With 360 days of sunshine per year, powder-white beaches, and turquoise waters, Clearwater, Florida, makes for an ideal beach vacation. Located just west of Tampa and north of St. Pete, the under-the-radar cultural mecca has long drawn a mix of residents from around the world with its robust public transportation system and low cost of living, plus warm year-round temperatures, access to barrier islands, extensive bike trails, and of course, beaches.
Travel + Leisure turned to Amanda Payne, president and CEO of Amplify Clearwater and resident of Clearwater since 2015, to find out what makes this city a worthy beach vacation destination. “I love living in a place where people want to vacation — we have great schools and a fantastic quality of life where you can see famous musicians perform over the water, build sandcastles in the soft sugar-white sand, meet rescued marine animals, and stand on the shore casting a line while looking down through the crystal-clear waters and seeing to the sandy bottom,” she said.
Andrew Beltz, owner and managing partner of Stay & Play Clearwater Beach, told T+L he has lived in many beach destinations around Florida, but Clearwater holds his heart. In 2012, he relocated here for work and loves the mix of tourists and residents from around the globe. When asked what drew him to Clearwater, he said, “The public transportation with the Jolly Trolley is phenomenal — you can go from here to St. Pete Beach with stops at five or six beaches in between. Everything on the island is walkable and so accessible.”
Top 5 Can’t Miss
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium is home to Hollywood-famous dolphins Winter and Hope along with all their marine friends at this rescue, rehabilitation, and release facility.
- The Market Marie has more than 100 vendors selling everything from handmade ceramics to homemade dog biscuits.
- Hit Palm Pavilion to sink your toes in the sand while sipping on their famous Rum Runners.
- Spend the night on the custom-built houseboat at Stay & Play, where you can grab a complimentary kayak and explore the diverse marine environment.
- Stop at Pier 60 to catch the sunset festival where local artisans, street performers, and musicians toast the fiery ball descending over the water every night.
Best Hotels and Resorts
Courtesy of Opal Sands
Sandpearl Resort
Nestled on a white-sand beach, Sandpearl Resort’s 253 guest rooms and suites offer panoramic views of Clearwater, Mandalay Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico. The property has a 700-foot stretch of private beach, water sport rentals, a zero-entry lagoon-style pool with cabanas, a full-service spa, and a kids’ club where little ones can enjoy nature walks, arts and crafts, and scavenger hunts while parents enjoy some time off. Payne loves to bring guests to their on-site restaurant, Caretta. She said, “Many places serve stone crab, but this spot does it best. When on vacation, I don’t order seafood because Clearwater has spoiled me.”
Opal Sands Resort
Opal Sands Resort is home to 230 waterfront guest rooms and suites where the beach and sand are the show. But there’s also a full-service spa, three restaurants and bars, and a zero-entry Gulf-facing pool with cabanas and tropical beverages. Beltz said, “[This property] is perched on the southern tip of Clearwater Beach and you can see all the boats coming in and out of the harbor. Their tiki bar, Sandbar, is my number one spot to catch a beautiful sunset, with 180-degree views and live music. You can watch the chefs making pizzas, catch a game, and the atmosphere is so relaxed.”
Stay & Play
A little further north and out of the bustle sits Stay & Play Clearwater Beach. Here, two restored mid-century properties contain 13 one-bedroom bungalows and studio suites, many with kitchenettes and water views. But for the best water view, Payne suggests staying on the custom-built houseboat. She also appreciates all the activities on offer, including parasailing, jet ski island tours, and luxury golf cart rentals. A lush courtyard connects the buildings and features a gazebo, eclectic seating vignettes, and a television to catch your favorite show outdoors. Or, grab one of their complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, or beach cruiser bikes to explore Clearwater Beach.
Best Things to Do
Courtesy of Opal Sands
Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) operates on the “rescue, rehab, and release” model. If you’ve watched “Dolphin Tale,” you’ve seen the work being done by this nonprofit marine rescue center. Both the original and sequel are based on true stories of rescued dolphins Winter and Hope. Visitors can explore the world of rescued dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, and more through educational presentations, animal care experiences, eco boat tours, and exhibits. Payne added, “The work they do is paramount to the community. We need to protect the most endangered animals in our oceans and they do a great job educating the public about its importance.”
Water Activites
Payne and Beltz recommend getting out on the water, whether jet skiing, parasailing, or fishing. Beltz loves Salt Cracker Charters for deep-sea fishing where you can scout for grouper. After a day out casting lines, you can dock at the fish camp and get your catch cleaned and cooked. Another option is an Dolphin Island Jet Ski Tour. The 90-minute guided tour takes visitors to three nearby islands while gliding through dolphin pods and learning about the delicate ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico.
