Clearwater, on Florida's west coast, is a great holiday spot with sunshine all-year round.
A long-time American vacation destination, the city has an endless stretch of perfect white sand, beachfront grill restaurants, and a fun social scene. However, its also serves as excellent base to discover some of the lesser-known travel experiences in this part of Florida.
So, whether you're visiting Clearwater for your main summer vacation, an escape from the dreary European winter, or as a part of a Florida road trip, here are our personal recommendations on the best things to do in Clearwater!
The Essentials
Umbrellas and the iconic blue beach cabanas of Clearwater can be rented for the following prices before 3 pm: beach umbrella with two chairs ($30), deluxe cabana with two chairs ($40), luxury bed with deluxe cabana ($75). After 3pm, prices are cut in half but all rentals end at 5 pm. There are lots of parking lots and multistoreys in and around the beach, with costs ranging from $10 per day to $25-plus!
There is a huge choice of beachfront accommodation in Clearwater too, and we stayed at the luxurious Opal Sands Resort - find out more here.
Top tip // Looking for a more relaxed, slightly quieter beach experience near Clearwater? Head across the aptly named Sand Key Bridge to Sand Key (maps). A protected park, it’s home to a large expanse of sand, along which you can rent out cabanas and beach chairs.
There isn’t an entry charge per se, but you do need to pay $5 for parking which goes towards the upkeep of the park.
Wild Dolphin Spotting
Despite what captive aquariums all over the world will tell you, the only way dolphins should be seen is in the wild.
Full stop. No ifs, no buts.
Thankfully, the warm crystalline waters of the Gulf of Mexico that surround Clearwater are home to many bottle-nosed dolphins keen to interact (on their own terms) with the frequent tours that leave the small harbour, following and jumping in the ‘wake’ created by the hull of the boat.
There are several dolphin tour providers on the little marina area across the beach boardwalk, and we were taken out into Clearwater Bay and the Gulf of Mexico by The Little Toot.
The Essentials
Tours with Little Toot usually last 75 - 90 minutes, with departure times at 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm.
Booking online is recommended (you can find out more here) but same-day bookings can also be made in person. The ticket office and departure point for tours can be found 25 Causeway Blvd #16, or find it here on Google Maps.
OUR Clearwater Tour Recommendations
Private Boating |Full or half day private boat rental (captain included) with an itinerary that can be customised to your own preferences. This particular company has a huge number of exceptionally good reviews.
Calypso Queen Tropical Party Buffet Cruise | What happens when you combine unlimited rum punch, a lunch/dinner buffet and a sightseeing cruise? An excellent party! Find out more here.
Evening Yacht Cruise | For a slightly more refined take on the above, consider this evening yacht cruise around the Tampa Bay with live music the option to enjoy a gourmet dinner.
Sunset Cruise | A super popular sunset cruise topped of with a champagne toast! Just $35 per person. Find out more here.
Helicopter Tour | For a different take on the area, consider this highly-rated helicopter tour of Clearwater Beaches, Sand Key and beyond. Find out more here.
Schooner Clearwater | A two-hour day sail along the coast of Clearwater Beach (up as far as Caladesi Island and Sand Key) in a 52' custom steel Schooner sailing vessel. Find out more here.
Visit Caladesi Island
When it comes to beaches in Florida, the St Pete / Clearwater region really is spoiled for choice.
However, the most surprising beach experience we had during our west coast road trip was at Caladesi Island State Park. Prior to this, we had an assumption that most Florida beaches would be a little like the ones we'd seen on TV - bodybuilders, co*cktail bars, spring break frat boys, and something quite commercialised over all. You know the deal, sort of like that scene in Top Gun.
Whilst Clearwater did sometimes fulfil a few of those preconceptions, a trip to Caladesi blew them out of the water.
The Essentials
It's a 40 minute drive from Clearwater to reach the Caladesi Connection ferry (Google Maps) within the grounds of Honeymoon Island State Park.
The ferry takes around 20 minutes each way, and costs $18 per adult round trip ($5 for children 6 - 12 years and free for five and under), with departures hourly all year, beginning at 10am, and half hour departures mid-February through to Labor Day , plus weekends.
There is also a $2 entry fee to access Caladesi Island.
Please see our complete guide to visiting Caladesi Island.
Other Nearby Islands to Explore
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Honeymoon Island
Accessible by road via the cute little town of Dunedin, Honeymoon Island (maps) has more than four miles of virgin beach as well as a three mile trail through beautiful pine forests. This makes it a popular choice for vacationing day trippers, who flock to its shores to swim, to shell, to hike and to cycle.
