Clearwater Beach

Yesterday, I spent all day on a beach in the Bahamas. Today, by chance, I've found myself on a beach in Clearwater, Florida. I must say, if anyone asked my opinion, I'd tell them to save on the overseas hassle and plan a trip to Clearwater Beach instead. This is one of the most beautiful beaches I've seen in the U.S.A. The best part is, you don't need a passport to visit this paradise! Palm Trees & Fluffy Clean White Sand Beaches will have you feeling like you're in a tropical paradise. The only downside is the limited parking. It took me about 35-40 minutes to park. Parking rates aren't too shabby; only $3.00 per hour. Overall, if you're looking for a clean & comfortable beach with warm water, white sands, waves and beautiful views, I highly recommend a visit to Clearwater Beach. I'll definitely make a return visit sometime this summer. ENJOY!!!

The beach is awesome. There are outside rinsing stations along the sidewalk. There are a few public bathrooms by the water. Chairs, umbrellas and cabanas can be rented while enjoying the sun and sand. Pier 60 has vendors and entertainment starting two hours before sunset. There are various parking lots in the area. You can park close to the beach or find a nearby lot. There are Trolleys that stop around Clearwater.

First time coming to Clearwater beach and wow, the sand was extremely soft and no rocks or shells in sight. The water was light blue and extremely clear and clean. If you do not have your own beach chairs and umbrellas they offer rentals which was nice touch. They had boat and jet ski rentals as well. A very nice beach, younger crowd with families as well. Little to no waves and extremely warm water.

Lots of sand space on the beach... Barely any parking, unless you're staying at a hotel on the coast or there's a nearby garage parking for $12 an hour. Beautiful beach, once you find parking and a space. Sand feels like powder.

Clearwater Beach is a really nice beach and I had an enjoyable experience. My daughter wanted to go to a "real" beach for her birthday and by that she meant a crowded beach with a lot of people, etc. This was perfect for our beach day. We arrived early and were able to find parking. It was a short walk from where we parked to the actual beach. If you aren't staying in the area I recommend arriving early to get decent parking because the lots fill up fast. There is a lot of cool food/drink options close to the beach as well. The pier had a lot of fun activities and there's a playground/restrooms right by the beach. Overall: I recommend if you are looking for a beach with this kind of vibe. If you like a quiet and secluded beach then avoid.

Trip Advisor named Clearwater Beach the USA's #1 beach in 2018, so we HAD TO check it out while visiting the area. The only problem was that it was early February and too cold and windy to fully enjoy all the sunny day activities that the area has to offer. We did walk along part of the 35 miles of its powdery sand. We also walked along Pier 60 Park, the 1080' fishing pier, where we were entertained by local musicians and break dancers. The pier is also reputed to be an excellent place to see sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico, but we didn't stay that late. We're already planning a return trip and started a "to do" list -- aquarium, boat cruise, restaurants, shopping, and of course beach and water activities.

Water was amazing. Even though the beach was quite crowded there was more than enough room for everyone. We all had a great time.

Beautiful beach, but be prepared to be early. It gets completely mobbed by 11am, you'd be lucky to find a pat h of sand to sit on. One day the water was so rough it wasn't enjoyable,.but the next mu h better. Very warm ocean water Fathers day weekend. Walk to the pier for a breeze & pelicans who aren't afraid of people

I haven't been here since the early 80's, even though it's only 1.5 hours from my home. The white sand is so pretty and soft and the beach is extremely long. We happened to pick an extremely windy da6 to come here, and the waves were spectacular. There are many places where you can rent chairs and umbrellas, which makes it easy. The beach is crowded, and this is on a weekday in off season, so I can only imagine what it's like during peak times. All around there are hotels and restaurants, as well as shopping.

Really well kept beach area. Ample space to enjoy yourself. Seems pretty safe and we've never had any concerns. The birds will venture pretty close if you're eating so keep that in mind.

This has been one of the best beaches we have visited. The water was at a perfect temperature and the waves were calm. The area we hung out at was clean and peaceful and not too many people. The boardwalk has plenty to do and see and there are several dining options. Clearwater is worth a visit!

