Clearwater Beach is a barrier island located off the west coast of Florida, surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico. The beach is accessible from the mainland via Route 60, the Memorial Causeway. Clearwater Beach is part of the city of Clearwater, which was established in 1915. However, Clearwater itself sits on the mainland.
Clearwater Beach is wide and welcoming, boasting the powdery white sand that is so indicative of the beaches of the west central Florida coast. Part of a 35-mile-long stretch of beaches that sits between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, this picturesque beach is popular with both locals and visitors and can be quite crowded on the weekends all year long. During, the winter, the area also attracts a large number of snowbirds - visitors from the North - so the population swells and the beaches are busy even during the slightly cooler months.
The beach at Clearwater is appropriate for any number of water-based activities, including swimming, sunning, water skiing, jet skiing, boating, and more. The beaches are patrolled by lifeguards so swimming is safe, even for inexperienced swimmers, and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico tend to be warmer and gentler than those of the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of Florida. Clearwater Beach is also known as a popular beach volleyball location and it's not unusual to see several games in progress at any time of the day.
Parasailing is available from the Clearwater Municipal Marina and a parasailing adventure may give visitors a chance to view the many bottlenose dolphins that frequent the Clearwater Beach area. In addition, boat charters and rentals are plentiful at the marina and water lovers can enjoy everything from day-long fishing excursions and dolphin-sighting cruises to sunset dinner trips to adventurous "pirate'' cruises for the whole family.
The Clearwater Beachwalk, which just opened anew in 2008, was built to revitalize the community and attract new retail and service-oriented establishments to the area, such as shops, restaurants, and hotels. The Beachwalk accommodates walkers, skaters, and bicyclists, and from the Beachwalk, individuals can enjoy the breathtaking sunsets without getting wet and sandy and without traffic obscuring the view.
Pier 60, which stretches over Clearwater Beach, also provides additional views of the sunset. The Pier, which has long been an attraction in the area, is excellent for fishing and also hosts a daily festival known as Sunsets at Pier 60, which features entertainment as well as a line-up of artists and crafters who hope to sell their wares to visitors. The festival takes place from about two hours before sundown to two hours after.
Other Clearwater Beach attractions include the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which offers educational programs, marine animal shows, and a chance to interact with the aquarium's friendly dolphins.
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