A vibrant sunset over a beach with palm trees, a curved shoreline, and a few people relaxing on the sand. The sky is painted with hues of pink, orange, and purple, reflecting on the calm ocean waves. A road runs along the coast.

Back

Your Guide to Clearwater Beach, Florida

Leave the planning to the pros – this Opal-approved guide gives you an easy-to-digest list of all the top Clearwater Beach Florida attractions, restaurants, beaches, and local favorites in the area. Stress less, enjoy more.

Clearwater Beach lives up to its name, thanks to transparent, teal-blue waters and long stretches of pristine sand perfectly suited for stretching out beneath the Florida sun. From the tropical plants of Florida Botanical Gardens to the tropical drinks at The Salty Crab, this city offers a full day’s worth of delights. So we’ve hand-picked the best Clearwater attractions to keep you enchanted from morning until night.

Clearwater Beach’s Most Exciting New Resort Is Open Now!

Be among the first to experience Opal Sol. Situated on Clearwater’s Beach Walk promenade, the brand-new airy and inviting sanctuary mixes calming ocean-inspired decor with modern luxury. Book today and enjoy 30% savings on stays of three nights or more.

Book Our Grand Opening Offer

TOP CLEARWATER LANDMARKS

Pier 60

Whether it’s sunrise or sunset, this 1,080-foot fishing pier and park buzzes with energy, thanks to its excellent angling opportunities (think Spanish mackerel, spotted and silver trout, flounder, and more), the large beach playground and the fully-stocked Pier 60 bait house. Every night from 6 to 9pm, crafts and entertainment create the magical “Sunsets at Pier 60.”

Caladesi Island

Aerial view of a narrow, crescent-shaped island surrounded by turquoise waters. Sandy beaches and sparse vegetation line the island. The mainland is visible in the distance under a clear blue sky.

You can get here only by boat, which makes Caladesi Island even more special. Its untouched beauty makes kayaking through bayside mangrove forests and walking along the pristine beaches even more unforgettable.

Clearwater Beach

Sugar-white sand, clear, shallow water, and the palm-lined Beach Promenade make Clearwater Beach one of the top beach destinations in Florida (TripAdvisor even voted it the top beach in the U.S.). Play all day and stay for the laid-back restaurants and nightly live entertainment.

MOST POPUALR THINGS TO DO IN CLEARWATER

Take a Dolphin Beach Cruise

Two dolphins leap out of the water in tandem, splashing in front of a distant shoreline with buildings and trees. The clear blue sky and calm sea create a tranquil scene.

Departing from the Clearwater Marina multiple times a day, this comfortable, 40-foot boat cruises through the harbor for guaranteed dolphin sightings. Plus, you get to stop at Compass Island to snorkel, swim, look for shells, or just relax on the beach.

25 Causeway Blvd,
Clearwater, FL 33767

Visit the Florida Botanical Gardens

Imagine the fragrances of 120 acres of tropical flowers and the sight of butterflies taking flight: this is the Florida Botanical Gardens, which showcases not only Florida flora but also cacti and other succulents. Be sure to check out the 60-acre tract of wild land under renewal with Florida native plants.

12520 Ulmerton Rd,
Largo, FL 33774

Visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium

This facility is more than a showcase of sea creatures; it’s also a working animal hospital and marine life rescue center where you can see dolphins, sea turtles, otters, and more. Immersive exhibits and educational programs make visiting here a win for all ages.

249 Windward Passage,
Clearwater, FL 33767

BEST RESTAURANTS IN CLEARWATER

Obviously no trip here is complete without eating your way through the signature restaurants of each Clearwater Opal resort, like Clearwater’s only AAA Four-Diamond restaurant, Caretta on the Gulf at Sandpearl Resort, but if you decide you want to venture off-property and into town for a bite – here are our local favorites.

Frenchy’s Original

“Frenchy” is the nickname of a Quebec-born restaurateur who established a franchise serving up Super Grouper sandwiches and other fresh seafood fare at four different locations in Clearwater Beach. If you’re in town in October, be sure to check out the stone crab festival.

