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Apollo Beach, FL Homes for Sale & Waterfront Guide (2026)
Apollo Beach is a waterfront community on the eastern shore of Tampa Bay, about 17 miles south of downtown Tampa, known for roughly 55 miles of boating canals. The median sale price was about $470,000 in September 2026, according to Redfin, and buyers have room to negotiate, but flood risk and insurance are a big part of the cost here.
An overview of Apollo Beach
Apollo Beach suits buyers who want a waterfront or canal home with boat access to Tampa Bay, at prices below most of the Gulf beaches. It is an unincorporated community in southern Hillsborough County, between Gibsonton and Ruskin, developed as a canal community starting in the late 1950s.
It has grown fast: the population nearly doubled from 14,055 in 2010 to 26,002 in 2020, as newer master-planned communities were added east of US 41.
What is Apollo Beach known for?
Apollo Beach is known for canal-front homes, boating and the manatees that gather near the Big Bend Power Station each winter.
- Boating canals: about 55 miles of canals, many leading directly to Tampa Bay.
- Manatee viewing: the free TECO Manatee Viewing Center, where manatees gather in the warm-water discharge in cooler months.
- Master-planned communities: MiraBay, with waterfront homes and a clubhouse, and Waterset, a newer community with new construction and amenity centers.
- Quick highway access: I-75 and US 41 to Tampa, Brandon and Sarasota.
How much do homes cost in Apollo Beach?
The median sale price in Apollo Beach was about $470,000 in September 2026, up 2.3% from a year earlier, according to Redfin. Homes took a median of 80 days to sell, sold for about 97.8% of list price, and 45.9% of homes sold had a price drop, so buyers have room to negotiate.
Prices vary most by water access: inland homes in newer communities often cost far less than canal-front homes with a dock and a short run to the bay.
| Home price | Principal and interest per month (10% down) |
|---|---|
| $375,000 | $2,318 |
| $470,000 (Apollo Beach median) | $2,906 |
| $550,000 | $3,400 |
| $700,000 | $4,328 |
Calculated by Rothfuss Team Realty at 7.32%, the Freddie Mac 30-year average on Oct. 22, 2026. Taxes, insurance, flood insurance and CDD or HOA fees not included.
What are the main communities in Apollo Beach?
Apollo Beach has three main types of neighborhoods: the original canal streets, MiraBay and Waterset.
- Original canal neighborhoods: homes from the 1960s onward on canals west of US 41, many updated or rebuilt, with docks and boat lifts.
- MiraBay: a master-planned community on the bay with canal-front and inland homes and a resort-style clubhouse.
- Waterset: a newer master-planned community east of US 41 with new construction, pools and trails, and lower flood exposure than the canal streets. Expect CDD and HOA fees.
For more new construction nearby, see Riverview and Wimauma, and our new construction guide.
What should buyers know about Apollo Beach?
Flood risk, seawalls and insurance are the biggest costs to check in Apollo Beach. First Street rates about 60% of properties at severe flood risk over the next 30 years.
- Flood zone and elevation: look up the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, and ask for the elevation certificate and the seller’s flood disclosure.
- Seawall and dock: have them inspected. Repairs can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
- Boat access: check canal depth, any bridges and the route to the bay for the boat you plan to own.
- Insurance: get wind and flood quotes before your inspection period ends. Newer, elevated homes usually cost less to insure.
- Fees: MiraBay and Waterset have HOA fees, and newer communities often have CDD fees. See CDD vs. HOA fees.
What's it like to live in Apollo Beach?
Life in Apollo Beach centers on the water: boating, fishing, kayaking and waterfront dining. Downtown Tampa is about 25 to 35 minutes away by car, Brandon about 20 minutes and Sarasota about 45 minutes. The trade-offs are hurricane and flood exposure, and fewer big shopping centers than Brandon or Riverview.
Compare it with other areas in our Where to Live in Tampa guide, and read our Tampa flood zone map guide.
See homes for sale in Apollo Beach
Live listings, plus our read on flood zone, seawall and insurance for any home you like.
Apollo Beach FAQ
Is Apollo Beach, FL a good place to live?
Apollo Beach is a good fit for buyers who want a canal or waterfront home with boat access to Tampa Bay, about 17 miles from downtown Tampa. The trade-offs are high flood risk and insurance costs on many streets.
How much do homes cost in Apollo Beach?
The median sale price was about $470,000 in September 2026, according to Redfin. At 7.32% with 10% down, that is about $2,906 a month in principal and interest.
Is Apollo Beach in a flood zone?
Much of Apollo Beach is low-lying, and First Street rates about 60% of properties at severe flood risk over 30 years. Inland areas such as parts of Waterset have lower risk. Check the FEMA map for each address.
How far is Apollo Beach from Tampa?
Apollo Beach is about 17 miles south of downtown Tampa, usually a 25- to 35-minute drive via I-75 or US 41.
Where can you see manatees in Apollo Beach?
The free TECO Manatee Viewing Center at the Big Bend Power Station is one of the best places in Florida to see manatees, especially in cooler months.
What are the main communities in Apollo Beach?
The original canal neighborhoods west of US 41, the waterfront MiraBay community and the newer Waterset master-planned community are the best known.
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