Things to Do in Clearwater Beach, Florida

Clearwater Beach has been voted the #1 beach in America multiple times by TripAdvisor — and it earns it. White quartz sand, calm Gulf water, and a beach that’s actually wide enough to spread out on. It sits on a barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast, about 25 minutes west of Tampa.

The Beach & Pier 60

The beach runs for 2.5 miles along the Gulf of Mexico. The sand is fine, white, and stays cool — you can walk barefoot in August without burning your feet.

Pier 60 — The centerpiece of Clearwater Beach. Every evening at sunset, the pier hosts Sunsets at Pier 60 — street performers, artisan vendors, musicians, and the main event: watching the sun drop into the Gulf. Free. It’s the best free show on the Florida coast.

Beach Walk — A paved beachfront promenade connecting hotels, restaurants, and public beach access points. Bike rentals, surrey bikes, and rollerbladers share the path.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Home to Winter the dolphin (star of Dolphin Tale). The aquarium focuses on rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine animals — sea turtles, dolphins, otters, and pelicans. It’s smaller than big-city aquariums but the mission and the animal interactions make it worthwhile.

Boat tours from the aquarium take you into Clearwater Bay to see wild dolphins.

Islands & Nature

Caladesi Island State Park — Accessible only by ferry from Honeymoon Island (or by private boat). Consistently ranked among the top beaches in America. Uncrowded, undeveloped, and pristine. The ferry runs every 30 minutes; you can stay up to 4 hours.

Honeymoon Island State Park — The jumping-off point for Caladesi. Has its own beautiful beach, nature trails, and osprey nesting areas. $8 per vehicle.

Sand Key Park — Just south of Clearwater Beach over the bridge. Wider, less crowded beach with a nature preserve and excellent shelling.

Nearby

Busch Gardens Tampa (30 min) — Theme park with world-class roller coasters and an African animal sanctuary.

Tampa (25 min) — Ybor City (historic Latin Quarter), the Riverwalk, Tampa Bay History Center, and the Florida Aquarium.

St. Pete Beach (30 min south) — Another top-rated Gulf Coast beach with the iconic Don CeSar pink hotel.

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