Our One-Day Itinerary to the Best of Clearwater Beach’s Pier 60
Set between Clearwater Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Pier 60 is over a thousand feet of family fun jutting out from the last strip of land into the open ocean. But the litany of activities doesn’t stop when you step off the pier, there are swaths of beach, waves, and boulevards filled with activities that are not to be missed. With so much to offer it’s nearly impossible to experience all the pier has to offer in one day but we can try…
9–11 a.m. | Hook Up with the Local Fishing Scene
Pier 60 feels like a different world when you arrive before noon. That’s because it’s the peak time for fishing, with anglers hanging their lure over the railings up and down the pier, all days out of the year (the best part is that you can fish here year-round – check the fish report see what’ll be biting during your visit). A bait shop, located right on the pier, is open if you need to pick up a bag of bait (frozen or live), and you can rent a rod or bring your own. Plus, a fishing day-pass will only run you $8, so, if you don’t catch any flounder, cobia, snook, redfish, spotted sea trout, or any of the other plentiful species, it was all still worth it to catch the local angling scene.
11 a.m.–1 p.m. | Beat the Heat with Some Eats
By this time of the afternoon, chances are the sand is heating up and the sun is beating down on beachgoers and pier marauders. Escape the Florida sun for a while and grab a bite at one of the colorful eateries around the Pier. Located just half-a-mile’s walking distance from the pier, Pearly’s Beach Eats is housed in a Key West-inspired cottage that features shaded outdoor seating – your ideal place for digging into what locals call the best tacos in Pinellas County. For panoramic water views, head the same distance in the southern direction of the pier, up to the rooftop dining deck at Jimmy’s Crows Nest. They serve up simple, filling fare under a covered bar, perfect for midday sustenance.
1–3 p.m. | Take to the Water & Waves
There’s a reason that H20 Jet Ski Rentals is Pier 60’s top pick for jet-ski rentals and tours. Not only do they boast a fleet of the newest and fastest skis in Clearwater, but some of the most knowledgeable guides and unique tours. The 1.5-hour Adventure Tour alone covers 25 miles, skirting you through the intracoastal area, Hurricane Pass, and the landmarks of Honeymoon and Caladesi islands before returning to Clearwater Pass where you’ll buzz by the crowd culminating at Pier 60.
3–5 p.m. | Ride the Pier’s Neighboring Water Slides
The pier is also surrounded by on-land “inflatable” adventures, including a deep-blue blow-up slide standing a couple stories high that sends riders – in their own separate lanes – rocketing down the chute at the same time. But the tried-and-true Hippo Slide is still nothing to scoff at: At four stories tall, it’s the world’s largest inflatable water slide, designed on the same scale as attractions in theme parks and water parks.
5–9 p.m. | Visit the Vendors & Savor Sunset
Starting two hours before sunset and running two hours after, the nightly Sunset Celebration brings out about 30 vendors who line the pier ready to peddle their wares in the open-air environment – everything from watercolor art to hand-crafted jewelry. But don’t let yourself get too distracted by the goodies, because once that sun starts to dip below the horizon, staining the sky a technicolor pink, you won’t your eyes wandering anywhere else.
Where to Stay Sandpearl Resort | Opal Sands Resort | Belleview Inn
