Clearwater is the classic Florida beach town of the Gulf coast: a barrier island of powder-soft white sand and calm, clear water, linked by a causeway to a mainland city on Clearwater Harbor. Clearwater Beach is the star, with its long fishing pier, a free festival of street performers and craft stalls every evening at sunset, and a lively strip of hotels, seafood shacks and beach bars. Around it you will find a working marine animal rescue center, two quiet island state parks reached by ferry, the Greek sponge docks of Tarpon Springs and a beach trolley that runs all the way down the coast to St. Pete Beach. Tampa’s airport is about 40 minutes away, St. Pete–Clearwater’s much closer. Winters are mild and dry, summers hot with afternoon storms.
Right now in Clearwater
- Wed24–27°C75–81°F15 mm rain
- Thu23–25°C73–76°F40 mm rain
- Fri23–27°C73–80°F18 mm rain
- Mon 12 Oct Columbus Day
Top tours in Clearwater
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Clearwater at a glance
- Best for: beach holidays, sunsets, families, boat trips and dolphin watching, and quiet island beaches.
- How long: 3–4 days for the beach, the aquarium and Caladesi Island; a week to add Tampa, St. Petersburg and Tarpon Springs.
- Best time: March to May, when it is warm, sunny and the driest time of year (highs of 77–87 °F / 25–31 °C). Winter is mild but the sea can feel cool; June to September is hot and stormy, and it is hurricane season.
- Getting there: fly to St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE), about 10 miles (16 km) away, or Tampa International Airport (TPA), about 20 miles (32 km) away.
- Getting around: PSTA buses and beach trolleys ($2.25 a ride, $5 a day as of October 2026), the Jolley Trolley, the Clearwater Ferry, or a car. Beach parking is metered.
- Before you go: entry rules, money, driving and general safety are on our United States travel guide.
Clearwater’s areas and who each one suits
Clearwater is in Pinellas County, on the peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf. Most visitors stay on the beach; the mainland city has the airport, shops and quieter, cheaper motels.
Clearwater Beach
The heart of the action, around Pier 60, the roundabout at the end of the Memorial Causeway and the Beach Walk promenade. High-rise resorts, family hotels and small motels sit within a short walk of the sand, along with restaurants, ice-cream shops and boat-tour docks at the marina. Best for first-timers and families who want everything on foot; busy and pricey in spring.
North Beach
North of the roundabout, a quieter grid of low-rise motels, rentals and residential streets with wide, calmer beaches. Good for couples and longer stays who want to walk to the action but sleep in peace.
Sand Key
South across the Clearwater Pass bridge, a slimmer barrier island lined with condominiums and a few large resorts, with Sand Key Park at its northern tip. Calmer than Clearwater Beach, and on the beach trolley route.
Downtown Clearwater and Dunedin
The mainland downtown sits on a bluff above the harbor, with a waterfront park and the ferry dock. A few miles north, Dunedin is a small town with Scottish roots, craft breweries, a lively main street and the causeway to Honeymoon Island. Both are cheaper bases if you have a car or use the ferry.
Top things to see in Clearwater
Prices and hours below were checked on the official sites in October 2026, unless we say otherwise; check again before you go.
Clearwater Beach and Pier 60
A wide, gently shelving beach of fine white quartz sand, regularly named among the best in the United States. Pier 60 reaches out into the Gulf from the middle of the beach for fishing and sunset views, beside a playground and the Beach Walk. Every evening, weather permitting, the free Sunsets at Pier 60 festival brings craft stalls, musicians, street performers and fire-breathers to the pier plaza, from about two hours before to two hours after sunset. Lifeguards watch the main beach; swim near a lifeguard stand and check the flags.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
A working marine rescue center on Clearwater Harbor, famous for Winter, the dolphin with a prosthetic tail whose story inspired the Dolphin Tale films. Today you can see rescued dolphins, sea turtles, otters, stingrays and other animals that could not be returned to the wild, and learn about the center’s rescue and release work. As of October 2026 general admission costs $41.95 for ages 12 and over, $39.95 for seniors aged 65 and over and $32.95 for ages 3–11; children 2 and under go free. It opens from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are dated, so buy for the day you plan to go.
Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island state parks
North of Clearwater Beach, two undeveloped barrier islands are among the most beautiful beaches in Florida. Honeymoon Island, reached by causeway from Dunedin, has beaches, a nature trail through slash pines with nesting ospreys, and the dock for the Caladesi Connection ferry. Caladesi Island has no road at all: just a long, quiet beach backed by dunes, mangroves and a kayak trail. According to search summaries of the Florida State Parks pages (which we could not open), entry to Honeymoon Island costs about $8 per vehicle, and the ferry to Caladesi about $20 for adults and $10 for children aged 6 to 12, with a stay of about four hours on the island; check the official site before you go.
More to see
- Sand Key Park: a county beach park at the northern tip of Sand Key, with a calmer beach than Clearwater Beach.
- Clearwater Harbor and the marina: dolphin-watching cruises, pirate-ship trips and fishing charters leave from the Clearwater Beach marina.
- Dunedin: a walkable main street with breweries and cafés, and the Pinellas Trail for cycling.
- Tarpon Springs sponge docks: see the Day trips section below.
Zoos and aquariums
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Parks and gardens
- Caladesi Island State Park
- Honeymoon Island State Park
- Sand Key Park
Beaches
- Clearwater Beach
Other things to do in Clearwater
Boat trips and dolphins
Bottlenose dolphins are common in Clearwater Harbor and the Gulf, and many boat trips from the marina all but guarantee sightings. Other options include sunset cruises, parasailing, jet skis, fishing charters and kayak tours through the mangroves to Caladesi Island. Choose operators that keep their distance from wild dolphins and never feed them.
Beach days, safely
Clearwater’s water is usually calm, but conditions change. Florida uses uniform beach warning flags: green for low hazard, yellow for moderate surf or currents, red for high hazard, double red when the water is closed to the public, and purple when dangerous marine life such as jellyfish has been spotted. The absence of flags does not mean the water is safe. Do the “stingray shuffle” (slide your feet) in shallow water from spring to autumn, and watch out for lightning in summer storms.
Red tide
The Gulf coast is the part of Florida most affected by red tide, a bloom of the algae Karenia brevis that can kill fish and cause coughing and eye irritation on the beach. It comes and goes, and status changes from week to week. Before your trip, check the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) red tide status and NOAA’s Gulf Coast harmful algal bloom forecast, which gives a respiratory irritation forecast beach by beach, and the Florida Department of Health’s Healthy Beaches water-quality advisories.
Day trips and onward travel
Tarpon Springs
About 15 miles (24 km) north, Tarpon Springs was settled by Greek sponge divers in the early 20th century. Its sponge docks still sell natural sponges, and Greek bakeries and tavernas line Dodecanese Boulevard. The Jolley Trolley runs there from Clearwater Beach.
St. Petersburg and Tampa
St. Petersburg, with the Dalí Museum and its new pier, is about 20 miles (32 km) south; Tampa, with Busch Gardens, the Riverwalk and Ybor City, about 25 miles (40 km) east across the bay. Both have their own pages on TravelerCenter. The beach trolley also follows the coast south through Indian Rocks and Madeira Beach towards St. Pete Beach.
Nearby destinations
- St. Petersburg27 km
- Tampa34 km
- Sarasota75 km
- Orlando152 km
- Daytona Beach222 km
- Naples225 km
- St. Augustine259 km
Getting there and getting around
By air
St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is about 10 miles (16 km) from Clearwater Beach, served mainly by Allegiant, which says every flight is non-stop, with more than 60 destinations. PSTA’s Grouper Airport Express, a shared on-demand van, runs between PIE and Clearwater Beach whenever the airport has flights: as of October 2026 it costs $8 for one rider ($4 for seniors 65 and over), $20 for groups of 3–4 and $30 for groups of 5–8, booked on its app or website. Most international and long-haul flights use Tampa International Airport (TPA), about 20 miles (32 km) away; allow 30–45 minutes by car or rideshare.
