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A person in a green dress walks along a sunny boardwalk towards a beach, with palm trees lining the path and people in the distance. The sky is clear and the ocean is visible in the background.
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Plotting Your Walkable Opal Sands Adventure

Opal Sands Resort is your luxury home base for exploring Clearwater Beach, conveniently located in the southwestern end of Clearwater and within walking distance of the many attractions in this Florida beach town.

The Beach

Walking Time: Less than one minute

If you exit the doors of Opal Sands Resort, you can be on the white sands of Clearwater Beach in 30 seconds. Whether you walk for miles up and down the beach or camp out and catch rays is entirely up to you.

Beach Walk & Shops

Clearwater-Beach-Shops

Walking Time: 2 minutes

Head north on South Gulfview Boulevard, and you’ll quickly come across a long expanse of red brick walkways that take you past surf shops and restaurants.

Frenchy’s South Beach Cafe

Walking Time: 3 minutes

Take a detour off of Beach Walk, and visit this brightly colored Clearwater gem, with an inviting outdoor patio and an eclectic menu that features grouper sandwiches, barbecue bacon-wrapped scallops, and garlic snow crab fries.

Tampa Bay SUP

Walking Time: 12 minutes

This shop on the Mandalay Channel can set you up with everything you need for getting a water-bound view of Clearwater. If you don’t feel like straying far from the beach in front of Opal Sands, they also can deliver the board, paddle, and life jacket to you.

Caretta on the Gulf

Caretta's-on-the-Gulf

Walking Time: 18 minutes

Wander farther north to Sandpearl Resort, and sit down for an upscale steak and seafood dinner here, where the golden corvina and venison chops are worth lingering over and the sunset views are some of the best on the beachfront.

Fin’s Jet Ski Tours

Walking Time: 26 minutes

We recommend visiting this Jet Ski, boat, and kayak rental shop both for the knowledgeable guides who can give you a whirlwind tour of Clearwater and for the chance to strike out on your own and discover tranquil sandbars like Three Rooker.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Clearwater-Marine-Aquarium

Walking Time: 32 minutes

We’ve talked up the virtues of Clearwater Marine Aquarium many times, and we still recommend you travel here to catch frisky otters, dolphins, and other marine life up close. If your timing is perfect, you may even get to watch the aquarium release a fully grown sea turtle back into the Gulf.

Sand Key Park

Walking Time: 32 minutes

This gorgeous park south of Opal Sands Resort doesn’t get the same love as popular Caladesi Island, but a walk over the open ocean on Gulf Boulevard will let you appreciate Sand Key’s winding mile-long nature trail, salt marsh home to endangered birds, and one of the area’s most pristine beaches.

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