Palmera GO Destination Highlight: Clearwater Beach, FL

If you’re looking for powder-white sands, translucent ocean waters, and a destination with a classic, casual beach town feel, Clearwater Beach, Florida, might just be your next getaway. Named time and time again as one of the best beaches—if not the best—in the United States by many travel resources like Tripadvisor, USA Today, and more, Clearwater Beach is a great place for families, couples, and solo-travelers looking to have a little fun in the sun on land or sea on Florida’s beautiful, Central Gulf Coast.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s clarify something. The city of Clearwater is on the Pinellas Peninsula that’s surrounded by Tampa Bay and the Gulf of America. Travelers often skip over the city and head straight to Clearwater Beach, a barrier island that can be reached by either the Memorial Causeway or Sand Key bridges. Pinellas County is actually home to some of the most popular tourist destinations and beaches on the Gulf Coast, including St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Tarpon Springs, and more, in addition to Clearwater Beach, of course. So, that means, you’ll have the option to plan fun day trips to many different coastal communities, big and small—including nearby Tampa.

Clearwater Beach

There’s no other way to kick off this section than to talk about the biggest attraction that Clearwater Beach has: the beach itself. The beach is pristine, with sand like powdered sugar that’s been constantly smoothed by the Gulf’s waves, making it velvety and soft, and it even feels cool underfoot. The water is turquoise and emerald green, and of course, clear (hence the name), and is beautiful down to its calm waves and how it reflects each and every sunset. It’s also warm in temperature, and because of its smaller, rolling waves, it’s perfect for wading, floating, paddle boarding, and kayaking. You’ll also most likely spot plenty of dolphins and seabirds, too!

Clearwater Beach is 2.5 miles long, but can be categorized in different sections depending on what kind of experience you’re looking for. Simply put, there’s a northern and a southern section, and what draws the line between the two is the roundabout that all drivers enter coming off of the Memorial Causeway. This is considered the central area, with popular attraction, Pier 60, within walking distance. The section of beach north of the roundabout is North Beach, and anything South is, well, you get the picture!

If you’re wanting fewer crowds and a quieter atmosphere, head to the northern parts of Clearwater Beach. This area is more residential and has fewer hotels and restaurants. If you’re looking for a vibe that’s high energy, both the central and southern parts of the beach will be ideal, as there are the largest number of hotels, restaurants, bars, and overall beach activities. The stretch of beach closest to Pier 60 is the widest and is considered to be the most family-friendly.

Pier 60

So, what exactly is Pier 60? We’ve mentioned it many times so far, so it’s time to fill you in on the most iconic part of Clearwater Beach! The pier itself is 1,080 ft long, and is a great place to fish!  Visitors can rent fishing equipment and buy bait, along with drinks, snacks, and other souvenirs at the bait house located on the pier itself. Families will love the shaded playground and “The Hippo,” a giant inflatable waterslide, while those wanting to get out on the water can go on dolphin cruises, Banana Boat rides, and more.

The most iconic part about Pier 60 is the nightly Sunset Celebration. Everyone can join in the festivities that include live performances by musicians, dancers, and other street performers, along with local vendors selling handcrafted items. Exact event times change throughout the year, but just know that the celebration starts two hours before sunset, and ends two hours after. These events are free and weather permitting. Throughout the year, special events and holidays may be held at Pier 60, such as the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival in April, a 17-day event that welcomes sand sculptors to create art exhibits out of the beach’s sand.

Please note, the front portion of Pier 60 is currently open to visitors and Sunset Celebrations are still being held, but the fishing dock at the end of the pier is currently closed for repairs.

The aquarium also offers multiple live web cams that feature resident dolphins, otters, sea turtles, and more!

Nearby Beaches & State Parks

To the south of Clearwater Beach, is Sand Key Park. Head over the Sand Key Bridge to access both portions of the park. The actual park area that includes walking trails, a dog park, public bathhouses, and a playground. Sand Key Beach is stunning, and offers seasonal lifeguards as well as beach umbrella rentals for your convenience. Keep in mind that there is paid parking to access either part of Sand Key Park.

Hop in the car and take a short drive from Clearwater through the city of Dunedin to access Honeymoon Island State Park. While the park is still recovering from significant storm damage, and the northernmost section of the state park is still closed due to erosion and sand migration, visitors are still able to visit the barrier island to enjoy the beach. Open every day from 8am to sundown, visitors can explore the Osprey Trail on foot, or ride bikes throughout the island’s paved trails, or kayak through Pelican Cove.