Buses, trolleys and ferry
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) runs the buses. As of October 2026 a regular fare is $2.25, capped at $5 a day when you pay with Flamingo Fares or tap a bank card; cash needs exact change, and children 8 and under ride free. The Suncoast Beach Trolley runs every 30 minutes from the Park Street Terminal in downtown Clearwater over the causeway to Clearwater Beach and down the beaches to 75th Avenue and Gulf Boulevard near St. Pete Beach, from 5:05 a.m. to 11:31 p.m. (until 12:56 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays), for $2.25 a ride. The Jolley Trolley serves Clearwater Beach and runs north to Tarpon Springs. The Clearwater Ferry links downtown Clearwater, the Clearwater Beach Marina near Pier 60 and Dunedin, Thursday to Sunday; fares rose by $1 on 17 September 2026, so check current prices on its site.
Driving and parking
Clearwater Beach is reached over the Memorial Causeway, and traffic backs up badly on spring and summer weekends; arrive early or use the trolley. The city’s beach lots charge $3.50 an hour from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. as of October 2026 (for example at the Pier 60 lot), and on-street meters $4.00 an hour with a 5-hour limit. Pay at the pay-by-plate kiosks, with the ParkMobile app, or by texting CLEARWATER to 727563. Several private garages also serve the beach. Tolls are mostly south of here, on the Sunshine Skyway and the Pinellas Bayway; Florida’s toll roads take no cash, and TOLL-BY-PLATE is not available in rental cars, so check your rental company’s toll program.
When to go and how long to stay
Clearwater has a humid subtropical climate, warm all year. The table uses NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport weather station, about 10 miles (16 km) from the beach: average daily highs and lows, and days with at least 0.10 in (2.5 mm) of rain. Sea breezes keep the beach a little cooler in summer.
| Season | Average high / low | Rainy days per month | What it’s like | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 71–73 °F (21–23 °C) / 52–56 °F (11–13 °C) | 3–4 | Mild and sunny; cool fronts and a chilly sea | Walking, wildlife, sunsets, lower prices |
| Spring (Mar–May) | 77–87 °F (25–31 °C) / 59–70 °F (15–21 °C) | 3–4 | Warm, dry and sunny; busy with spring breakers in March | Beach days, boat trips, state parks |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 90–91 °F (32–33 °C) / 75–76 °F (24–25 °C) | 11–13 | Hot and humid, warm sea, afternoon thunderstorms | Swimming early in the day, family holidays |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 89 °F falling to 77 °F (32 to 25 °C) / 75 °F falling to 61 °F (24 to 16 °C) | 9 in September, 2 in November | Stormy in September, then dry and pleasant | Quieter beaches, warm sea in October |
The airport averages about 53.6 in (1,362 mm) of rain a year, on about 72 days, with July the wettest month at 9.7 in (247 mm).
Hurricane season: according to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC), the Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, with most activity between mid-August and mid-October. Clearwater Beach is a low-lying barrier island and among the first places evacuated when a storm threatens. Follow forecasts from the NHC and the National Weather Service, check your evacuation zone with Pinellas County emergency management, leave when ordered, and consider travel insurance.
Events worth planning around
- Every evening: Sunsets at Pier 60, weather permitting.
- February–March: spring training baseball in Clearwater and Dunedin.
- March: spring break; book early and expect crowds and higher prices.
- Summer: sea turtle nesting season; keep away from marked nests and turn off beachfront lights at night.
How long to stay: 3, 4 and 5 days
3 days: day one, Clearwater Beach and the sunset festival at Pier 60; day two, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and a dolphin cruise from the marina; day three, Honeymoon Island and the ferry to Caladesi Island.
4 days: add Tarpon Springs and Dunedin. 5 days: add St. Petersburg and the Dalí Museum, or a day in Tampa.
Weather month by month
Where to stay in Clearwater and hotel taxes
- Clearwater Beach (around Pier 60): resorts and hotels on the sand; the most convenient and most expensive.
- North Beach: low-rise motels and rentals; quieter.
- Sand Key: condominiums and big resorts; calm beaches.
- Downtown Clearwater and Dunedin: cheaper, with the ferry and trolley to the beach.
Prices peak from February to April. Clearwater is in Pinellas County, where, according to the Florida Department of Revenue, sales tax totals 7% (6% state plus a 1% county surtax), charged on restaurant meals and most purchases; US prices are shown before tax. Stays of six months or less also carry Pinellas County’s 6% tourist development tax (“bed tax”), so a hotel bill carries about 13% in tax. Many beach resorts add a mandatory resort fee and charge for parking; under the US Federal Trade Commission’s fee rule in force since May 2025, mandatory fees must be included in the advertised total price, while taxes may be shown separately. Compare total prices.
