Hernando Beach is a waterfront canal community located northwest of Tampa, FL. The area was developed by Charlie Sasser between 1959 and 1965, using the earth from mining operations along the coast and dredging. The canals in the north section lead directly to the Gulf of Mexico and are the deepest and widest in Hernando Beach. In 1971, restrictions on wetland development stopped any further growth. Sasser was ordered to build a dike around the 144 acres he had developed and to restore the land to its natural state. This legal battle between Sasser, the state, and the Hernando County Commission resulted in the area being preserved in its natural state.

Sasser passed away in nearby Brooksville in 2010. Today, visitors can enjoy the area’s untouched beauty and explore its stunning flats.

The city is comprised of three distinct sections. The northern portion, from Eagles Nest Drive to Companero Entra, is equipped with saltwater canals providing direct access to the Gulf of Mexico for those with a boat. The middle section has several streets off of Hermosa Blvd. while the south Hernando Beach section is a deed-restricted area with a mandatory home owners association known as the Hernando Beach South Property Owners Association.

For those in the southern area, access to the Gulf is only made possible through the indirect Gulf access canals, which are separated from the ocean by an earthen berm. To bridge the gap between the canals and the Gulf, residents use the boatlift to get over a concrete plug, which is part of the berm, and onto the direct access saltwater canals.