With sunshine nearly year-round, turquoise Gulf waters, family-friendly attractions, and beautiful beachfront resorts, Clearwater Beach is a Florida getaway offering something for every kind of traveler.

Imagine soft, powder-white sand beneath your feet, clear turquoise water stretching toward the horizon, and sunshine illuminating the coastline. On Florida’s Gulf Coast, Clearwater Beach delivers this picture-perfect setting on a barrier island just west of the city of Clearwater.

Known for enjoying approximately 360 days of sunshine a year, the destination has become a favorite for beach lovers seeking warm weather, water sports, excellent dining, and relaxed coastal living.

Beyond its beautiful shoreline, Clearwater Beach offers luxury resorts, lively entertainment, family attractions, shopping, and easy access to nearby nature preserves and island escapes.

“I love living in a place where people want to vacation,” says Amanda Payne, a longtime Clearwater resident and president and CEO of the local chamber of commerce, Amplify Clearwater. She points to the area’s quality of life, schools, entertainment, and opportunities to enjoy everything from sandcastle-building to fishing and encounters with rescued marine animals.

Here’s how to plan a memorable visit.

Courtesy of Opal Sands

Where to Stay: Clearwater Beach’s Best Hotels and Resorts

Sandpearl Resort

For a beachfront stay close to the action, Sandpearl Resort offers an expansive retreat just steps from Clearwater Beach. Recognized by Travel + Leisure readers as one of Florida’s best resorts, the property features 253 rooms and suites, a 700-foot stretch of beach, a lagoon-style swimming pool, a 12,000-square-foot spa, several dining options, and a kids’ club.

Payne recommends the resort’s restaurant, Caretta on the Gulf, particularly during stone crab season. She considers its preparation among the best in the area.

Opal Sands Resort

Located at the southern end of the barrier island, Opal Sands Resort is another standout beachfront property.

Local hospitality professional Andrew Beltz particularly recommends its Sandbar tiki bar, which he considers one of the best places to watch the sunset.

The resort has 230 rooms and suites, a full-service spa, a zero-entry swimming pool overlooking the Gulf, and several bars and restaurants. Guests can also enjoy amenities at its sister property, Opal Sol.

Stay & Play Clearwater

Travelers looking for a quieter atmosphere may prefer Stay & Play Clearwater, situated beside a peaceful section of Mandalay Channel.

Accommodation options include beach-inspired bungalows, condominiums, and even a houseboat. Many rentals feature kitchenettes, making them convenient for longer stays.

The property also offers plenty of recreational opportunities, including kayak and paddleboard rentals, Jet Ski excursions, and parasailing.

Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach

For visitors who want to stay close to the island’s main attractions, Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach offers a central waterfront location within easy reach of Pier 60.

This AAA Four-Diamond resort features rooms with ocean or marina views, an outdoor swimming pool, a spa, casual and upscale dining, and special guest experiences such as sushi-making classes.

Michela Siemans/Travel + Leisure

Best Things to Do in Clearwater Beach

Meet Rescued Marine Animals at Clearwater Marine Aquarium

One of the area’s most meaningful attractions is Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a marine-life rescue and rehabilitation center.

Its mission follows a rescue, rehabilitation, and release model, helping injured marine animals recover before returning to their natural habitats. Animals that cannot safely be released remain at the aquarium as educational ambassadors.

Visitors can encounter river otters, sea turtles, stingrays, sharks, and other marine creatures through exhibits and animal-care experiences.

The aquarium is particularly famous for Hope, a rescued dolphin who, alongside the late Winter, inspired the Dolphin Tale films.

Payne describes the aquarium’s conservation and education work as essential to the local community, helping visitors understand the importance of protecting endangered marine species.

Get Out on the Water

With the Gulf Coast right on its doorstep, Clearwater Beach offers plenty of ways to enjoy the water.

Popular activities include Jet Skiing, parasailing, and fishing. Beltz recommends Salt Cracker Charters for deep-sea fishing, where visitors may catch grouper, snapper, kingfish, and other local species.

After a day on the water, anglers can bring their catch to the fish camp to have it cleaned and cooked.

