Clearwater Beach. Consistently ranked the number-one beach in Florida by TripAdvisor and among the top 20 in the world, Clearwater Beach dazzles with powdery white quartz sand and warm, emerald-green Gulf water. The broad shoreline accommodates everyone from competitive volleyball players to toddlers building sandcastles in the gentle…
Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival. Every evening, two hours before and after sunset, the 1,080-foot municipal fishing pier transforms into a free, family-friendly arts festival with jugglers, acrobats, chalk artists, and handmade-craft vendors. The tradition has run for more than 30 years and remains one of Florida's most beloved free nightly events.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium. A working marine-animal rescue hospital that has rehabilitated dolphins, sea turtles, otters, and sharks since 1972, the aquarium gained worldwide fame through the Dolphin Tale films inspired by Winter, the tailless bottlenose dolphin. Behind-the-scenes tours let visitors watch active veterinary and rehabilitation…
Caladesi Island State Park. Accessible only by private boat or a scheduled ferry from Honeymoon Island, Caladesi is an undeveloped barrier island whose three miles of pristine Gulf beach have repeatedly earned recognition as one of America's finest. Calm, gin-clear waters, a nature trail through mangroves, and a 108-slip marina make it a full…
Honeymoon Island State Park. One of Florida's most visited state parks, Honeymoon Island rewards visitors with four miles of unspoiled white-sand beach, a three-mile trail through a rare virgin slash-pine forest, and reliable sightings of osprey, bald eagles, roseate spoonbills, and manatees. Unlike many Gulf barrier islands, it is reachable by…
Dolphin-Watching and Sunset Cruises. A fleet of tour boats departs from Clearwater Beach Marina daily, offering everything from 90-minute dolphin-spotting excursions to champagne sunset sails on the open Gulf. Bottlenose dolphins are frequently spotted year-round riding boat wakes, and the sky over the Gulf routinely turns vivid orange and pink at dusk.
Sand Key Park. This 95-acre Pinellas County park sits just south of Clearwater Pass and offers a quieter, less-commercial alternative to the main beach strip. Amenities include a fenced dog park, nature boardwalk, covered picnic pavilions, and cabana rentals — all for a $5 parking fee with free beach entry.
Beach Walk Promenade. Stretching along the Gulf side of the island, this landscaped pedestrian promenade links Pier 60 to the North Beach hotels and is lined with restaurants, boutiques, and open-air bars. It doubles as the social spine of Clearwater Beach — equally suited to a sunrise run, a mid-day shopping stroll, or a late-night…