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Going to Florida soon and looking for unique things to do in Clearwater Beach? We’ve got you covered!
Tampa Bay is one of the best places to visit in Florida. It’s home to beautiful beaches and stunning state parks!
I lived in St Petersburg for a few months and got to know the area well and Clearwater is a fun place, definitely worth checking and spending time there!
🗒️ Planning a trip to Clearwater Beach FL?
Whether you are already in Florida or just want the short version of this article, this is for you!
☀️ Top Experiences To Book in Advance in Clearwater Beach FL:
- ⛵ Sailing cruise Clearwater Beach (unique 5-star experience!)
- 🐬 Dolphin Cruise Clearwater (most popular cruise & perfect for families)
- 🎉 Calypso Tropical Party Cruise (best party cruise)
In this article, you will discover fun things to do in Clearwater Beach and a couple of day trip ideas!
This includes cool things to do during Spring break but also fun things to do in Clearwater Beach with kids. A bit of everything!
1. 🌊 Relax on the Beach
Let’s start with the most obvious one — and for good reason!
Clearwater Beach is regularly voted one of the best beaches in the United States. Long and wide, with sugar-white sand and crystal-clear shallow water, it really is everything you’d expect from a Florida beach.
There’s a lovely promenade running the whole length of it, perfect for a stroll or a cycle. Bars and ice cream parlours are dotted all along the way, so treat yourself to a refreshing break!
The water is pretty shallow which is brilliant for kids.
There are loads of beach tents and umbrellas you can rent too.
It does get busy — especially during spring break — so get there early to grab a good spot!
2. ⛵ Go on a Sailing Cruise
When it comes to unique things to do in Clearwater, a sailing cruise is right at the top of the list!
The beach is beautiful from the shore, but getting out on the water takes the whole experience to another level.
With this sailing cruise, you’ll leave from the marina and sail around for 2 hours. You’ll discover Sand Key Park and the stunning Caladesi Island — one of Florida’s most beautiful hidden gems — before heading back to Pier 60.
The captain is super friendly and really makes the experience even better!
3. 🐬 Go on a Dolphin Cruise
One of the best things about the Gulf of Mexico is that it’s full of dolphins!
If you’re staying in a beachfront hotel or Airbnb, you’ll probably spot them jumping around from your window. But if you want to see them up close, a dolphin cruise is the way to go.
Kids obviously love it — but I promise adults get just as excited about these beautiful creatures!
It’s also one of the more affordable activities in Clearwater, which is always a bonus.
4. 🚶 Walk on Pier 60
Pier 60 is one of the best viewpoints in the whole area!
Walk along it for amazing views over Clearwater Beach, keep an eye out for dolphins jumping in the water, and look out for the cute dolphin art sculptures dotted along the way.
It’s also one of the best spots in Clearwater to watch the sunset — absolutely stunning.
A lot of people head there in the evening for the famous sunset celebration, so get there early if you want a good spot!
5. 🌅 Go on a Sunset Cruise
If you’d rather enjoy the sunset from out on the water, a sunset cruise is a brilliant option.
Sailing the Gulf of Mexico at golden hour is something really special — and it’s surprisingly affordable too.
Note that drinks and wristbands are not included, so factor that in when budgeting!
6. 🎉 Go on a Tropical Party Cruise
This one is for the spring breakers — but honestly, anyone who loves a good time will enjoy it!
The tropical party cruise takes you cruising around the Gulf with unlimited rum punch, beer and wine all included. You can even add a meal if you fancy it.
The evening cruise is the best one — there’s a DJ and you can dance the night away!
So much fun!
And if you’re planning a bachelorette party in Florida, this would be a brilliant option too!
Click here to see the latest prices.
7. 🔍 Do a Scavenger Hunt
Whether you’re travelling with kids or friends, a scavenger hunt is always a great shout!
It’s super fun and a brilliant way to explore Clearwater and learn more about the area at the same time.
Here is how it works. You need to book your Scavenger hunt first, you’ll get access to an app that gives you a list of objects to find around the city.
Each one earns you points and you can see your live score as you go.
If you like a bit of competition, you’ll absolutely love it! And if you get stuck, you can contact the host for hints.
It’s cheap, flexible and can be done whenever you want — perfect for fitting into any itinerary!
Click here to see the latest prices.
8. 🌺 Go on a Tiki Boat Cruise
Looking for unusual things to do in Clearwater? This one is for you!
Tiki bars are very much a Florida thing, and a Tiki Boat Cruise takes that vibe out onto the water.
You’ll meet at 25 Causeway Boulevard, board the tiki boat and cruise around Clearwater Beach with beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico.
The best bit? The bar gives you access to coolers, ice and a blender — so you pick up your ingredients beforehand and make your own cocktails on board. No overpriced beach drinks, just good vibes and homemade cocktails on the water!
The captain also takes you to spots where you’re likely to see dolphins and manatees. Pretty cool, right?
Click here to see the latest prices.
9. 🚲 Explore Clearwater Beach by Bike
Clearwater — and Florida in general — is wonderfully flat, which makes it a brilliant place for cycling!
Rent a bicycle and roam around downtown, along the beach and on the promenade at your own pace.
