10 Best Beaches in Clearwater

Clearwater Beach, a 2.5-mile (4-km) stretch on a unique barrier island, is regularly voted one of the best beaches in the US. Its sugar-soft sand and tranquil waters are perfect for snorkeling, paddleboarding, or just relaxing. 

Clearwater is known for its laid-back vibe, seafood restaurants, and family-centered activities like the Clearwater Aquarium and Pier 60, which extends 1,080 ft (307 meters) into the sea and buzzes with activities, fun rides, and a nightly celebration with street performers. Arrive early in the summer months as parking can be a challenge. Or, if you are staying in the area, take the Clearwater Jolly Trolly up and down the island. Children 8 and under ride for free. 

If you’re traveling with your 4-legged friend, North Beach is pet friendly, so you can enjoy the signature white sand and translucent water of the Clearwater coast together. Since it’s a little further from town than the main beach, it’s less crowded and means dogs on leashes are welcome. But do remember to take your own pick-up bags.

Parking is available at Somerset Street from where you can and walk along the beach. Note that there are no bathroom facilities at this part of the beach, however, there are a lot of great restaurants and other amenities within walking distance. Call ahead to check which ones are dog-friendly.

Sand Key Beach, just over the bridge from Clearwater, is a peaceful haven for nature lovers where loggerhead turtles nest from May to October. The beach borders Sand Key Park, which has nature trails to explore and salt marshes that attract migratory sea birds like bright pink roseate spoonbills, woodpeckers, and songbirds. Visit Clearwater Pass on the park's northern edge to spot dolphins and pelicans.

Sand Key is largely undeveloped, but it has everything you need for a family day at the beach, including a spacious parking lot, bathrooms, a playground for kids, and beach equipment to rent. Ask the lifeguards in the summer months if you need a beach wheelchair.

Oasis Beach is a beautiful sandy stretch on Honeymoon Island State Park with views of Clearwater on the horizon. A natural setting with powdery sand and warm shallow waters, it’s ideal for families. Sometimes visitors see dolphins frolicking in the water.

Head to the island’s 3-mile (4.8-km) nature trail to explore its rare, virgin slash pine forest where you’ll see its birds and wildlife, from eagles and great horned owls to armadillos and gopher tortoises. Visit the Rotary Centennial Nature Center to learn the fascinating story of the hurricane that separated the island from Caladesi Island.

Indian Rocks Beach stretches 2 miles (3.2 km) along the Sand Key barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico. It’s the perfect place to unwind with its sweeping stretch of soft sand, gentle surf, and laid-back vibe.

The beach is wheelchair accessible with ramps and restrooms. Nearby, you'll find plenty of bar and grill options, a limited paid car park, and free parking further back. Indian Rocks Beach is a quiet spot to relax removed from bustling Clearwater and other, more crowded beaches in the area. Stay for the stunning sunsets over the water.

Caladesi Island State Park is an untouched natural area surrounded by mangrove forest and sandy beaches dappled with shells just waiting for you to collect. You can only access it by private boat, ferry, or kayak from Honeymoon Island.

You can also rent kayaks on Caladesi Island to explore the unique mangrove habitat canoe trail which starts at the marina and winds through mangrove forest under the shade of its canopy. Kayakers often spot great egrets, osprey, bright pink roseate spoonbills, and sometimes dolphins and manatees. Ferry tickets to Caladesi give you 4 hours on the island. Make sure to check the schedule before you go as they stop running mid-afternoon.

Belleair Beach is a secluded, laid-back beach with no facilities, restaurants, or crowds along its peaceful shores. Located in a quiet residential area on the Clearwater Beach barrier island, it’s home to sea turtles and sea bird nesting sites.

You’ll see some of the most exclusive waterfront properties on Florida’s west coast in Belleair. If you book a vacation anywhere along the water, you get private access to the secluded beach. Otherwise, parking is paid but make sure to get and display a parking sticker to avoid a fine as patrols are frequent.

Honeymoon Island State Park Beach is a sanctuary for nature and wildlife lovers. The 4-mile-long beach is tranquil and private with clean water and white sand. Families love the gentle surf, wildlife spotting on the biking and hiking trails, and tide pools at low tide.

Behind the beach, the rugged 2-mile Osprey Trail is a loop trail with splash pines, palmettos, and lots of wildlife, including armadillos and gopher tortoises, eagles and ospreys, and even great horned owls. Mosquitos can be pesky on the trail so take repellent.

Madeira Beach, known locally as “Mad Beach,” is ranked among the best beaches in the USA. Its relaxed, family vibe and 2.5-mile (4-km) sandy stretch make it perfect for a lazy beach day. Families love the calm, shallow waters and hunting for sand dollars and coral in the soft white sand.

Madeira Beach is famed for its family-friendly activities like the Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center and the immersive Pirate Cruise. You won’t want to miss the seafood restaurants in the “Grouper Capital of the World.” Try the casual dining spots at John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk at the southern end of the beach where you can also go boardwalk shopping and book water activities.

Sunset Beach is a charming and laid-back beach community on Clearwater’s Treasure Island. It’s one of Tampa Bay’s most popular spots but it’s less built up than Clearwater Beach and has an unusually wide stretch of sand, so it never feels crowded. It also means you have to walk a bit before you get to the shore

It’s an idyllic spot to relax or rent kayaks or paddleboards. Head to the boardwalk around the tip of Treasure Island where Blind Pass meets the Gulf of Mexico for good fishing or an unhurried stroll to enjoy the sunset.