It's always a great day at the beach in Clearwater! Life Guards on duty. You can enjoy walking on Pier 60! There are restrooms near the pier. Restaurants and bars walking distance from pier. There's also trolleys! Metered parking on street or parking lots.

First time here and it's such a beautiful beach. Plenty of room to find a spot and relax. The water was warm. The birds were annoying. The day was perfect. The trash cans were overflowing. The bathroom wasn't disgusting. The sand was sandy. I liked spending the day here.

Articles say this is one of the top beaches in the world but... I say it's just a crowded beach with nice sand and better than other water haha. I had visited one weekday night in August. Parking was difficult to find in the public parking area. Parking lot wasn't large to begin with and it was designed slightly Inconveniently for people to drive in more than 1 lane. I had ended up parking by some cafes a ways down but the walk to the beach was easy. There was a solid crowd at the beach. However, as I came an hour from sunset, it was clear to see the change of people who were there all day and people who only came for the evening. For August, the water was very warm. Likely the warmest water I have personally ever been in. Some seaweed on the shore and no shade along the beach. But at least the sunset was very pretty along the water (though this could've been satisfied at any beach)

Clean beach with a few local spots to walk to for food and drinks. I like the fact that it's safe too with beach patrol- while we were there a few under age drinkers were caught and dealt with so that was comforting to know they try to keep the peace and avoid any trouble for tourists. I'd def. stop in again if I'm in the area.

Absolutely gorgeous beach. I always love going here and taking amazing sunrises and sunset photos. The day that my husband and I went, it was beyond freezing. we were surprised that it was very windy and in the 40s, especially for Florida. If you have a chance to come to clearwater, check this beach out and also the pier as well. I would highly recommend coming here . Plus it's a free entry to get onto the beach.

I've been coming to the beach for years now. One of my favorites! There's lots of shops and restaurants on the strip! The sand is amazing here. They have a section for dogs further down. I went last night to watch the sunset and it was amazing. There was some construction going on so part of the sidewalk was blocked off. But normally there's shower heads to rinse off, especially to get the sand off your feet. Saw dolphins out as the sun was setting. Perfect time to see them! Overall, this beach is a great beach to go to!

I mean, yeah - Number 1 beach in the US. I can see why. Beautiful. I could live here. Parking sucks and the hot sand can be a factor; this isn't your regular North America Whitetail beach. Pack appropriately.

We stopped here on our first day into SP/TB. We were a little late to the party but I figured a couple hours on the beach even late in the day was better than nothing. Definitely a crowded beach on a heavily trafficked area. We ubered here so I can't speak to parking. The beach was beautiful - white sand and greenish clear water. We unfortunately were too late to get chairs and an umbrella but - I could see coming back here while in the neighborhood

White sand beaches perfect for a family day. Volley ball nets. Bathrooms. Beach front restaurants. Easy parking. Cute strip and marina with jet ski rentals on the bay. Safe for a solo trip. Plenty of chair and umbrella rentals. Great life guard stands. Dining cruises. Roof top restaurants. Kid friendly. Easy on and off with wash stations. Perfect place to venture away from crowds at larger beaches. Plenty of eating, activities and public works department clearly takes care of the place well. We definitely will be back due to the overall experience. We loved it!

Gorgeous beach - white sand with blue waters. There's always something going on, especially near the pier! I've done the bama boat, jet skis and para sailing here all on different trips and each was an incredible way to spend the day! Lots of restaurants and bars located along the beach as well

Their was someone a few rows from our PAID cabana playing loud music. The lifeguard stated he didn't feel the music was loud or derogatory. He stated that as long as it wasn't offensive it was fine. However anyone within 20 feet could hear the music. Go to North Beach it is very quiet (but no cabanas or umbrellas). Everyone was respectful of the public beach.