For a different kind of adventure, Idle Speed Watersports offers a 90-minute guided Jet Ski tour that visits three nearby islands. Along the way, participants may encounter dolphin pods while learning about the area’s coastal ecosystem.

Of course, visitors can also keep things simple by spending the day relaxing on Clearwater’s famous white-sand beaches.

Courtesy of Opal Sands

Catch a Concert at The BayCare Sound

Music lovers should make time for The BayCare Sound, an outdoor amphitheater located across the channel from Clearwater Beach at waterfront Coachman Park.

The venue hosts well-known musicians and bands across a range of genres, making it a popular entertainment destination for locals and visitors.

Payne recalls seeing performers such as Diamond Rio and Alabama, enjoying the unusual experience of watching live music with the water as a backdrop.

Food trucks and bars provide refreshments during concerts, while Coachman Park also features family-friendly attractions, including a splash pad and playground.

Set Sail on Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise

Families visiting Clearwater Beach can add a little adventure to their itinerary with Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise, which has been operating since 1977.

The two-hour excursion takes place aboard a vessel designed to resemble a traditional pirate ship. Activities include treasure hunts, water-gun battles, face painting, and entertaining stories of seafaring adventures.

Children can enjoy complimentary soft drinks, while adults have the option of beer or wine. Beltz considers the cruise a worthwhile experience, especially for families traveling with children.

Where to Shop

Sunsets at Pier 60

One of Clearwater Beach’s most popular evening attractions is Sunsets at Pier 60, a nightly gathering that combines shopping, entertainment, and waterfront views.

Beginning approximately two hours before sunset and continuing for two hours afterward, the event brings together local artists, craftspeople, food vendors, street performers, and even tarot readers and psychics.

Visitors can browse handmade goods, enjoy live music, sample local food, and watch the sun set over the water.

Courtesy of Opal Sands

The Market Marie

For another taste of Clearwater’s local creative scene, visit The Market Marie at Coachman Park on the second Saturday of each month.

More than 100 artisans and food vendors gather from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with live music throughout the event.

Payne recommends browsing the independent businesses selling everything from artwork and handmade soap to candles and fresh produce.

Best Nightlife Spots

Shephard’s Beach Resort

For visitors looking for a lively night out, Shephard’s Beach Resort offers two distinct entertainment experiences.

Tiki Beach Bar & Grill is the place to enjoy live music in a relaxed beachfront setting, while The Wave Nightclub offers a more energetic atmosphere with DJs, lasers, and flashing lights.

Reefers Social Club

Those who prefer craft cocktails and a more intimate atmosphere should consider Reefers Social Club.

Beltz names it as his favorite late-night cocktail destination, thanks to its creative drinks and welcoming local crowd. The venue also hosts occasional events, including live music and vinyl nights.

Where to Eat: Clearwater Beach’s Best Restaurants

The Bait House

For a taste of old Florida, visit The Bait House, a longtime local establishment that opened in the 1940s.

Part seafood restaurant and part fishing tackle shop, it serves locally caught seafood, house-made chowders, fish tacos, and Florida craft beer.

Beltz recommends the creamy drunken shrimp, one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. The establishment also offers bait and tackle, organizes fishing charters, and maintains the laid-back atmosphere of a traditional coastal fish camp.

Island Way Grill

Payne often takes visiting friends and family to Island Way Grill, which is known for its fresh seafood and its own fishing fleet.

The menu includes wood-fire-grilled catches of the day and freshly prepared sushi, offering plenty of options for seafood lovers.

Crabby’s Beachside Pavilion

Formerly known as the Palm Pavilion, Crabby’s Beachside Pavilion has been a Clearwater Beach institution since 1926.

It is a favorite place to unwind after a day on the sand, with frequent live music and sunset views accompanying dinner.

The blackened grouper sandwich is a popular choice, while the menu also features fried shrimp, buffalo wings, and other casual favorites.

Clear Sky on Cleveland

Located in downtown Clearwater, Clear Sky on Cleveland offers an international menu with dishes ranging from African curry to sushi rolls.

Payne’s personal favorite is the Mexican street corn salad with blackened chicken and charred corn, a dish she says keeps her coming back.