41 Baymont St,
Clearwater, FL 33767

The Salty Crab Bar & Grill North Beach

Serving everything from fish & chips and other classic seafood platters to breakfast, burgers, pizza, and pasta, this lively eatery is a crowd-pleaser with colorful cocktails and a friendly vibe.

462 Mandalay Ave,
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

Another Broken Egg Café

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and so this café does it right, with strawberry pound-cake French toast, crab-cake benedict and plenty of healthy choices like the “Skinny Omelette,” too.

470 Poinsettia Ave,
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

LOCALS’ FAVORITES IN CLEARWATER

Palm Pavillion

Aerial view of a beach with white sand and scattered colorful umbrellas. People are enjoying the sunny day. In the foreground, theres a building with a tin roof, and palm trees are scattered around. The ocean is calm under a clear blue sky.

Locals love this beachfront bar, restaurant, and live-music venue for its laid-back vibe and art-deco architecture. There’s entertainment every night of the week, and the famous Palm burger pairs perfectly with a pint of local Beach Blond Ale.

10 Bay Esplanade,
Clearwater, FL 33767

Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail

Now four miles long, the Ream Wilson Clearwater has been designed to stretch across Florida from Tampa Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. Carpenter Field, Cliff Stephens Park, Del Oro Park, and Cooper’s Bayou Park are among the current connections featured on this dynamic trail.

Dunedin Downtown Market (seasonal)

Pick up fresh produce, gourmet items, and more at this market in John R. Lawrence Pioneer Park. Held on Friday and Saturday mornings, it also features entertainment and plenty of pointers from market managers Greg and Tiffany.

420 Main St,
Dunedin, FL 34698

Moccasin Lake Nature Park

A wooden footbridge with railings winds through a lush, green forest. Sunlight filters through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the path. Ferns and other vegetation grow alongside the bridge, enhancing the serene, natural setting.

Check out gopher turtles, racoons, and birds of prey on this 51-acre nature preserve, which is interlaced with trails and boardwalks under a canopy of mature oaks and across creeks and ponds. Choose from classes and programs or just explore on your own.

2750 Park Trail Ln,
Clearwater, FL 33759

Brimming with possibilities for a perfect Florida vacation, Clearwater Beach offers something for everyone in the family. Strolling along sugar-white sands, fishing from Pier 60, and listening to live music with a Rum Runner are just a few of the reasons to make Clearwater the clear choice of where to stay and play.

Where to Stay: Sandpearl Resort | Opal Sands | Opal Sol | Belleview Inn

5 Game-Changing Benefits of Taking Your Holidays on Vacation

If the stress of your holiday hustle has been weighing you down (especially if you’re the one hosting the festivities), this may be an article you want to read. Because a holiday week getaway may just be the best gift…

A large sailboat with two tall sails glides on the water at sunset. The sky is golden, and people on the boat are waving as the sun sets on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the ocean.

Two Coasts, One Tall-Ship Operation: A Q&A with Schooner Appledore’s GM

We sat down with Rod Veal to talk tall ships, tide charts, and why his classic wooden schooner operation calls two very different Eastern Seaboard waterfronts home. “When you stand at the wheel of Appledore II, it’s kind of like…

An older man and woman ride bicycles side by side on a sunny path near a lake, smiling at each other. Trees, grass, and waterfront homes are visible in the background—enjoying one of the many relaxing things to do in Naples under a blue sky.

Top Things to Do in Naples in September through December

When the rest of the country is preparing to hibernate, Naples is just warming up. From wild animals to wild nights on Third Street South, the Paradise Coast has plenty to offer all autumn long. Naples in the fall…

Two people sit close together on a rocky surface, overlooking a scenic landscape with clouds and a colorful sunset sky—a perfect moment to enjoy the peace of shoulder season, as shrubs and trees line the edge of the rocky area.

6 Best-Kept Travel Secrets of the September-October Shoulder Season

From beachfront bites (at a fraction of the price) to backcountry hikes, these are the signature experiences you’ll only find across Opal destinations during the golden stretch of September through October. What is shoulder season? Tucked between summer’s peak tourist…