See America’s #1 Beach With This Clearwater Beach Itinerary

Winning awards year after year, Clearwater Beach, Florida is a great seaside getaway. In this post, I’m sharing why it’s among the best beaches in the U.S., and all the can’t-miss things to do. Don’t want to bother with the planning? The work is already done! Take advantage of this Clearwater Beach itinerary without breaking a sweat.

How many things are on your to-do list?

If you’re like me, that list is always changing (and growing!) There always something that needs to be done. Before you know it, that trip you’ve been meaning to take just keeps getting pushed lower and lower on the list.

That’s where I come in.

Sure, you can plan a trip by yourself. Research a destination, figure out where to stay and what to do, comb through reviews and blog posts looking for answers. But let’s be honest, it’s a lot of work! You can skip the hassle, save tons of time and effort, and get your toes in the sand the easy way:

Your Clearwater Beach Itinerary

I’ll be sharing the essentials to plan your trip to Clearwater Beach:

• How many days to spend and what to see
• Tips on getting around, the best hotels, and cool restaurants
• The best time to visit Clearwater Beach
• A helpful map that includes points of interest
• Insider tips and tricks

Disclosure: Any tips or products shared are things I truly believe in. If you take action (ie make a purchase) after clicking one of the affiliate links, I’ll earn some money which helps me continue creating travel content for you. Thank you for your support!

Is Clearwater Beach Worth Visiting?

This is an easy one, and the answer is a resounding YES! Clearwater Beach, Florida is a gorgeous coastal city, with lots to do, fantastic beaches, and a few unique things you won’t find anywhere else in the U.S. It’s easily one of the prettiest (and cleanest) beaches I’ve been to.

Here are some great things about Clearwater Beach:

• It’s only about 20 minutes from Tampa, which has an international airport
• The most famous dolphin in the world lives in Clearwater (more on that below)
• Warm, clear water and white sand beaches are everywhere you look
• You’ll find warm temperatures and sunshine year-round (Clearwater actually holds a world record for the most consecutive days of sunshine!)
• Clearwater Beach has been named “Top Beach Town in Florida” and won awards like “Best Place To Watch a Sunset” and “Most Desirable Summer Getaway”

When’s The Best Time to Go?

In terms of weather, summers are hot and humid. Brief, daily rain showers are common, and temperatures top 90 degrees. January – March, and September – November are generally cooler, drier, and closer to “ideal” weather with a high of 76 degrees.

Summer and winter are peak season, while fall and spring are the off-season. To save money or snag a deal, travel during these times – check out my post on how to use shoulder season to save money on travel.

How Many Days Do You Need in Clearwater Beach?

There are lots of things to do in Clearwater Beach! How many days you need for your trip depends on how much you want to see, and the pace at which you like to travel. But here are a few things to consider:

Do you embrace a slow, leisurely trip with lots of relaxing? Take at least a weekend, and don’t try to do too much – pick 1-2 things to do to allow plenty of time for relaxation. You may also want to read my post about how to embrace spontaneous travel.

Prefer an action-packed trip where you “see it all”? Plan to spend 3-5 days in Clearwater Beach.

Want to explore surrounding areas? Extend your trip 5-7 days to allow you to venture out to nearby St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Sarasota.

Tips For Getting Around

Depending where you stay (and where you want to go), you may not need a rental car for your trip to Clearwater Beach. Another option is the Clearwater Ferry, which is a water taxi service. It runs between downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach and is a great way to visit bars, restaurants, and shopping in the area.

Lastly, check out the Jolley Trolley that runs 7 days a week and stops at over 20 places in and around Clearwater Beach. An unlimited pass is only $5/day and you won’t have to worry about finding parking.

Top 10 Things To Do In Clearwater Beach

Now that you have a few travel tips to help you plan your Clearwater Beach itinerary, let’s get to the good stuff! Here are the top 10 things to do on your trip:

1. Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Made famous by the movie Dolphin Tale, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is home to the dolphin “Winter” other marine animals who are being rehabilitated. It’s a fascinating place to visit, learn about the animals, and see the operating rooms where the animals receive care before being released into the wild.

2. The Beach/Pier 60

You can’t go to Clearwater Beach without actually going to the beach! Go and see for yourself what the hype is all about. You can rent chairs and beach umbrellas, and there’s also a boat ramp, full-time lifeguards, playground, and showers nearby. Adjacent to the beach is Pier 60, where you can fish, look through a telescope, buy a souvenir or snacks, and relax in one of the covered pavilions. And every night enjoy “Sunsets at Pier 60”, with artisans and street performers.

3. Cleveland Street District

Across the Clearwater Harbor is a charming, walkable entertainment district. You’ll find public art, entertainment venues, bars, a farmer’s market, and more all overlooking the harbor. Cleveland Street District is super fun.

4. Beach Walk Promenade

To enjoy the atmosphere of Clearwater Beach without being on the sand, check out the Beach Walk Promenade. Half a mile long, it stretches alongside the beach and is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. Shops, restaurants, the beach, and Pier 60 are all within reach and you’ll see art installations along the way.

5. Watersports

Take your pick from the endless marinas and watersport rental businesses that are everywhere in Clearwater Beach. Why not try parasailing, rent jet skis, scuba dive, or snorkel?

6. Dolphin Tour

Clearwater Beach loves dolphins! You’ll see dolphin artwork around town (and Winter at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium), but taking a dolphin tour is a fantastic thing to experience. Get Your Guide pulls together lots of cool experiences and also offers 24/7 support if you need help choosing. If you use the search below to make a reservation, I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you, which helps me produce travel content just like this. Thank you for supporting me!

7. Pinellas Trail

The Pinellas Trail is 38 miles in length and runs north to south, extending onto Clearwater Beach. If you enjoy biking, jogging, or walking you’ll want to check it out. The trail connects to county parks and coastal regions so it’s extremely convenient and a great way to explore the area. You can even take the trail to nearby islands.

8. Sand Key Park

A bit south of Clearwater Beach is Sand Key Park, which has a gorgeous and quiet beach area and a dog-friendly park. There are tons of amenites, including cabana rentals, kayaks, picnic shelters, showers and restrooms. It’s common for endangered sea turtles to lay their eggs on the beach at Sand Key.

9. Honeymoon Island

North of Clearwater Beach, but still in close proximity, is Honeymoon Island State Park. If you’re looking for a natural and secluded environment, this barrier island is the place to be. And there’s TONS of things to do, from boating to picnicking and horseback riding, just to name a few.

10. Caladesi Island

Right next to Honeymoon Island is Caladesi Island State Park. The only way to access this natural paradise is by boat or ferry. Very undeveloped, Caladesi Island has less things to do than Honeymoon Island (and that’s a good thing).

Consider Supporting The Blog (at no extra cost to you!)

If you found this post helpful, consider supporting Compass & Coastline by booking your next accommodation by clicking on the link below. Trivago is awesome because they do all the legwork for you, and you don’t have to search through tons of sites to find a good deal. One cool feature is that you can search by landmark. For example, maybe in Clearwater Beach you want to stay near the Marine Aquarium. You can type that into the search to make sure you find a hotel close by. Cool, right? If you use the search below to make a reservation, I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you, which helps me produce travel content just like this. Thanks again for supporting me!