Things to do in Clearwater, Florida

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Clearwater, Florida is located off the Gulf of Mexico. It’s stunning ocean views of the turquoise water, white powdery sand beaches, and local activities make it a top Florida destination. If you are looking for beaches in Florida with clear water, then look no farther. It was voted #1 beach in the US by TripAdvisor in 2016. While there are many activities to do in Clearwater, my favorite things to do are watching the sunset on the beach and visiting the local marine aquarium.

The Aquarium helps rehabilitate marine wildlife that has been injured. It currently has 3 dolphins: Winter, Hope, and Nicholas. Winter and Hope’s story has been made famous by the movies Dolphin Tale 1 and 2. The stories are inspiring! I won’t ruin the movie for you, but, I will tell you that you can find out their REAL stories if you visit the Aquarium.

Nicholas, was found stranded with his mother, Noelle on Christmas Eve (hence, the names!). Unfortunately, Noelle died a few days after her rescue from 3rd degree burns. Since Nicholas was not yet weaned from his mother, special formula was produced just for him and he has done well!

I went to the aquarium about 2 hours before closing time. There were hardly any other people there and it was like I had the place to myself! I could watch the marine wildlife all day!

• Visit the marine aquarium. (It has had a major upgrade since I went.)
• Take a helicopter tour of Clearwater.
• Take a ride on a pirate ship.
• Look for the 6 foot fiberglass dolphins on the Clearwater Dolphin Trail. There are over 120 of these colorful dolphins scattered over the city outside and in restaurants and businesses.
• Hang out at Pier 60 in Clearwater. This is a good spot for fishing as the Pier 60 Bait House has everything you need for it and a day on the beach. This is a good spot to watch the sunset and check out the local artists/talent. Kids will also love the beach playground here.

• Go on a nature cruise. These dolphin tours in Clearwater show you the wildlife in the area, mangroves, and takes you to nearby Compass Island where you can snorkel and collect sea shells.
• Enjoy a dinner cruise along the intracoastal waterways. Calypso Tropical Cruises have dinner cruises as well as tropical party cruises with a DJ.
• Watch Phillies spring training at Spectrum Field.
• Tee off at a game of golf.
• Take a ride on the Sea Screamer. Said to be the world’s fastest speedboat, this attraction includes three cruises for the price of one- the thrill ride, celebrity tour, and looking for dolphins.

• Try paddleboarding. Rentals for paddleboards, kayaks, bicycles, boogie boards, and many more items are available for rental at places such as Clearwater Beach PaddleBoard & Rental Company.
• Drive around on a scooter or a fun coup vehicle and enjoy the weather.
• Try indoor surfing at Surf Style.
• Rent a wave runner.
• Eat seafood at a local restaurant like Crabbys Bar and Grill.
• Grab some friends and enjoy a tiki boat tour. This is perfect for birthday parties and bachelor/bachelorette parties.

Clearwater Beach is a lively area with many restaurants and shops. You will find people playing volleyball on the beach, running, kayaking, and participating in other sports. A sunset cruise or a nature tour would be a great activity in this area. It is not uncommon to see dolphins swimming in the area. Manatees also have been sited along the coast. No matter what you decide to do, there are so many Clearwater Beach attractions that you are sure to enjoy your trip.