Clearwater Beach
Sand so fine it squeaks underfoot, calm Gulf water and a pier where everyone gathers to watch the sun drop into the sea.
Plan your Clearwater getaway
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Clearwater Beach hotel deals
Live rates for 3 nights and 2 adults, on the beach and on Sand Key.
Islands, piers and dolphins
Clearwater is the jumping-off point for some of the most unspoiled barrier islands on Florida's Gulf Coast.
- Mar–MayBest season
- ≈ 86 °FSummer Gulf water
- ≈ 25 miFrom Tampa airport (TPA)
- ≈ 25 minFrom St. Pete–Clearwater airport (PIE)
Clearwater, from pier to marina
Sunsets over the sand, pirate ships in the harbor and pelicans happy to pose.
- Sunset on the sand · Michel Rathwell from Cornwall, Canada (CC BY 2.0)
- Pirate ship at the marina · Michel Rathwell from Cornwall, Canada (CC BY 2.0)
- A pelican at the marina · Michel Rathwell from Cornwall, Canada (CC BY 2.0)
- Pier 60 from the shore · Jana Taylor (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- Unspoiled sand on Caladesi Island · Sesamehoneytart (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Houseboat by the aquarium · Beyond My Ken (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Clearwater Beach FAQ
Seasons, airports, where to stay and what to do beyond the sand.
When is the best time to visit Clearwater Beach?
March to May brings warm water, little rain and days around 77 to 86 °F; March overlaps spring break, so expect crowds. October and November are pleasant too. December to February is breezy, and the water feels cold to many. Summer is hot, with afternoon storms, and falls in the Atlantic hurricane season (June to November).
Which airport should I fly into?
Tampa International (TPA) is the biggest, with the most routes and connections; it is about 25 miles away, 35 to 45 minutes by car over the Courtney Campbell Causeway. St. Pete–Clearwater International (PIE) is closer, about 25 minutes, and is served mainly by low-cost airlines. From Mexico, most travelers fly into Tampa with one connection.
What documents do I need?
Travelers from Mexico need a valid passport and a US tourist visa (B1/B2). If you live in the US and fly domestically, a REAL ID-compliant license or your passport is enough.
Where should I stay?
Hotels around Pier 60 and Mandalay Avenue put you steps from restaurants, bars and the pier at sunset. North Beach is more residential and quiet, with condos and small motels. Sand Key, across the bridge to the south, has large beachfront resorts and suits families looking for calm.
What is there to do besides the beach?
Catch sunset at Pier 60, take a dolphin-watching cruise in the bay, visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a marine animal rescue center, and cross to Caladesi Island, an undeveloped barrier island. In Dunedin, Honeymoon Island has trails with nesting ospreys. Tampa and St. Petersburg, with their museums, are under an hour away.
How do I get to Caladesi Island?
By ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin; the ride takes about 20 minutes and tickets are sold on site. You can also walk the sand from the north end of Clearwater Beach or paddle over by kayak. Schedules have changed since recent hurricanes, so confirm before you go.
What is the water like?
The Gulf is usually calm and shallow near shore, great for kids. Summer water reaches about 86 °F. Lifeguards cover the central beach, and a flag system shows conditions: stay out on red. Red tide occasionally appears and can irritate eyes and throat, so check the daily beach report.
What should I eat?
The grouper sandwich is the local classic, along with Gulf shrimp and oysters. From mid-October to May, look for stone crab claws. For sunset, any waterfront patio on Mandalay Avenue or near the pier does the job.
Do I need a car?
On the beach everything is walkable, and the Jolley Trolley links Clearwater Beach with Sand Key and downtown Clearwater. For Honeymoon Island, Tampa or St. Petersburg, a rental car helps. Beach parking is metered and fills up on spring weekends.
How will I get my booking confirmation?
Once payment is complete, your confirmation arrives by email. Change and cancellation conditions depend on each hotel and rate and are shown before you pay.
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