Practical tips for Clearwater
- Go early: beach parking fills by mid-morning on weekends and in spring; the trolley avoids the causeway traffic.
- Check red tide before you go: FWC and NOAA update their reports often.
- Respect the flags: double red means the water is closed; purple means jellyfish or other dangerous marine life.
- Book the Caladesi ferry: it runs to a schedule and limits your time on the island.
- Sun and lightning: the sun is strong all year; leave the beach when you hear thunder.
- Emergencies: call 911.
What to pack for Clearwater
Pack swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor, reef-friendly sunscreen, plus a long-sleeved sun shirt for boat trips. Water shoes help in the shallows and on Caladesi’s shell-strewn shore, and insect repellent is essential for the state parks’ mangroves and trails at dawn and dusk. Bring a light rain jacket for summer storms and a sweater for breezy winter evenings at the sunset festival. A beach bag, a refillable water bottle and a waterproof phone pouch are useful for ferry and kayak trips.
Clearwater travel FAQ
Is Clearwater Beach parking free?
No. As of October 2026 the City of Clearwater’s beach lots cost $3.50 an hour and on-street meters $4.00 an hour, from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. You can pay at kiosks, with ParkMobile or by text.
What time is the Pier 60 sunset festival?
Sunsets at Pier 60 runs every evening, weather permitting, from about two hours before to two hours after sunset, and it is free.
How much is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium?
As of October 2026, $41.95 for ages 12 and over, $39.95 for seniors 65 and over and $32.95 for ages 3–11; children 2 and under go free.
How do I get to Caladesi Island?
Take the Caladesi Connection ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, or paddle or sail over. There is no road. Pay the Honeymoon Island park entry first, then the ferry fare.
How do I get from the airport to Clearwater Beach?
From St. Pete–Clearwater airport, book PSTA’s Grouper Airport Express ($8 for one rider as of October 2026) or take a taxi. From Tampa airport, a car or rideshare takes 30–45 minutes.
Is there a trolley along the beaches?
Yes. PSTA’s Suncoast Beach Trolley runs every 30 minutes from downtown Clearwater through Clearwater Beach and south along the beaches towards St. Pete Beach, for $2.25 a ride or $5 for a day.
Is there red tide in Clearwater?
Sometimes. Red tide blooms come and go on Florida’s Gulf coast. Check FWC’s red tide status and NOAA’s beach-by-beach forecast in the days before you go.
What do the beach flags mean?
Green is low hazard, yellow moderate surf or currents, red high hazard, double red means the water is closed, and purple warns of dangerous marine life such as jellyfish.
What is the hotel tax in Clearwater?
In Pinellas County, 7% sales tax plus a 6% tourist development tax: about 13% on top of the room rate, plus any resort fee.
When is hurricane season in Clearwater?
From 1 June to 30 November, with the peak from mid-August to mid-October, according to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center.
Plan your trip
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Sources · last reviewed 4 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Beach parking: City of Clearwater; Sunsets at Pier 60: the festival organizer; aquarium prices and hours: Clearwater Marine Aquarium; bus and trolley fares, Grouper Airport Express: Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA); ferry: Clearwater Ferry; airport: St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport; Caladesi and Honeymoon Island fees: search summaries of Florida State Parks pages, flagged for checking; sales tax: Florida Department of Revenue; tourist development tax: Pinellas County; beach flags: Florida’s uniform beach warning flag program as published by Volusia County; red tide: NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and FWC; tolls: Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise; resort fees: the US Federal Trade Commission; hurricane season: NOAA’s National Hurricane Center; climate: NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport. Distances and drive times are approximate. Prices, hours and timetables change, so check the official sites before you go. For entry rules, money and general safety, see our United States travel guide.
Also: NOAA NCEI normals 1991–2020, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (climate)
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Sea temperature: NOAA CoastWatch · Air quality: OpenAQ · Rates: ECB · Holidays: Nager.Date · Costs: World Bank ICP and price levels · © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODBL) · Wikidata (CC0)