The Best Things To Do in Clearwater Beach Florida – Local’s Insight!

One of the most popular beaches in the country, Clearwater Beach Florida.

Attractions in Clearwater Beach

There are so many things to do in Clearwater Beach for all ages, but remember, 3-miles of pure white sandy beach is the main attraction.  Most visitors to Clearwater Beach – don’t worry much about finding something to do!

Kids will love some of the many water sports and adults will enjoy roaming the hot spots for food and drink. We can’t forget the rooftop pools and bars.

Clearwater Beach is an island surrounded by some of the most beautiful waters in Florida. Partly covered with Florida-style homes on the north half of the island and the south half is one of the top destinations for families around the world.

Visitors Love Clearwater Beach Marina 

Smack in the middle of the island is Clearwater Marina. We are fortunate to have one of the biggest fishing fleets on the west coast of Florida, along with an assortment of watersports activities. 

Here is a list of things you can do in the Clearwater Beach marina:

• • Parasail from two different vendors.
  • Ride the speedboat Sea Screamer for a fun-filled ride around the island.
  • Take a Tiki Hut ride on a boat shaped like a Tiki Hut.
  • Have dinner on the Calypso Queen.
  • Take a tour around the island looking for dolphins on the Little Toot.
  • Go fishing inshore with one of the best teaching captains around, Captain Gary Folden.
  • Take a deep-sea fishing trip on the Double Eagle.
  • Take a Sunset Cruise on one of the best cruise boats.

Don’t like watersports? It is still fun to stroll through the marina. We have some colorful characters working the boats, fish coming in from charters and a few restaurants, including The Bait House, one of our favorite restaurants on the island known for fresh fish

A walk in the Marina is one of the best things to do in Clearwater Beach. More activities from Trip Advisor!

Rainy Day Clearwater Beach Things To Do

One of the must-do things while on the Island is to go to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Known for the making of the “Winter the Dolphin” movie, the Marine Aquarium will teach the family about dolphins.

The Marine Aquarium is known for the rescue and care for everything from dolphins to sea turtles. It is a fascinating place for young and old.

Take a fun trolley ride to get to the Marine Center just five minutes off the beach.

One of the more fun things to do in Clearwater Beach Florida is to go to the the new Baycare Sound, a large entertainment venue across the bridge in Clearwater just minutes away.

Catch great groups like Ringo Starr and his All-Star Band, The Beach Boys, The Dirt Band and many more. Schedule your trip around a great performance.

Annual Events in Clearwater Beach

Best Upscale Clearwater Beach Restaurants

Oldest of the upscale Clearwater Beach restaurants is Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber restaurant and Bobby’s Bistro located behind the main restaurant. The Beachcomber has a long tradition serving the area, but our favorite place to go with new flip-flops and a clean t-shirt is located a block away. 

Mandalay Prime menu includes exceptional steaks and seafood. Both places above take reservations and are along the main Mandalay Avenue shopping district about a block apart. Caretta’s at the Sand Pearl Hotel is another excellent choice for dinner – just keep your wallet handy – yet, Caretta’s may be the best restaurant on the island.

Best Tiki Bars in Clearwater Beach

Hands down, our favorite Clearwater Beach tiki bar is the Sandbar located behind Opal Sands Hotel. This is a remake of a famous waterfront bar that was once on Clearwater Pass. The hotel and tiki bar is on the site where locals went 30 years ago (Adam’s Mark Hotel). It is almost a perfect re-creation.

The Sandbar is a great place to watch boat traffic from the Gulf of Mexico and other sights entering the south end of Clearwater Beach. Just watching the serene waters of the Gulf can be relaxing. This is our choice for one of the best things to do on Clearwater Beach.

Another exceptional option is Tommy’s Tiki right on the sand behind the Hilton Hotel. You can fill your toes with sand and feel like you have your own oasis right in the middle of Clearwater Beach.

Best Clearwater Beach Casual Restaurants

The Palm Pavilion is one of the best casual restaurants on the beach with entertainment.

There are dozens of restaurants on Clearwater Beach. You can hardly walk a few steps before tripping over another sign announcing their presence. 

Of course, you can go to tourist-laden places like Frenchy’s or Crabby Bill’s of which both have multiple locations, but you won’t run into many locals. Other chains like McDonald’s, Hooters and Subway can be found along the beach.

