeps 6, and has a single-level layout, a screened patio, a king suite with a workspace and baby gear if a grandchild visits. It has no reviews yet, so judge it by the listing details and ask us anything.
A family, or two couples
On the Creek sleeps 10, with a garage game room, the backyard and a heated pool. It is our highest rated home at 4.95 stars.
A budget-minded month
Hibiscus House sleeps 6 with a private pool that is not heated, a gazebo and beach gear in the garage. Guests have said they saved money by having fun at the house. Beaches are roughly 19 to 26 minutes away, so it suits a quiet base more than a beach-walk stay.
Winter near the sand
Casa Blue Horizon in Indian Rocks Beach is four blocks from the Gulf, with a heated saltwater pool and spa. It does not allow pets. See all Indian Rocks Beach rentals.
If you want to be central, our Largo homes and Seminole home put beaches, parks and grocery stores within a short drive.
A winter calendar for a long stay
| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 1 to Apr 15 | Manatee Viewing Center open, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, free parking and admission | Apollo Beach (south of Tampa) |
| Nov 26 to Dec 27, 2026 | Holiday Lights & Carnival Rides, free to park and walk | Largo Central Park |
| Nov 27, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Holiday Lights in the Gardens, suggested $10 donation for guests over 12 | Florida Botanical Gardens, Largo |
| Jan 23 and Jan 30, 2027 | Gasparilla children’s parade and Pirate Fest | Tampa |
| Feb 4 to 15, 2027 | Florida State Fair | Tampa |
| Feb 20, 2027 onward | Phillies Grapefruit League home games (16 of 30 games at home) | BayCare Ballpark, Clearwater |
| Mar 5 to 7, 2027 | Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg | Downtown St. Petersburg |
| Apr 9 to 11, 2027 | Tampa Bay Blues Festival (kick off party Apr 8) | Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg |
Sources: Tampa Electric, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, City of Tampa, Florida State Fairgrounds, IndyCar, the Phillies schedule release and the Blues Festival site. The Blue Jays had not released a 2027 Dunedin schedule when we checked. See our Tampa Bay events calendar for more.
Everyday things that matter more than sightseeing
- Groceries. Guests tell us a Publix and pharmacy are about five minutes from Goodtimes, and a Publix and Walmart about three minutes from The Salty Parrot. Guests have also had a grocery order stocked before arrival, so ask if you would like that.
- Workspace. Hibiscus House, Tortuga Hideaway, Casa Blue Horizon and The Salty Parrot all have a desk or workspace. Message us if you need details for your setup.
- Trash and services. Valet trash takes the bins to the curb, so you do not. Pool and lawn service are scheduled, so you will see crews now and then.
- Checkout. There is no chore list: no stripping beds, no trash to the curb.
- House rules. Guests must be 21 or older, quiet hours are 9 PM to 9 AM, and we require an ID and signed agreement before sending check-in codes. Some guests are surprised by that step, so it helps to complete it early.
- Pets. Some homes welcome pets and some do not. Casa Blue Horizon does not. Check each listing.
Arriving early in the season: a note on hurricanes
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30. If you arrive in October or November, keep an eye on the National Hurricane Center and know your Pinellas County evacuation zone using the county’s Know Your Zone tool at kyz.pinellas.gov. We will contact you if a storm threatens your dates. For official guidance, follow Pinellas County Emergency Management and NOAA rather than social media.
Things to do close to home
Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo is free and open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., except the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The Pinellas Trail, a paved multi-use trail from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs, is handy for bike rides. Our Largo guide covers parks and local favorites, our beach guide helps you pick a spot, and our parks and nature page covers gentle walks. For a full day in the city, see things to do in St Pete.
Quick answers
We do not run automatic stay-length discounts. Booking direct means no service fee, and the total price with taxes is shown before you pay.
Six of our eight homes have heated pools, and heating is included in the rate. Heat pumps warm the water roughly 10 to 20 degrees above the air temperature, so a cold snap can limit it.
Some of our homes allow pets and some do not. Casa Blue Horizon does not. Check each listing and message us about pet limits.
Several homes have a workspace, including Hibiscus House, Tortuga Hideaway, Casa Blue Horizon and The Salty Parrot. Message us if you need details for your setup.
Largo is central and close to beaches, parks and the ballpark. Indian Rocks Beach is best if you want to be near the sand.
Keep planning
Ready to plan? Pick your dates, see the total price before you pay, and call or text us at +1 727-295-2319. We speak English and Spanish.