Grab your friends and book a trip to Clearwater Beach. By Jules Romero.
The coastline of Clearwater Beach stretches for three miles along the coast of Florida’s Gulf. It’s a family-friendly beach with many outdoor activities to indulge in. From sunbathing to swimming, you can do it all at Clearwater Beach.
You’ll soon discover that every day at Clearwater Beach is a festival, after spending a few days here. To know more about how to make your visit to Clearwater Beach a truly memorable experience, read our complete guide below.
Location of Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach is found on a barrier island off Florida’s Gulf Coast. Since the beach is on a barrier island, it is accessible via a bridge.
You can find Clearwater Beach on the Gulf of Mexico, North of some of the other popular Gulf coast cities such as Fort Myers, Sarasota, and Naples.
Parking at Clearwater Beach can be difficult due to the large crowd. If your plans mostly include staying on the beach itself, you can make do without bringing a car. You can easily reach most locations and activities in and around the beach on foot.
Closest Airport to Clearwater Beach
The nearest airport to Clearwater Beach is Tampa International Airport. It’s roughly a thirty-minute drive without traffic.
Taking an UberX is the cheapest way to get to and from the airport, with a one-way ride costing just $27. If, however, you plan on doing a lot of exploring far from the beach, you’ll want to rent a car.
The second closest airport is Orlando Melbourne International Airport. If you’re considering visiting the theme parks, you may wish to save that for last and then fly out of Orlando Melbourne to cut down your driving time. Check out our best flight deals.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere at Clearwater Beach is a fun and exciting one. It’s an active space with parties everywhere, especially during peak season. It’s also child-friendly, with many activities made just for kids.
If you prefer a more quiet atmosphere, you may want to book your trip for off-season months.
Most tourists and visitors dress very casually on Clearwater Beach, as is the norm for visiting any other beach. Most of the restaurants also allow casual wear, meaning you can throw on a pair of shorts and slippers and be on your way.
Where to Stay
By far, the most popular resort at Clearwater Beach is the luxe Sandpearl Resort. Guests at Sandpearl Resort enjoy spacious accommodations with gulf, bay, or coastal views.
The resort has its own beach access and lagoon-style swimming pool. While the adults are relaxing at the resort’s spa, kids can keep busy at Camp Ridley’s Children’s Club. As night falls, guests will be able to choose from any of the two restaurants on the resort.
Where to Eat
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill is a mainstay of Clearwater Beach and is famous for its classic sandwiches. Also, it is the largest of the four Frenchy’s branches in the area. The open-air atmosphere offers to perfect mix of Florida-Caribbean fusion food, beach views, and live music.
Another restaurant located at the heart of Clearwater Beach is the Palm Pavillion Beachside Grill & Bar. At Palm Pavillion, you can sip on tropical cocktails, catch gorgeous gulf sunsets, nosh on coconut shrimp, and dance to nightly live music on the deck.
If you’d like to sample the best brunch in town, head to either the Island Way Grill on Clearwater Harbor or the Clear Sky Beachside Cafe. Both are local favorites and are known for their Bloody Mary drinks and mimosas.
Activities in Clearwater Beach
Attend a Sunset Festival
Watching a beautiful sunset from Pier 60 is a must-do for tourists visiting Clearwater Beach. In fact, the tradition is so widely followed that a daily festival was created in honor of the event.
Every evening, tourists gather around the area to check out wares from local artisans and watch street performs of all kinds. The performances begin to hours before sunset and end two hours after.
Sample a Local Brew
For the beer lovers among you, you’ve made a great decision visiting the “Sunshine State” of Florida, rather than visiting more traditional “beercation” locations such as Vermont or Colorado.
The Clearwater Craft Beer Trail runs from Tarpon Springs to Gulfport and is filled with a wide variety of independent breweries. These breweries produce craft beers that are available exclusively to guests who visit in person. Yes, you will not find these beers anywhere else.
While you’re here, don’t forget to sample Florida’s signature Florida Weisse. It’s a unique and local take on the Berliner-Weisse.
Create a Sand Sculpture
The ten-day Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival pays tribute to the region’s famous beaches every year.
Tourists are encouraged to take part in a sand sculpting class, along with many other fantastic activities and attractions. The festival lineup is booked with concerts, fireworks, amusements. Also, several vendors display their exotic crafts throughout the event.
Go on a Dolphin Cruise
The region just off Clearwater Beach’s coast is home to the most massive pod of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. It’s the perfect place for those who would like to watch majestic dolphins play in the surf.
The Adventures With Dolphins company offers tours multiple times a day that begins at the Clearwater Beach Marina. The tours also make a half-hour stop at Compass Island, which is a popular spot for tourists to snorkel, swim, and relax.
References
Grundig, A. (2020, May 13). A Guide to Clearwater Beach Florida. Retrieved July 13, 2020, from https://www.familytravelmagazine.com/a-guide-to-clearwater-beach-florida/
Josh Laskin December 16, & Laskin, J. (2017, December 16). Things to Do in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Retrieved July 13, 2020, from https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/beach-vacations/guide-to-clearwater-beach-florida
Kara Franker Updated June 29, & Franker, K. (n.d.). Things to Do in Clearwater, Florida: Attractions and Travel Guide. Retrieved July 13, 2020, from https://www.southernliving.com/travel/florida/clearwater-florida-travel-guide