Being born here I tend to take things for granted, not clearwater beach. I've been to beaches on the Atlantic side, yuck! Brown soupy water crashing over brown beach dirt & off of the Washington state coast the beaches have rocks big rocks and dead trees washed up everywhere. Clearwater beach has it's faults but I love it. Imagine 1993 Clearwater beach UB 40's falling in love is blasting on a boom box as my buddy smashes his brass knuckles into the face of a jock from gaither for talking smack about Land o Lakes high in time with the beat. Frank is throwing up in the alley, he got a homeless guy to buy him a quart of old english. All along the strip are cars cruisin' bass booming out of every trunk, talk of noise ordinance laws being passed. Randy shows up in Zee cava Ruchis and a tank top. This much nostalgia makes me biased. So go, pay too much for parking, and food, and the big slide for the kids. It gets voted #1 neck and neck with siesta key.... Every Year. Just sit in a cabana by the water, someone with and iPad will walk buy and take your money. Do yourself a favor and get some Vitamin D, a grouper sammy from one of the frenchies, and an ice cream at the mint fox. Hurry... winter is coming...

Beach. Check. Ocean. Check. Shopping. Check. Restaurants. Check. This beach does, for the most part, have it all, and if not its close by. Being one of the most popular, by many Floridians, we could see why. This place is quite clean, and has about everything you would want or need close by to accommodate an all day beach outing. The parking in the area is terrible, and can be a bit pricey, but that shouldn't come to surprise. Showing up early is recommended to get a fair spot or even be able to visit in the first place. Traffic on the way here can be difficult to navigate due to popularity. There is also a pier that has some items for the tourist in you. Check out that also while here. it was our first visit to Clearwater, and the next time we come we may revisit. The beach, as mentioned, was clean, had warm water, and had shopping, and many restaurants in the area. Lifeguards are on duty here. They also have cabana's on the beach, don't be fooled. THEY ARE NOT FREE! $40 for the day, or you could execute walking into Surf Style's shop and buying your own shade for $30 and owning it for life. It may also make a nice shade at home or awesome souvenir. Be sure to check out Surf Style while across the street. Truthfully you may want to stop there prior to hitting the beach to get anything you may have forgot.......

One of our favorite getaway places! Great beach areas, entertainment, lodging, and food places all within walking distance.

We have stayed in Clearwater Beach for the last few years during the month of March for the Phillies Spring Training, renting a 3 bedroom condo and having numerous family members visit throughout the month; unfortunately this will be our last. Overdevelopment: We stay at the South Beach where 1 new large hotel has gone up (AC Marriott), and 2 new large ones are under construction, 1 being 15 stories. This block views of the Gulf unless staying at these hotels and it will flood the area with around thousand people and cars, in to what is an already congested beach. Walkway right at the beach between 2 construction sites is narrow and unlit at night. Beach: has been overrun with cabanas and umbrellas (pictures attached). They take up the majority of the beach space, leaving little beach in the front or way in the back to place personal chairs and umbrellas. The cabanas are set up every morning whether rented or not. To enjoy the beach you have to get there early to claim space or rent, which is not conducive for lengthy rentals. Security: Spring Break has gotten rowdier, including a shooting at Surf Style where someone was killed. I have witnessed scenes of rowdiness all along the beach without a Police Officer in sight. I am sure the Police are doing their best, but I don't understand why there is not a physical police presence walking around or on bikes. We did not feel comfortable numerous times just walking around. I understand that the development and beach utilization falls under their financially driven business plan, but Clearwater Beach has lost their direction as a family friendly location. I can no longer recommend it as a 'go to' beach. If I come back to the area I'm moving on to a different beach.

Not impressed with this beach. It's crowded, parking is impossible to find and expensive. The vibes here are congested and claustrophobic not relaxed and care free beachy.

For many years, Clearwater Beach has been consistently named one of the best beaches in America. After visiting for the first time, I can say that it is definitely lives up to its reputation. As others have mentioned, this beach has a very soft and super white sand. Its Gulf waters were also as its name suggests crystal clear. Right next to the beach are also many hotels, stores, restaurants and bars along Mandalay Avenue making it extremely convenient for visitors. The only thing that may turn off some visitors is that it is fairly crowded. However, the beach was clean and is visited mostly by families, so it is still relaxing.