Residents tend to look for other options rather than fanny pack-bearing, sunburnt travelers choices. 

Try places like The Palm Pavilion, Coco’s Crush Bar, The Bait House or even some Italian food at Cesare’s on the south end of the beach. 

Want some great pizza? Try the local’s go-to place called King’s Pizza on Coronado Drive. Or Pan Filo’s on South Beach for a 2 AM must-have pizza.

Crabbys Hideaway has some of the best tacos you can find – if you can find them off the beaten path (behind the Beachcomber restaurant)! 

For breakfast, try Ryan’s Island Café or venture over to Sand Key for award-winning Maggie Mae’s Waterfront. Maggie Mae’s is an award-winning waterfront lunch and breakfast location. You can also get to Maggie Mae’s on the Beach Trolley.

Best Shopping on Clearwater Beach

Who can pass up a Ron Jon’s Surf Shop? Located on Mandalay Ave., Ron Jon’s will have all your beachwear.

Down the street, you will find The Friki Tiki Surf Shop. They have all the major brands and it is our local version of a Ron Jon’s.

You will also find several Surf Style shops sprinkled throughout the beach including the one next to the Hyatt Hotel that includes a “flowrider” for surfboard riding indoors.

Along Mandalay Ave., you will find two drug stores, quaint shops, clothing stores, and entertainment venues like the arcade above Hurricane Eddie’s next door to Hogans. Frenchy has a shop for trinkets and logo shirts on Baymont Street called Off the Hook.

The Palm Pavilion, one of the top north beach bars, has its own gift shop attached to the restaurant.

Best Rooftop Bars in Clearwater Beach

In the last ten years, Clearwater Beach has seen explosive growth in hotel rooms. Marriott alone has built four hotels and has two more planned. Fortunately, several hotels have included rooftop bars offering panoramic views of Clearwater Beach and the Gulf.

One of the first rooftop bars on Clearwater Beach was on top of the Pierhouse 60 Hotel. On the 10th floor of the hotel, Jimmy’s Crows Nest offers unparalleled views of the sunset and beach.

The Hampton Inn and Suites has a bar that is the best view of Clearwater Pass and points south.

The Edge Hotel has a little higher elevation with views of Clearwater Pass and points east and north.

The newest rooftop bar on Clearwater Beach is the Courtyard by Marriott. They have a great view of the bay and the main part of the shopping district. These rooftop bars are some of the best fun things to do on Clearwater Beach. Great photo ops too!

One of the newest Clearwater Beach rooftop bars (and hotel) is The Hiatus by Hilton near the Hyatt Regency. Just a few months before, the JW Marriott opened on Clearwater Beach to rave reviews of the view from their rooftop bar.

One of the fun things to do on Clearwater Beach is to take visitors who visit us on a tour of the rooftop bars for different perspectives of the island we live on.

Places To Stay in Clearwater Beach

As you would imagine, Clearwater Beach is loaded with hotels from end to end. The hotels we recommend below are ones you can be assured we, as residents, are better than average.

Budget-Friendly Hotels

• Holiday Inn Clearwater Beach with prices and pictures.
• Pier 60 Hotel with information.
• Sea Stone Resort
• Clearwater Beach Hotel and pricing
• Palm Pavilion Inn  – Our choice for a good hotel to meet your budget.

Resorts on Clearwater Beach

• Sandpearl Resort – The best overall resort on the island – Check Prices at the Sandpearl Resort –  Get Your Guide for Clearwater Beach
• Wyndham Grand – a good choice for the middle of the beach – Check Prices and Information About the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach – Check Out other Things To Do on Clearwater Beach
• Hilton Resort – best beach of the resorts  – Get Prices and Pictures of the Hilton on Clearwater Beach 
• Opal Sands Resort – great option at the south end of the main beach right on the water. Pictures and Prices Opal Sands Resort   
• For a lot of activity, entertainment and waterfront along Clearwater Pass, Shephard’s Beach Resort may not be the quietest place on Clearwater Beach, but entertainment is lively.
• VRBOs – homes, condos and cottages on Clearwater Beach.

Resorts, hotels and VRBO’s vary in location, pricing and amenities. Use your judgment on what your family prefers.