The BayCare Sound at Coachman Park
A band shell built in Coachman Park in 1957 started this venue’s storied history. In 2023, it became The BayCare Sound, where a slew of high-profile musicians have taken the stage. Payne noted, “The waterfront venue has a playground, a splash pad, and an amphitheater where I’ve seen acts like Diamond Rio and Alabama. As an ’80s baby listening to them on the radio, I never imagined I would see Diamond Rio in Clearwater overlooking the ocean.” In addition to the eclectic musical lineup, a selection of food trucks, mobile bars, and concession stands offer food and drink options while enjoying the shows.
Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise
For 40 years, Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise has sailed the seas surrounding Clearwater. The two-hour cruise includes complimentary lemonade, punch, beer, wine, water gun battles, treasure hunts, face painting, pirate stories, a cannon firing, and more. According to Beltz, it’s not to be missed, especially if you have kids in tow.
Hogan’s Hangout
If you remember Hulk Hogan, a wrestler who captured television screens with his feats of strength throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Hogan’s Hangout delivers the nostalgia. Beltz likes to belt it out at the Monday night karaoke, where you might catch sight of Hulk Hogan, Dennis Rodman, or one of the many other celebrity drop-ins. The winner, of course, gets a championship belt, just like a professional wrestler. There’s also a restaurant, a bar, live music, TVs for sporting events, and plenty of kitsch from Hogan, a longtime Clearwater Beach resident.
Best Shopping
Courtesy of Opal Sands
The Market Marie
Every second Saturday of the month, Coachman Park comes alive with The Market Marie. More than 100 artisans and produce vendors line up from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., with live music playing throughout the venue. Payne loves to shop the collection of small local businesses selling everything from art and soap to candles and some of the best produce around.
Sunsets at Pier 60
Two hours before sunset every night, Pier 60 fills with local artists, street performers, psychics and tarot readers, local bakers, and clothing tents for the ultimate artisan shopping experience. Beltz counts this as a must-stop when in town, “The Pier lines up with umbrellas selling local crafts, jewelry, live music, and sometimes movies in the park. There are family activities, local food and drink booths, and you get the backdrop of the sunset over the water every night.”
Best Nightlife
Courtesy of Opal Sands
Shephard’s Beach Resort
If you’re looking for late-night entertainment, Shephard’s Beach Resort has two venues open to the public and overlooking the white-sand beaches. Tiki Beach Bar & Grill lines up daily live music on their concert stage right on the water until 1:30 a.m. on weekends. Wave Nightclub offers two levels of pumping DJ set lists surrounded by a laser show to dance the night away, or at least until 2:30 a.m. on weekends.
Reefers Social Club
This locally owned and operated hot spot is Beltz’s favorite for a late-night cocktail. On the first Thursday of every month, a gathering of record-loving patrons bring their favorites to Vinyl Club to spin tracks and enjoy great music while sipping on Reefers’ inventive libations.
Fusion Cigar Lounge
There’s always something going on at Fusion Cigar Lounge. Beltz loves the chill vibe and choice people-watching here on Mandalay Avenue, “It’s a relaxed place to hang, watch a game, and catch the activity going by,” he said. Expect a wide selection of cigars, from Davidoff to locally hand-rolled sticks, to accompany the extensive spirit and wine selection.
Best Restaurants
Courtesy of Opal Sands
Island Way Grill
When Payne has visitors, she steers them to Island Way Grill for fresh seafood caught daily. “You can’t go wrong with a place that has its own fishing fleet,” said Payne. Opt for one of their specialties cooked over an open oak and citrus fire pit, like the black grouper with charred pineapple salsa, or indulge in a selection of freshly rolled sushi. The walls are filled with local art and the sunset views are fiery.
Palm Pavilion
Family-owned since 1926, Beltz and Payne think Palm Pavilion is the perfect end to a day at the beach where you can keep your toes in the sand and grab some tasty grub. There’s live music most days and the sunset comes free with dinner. Beltz added, “They have a delicious blackened grouper sandwich and killer wings (get the mango habanero) to satisfy your hunger after a day on the sand.” Grab a Palm Rum Runner, their signature cocktail, to toast another day in paradise.
Clear Sky Cafe
Located in the heart of downtown Clearwater on Cleveland Street, Clear Sky Cafe is one of Payne’s go-to picks. The global menu includes favorites like Korean barebecue ribs, lamb burgers with tzatziki, and African curry. But Payne always orders the same thing — the Mexican street corn salad: “I’m a creature of habit and I just can’t get away from that blackened chicken and charred corn salad,” she said.
The Bait House
Opened in the 1940s, Beltz loves The Bait House for its low-key dive atmosphere. It serves locally caught seafood, homemade chowders, fish tacos, and an assortment of beer and wine. Beltz typically goes for their signature dish — the drunken shrimp, which is sautéed in a creamy bourbon creole reduction and served with toasted ciabatta bread. It also sells bait and tackle, runs fishing charters, and tells salty tales of Old Florida.
