Clearwater and surrounding beaches on the SunCoast
Clearwater is known for its beautiful beachfront, luxury accommodations, and a perfect beach vacation spot. Clearwater Beach is a great place to relax, have fun, and enjoy the beauty of the Gulf Coast.
What this Guide covers
This guide is all about the beach areas: the beaches, access points, parking, wildlife, activities, sand and water, beachfront area, shelling, and anything related to being on the beach! Everything you need to know about the beaches for a day, a weekend, a quiet moment, vacationing, moving or buying in the area. We have included the beautiful islands, beaches and coastal state parks that surround Clearwater Beach.
Also see surrounding area Beach Guides in our Ultimate Florida Beach Guide
Beaches & Activities Along Clearwater Region
When people think of Clearwater Beach, it is Pier 60, the boardwalk, the activities, the luxury accommodations, the food and of course, the beautiful white sandy beachfront, that comes to mind. Clearwater Beach is a paradise destination for all types of beachgoers. With a 3-mile stretch of sugar white sand on one of Florida’s pristine barrier islands, Clearwater Beach offers a wide beachfront with a plethora of family activities.
Clearwater Area Beaches
Located in the Clearwater Beach area are stretches of beautiful coastlines with parks, state parks, islands and surrounding beaches that all offer an amazing beach experience. Traveling from the north end of Pinellas County, this guide takes you through the beaches and parks along the Clearwater area of Florida’s beautiful Sun Coast.
Anclote Key Preserve State Park
Anclote Key is a barrier island only accessible by boat from one of the nearby mainland marine areas, such as Tarpon Springs sponge docks. Anclote Key Preserve State Park features one of the most beautiful natural beaches in the state of Florida. A bird lovers delight, Anclote Key provides an ideal habitat for numerous species of birds. One of Florida’s oldest lighthouses still stands on the south end of the island.
Fred Howard Park
Fred Howard Park is a Pinellas County managed park, located on the north end of the county on the Gulf of Mexico. This park is at the end of a mile long causeway and features a swimming area, nice picnic areas and facilities. The shoreline and beach has a nice relaxing local vibe.
Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach is a Tarpon Springs community beach managed by the city of Tarpon Springs just south of Fred Howard Park. It is more popular among locals for a picnic and hometown beach fun. This beach is much like Fred Howard Park with a smaller, quieter, family friendly vibe.
Honeymoon Island State Park
Honeymoon Island is part of the State Park system in Florida and features both white sand beaches and rocky shorelines, which is rare among Florida’s beaches. The park offers restrooms, shopping, food, boating, fishing, nature trails, mangroves, pet area and beautiful beachfronts.
Interesting fact, Honeymoon Island was originally called Hog Island and was renamed by a developer in 1939 to attract newlyweds.
Caladesi Island State Park
Caladesi Island is a barrier island accessible by boat which is easy to get to from Honeymoon Islands shuttle service. This natural coastal island features white soft sands and a nature trail that runs down the middle of the 3 mile island.
Clearwater North Beach
The North end of Clearwater Beach is mostly residential and difficult to find public beach access. There are a few access points at the ends of some of the roads with very little parking. When you get onto the beachfront, the sand is the same gorgeous soft white sand that runs the length of Clearwater Beaches. The North Clearwater Beach area is nice for escaping the crowds, but there are no amenities.
Clearwater Pier 60 Beach
Pier 60 is the hub of Clearwater Beach and where all the action is. Walk down the boardwalk, eat at one of the beachside restaurants, head to the sandy beachfront for beach volleyball, playgrounds, picnic areas, stretches of white sandy beaches and warm waters for wading, swimming and playing. Pier 60 features lots of entertainment year round with festivals, concerts and local events.
Clearwater Beach has a beautiful wide beachfront area by the pier with soft sand that is glorious to walk on! While the beachfront should be the focal point, Clearwater Beach is focused on all the other things. This beach is hyped up in the media to be the Florida Beach destination, and if you enjoy an active mix of people, crowded beaches, upscale hotels, shops and restaurants, and nightlife, this is a great choice for a vacation. You won’t be bored in Clearwater Beach!