It’s relaxed, fun and a great way to see more of the area. The bikes are also really pretty — perfect for photos!
10. 🤿 Go Scuba Diving
The Florida Keys might be the most famous spot for scuba diving in Florida, but Clearwater has a lot to offer too!
If you’ve never dived before, this is a brilliant place to try an introductory session. The instructor will teach you everything — no experience needed.
If you’re already a certified diver, there are several companies near the beach worth checking out. 2 Shea Charters is a popular one, running both scuba diving and fishing trips.
11. 🛴 Go on a Segway Tour
Want to see more of Clearwater without walking miles? A Segway tour is a really fun option!
You’ll cover an 8-mile loop with a guide, taking in the Causeway Bridge, Old Clearwater and Pier 60.
It’s much easier than it looks, suitable for everyone, and the views along the way are absolutely stunning.
Click here to see the latest prices.
12. 🐠 Visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
If you’re a fan of the movie Dolphin Tale, this one will mean a lot to you!
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is where Winter the Dolphin — the famous prosthetic-tailed dolphin from the film — lived for most of her life. Sadly, Winter passed away in November 2021, but her legacy lives on at the aquarium and she is deeply missed by everyone who visited.
The aquarium is still very much worth visiting. It’s a working marine rescue centre, and you’ll find rescued dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays and more.
One of the highlights is the stingray experience — a few times a day, the carers come in and let you touch them. They are incredibly soft! Don’t worry, they’re not dangerous at all.
There are also scuba divers in the tanks, and you can ask them questions by writing on a little blackboard — they write back! It’s a really fun touch.
You can check the latest admission prices and book tickets on the Clearwater Marine Aquarium website.
Pro tip: If you are planning on exploring the area quite a bit and go to Busch Gardens in Tampa, then it will work out cheaper to take the Tampa Bay City Pass. It includes 5 major attractions. That will save you a lot of money. See prices here.
13. 💃 Dance at Shephard’s Beach Resort
Shephard’s Beach Resort is one of the best places to go for drinks and dancing in Clearwater!
It has a big outdoor terrace, a private beach and really good food — so it works brilliantly as a lunch or dinner spot too.
In the evenings, it comes alive with live shows and some seriously impressive DJ sets. Robin Schulz and Paul Oakenfold have both played there — not bad for a beach bar!
The music runs all day, with the headliner closing out the night.
My tip: get there before sunset, grab a drink and head down to the private beach to watch the sun go down. The perfect start to a big night!
14. 🛶 Go on a Clear Kayak Tour
If you want to do something a bit unusual in Clearwater, a clear kayak tour is an excellent choice!
Unlike regular kayaks, clear kayaks are completely see-through — which means you can see the water and all the marine life directly underneath you.
The marine wildlife in Tampa Bay is incredible, and being able to watch fish swimming beneath your kayak is a really special experience.
You can book one of the guided tours — like this one — where your guide takes you to all the best spots to see the most interesting creatures.
15. 🌿 Visit Sand Key Park
Here’s a local secret: most tourists rush straight to Clearwater Beach, but very few make it to Sand Key Park — and honestly, I think it’s even prettier!
Located just south of Clearwater Beach, Sand Key is easy to reach by car. There are walking paths to explore, loads of picnic tables (bring food and drinks!), and a beautiful, much quieter beach to relax on.
If you’re looking for a non-touristy thing to do in Clearwater, this is it!
16. 🌉 Soak Up the Views from Sand Key Bridge
This is one of the most underrated spots in Clearwater — most locals don’t even realise how good the views are here!
The Sand Key Bridge connects Clearwater to Sand Key Park, and the walking path along it offers some genuinely stunning views.
Walk both ways so you can take in both sides: on one side, you get beautiful views of Clearwater with the skyscrapers reflected in the crystal-clear water. On the other, you can see Sand Key Park and Clearwater Beach.
It’s a bit noisy with passing traffic, but your eyes will thank you!he bridge is pretty noisy with the cars driving by. Your ears might not like it but your eyes will love it!
17. 🎣 Hire a Fishing Charter
Fishing is a big deal in Clearwater, and it’s easy to see why — you’re right on the Gulf of Mexico!
With a fishing charter, you’ll cruise out into the Gulf with an experienced guide and even head over to Caladesi Island. It might not be for everyone, but it’s a very Florida thing to do and visitors absolutely love it.
Click here to see the latest prices.
18. 🚁 Go on a Helicopter Tour
Want to see just how beautiful Clearwater and Tampa Bay really are? See it from the sky!
Several beaches here are consistently ranked among the best in Florida — and quite a few have made the top 10 in the whole USA. From a helicopter, you’ll understand why instantly.
The tour is run by Tampa Bay Aviation and takes off right from Clearwater. You’ll fly over the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Clearwater Beach (keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and stingrays!), the famous all-pink Don CeSar Hotel on St Pete Beach, and finish over Tropicana Field — home of the Tampa Bay Rays. So much to see in one go!
It’s genuinely an experience of a lifetime. 🌴
With all these fun and unique things to do in Clearwater Beach, you are guaranteed an amazing time in Florida! 🌴
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