Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach is a famous white-sand beach on a barrier island along the Gulf coast of Florida, just west of the city of Tampa. It sits on the warm, calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and is one of the most popular family beaches in the whole United States.
Clearwater Beach is famous for its soft, powdery white sand and its gentle, shallow water that is perfect for kids to splash and swim. People love it for the beautiful sunsets, the fun Pier 60 festival every evening, and the many dolphins you can spot just offshore.
The Sunny Weather
Clearwater Beach enjoys warm, sunny weather almost all year, with over 360 days of sunshine reported each year. Summers are hot and humid with quick afternoon rain showers, while winters are mild and comfortable, making it a favorite escape from the cold.
The Beach and Gulf Waters
The beach has soft white sand made mostly of tiny quartz crystals that stay cool under your feet. The water of the Gulf of Mexico is warm, clear, and calm with gentle waves, which makes swimming, wading, and building sandcastles safe and fun for little ones.
Dolphins and Sea Life
Bottlenose dolphins live in the waters around Clearwater and are often seen jumping near boats and the shore. The nearby Clearwater Marine Aquarium rescues hurt sea animals like dolphins, sea turtles, and stingrays, and it was home to Winter the dolphin with her famous prosthetic tail.
Pier 60 Sunset Festival
Every evening around sunset, Pier 60 comes alive with a festival full of street performers, jugglers, musicians, and artists selling crafts. Families gather on the sand to watch the sky turn pink and orange as the sun sinks into the Gulf, and there are free outdoor movies for kids on some nights.
Fun on the Water
There are lots of water activities for families, like riding a pirate-themed sightseeing boat, parasailing high above the beach, and taking dolphin-watching cruises. You can also rent kayaks and paddleboards or ride a jet ski across the calm bay waters.
Fishing and Birds
People fish right off Pier 60 and on boat trips into the Gulf, catching fish like snapper, grouper, and Spanish mackerel. Many shore birds live here too, including brown pelicans that dive for fish, tall herons, and funny little sandpipers that run along the water's edge.
History of the Beach
Long ago the area was home to Native American people, and the modern town grew in the late 1800s after a fort was built nearby. Over the years Clearwater Beach became a popular seaside resort, and today it is often named one of the best beaches in America by travelers and experts.