Magnificent. The water was clear and seaweed free, the sand was silky smooth and the location was amazing. A big pier to walk around where you can fish. There's a lot of nice restaurant to go to as well as boat rides. Take The Sea Screamer. They'll bring you out to see dolphins and sometimes they follow the boats and you can see them jump behind. I came here through Real Florida Adventures and would definitely return. Anyone who wants to visit the Florida beaches need to come here.

THIS is my favorite beach vacation I ever had!!! This place has it all!!! We were here for a week recently and loved it. EVERYTHING is within walking distance...restaurants, bars, stores, ice cream, marina, pier. You absolutely don't need a car here, we walked everywhere. A beautiful beach with white powdered sand and pristine clear water (get it? Clearwater?). We had a marvelous time and would definitely vacation here again!!!

Nice walking along the beach, paved. Windy. White sandy beaches. Sand is so soft and powdery. Some beach v-ball going on tonight. So nice for an evening walk. Lots of folks all over the beach. It's quite animated out here tonight.

We asked people in Orlando what beach should we visit. Several people told us to come to Clearwater Beach! We looked it up on Yelp and made out way here! This beach is awesome!!! It's clean, white powder sand beaches and warm water. What more can we ask for!!! Amazing beach just an hour and half away from our resort. I highly recommend this beach!!!

This is the best beach in the USA hands down always clean easy access not a bunch of crazies and riffraff You can always find a room at affordable rate okay food great sunsets plent y of itineraries https://youtu.be/_Mm9HS3oPFc

We had beautiful weather. The ocean was so clear you could see the bottom. The beach was clean! Loved it!

Such a beautiful and clean beach. Everyone is friendly, and there's always live music going on everywhere. My personal favorites are Crabbys, Palm pavilion, shephards and their tiki bar, Marina cantina and the number one place I love on the beach is Brown Boxer! Also there is a beach shuttle called Way2Go Rides that does rides anywhere on the beach for just $10. It's great because when weather is bad or if you want to drink and not walk back to your hotel, they will get you! They also do airport rides to Tampa and st Pete and will pick you up and take you back so no need for a rental car. Best atmosphere in the area!

The place to be. White sand for days and sand that will squeak when you walk. People here are amazing too

Depends on what you are looking for, makes a difference on whether or not you'll want to stay here. Full of things to do, mostly eating, drinking , live music and beach time, Clearwater Beach can be a fun place to meet friends and have good times. If you plan on staying in Clearwater for more than 3 weeks you may start to get a little bored with the area and it's noise, drunks, police, fire truck and ambulance noises all hours of the day and night. To drive anywhere can take awhile if you are not used to a lot of traffic. People are friendly. If you own a boat and can dock it somewhere close and or bring your own bike then you can use this type of travel as well. Beautiful sunsets.

Best USA Beach ever... 40 plus years coming here from the north... White sand, friendly people, great places to eat from adults and kids... Family memories to be had!!

Probably one of the best beaches around and in the United States. Beautiful white sand beach, plenty of sandy real estate, many a lot to do around Clearwater beach. Definitely known as a tourist beach instead of a locals beach. But for good reason. There are plenty of hotels, restaurants, bars and activities around. I used to come here as a kids visiting from New York City and now I live here. It definitely lured me. Pro tip, if you aren't staying on Clearwater beach and driving in, get there early. Parking fills up very quickly and you will spend time driving around. Most places you do have to pay to park.

I was never fond of public beaches because there are too many people around, so it's kind of hard to mind your own business. There are too many uneducated people coming here. I was scolded by multiple old ladies for wearing a normal bikini that covers my bottom and my chest that everyone else was wearing. They should be yelling at their husbands, and not me for going to the gym. There are too many unhealthy, malicious, judge-mental people who don't work on themselves coming here.

Amazing views, white sandy beach. Definitely a bucket list box checker. Lots of shells, sand dollars and starfish fun to see.