Best Time to Visit Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach enjoys warm weather throughout the year, but early spring and late fall are particularly appealing times to visit.

These shoulder seasons typically bring fewer crowds as schools return to session, along with more attractive accommodation prices.

There are also events throughout the year, so visitors can find plenty to enjoy regardless of when they arrive.

One event Payne particularly recommends is the Sugar Sand Festival, held in late March and early April. The celebration brings professional sand sculptors from around the world to Pier 60 to create elaborate, larger-than-life works of art.

Visitors can also enjoy free sand-sculpting classes, food vendors, live music, local artisans, fireworks, and other activities.

How to Get to Clearwater Beach

Travelers flying into the area can choose between two airports: Tampa International Airport (TPA) and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE).

Tampa International Airport is a popular option because of its wide range of flight connections, straightforward layout, and approximately 25-minute drive to Clearwater.

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is even closer, at around 20 minutes by car, and offers direct flights to more than 60 domestic destinations.

Both airports have major car-rental companies on-site. For travelers who would rather not drive, local shuttle provider Way2Go Rides operates transportation to and from both airports.

Nearby Places Worth Exploring

Clearwater Beach is an excellent starting point for discovering more of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Several nearby parks and communities offer a quieter change of pace.

Caladesi Island State Park

North of Clearwater Beach, Caladesi Island State Park offers an undeveloped barrier-island experience with beautiful beaches and natural landscapes.

The 650-acre island is accessible by passenger ferry or private boat. Although it is possible to walk from Clearwater Beach during low tide, the journey takes more than 90 minutes, making a boat transfer the more practical choice.

Facilities include restrooms, showers, concessions, and kayak rentals.

Caladesi is also a stop along the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Visitors can explore trails through mangrove and pine forests, watch for birds, and discover the remains of an 1880s homestead.

Sand Key

Just across the bridge from Clearwater Beach, Sand Key offers a more peaceful coastal escape.

Its main attraction is the 95-acre Sand Key Park, where a nature trail and salt marsh provide habitats for numerous seabird species.

Loggerhead sea turtles also nest along the beach from May through October. Visitors will find restrooms, changing rooms, outdoor showers, and a concession stand.

Honeymoon Island State Park

Honeymoon Island State Park is located beside Caladesi Island but is more accessible by car.

The park features four miles of beach, hiking trails through stands of virgin slash pine, and the Rotary Centennial Nature Center. Its observation deck provides elevated views, while educational exhibits introduce visitors to the surrounding environment.

Restrooms and a concession offering beach-chair and kayak rentals are available near the entrance.

Safety Harbor

For a change of scenery, head to Safety Harbor on the shores of Old Tampa Bay.

This charming waterfront town offers opportunities to explore the history of the Tocobaga people, including an Indigenous temple mound. Visitors can also discover the butterfly gardens at Folly Farm Nature Preserve and learn about the area’s mineral springs, which are traditionally associated with healing properties.

Getting Around Clearwater Beach

A rental car is not essential for exploring Clearwater Beach. Much of the island is pedestrian-friendly, and local public transportation and on-demand rides make it easy to reach many attractions.

Both Payne and Beltz recommend the Jolley Trolley, a coastal service operating seven days a week. Beltz describes it as a convenient way to move around the area, while noting that its passes are interchangeable with those used across the Pinellas County bus system.

Cycling is another excellent option. The 75-mile Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail connects several communities throughout the region, including Dunedin.

Beltz, who lives close to the route, recommends it for its scenic coastal stretches and the opportunity to explore neighboring towns by bicycle.

The Clearwater Beach Experience

With its powder-white shoreline, clear Gulf waters, sunny climate, and diverse range of attractions, Clearwater Beach offers far more than a traditional beach holiday.

Visitors can spend their days sailing, fishing, meeting rescued marine animals, exploring nearby nature reserves, or simply relaxing by the water. Evenings bring sunset markets, waterfront concerts, lively bars, and excellent seafood restaurants.

Whether planning a family vacation, a romantic escape, or a laid-back coastal break, Clearwater Beach makes a compelling case for a Florida getaway.