Beaches and Spring Break (Tampa, Clearwater: live in, safety, beach)

[mbyul]

My spring break is coming up this weekend. Im going to be staying in Tampa from the 28th - 1st
I was wondering where the best beaches in that area are?
Ive heard good things about Clearwater?
Is it currently warm enough to swim in the ocean in that area?

Id really like to learn the basics of some sort of watersport (ie: surfing, skim boarding, etc). Any suggestions?

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

[mbyul]

anyone?

[tilli]

Clearwater is a popular beach with spring breakers. As for "best beach" it depends on exactly what you want, there are many nice beaches here. Well, at least until the red tide arrives... Is it warm enough to swim? Well, where are you from? Canadians swim here in what is the dead of winter to us. Some people won't go in unless it is deepest summer and the Gulf is as warm as a bathtub. The current water temp at Clearwater Beach is 72ºF. So for most people I'd say that is warm enough. The Gulf beaches are great for skimboarding, but there aren't really surfable waves unless a tropical cyclone is churning. For surfing you should try an east coast beach like Cocoa beach.

[TXRyan23]

I love St. Pete Beach, It's my favorite. Last I went the water was fairly clear too.

[clevelandguy]

I live in Safety Harbor, we go to Clearwater Beach alot. It is really touristy and sometimes crowded at this time of the year. I think it adds to the atmosphere! The water temp is okay right now, but a little on the cool side. It's great to jump in for a few minutes to cool off, but more than a few minutes and it gets chilly.

From Clearwater Beach south, the beaches are great. Wide and groomed white sand. To the north the majority of public beaches are more natural with rocks and seaweed. It really depends on what YOU consider a nice beach.

Clearwater and south will be packed this time of year, north of Clearwater the beaches will be less crowded.

Hope this helps.