To continue down the Sun Coast along Pinellas county beachfronts into Belleair, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Redington Beaches, Madeira Beach, Treasure Island and St Pete Beach, click here to Visit the Ultimate Guide to St Pete Beaches.
Beach Life & Cultural Feel of Clearwater Beach
Clearwater area beaches are mostly known for the main Clearwater Pier Beach and Boardwalk with is full of life with ongoing activities and events. It is a beach that offers luxury vacations and never a dull moment. The cultural vibe is very upscale touristy. Even on the secluded barrier islands, there is a touristy vibe.
Sand, Water, Beachfront & Shoreline
Clearwater beach features a beautiful shoreline with soft super fine sand. The other beaches in the area are a bit more shelly with a mix of the fine sand and shells.
The beachfront along Clearwater is wide providing lots of wide open areas for playing on the beach. The water is calm, warm and inviting.
Clearwater’s Pier 60 is the only Gulf front Pier in this area.
Wildlife: Sealife and Shorelife
Dolphins and Sea Turtles frequent the areas waters. Dolphin watching is particularly good during late spring/early summer and they are more active in the morning and late afternoon hours. Sea Turtle season runs from May to October.
Common Shore Birds are seen all along the shoreline of Clearwater beaches wih pelicans, gulls, and sandpipers being the most common.
Activities and things to do in Clearwater Beach
Water Activities include swimming, parasailing, jet-skiing, kayaking, boating and fishing excursions. Try a Tiki Boat Cruise, boat tour, kayak adventure, sunset cruise, private boat excusion or rent your own boat an go exploring!
Shelling along the waters edge is a favorite pasttime in Florida. The more secluded and natural beaches of Caladesi Island, Anclote Key and Honeymoon Island offer the best shelling in the area.
Surf Fishing is a common activity in the area. Be respectful of other beachgoers when choosing a location for surf fishing and don’t take up too much of the beachfront.
Attractions off the beach include Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is a popular attraction for visitors of all ages.
Shopping is quite popular in Clearwater as it attracts more wealth to the area with luxury vacations. You will find everything from swimwear and beach items, to fashionable wear an accessories, to fun touristy shops.
Dining options include seafood, fine dining, quick service, ice cream and everything in between.
Nightlife in Clearwater is one of the things that brings people to this location. Clearwater has a high energy nightlife and something for everyone including upscale bars, beachy bars, and of course, Pier 60 acitivities.
See our Complete Guide to Clearwater Beach for more on the City and and things to do off the beach.
Uniquely Clearwater
Clearwater Beach is a unique destination known for its stunning sunsets with a nightly sunset event at Pier 60. With a bustling boardwalk, a marina with pirate ship adventures, a variety of water sports and recreational activities, family-friendly atmosphere, and a wide range of dining and shopping options, Clearwater Beach has a plethora of things to do and something for everyone.
Scenery, Sunsets and Sunrise
People flock to the beaches in Clearwater at Sunset. West coast of Florida features some of the most beautiful sunsets along the beaches. The sunsets are something to see across the Gulf and can be enjoyed at any of the beaches. Favorite spots include Pier 60 and Honeymoon Island.
Where to Stay or Live
When visiting or moving to Clearwater Beach, you will find options for homes, condos, town homes, hotels, and beach homes. The main strip in Clearwater beach is lined with hotels, resorts and condos. Clearwater Beach is one of the more expensive beach towns in Florida. Homes and townhouses line the beach areas to the south and north of the main area.
Clearwater Beach brings visitors and residents who are looking for a beach town lifestyle that offers lots to do as well as a Florida west coast lifestyle with water activities and warm weather year round.. It is also a popular location for those who are looking for their winter home or vacation rental investments.
Local Business including Food & Drinks, Services, Health & Medical, Education, Sports & Recreation, Arts & Entertainment and more, coming soon.
Who we are
We are locals and writers who love to research, explore and share information about Florida. Our goal is simple. To share the positive things that make the area unique. To be real without an agenda. And to support a strong local community.
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