Unfortunately, the closest state park to Clearwater Beach, Caladesi Island State Park, is still closed due to storm damage from recent hurricanes. While we all eagerly await the island’s reopening, we’d still like to keep this completely natural island on your radar in the event that when you visit the region, it has reopened. The only way to reach Caladesi Island is on the Caladesi Ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park, and the pristine beaches are known for their great shelling and beach combing opportunities.

Shopping & Dining

Clearwater Beach is full of beach-town basics like souvenir and surf shops, offering beach gear, swimsuits, t-shirts, and more. From quirky gifts to boutiques, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for—and more! As far as where they’re located, head to Central and South Beach.

As far as dining goes, expect delicious seafood, ocean views, and live music. While most travelers opt in for those local stops that are family friendly and fit that perfect, beach-town vibe, there are restaurants that offer upscale dining if you’re looking to celebrate or go on a date night. From on-the-water dining to rooftop views, there’s a restaurant for every type of traveler.

Miscellaneous Activities & Attractions

If you’re looking for additional things to do during your time in Clearwater Beach, mini golf is always a good idea! Captain Bligh’s Landing is the only miniature golf course on Clearwater Beach. Pirate-themed and very well done, all ages will love this 18-hole putt putt course. If you just can’t get enough mini golf, there’s Congo River Golf in the city of Clearwater, and additional courses down the coast past Indian Shores.

For other activities like free outdoor yoga classes, outdoor concerts and festivals, as well as local markets, head over the bridge to Coachman Park. Located just beside the Memorial Causeway on the city side of Clearwater, Coachman Park features the BayCare Sound, a state-of-the-art music venue that welcomes talent from many music genres and often features big-name artists and bands like Brad Paisley, Chicago, and more.

Another reason travelers make their way to Clearwater is to visit BayCare Ballpark, formerly known as Spectrum Field. While visitors can catch a baseball game during the Clearwater Threshers’ season, BayCare Ballpark is also the Phillies’ spring training home base. Some training games are televised, but it’s always fun for fans to head down to Clearwater and see the Phillies in action.

Day Trip Ideas

The best time to visit Clearwater Beach is in spring. The weather is perfect, with warm weather ranging in the 70s and 80s, and noticeably less humidity. A lot of people think this is the best time to go, meaning it’s one of the most popular times to visit! Spring Break brings many travelers to the region in March, but crowds do dissipate some by late April. Our advice is to book your spring trip to Clearwater Beach earlier than later.

If you’re wanting to travel during a slower period to avoid crowds and high hotel prices, try visiting between October and early December. The weather will still be great—just remember that October still falls within hurricane season. This time period also sees a lot of festivals and events in the region.

For the ultimate time to relax and escape cold temperatures, try traveling to Clearwater Beach in the winter. You’ll be joined by snowbirds and fewer beachgoers, and while the weather might not be hot enough for beach days, it’ll be perfect for cruises, walks, and exploring nearby towns.

Clearwater Beach’s peak season is from June to August. The beaches will be pretty full, the weather will be pretty hot, and the classic beach town vibes that we all know and love and want to experience are at an all-time high. This time period also falls within Hurricane Season, and there are also frequent thunderstorms in the afternoon.

For first-time visitors, families, and those hoping to explore the most on foot, try choosing your accommodations as central as possible. South Clearwater Beach will also be a great choice for travelers wanting to be in on the action and that are even looking for nightlife. Hotels on the barrier island have a wide range and fit many budgets, but if you’re looking to save more on accommodations, finding a hotel in the city or other nearby locations.

Another point to consider is transportation. The two closest airports are St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (30 minutes away) and Tampa International Airport (35-40 minutes away). Once in Clearwater Beach, there are many ways to get around without needing a car. The most well-known is the Jolley Trolley, a hop-on-hop-off trolley that’s family friendly and has low fare costs. Visitors can also take the Clearwater Ferry from Downtown Clearwater to Clearwater Beach and more. This scenic ride is a great way to avoid packed parking lots on Clearwater Beach. Another great way to get around is the Golf Cart Shuttles that operate on a tip-only basis.

Palmera Vacation Club members have access to exclusive tools that help make planning getaways stress-free. Not only do members receive discounts on trips back to Hilton Head Island, but they also have access to the RCI Exchange inventory as well as discounts on accommodations, transportation like rental cars and flights, as well as activities on the Quest Travel Club.

Here are a few randomly selected options available in Clearwater Beach and in nearby locations that are offered on the RCI Exchange:

Here are more randomly selected options available on Quest Travel Club:

**Discounts and availability are subject to change.