In Pinellas County, which is a peninsula dividing Tampa Bay from the Gulf of Mexico, there are two places of interest: Saint Petersburg, which we could define as the city “to visit”, and Clearwater, whose very intuitive name immediately makes it obvious that it is the perfect city for those in search of sea and activities related to the latter.
Clearwater is almost a northern appendix of Saint Petersburg, actually forming one big metropolis. We cannot say that it is the most fascinating place in Florida, but it has a strong point: Clearwater Beach. Located on the island in front of the city and connected to it by a bridge, it is one of the seaside resorts par excellence in West Florida, ideal for long vacation stays, or for a quick trip before or after visiting nearby “St. Pete”.
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How to Get to Clearwater Beach and How to Get Around
The Causeway Bridge connects Clearwater Beach to the center of the city of Clearwater and the easiest way to get there is by car. However, it is possible to take the pSTA Buses, which also reach the island. A good alternative is a ferry, which runs from downtown Clearwater and Dunedin Marina (a little further north) to the island. All the timetables are available on the Clearwater Ferry website.
Arriving on the island without a car, a good way to get around and visit is to use the Jolley Trolley, a streetcar that runs all around Clearwater Beach. The last option is to rent a bike in Clearwater and pedal to the island, as the long viaduct that crosses the sea is lined with a bike path. Pedaling over the blue sea is in itself a great experience to have. Plus, this way you’ll have an agile means of getting around the town.
If you need to get to Clearwater from other areas, it is well connected with Tampa thanks to the W Courtney Campbell Causeway, which crosses the bay via a long bridge and speeds up the connection compared to the classic road that comes from the north. Tampa is also accessible from all locations in Florida, as we explained here.
Best Time to Visit Clearwater Beach: Climate and Events
As for the climate, it is quite warm all year round, but there is a substantial seasonal difference in terms of rain. Winter is dry and is therefore the recommended period to enjoy the sea at its best, while in summer the rains are frequent, with many storms. We suggest you read our article on the climate of Florida.
Passing through these parts during some periods of the year you can also take part in events that will make your vacation even livelier. In April for example, the Sugar & Sand Festival takes place around Pier 60. It is a great sand castle competition (or rather works representing any subject, but all made with sand).
The event is accompanied by concerts, performances by street artists, outdoor film screenings, markets and much more. Food is the focus of the Beach Taste Fest, where restaurants offer samples of their dishes to people walking along the Clearwater Beachwalk Promenade, accompanied by live music. The Clearwater Beach Stone Crab Festival, held in October and featuring crab, and the Clearwater Beach Uncorked Food & Wine Festival, a great food event on the beach, are also food-focused.
What to Do in Clearwater Beach
Around these parts, Clearwater Beach is said to be the Best beach town in Florida. Perhaps other beach resorts in the Sunshine State will disagree, but what is certain is that here for vacationers there is just about everything. The beach is big, beautiful, clean and well-equipped. You can relax in the sun or do a variety of sports and recreational activities. From boat trips to spotting dolphins to deep sea fishing, from gulf cruises to adrenaline sports like kite surfing or parasailing, it’s hard to get bored on a vacation here.
One of the landmarks is Pier 60, the pier that extends into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico at the end of State Road 60. There you’ll find a bar, a playground, a gift store and, of course, fishing. But Pier 60 is much more than that: every evening at sunset, the Sunset at Pier 60 takes place, the exhibition of street artists who gather at the pier to stage their shows with the evocative scenery of the sunset over the sea.
To come in direct contact with nature in this area, especially the marine life, you can visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. It is located in Island Estates: the sort of intermediate island between Clearwater and Clearwater Beach and it is a center for the preservation of marine biodiversity. The right place to meet a dolphin up close, but a lot more too.
Activities and Day Trips
If you’re looking for natural beauty, head to the north of the island, to Caladesi Island State Park, a natural oasis where you can walk the marked trails to the ruins of the Scharrer Homestead, or maybe rent a canoe and paddle through the tangle of islets that make up this pristine reserve. It’s also worth going there if you aspire to a day snoozing on the white sand: Caladesi Beach is picture postcard-perfect and will captivate you.
Do you like dolphins? Then you might be interested in the Mega Bite Dolphin Tour, a trip aboard a shark-shaped boat that makes trips to see dolphins in the open sea. Dolphins now recognize it and circle around it jumping and playing with the passengers. This is not the only option to see dolphins: there are so many cruises of this type, you just have to choose from them all. If you are traveling with children, another nice tour is the Pirate Cruise, a pirate ship on which you will enjoy a great experience together with a crew of buccaneers who organize various games and a treasure hunt.
Dolphin tours and other boat tours
Places to Eat in Clearwater Beach
Given Clearwater Beach’s reputation as a resort town, restaurants abound and there is something for every taste and budget. Being by the sea, seafood is the main course and one of the places to eat high quality seafood, prepared in an open kitchen, is the Shore American Seafood Grill (301 S. Gulfview Rd.). Island Way Grill (20 Island Way) also serves good seafood, caught from boats owned by the restaurant itself. It’s near the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and you get a nice view of the natural channel that separates the coast from the island of Clearwater Beach. The seafood at Shephard’s Tiki Beach Bar (619 S. Gulfview Blvd.) is also great. Being part of a resort, it also has exclusive beach access.
Overlooking the beach, Blinkers Beachside Steakhouse and Lounge (476 Mandalay Ave.) is a very casual restaurant that serves a variety of dishes and often hosts musical soirees. Cooters Restaurant & Bar (20 Poinsettia Ave.) is very lively and easygoing, with its walls covered with a thousand things, including many car license plates. The Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar (10 Bay Esplanade), which offers both meat and seafood dishes in a pleasant setting, is a beautiful location on the water with palm trees. It’s attached to a nightclub, so it’s perfect for those who want to combine dinner with after-dinner entertainment.
Where to Stay in Clearwater Beach
Like any resort, Clearwater Beach has an abundance of accommodations, so you’re sure to find the one that’s right for you, whether it’s a B&B for a quick trip or a resort for a dream vacation. Here are a few suggestions.
- SandPearl Resort. The perfect place for those looking for a luxury vacation: it is certainly one of the best hotels in the city, with fine rooms and suites, swimming pools, spa, direct access to the beach and many other services.
- Opal Sands. Cocktails by the pool, a beautiful beach in front of the hotel, a great restaurant: these are just some of the things you’ll find at this other excellent Clearwater Beach resort, located in the southernmost part of the island. Perfect for those coming here for multiple days.
- Barefoot Bay Resort Motel. If you’re just passing through and want an affordable option, this two-star motel is nice and well maintained. Perfect for a quick stop during your Florida tour.
- Courtyard by Marriott Clearwater Beach. Somewhere in between is this three-star Marriott chain, equipped with essential amenities, in a good location and more affordable as prices than the big resorts.
- Driftwood Beach Cottage. Looking for a vacation home instead? This is an excellent cottage, directly facing the beach and equipped with every comfort, at a reasonable price.