It was a fairly nice beach and we loved it here. But we went to siesta key beach the next day and it was so much better. We went to siesta key twice!! Parking here is more difficult to find. Mostly street parking a few blocks from the beach And it's pay by plate for $3.50 per hour with a max of 5 hours before you would have to pay again to extend it. Be warned though that there is a private lot that you can park in but they charge a flat rate of over $40 regardless of how long you will stay. Have showers to rinse off sand afterwards also.

After going to Siesta Key beach, I have to downgrade Clearwater beach to 4 stars. Clean water. More greenish than blue. White sands. Close to shops and boat tours on the bay side. Paid parking. Some parking lots are $39 for the whole day (no option for hourly parking) We found an hourly parking space. Parking attendant is very diligent in checking expired parking time so be sure to get back to your car before then.

Beautiful beach off the gulf of bay west part of Florida. White sands and beautiful clear water. This was a super relaxing beach with a lot of nearby places to eat and to walk. The tides are pretty safe and the beach is clean. Safety enforcement is all around so you know you are safe. Also no liquor on the beach is enforced so that helps keep the calmness vibe. They have cool restaurants all around and even a buffet cruise boat near where they take you around the gulf with music and great food. There are also many activities like jet skiing and jet boating. The water is clean and so is the beach all around. A nice relaxing beach around the gulf. Must see!

My mom sister and I all came to this beach for a break from Disney. We drove about an hour and a half to get here, and I don't really think it was worth it. The beach was overrun with people, and there were so many cabanas blocking the beach. We ended up renting one and it was nice. The water was clear and really pretty, but again, my real problem was all the people. There was no EV charging stations and we had to drive to Tampa to charge our car. Overall, I recommend going to a less popular beach.

First time coming here and I am speechless as to how nice and beautiful the beach was. It is tough finding parking and we found a lot just a block away that charged $40. The beach does offer cabanas and chairs and umbrellas for a fee, we got the cabana but the staff never came around to collect payment. The sand feels cool and the water was so warm, if you havent been here yet, I suggest coming here asap.

WOW ! The name speaks for itself. The water is so beautiful and the sand is so light in color. There is plenty of parking along the beach itself and the area is very nice and clean. It is a perfect place to bring a family to enjoy the sun and waves. A small pier with a restaurant is located along the way but there are so many other restaurants that it is literally hard to choose where you would like to dine. Clearwater also has its own boat marina in which you can pay to get on a selected boat to go on the water to go dolphin watching or to go fishing if decide. And there a SO MANY boats to choose from. There are also so many hotels you can choose to stay in that face the ocean and get that wonderful view !

Beautiful soft powder sand, warm calm water, and an amazing view. Can't beat the gulf when it comes to the beach.

Clearwater is one of Florida's most famous and visited beaches, and for really good reason. It's gorgeous. The sand is some of the softest of all the gulf beaches, it's literally therapy between your toes. And yes, the water is pretty darn clear most days, as the name suggests. But being one of the most famous beaches, means that everybody and their dog and their dogs grandma and their long lost half brother comes here. It's almost unbelievable how busy it can get at Clearwater on the right day. Like, I don't know how there's enough room for all the people who come sometimes. Even though Clearwater isn't my personal favorite beach or even on my top list, I really do get why people love it. First of all, it's gorgeous and the location is really accessible. Clearwater has its own airport and its only about an hour from the Tampa airport. And everything directly on Clearwater Beach is also super accessible and walkable by foot. That's a huge one especially for tourists. There are dozens of restaurants and shops that are within a few minutes walk straight off the beach. But what I don't love it how commercialized everything is. The buildings are super tall, there are way too many tourist trap stores, and overall it's just such a bustling area and doesn't exactly make for an entirely relaxing day. Plus, if you do drive there parking is so expensive- basically minimum $15 for the whole day unless you know someone. But it's definitely a stunning and viable beach vacation option.

Lots of construction (can't relax and get some quite time), zero parking, mediocre overpriced food by the beach with murky dirty water. Zero stars Florida.