Explore Beaches Near Clearwater Beach 

One of the reasons for choosing Clearwater Beach as a family vacation destination is its location. There are superb beaches a few minutes north and even more a few minutes south. While Clearwater Beach itself is a wildly popular destination, there are several other beaches nearby that visitors can explore. Here are some beaches near Clearwater Beach:

• Sand Key Park: Located just south of Clearwater Beach, Sand Key Park offers a quieter alternative with pristine beaches, nature trails, and picnic areas. Visitors can enjoy swimming, shelling, birdwatching, and stunning sunset views over the Gulf of Mexico.
• Caladesi Island State Park: Accessible by ferry or private boat, Caladesi Island Day Trip is an adventure to a natural barrier island known for its untouched beauty and pristine beaches. Visitors can explore nature trails, kayak through mangrove forests, and enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and shelling on the island’s secluded beaches. Florida residents love this island escape!
• Honeymoon Island State Park: Just north of Clearwater Beach, Honeymoon Island State Park offers miles of sandy beaches, nature trails, and coastal hammocks. Visitors can swim, sunbathe, fish, or explore the park’s diverse ecosystems, including tidal flats, salt marshes, and mangrove forests.
• Indian Rocks Beach: Located a short drive south of Clearwater Beach, Indian Rocks Beach is a charming coastal community with wide sandy beaches, beachfront parks, and a relaxed atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, surfing, and beachcombing along the shoreline.
• St. Pete Beach: A bit farther south, St. Pete Beach is another popular Gulf Coast destination known for its soft white sand beaches and clear blue waters. Visitors can explore beachfront parks, waterfront restaurants, and a variety of water sports and recreational activities.

These are just a few of the beaches near Clearwater Beach that offer opportunities for relaxation, outdoor recreation, and coastal exploration. Whether you’re looking for a quiet escape or a lively beach scene, the Gulf Coast of Florida has something for everyone to enjoy.

Temperature in Clearwater Beach Florida

The temperature in Clearwater Beach Florida can vary greatly during the year. That being said, the lowest average low 52 degrees and the lowest average high temperature in Clearwater Beach is 70 degrees. That means that Clearwater Beach is a year-round destination with relatively warm temperatures all year long.

In Clearwater Beach, Florida, the average monthly high and low temperatures are attractive due to the region’s subtropical climate. Here’s a general overview of the average monthly high and low temperatures in Clearwater Beach:

• January: Highs around 70°F (21°C), lows around 52°F (11°C)
•  February: Highs around 72°F (22°C), lows around 54°F (12°C)
•  March: Highs around 76°F (24°C), lows around 59°F (15°C)
•  April: Highs around 80°F (27°C), lows around 63°F (17°C)
•  May: Highs around 85°F (29°C), lows around 69°F (21°C)
•  June: Highs around 89°F (32°C), lows around 74°F (23°C)
•  July: Highs around 91°F (33°C), lows around 76°F (24°C)
•  August: Highs around 91°F (33°C), lows around 76°F (24°C)
•  September: Highs around 89°F32°C), lows around 74°F (23°C)
•  October: Highs around 84°F (29°C), lows around 68°F (20°C)
•  November: Highs around 78°F (26°C), lows around 61°F (16°C)
•  December: Highs around 72°F (22°C), lows around 55°F (13°C)

Keep in mind that these are average temperatures, and actual temperatures may vary from year to year and day to day. Additionally, humidity levels can affect how temperatures feel, particularly during the warmer months.

Final Notes on Clearwater Beach Things To Do

Clearwater Beach boasts stunning white sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters, making it an ideal spot for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports like snorkeling, parasailing, and jet skiing.

The beach has a family-friendly atmosphere with plenty of things to do in Clearwater Beach for all ages, including playgrounds, volleyball courts, and nightly sunset celebrations at Pier 60, featuring street performers and local artisans.

Clearwater Beach offers a wide range of accommodation options, including beachfront resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, and condos, catering to different budgets and preferences.

Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Clearwater Beach is easily accessible from major cities like Tampa and St. Petersburg, with Tampa International Airport just a short drive away, making it convenient for travelers.

Overall, Clearwater Beach offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, family-friendly attractions, and amenities, making it an ideal destination for a relaxing and enjoyable vacation. Start your planning for your next great adventure to Clearwater Beach.

Frequently Asked Questions About Clearwater Beach (FAQS)