An excellent spot for wildlife lovers, it’s possible to see eagles, osprey, great horned owls, tortoises, racoons and armadillos.
The park is open 8 am until sunset, all year round. Entry is $8 per vehicle (no more than eight people) or $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, and then $2 for each additional occupant.
If arriving on foot or by bicycle, it’s $2 per person.
For those visiting just for sunset (arrival up to one hour before sunset) entry is $4 per vehicle.
You can find out more on the official parks website.
Egmont Key
Besides its crystal clear waters and miles of white sand beaches, this protected 280-acre island is haven for wildlife.
The southern section of the island is a dedicated bird sanctuary, offering a home to nearly 120 species of nesting, migratory and wintering birds (including osprey, brown pelicans, royal and sandwich terns, laughing gulls and black skimmers), making it the ideal place for a bit of bird watching - especially between the months of April and August.
There is also a hefty number (between 1000 and 1500) of gopher tortoises that roam the island, as well as nesting loggerhead sea turtles.
To reach Egmont Key, you’ll need to jump on the Egmont Key Ferry from the Bay Pier inside Fort De Soto Park (maps). There is only one departure a day, at 11am - it costs $45 per adult for the return journey. Do note than in order to access the ferry, you will need to pay $5 to park at Fort de Soto Park.
It is advisable to make a booking in advance, and this can be done here. You can also book a snorkelling cruise through the Egmont Key Ferry, with rental masks, snorkels and fins available.
Three Rooker Island
Just a few decades ago, Three Rooker Island didn’t exist. Beginning first as a sand bar in the 80’s, the vegetation that appeared in the1990’s has prevented it from washing away.
Increasingly popular on the weekends, it is only accessible to those with private boats. If you happen to have one (or can borrow a friends!), you can set off from Dunedin Marina or Anclote Park. Find Three Rooker Island here on Google Maps.
Do note that there are absolutely no facilities on the island, and no glass nor pets are allowed.
Go Brewery-Hopping in Dunedin
Whilst on holiday on the west coast of Florida, why not partake in a Belgian 3 Way with your partner, followed by a Headbanger, before ending the evening with a Rat Arsed taste in your mouth?
Us Brits often cast aspersions about the beer predilections of the US, namely involving variations of 'light' or 'lite'. But my oh my how things have changed along the Gulf coast of Florida in the last decade - and it all started with a little town called Dunedin!
For beer lovers at the weekend this means making a beeline to Dunedin to visit as many of its popular independent breweries as you can!
To make the most of your experience in each brewery, we recommend either going for a tasting flight - where you get a 100 - 150 mls of four of your selected beers - or opt for half pints or thirds. That way, you get to taste a wider selection and then narrow in on bigger glasses of your new-found favourites to end the night!
Plan// Dunedin is just a 20-minute drive from Clearwater Beach, but to make the most of this experience you should obviously get an Uber or a taxi there and back - which is what we did. Do not drink and drive. Once you've had enough beer for the evening, or get peckish, Dunedin Brewery has a surprisingly excellent vegetarian menu whilst Casa Tinais a lively little local Mexican restaurant with HUGE portions.
Visit St Pete
We absolutely loved the hipster vibe and culture in St Petersburg (the locals all call it St Pete!), and if you're going to be based in Clearwater, it makes perfect sense to include a St Pete day trip in your itinerary.
You'll find great independent restaurants, amazing street art, the largest Salvador Dali museum outside of Spain, as well as the iconic pink palace of the Don Cesar!
Read Next// Find out more about how St Pete changed its story, or plan you time with our pick of the best things to do in St Pete.
You can walk along half of the pier for free, but there's an entry fee of $1 per person to access the best vantage point to enjoy the sunset - where you'll probably share the view with the ever-present Floridian pelican and handfuls of local fisherman.
Afterwards, you can browse around the stalls of local artisans, or take in the talents from the various buskers and street-performers scattered around the pier area.
The Essentials
Check the local forecast for sunset times during your visit, and make sure you go to the pier about 45 minutes before sundown to get the full effect.
Pier 60 is pretty easy to find, but we've included the location for you on Google Maps here.
Again, entry fee per person is $1.
Where to Stay in Clearwater, florida
Although there is a huge number of accommodation options in Clearwater, if planning to visit during high season it is still advised to book as far in advance as possible. This is especially true if hoping to secure one of the cheaper hotels/motels/condos as prices tend to skyrocket.
