Apollo Beach, Florida (33572) is a waterfront community on the east side of Tampa Bay in southern Hillsborough County, between Riverview to the north and Ruskin to the south. Its network of canals gives many homes direct boat access to the bay and, from there, to the Gulf. If you want to live on the water within easy reach of Tampa, this page is your starting point: the neighborhoods, what homes cost, the fees to expect, and the questions people ask me most.
Apollo Beach at a glance
- Location: east shore of Tampa Bay, about 20 miles south of downtown Tampa
- Typical sale price: about $465,000 to $470,000 (mid-2026), above the Hillsborough County median
- Time to sell: around 80 days on average in 2026
- Known for: canal-front homes with bay access, MiraBay’s lagoon, and the TECO Manatee Viewing Center
- Homes: original 1960s-era canal homes, gated waterfront communities, and newer master-planned neighborhoods
What are the neighborhoods in Apollo Beach, FL?
The original canal neighborhoods
Homes built along the dredged canals from the 1960s onward, mixing original Florida homes with renovated and newer builds. Seawalls, docks and boat lifts are a big part of the value here, and many streets have no HOA at all.
MiraBay
A gated, resort-style community built around a large lagoon with canals that connect to Tampa Bay. See my MiraBay guide.
Covington Park
An established master-planned neighborhood with community pools and parks, popular with buyers who want a newer home at a more moderate price. See my Covington Park guide.
Waterset and other newer communities
Waterset and other newer master-planned communities in the 33572 zip code offer new and nearly new homes, amenity centers and trails. Most carry HOA dues and a CDD assessment, so compare the total monthly cost, not just the price.
What do homes cost in Apollo Beach in 2026?
Mid-2026 market reports put the Apollo Beach median sale price in the high $400,000s, with about 240 to 250 homes selling over a year and an average of roughly 80 days on the market. Homes have been selling for close to 98% of their final asking price, so buyers have some room to negotiate.
Price depends heavily on the water. A canal home with a dock, lift and quick bay access sells for well above a similar home inland, and a newer home in a master-planned community often lands closer to the median. Call or text me for current numbers on the street or community you are considering.
How much are HOA and CDD fees in Apollo Beach?
- Original canal neighborhoods: many homes have no HOA, or only a small voluntary civic association.
- Gated and waterfront communities like MiraBay: expect HOA dues that cover the gate, amenities and common areas, plus a CDD assessment in some sections.
- Newer master-planned communities: usually have both HOA dues and a CDD assessment, which appears on the property tax bill.
I request the current fee schedule and the CDD amount for any home before you make an offer. My guide to HOAs and CDDs in South Hillsborough explains how they work.
Why do people move to Apollo Beach?
- Boating and the water. From the canals and the marina, boaters reach Tampa Bay quickly and can head south past the Sunshine Skyway Bridge toward the Gulf.
- Manatees and nature. The free TECO Manatee Viewing Center draws manatees to its warm water in the cooler months. The Apollo Beach Nature Preserve has walking paths and bay views, and E.G. Simmons Regional Park is just south.
- Getting around. US-41 and I-75 connect Apollo Beach to Tampa, Brandon and Sarasota, with shopping and dining close by in Riverview and Brandon.
What should you know before buying in Apollo Beach?
- Flood zones and elevation. Waterfront and near-water homes often sit in higher-risk flood zones. Check the flood zone, elevation certificate and insurance cost for the exact address. See flood zones and flood insurance in South Hillsborough.
- Seawalls and docks. Have seawalls, docks and lifts inspected separately. Repairs can be costly, and some work needs permits.
- Water depth and bridge clearance. If you own a boat, ask about canal depth at low tide and any bridges between the home and open water.
- Insurance. Wind and flood coverage can change the monthly cost a lot. Get quotes during your inspection period. See my homeowners insurance guide.
- Homestead exemption. If this will be your permanent home, file for homestead to lower your property taxes. Here is how homestead works in Hillsborough County.
Selling a home in Apollo Beach
Waterfront buyers want details: dock and lift specs, seawall condition, water depth, flood zone and insurance history. I gather those up front so buyers can make confident offers, and I market your home to boaters and out-of-state buyers searching for water access near Tampa. If you’re selling from out of town or settling an estate, I can manage the local work for you. My guides to inheriting a home and downsizing or relocating can help you plan.
Curious what your home would sell for? Get a free estimate at GulfCoastValues.com, then call me for a real number based on recent sales on your canal or street.
Apollo Beach questions people ask
Do Apollo Beach canal homes have access to the Gulf?
Many do. The canals connect to Tampa Bay, and boaters can travel south through the bay toward the Gulf. Bridge clearance and water depth vary by canal, so check both for any home you’re considering.
What is the median home price in Apollo Beach?
In mid-2026 the median sale price was in the high $400,000s. Waterfront homes typically sell well above that, and inland homes in newer communities often sell closer to it.
When can you see manatees in Apollo Beach?
The Manatee Viewing Center is open during the cooler months, roughly late fall through early spring, when manatees gather in the warm water. Check the center’s current schedule before you go.
Is there a beach in Apollo Beach?
Apollo Beach has a small sandy beach at the nature preserve, but it’s a preserve rather than a swimming beach. For swimming, most people head to E.G. Simmons Park or the Gulf beaches.
How far is Apollo Beach from Tampa?
Downtown Tampa is about 20 miles north. Most of the drive is on US-41, I-75 or the Selmon Expressway, depending on traffic.
Looking for a home in Apollo Beach?
Tell me what you’re looking for in Apollo Beach: budget, bedrooms, waterfront or inland, a dock, a pool, whatever matters. I’ll send you what’s genuinely available right now, including homes that haven’t hit the public sites yet.
Call or text 941-737-6562, schedule a call, or grab one of my free guides.
Clear answers, no pressure. I’ll give you a straight read on what’s out there and what it takes.
Nearby South Hillsborough communities
- Ruskin — just south on the Little Manatee River, with riverfront homes and new communities.
- Sun City Center — inland on SR 674, Florida’s original planned 55+ community, including Kings Point.
- Riverview — north along US-301, one of the fastest-growing suburbs south of Tampa.
- Wimauma — the southern edge of Hillsborough County, with newer 55+ and master-planned communities.
- Gibsonton — just north, on the Alafia River where it meets Tampa Bay.
- South Hillsborough Homeowner Handbook — taxes, insurance, HOAs, hurricanes and more.
