There’s just something exquisitely special about the sand on Clearwater Beach. It’s soft. It’s warm. It’s sugar white and, of course, there’s tons of it, literally. Run your toes through it once and you’re hooked; it’s soothing, magical, addictive and award-winning, making sand the ultimate reason visitors trek here from all over the world.
Nearly four miles of wide white beach, warm Gulf of Mexico waters and year-round moderate temperatures add up to perfect conditions for visitors. Choices for lodging are plentiful, from a variety of beachfront resorts with glorious views to off-beach cottages, boutique inns and intimate hotels. No worries if you have chosen an off-beach property, the public part of Clearwater Beach will suit your needs perfectly. This action-packed beach offers fun for all with a long fishing pier, kids’ playground, welcome center, refreshment stands and cabana and umbrella rentals.
Clearwater Beach celebrates its jaw-dropping sunsets each night with Sunsets at Pier 60 where artisans, craftsmen, buskers and musicians gather to provide entrainment for all against the backsplash of the setting sun.
On weekends, PG-rated movies ore offered under the stars-free admission but bring your own blanket or beach chair. For more activities, the public Clearwater Beach Marina offers dolphin watching cruises, fishing charters, dinner cruises and watercraft rentals.
A couple of miles north of the public beach lies North Beach, a more laid-back expanse of sand and shore where no commercial services are offered and parking facilities are limited. Hop the Clearwater Jolley Trolley for easy access and head there for tranquil gulf views, an aura of picturesque serenity and irresistible beauty.
Just a mile south of the public beach is county-run Sand Key Pork, a 95-acre combo nature park and beach that features hiking trails, picnic tables, a concession, a doggy pork, umbrella and cabana rentals and some of the prettiest stretches of sand and sea you can ever imagine. Open down to dusk, there is a daily parking fee of five dollars.
Clearwater Beach celebrates its grandeur each year during the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, a 10-day event with sand sculpting, music, food and games. The 2016 event will run from April 15 to 24. Visit http://www.sugarsandfestival.com for more information.