Hotels
Opal Sands | This is where we stayed, and we can’t rate it highly enough! A true luxury resort style experience, the rooms are large, modern and the beach front hotel has excellent amenities including a top-notch restaurant, and pool area. Find out more here.
Other 4* hotels with similarly excellent reviews include:
Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
Sandpearl Resort Private Beach
Residence Inn | A large, modern 3* Marriott hotel with good amenities (pool, sun terrace, fitness suite) and in a good location just a short distance from beach. Rooms are a little paint-by-numbers (standard of a chain hotel) but comfortable. Find out more here.
Motels
Hotel Cabana Clearwater Beach | Just 450 feet from Clearwater Beach, this motel’s anything but drab. Super modern, all rooms are decorated to a high standard. They have a variety of different room types and a heated outdoor pool Find out more here.
Barefoot Bay Resort Motel | An excellent budget option, this cheap and cheerful motel has an excellent location a few minutes from the beach. Rooms are clean and tidy, and comes with outdoor pool. Find out more here.
Other good value options include Camelot Beach Suites and Island Cay
Clearwater Airbnbs
Surf n Sand Apartment | Just one of several studio apartments located within what used to be a motel. Slightly kitsch, but in a good way! Few minutes walk from the beach, it offers excellent value (starting at around $90 per night) it would suit a couple who plan to spend plenty of time out and about exploring the area. Find out more here.
Other great value apartments include this direct waterfront studio and this super cute waterfront one-bed.
Sandcastle Villa | An incredible option is travelling as part of a larger group, this stunning four-bedroom house is decorated and furnished to a high standard, but the real selling point is the private pool with uninterrupted views of the coastline. Find out more here.
Alternatively, be sure to check out Beachside Bliss - an exceptional four-bed home.
Beachfront Condo | Newly decorated two-bedroom condo, located directly on North Clearwater Beach! Furnishings are to a high standard, light and bright decor (without losing that cosy feel), this would be ideal for a small family. Find out more here.
Coastal Cottage | Bright, modern, adorable cottage in the quieter northern section of Clearwater Beach, just 50 steps from the curb to the sand. Light and airy, it comes with a small outside terrace area. Find out more here.
Luxury Two Bed | Located within the Wyndham Clearwater Beach Resort, this spacious two-bedroom deluxe suite with kitchen and balcony is the perfect choice for those that prefer the independence of an apartment but with the amenities of a hotel. Find out more here.
Modern Condo | Immaculately decorated, modern three-bed condo. Walking distance to Clearwater's pristine white sandy beaches but just far enough from the hustle and bustle. Comes equipped with large kitchen, and floor to ceiling glass door that open on to private balcony with views over the water. Find out more here.
essential things to know before visiting clearwater
How to Get to Clearwater?
To visit the St. Pete/Clearwater area, you can opt for a flight to one of two airports which serve international flights and domestic US flight transfers. The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is a 30-minute drive to Clearwater, whilst the larger and more connected Tampa International Airport (TPA) over the water is an easy 35-minute drive away.
For those flying into Tampa Airport, consider this private transfer.
If arriving by car, you’ll be pleased to know that Clearwater is well-connected by several major highways, including Interstate 275 and US Highway 19.
How to Get Around Clearwater?
Renting a car is the best way to make the most of your time in St Pete / Clearwater, and we were supplied with a Jeep Wrangler from the Hertz American Collection, which contains iconic cars perfect for a great American road trip - visit Hertz for more information. Alternatively, you can take a look at an aggregator like RentalCars which combines a whole bunch of different rental companies so you can find the best one for your budget and travel style.
Visiting Clearwater without a vehicle? Don’t worry, it’s easy enough to get about.
And for getting around, up and down the coast, there’s the Jolley Tolley, a bus which connects Clearwater with Dunedin and Tarpon. A single journey costs $2.25 or you can buy and unlimited day ticket for $5 per person (children under 8 years go free). You can find further details here.
When is the best time to visit Clearwater, Florida?
This part of the country is blessed with a year-round warm and sunny climate, but its busiest months are January to March, when a large volume of snowbirds ((retirees and part-time residents from the northern US) head south to escape the winter weather. Because of this, the best time to visit Clearwater, Florida is generally considered to be between October and December. The weather will be when the temperatures will still be delightfully warm, there’s significantly less humidity, beaches are quieter and prices a little lower.