Blinkers Beachside
When Beltz is in the mood for a great steak in an upscale atmosphere, he heads to Blinkers Beachside. The locally owned restaurant serves lamb chops, prime rib, and Beltz’s favorite: the bone-in ribeye with truffle cream. It also has a selection of seafood and pasta dishes, and a Blinkers Beachside menu of smoked cocktails.
Best Time to Visit
Michela Sieman/Travel + Leisure
The best time to visit Clearwater is during its shoulder season — early spring or late fall when schools are back in session, crowds are smaller, and prices are at their lowest. Payne let us in some not-to-be-missed events that occur throughout the year. She recommends visiting in April for the Sugar Sand Festival, during which Pier 60 transforms into a playground for 16 professional sand sculptors from all over the world. There are also free sand sculpting classes, live music, fireworks, artisans, food vendors, and more. November brings the Chalkful of Taste festival to Pier 60. This showcase of local culinary talent features 30 to 40 restaurants from around Clearwater serving bites, live music, entertainment, craft and local brews, chalk artists, and fireworks.
How to Get There
When flying into Clearwater, you have two airport options: Tampa International Airport (TPA) and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE). Payne loves TPA for its easy navigation, the wealth of flights available, and the fact that it’s only a 25-minute drive to Clearwater. PIE has some advantages, though, with direct flights from unexpected places like Clarksburg and West Virginia, as well as servicing carriers that offer economical fares like Allegiant and Spirit. PIE is also slightly closer to Clearwater, at just 20 minutes away by car. Both airports have all the major rental car counters, and Payne’s favorite shuttle service, Way2Go Rides, runs to and from both airports.
Areas to Visit
Courtesy of Opal Sands
Sand Key
Just across the bridge from bustling Clearwater Beach sits the relaxed Sand Key. Payne loves this quiet getaway, which includes Sand Key Park, a 95-acre minimally developed beach and park. The park’s nature trail and salt marsh attract many species of seabirds while loggerhead sea turtles nest on the beach from May through October. Amenities include bathrooms, changing rooms, outdoor showers, and a concession stand.
Caladesi Island State Park
According to Payne, if you’re looking for beautiful views and plenty of space to spread out, Caladesi Island State Park is the place. Although it’s normally reachable only by passenger ferry or boat, at low tide, you can walk to the state park from Clearwater Beach. The undeveloped, natural barrier island has the usual state park amenities like restrooms, showers, and a concession booth with food and drinks for sale plus equipment rentals such as kayaks. The 650-acre island also has a 2.5-mile trail that passes the site of the early 1800s Scharrer family homestead and is a stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.
Honeymoon Island State Park
Known for its four miles of unspoiled white-sand beach and clear, calm water, Honeymoon Island State Park is a barrier island that can be reached by car. The entrance is located at the end of the causeway in Dunedin and visitors will find showers, restrooms, a cafe selling food and drinks (including alcoholic beverages), and a concession that rents bicycles, kayaks, beach chairs, and umbrellas. There are paved pathways and an interior nature trail that offer views of a virgin slash pine forest. The Rotary Centennial Nature Center has an elevated observation deck to admire the views and exhibits that teach visitors about the history of Honeymoon Island and nearby Caladesi Island.
Safety Harbor
Safety Harbor’s First Friday on Main Street is a big draw for Payne. She loves wandering the brick-lined street, enjoying the live entertainment and checking out the vendors selling local arts and crafts. There’s also the Tocobaga tribe’s temple mound on the waterfront, natural springs, and the Folly Farm Nature Preserve to explore in this charming small town, which lies just about 30 minutes from Clearwater Beach.
How to Get Around
According to Payne and Beltz, there’s no need for a rental car to get around Clearwater Beach. The 2.5-mile barrier island is walkable, but you can also use Way2Go Rides. For 10 years, the company has been shuttling people up and down the beach in golf carts and other vehicles. It provides shuttles from both airports plus has an on-demand service that runs seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. for a flat $10 rate.
Payne and Beltz both lauded the Jolley Trolley, a “concierge on wheels” that runs seven days a week along the coast, with stops in Clearwater Beach, Downtown Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, and Tarpon Springs. As a bonus, all Jolley Trolley pass holders can ride the entire Pinellas County bus system because passes are interchangeable.
Beltz said if you want to rent a bike, the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail is a 75-mile route stretching from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg, with connections to Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor, Largo, Seminole, South Pasadena, and Gulfport. Beltz added, “I live a block away from the route and have biked it many times. It’s nice to shoot down to Dunedin, which is just a 10-minute ride and has an awesome downtown with shops, restaurants, and galleries. It also runs along the coast, so you get a beautiful view for your ride.”
