Located on Florida's Gulf Coast, this beach town has white sand beaches stretching 3 miles along warm waters. The Marine Aquarium, home to Winter the dolphin, draws visitors year-round.
Clearwater sits on Florida's Gulf Coast, with multiple white sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. You can watch rescued dolphins at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, explore century-old oak forests at Moccasin Lake Nature Park, or attend concerts at the 1921 Bilheimer Capitol Theatre. Each evening at Pier 60, street performers entertain visitors as the sun sets over the Gulf.
Swimming and Sunbathing at Clearwater's Beaches
The main beach extends for three miles along a barrier island, with waters that stay around 75°F (24°C) most of the year. You can rent paddleboards, jet skis, or take parasailing trips from multiple vendors along Beach Walk promenade. At Pier 60, more than 50 local artisans and performers gather each evening from two hours before sunset until two hours after. North of the main beach, you can walk 4 miles of undeveloped shoreline at Honeymoon Island State Park, where you'll find whole sand dollars and see osprey nesting in the pine trees.
Marine Life at Clearwater Aquarium
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium rehabilitates injured sea animals in a recently expanded facility. You can observe dolphin training sessions, watch sea turtle feeding times, and learn about marine rescue operations. You'll see dolphins, sea turtles, otters, sharks, and stingrays, and staff members share each animal's rescue story during daily presentations.
Downtown and Entertainment
Cleveland Street's historic district contains buildings from the early 1900s, now filled with independent restaurants and boutiques. The Bilheimer Capitol Theatre hosts weekly concerts and classic films in an intimate 1921 venue with original Mediterranean Revival architecture. During October, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday brings four days of jazz, funk, and blues performances to the waterfront Coachman Park. The new BayCare Sound amphitheater hosts concerts throughout the year.
Natural Spaces and Parks
Moccasin Lake Nature Park's boardwalks wind through a forest of live oaks covered with Spanish moss. The park includes butterfly gardens and a raptor sanctuary for injured birds of prey. While walking the trails, you might spot gopher tortoises, eastern indigo snakes, and more than 80 species of birds that visit the park throughout the year.
Baseball Season at BayCare Ballpark
From late February through March, you can watch the Philadelphia Phillies practice and play exhibition games at BayCare Ballpark. From April to September, the Clearwater Threshers minor league team plays here, with themed nights and fireworks displays after Friday games.
Getting Around and Weather
The Jolley Trolley runs every 30 minutes between the beach, downtown, and major attractions. October through December brings temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C) with clear skies and low humidity. While the beach area has multiple parking garages, you can park downtown and take the Clearwater Ferry across the harbor for less expensive parking.
