Clearwater

Travel Guide
Clearwater Beach featuring a coastal town and a beach
See the cradle of Scientology, visit the famous bottlenose dolphins from Dolphin Tale and try water sports at the stunning beaches.

Clearwater is a delightful beach town with all types of water sports activities and an entertaining pier area. It is also known across the globe as the headquarters of the mysterious and controversial Church of Scientology. Sunbathe on the gorgeous beaches and learn about the notorious religion of Tom Cruise and John Travolta in this intriguing town.

Among the town’s highlights is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is known for rescuing injured sea creatures. See the famous bottlenose dolphins Winter and Hope from the Dolphin Tale movie. Winter has a prosthetic replacement for her tail, which was caught in a crab trap line.

Get around the town center via the Suncoast Beach Trolley. Visit the majestic building of the Church of Scientology, which the religion considers a 21st-century cathedral. Drop in at the Church of Scientology Information Center to learn more about this enigmatic belief system.

Enjoy the picturesque scenery in the region while you practice your swing at Cove Cay Golf Course. Enjoy a meal at its grill restaurant against a picturesque backdrop of the lake and the bay. Bring your kids to Congo River Golf – Clearwater for a course of miniature golf that leads through waterfalls, caves and tropical rainforests.

Take advantage of the year-round warm weather with a trip to Pier 60. Note that August is particularly wet, with afternoon storms. Watch the lightning during tempests and the sunset on a clear day. At Clearwater Beach rent Jet Skis and kayaks to take out on the water.

The town is located on the western outskirts of Tampa in the western section of central Florida. Fly to the Saint Petersburg Clearwater International Airport or the Tampa International Airport, a 30-minute drive east across Old Tampa Bay from the town. See some of Florida’s other famous nearby towns, such as Largo, St. Petersburg and Palm Harbor.

Clearwater is a haven for golfers, beachgoers and Scientologists.

Where to stay in Clearwater

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Feather Sound

3.5/5(7 area reviews)

Beaches, restaurants, and shopping are just a few things travelers enjoy about Feather Sound. Check out Tampa Bay or Feather Sound Country Club while you're exploring the area.

Feather Sound
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Highpoint

While Highpoint isn't home to many top sights, Tampa Bay Grand Prix and Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex are some notable places to visit nearby.

Highpoint
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On Top of The World

Though On Top of The World might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Celebration Station and Westfield Countryside Mall.

On Top of The World
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Cove Cay

While visiting Cove Cay, you might make a stop by sights like Tampa Bay and Cove Cay Golf Club.

Cove Cay
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Woodgate

Though Woodgate might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Westfield Countryside Mall and Celebration Station.

Woodgate
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Windsor Park

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Windsor Park and surrounding area, you can visit Florida Auto Exchange Stadium - Dunedin Blue Jays and Dunedin Stadium.

Windsor Park
SureStay Hotel by Best Western St. Pete Clearwater Airport
SureStay Hotel by Best Western St. Pete Clearwater Airport
2.5 out of 5
Clearwater
The price is CA $97 per night from Jun. 4 to Jun. 5
CA $97
CA $110 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 4 - Jun 5
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,059 reviews)
"Very friendly staff and clean rooms"

Reviewed on May 22, 2024

SureStay Hotel by Best Western St. Pete Clearwater Airport
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham St. Pete-Clearwater Airpt
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham St. Pete-Clearwater Airpt
2.5 out of 5
Clearwater
The price is CA $109 per night from May 27 to May 28
CA $109
CA $123 total
includes taxes & fees
May 27 - May 28
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
4.8/10 (1,001 reviews)
"Good location"

Reviewed on May 18, 2024

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham St. Pete-Clearwater Airpt
Days Inn by Wyndham Clearwater/Gulf to Bay
Days Inn by Wyndham Clearwater/Gulf to Bay
2 out of 5
2940 Gulf To Bay Blvd, Clearwater, FL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $98 per night from May 30 to May 31
CA $98
CA $110 total
includes taxes & fees
May 30 - May 31
Stay at this hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (1,021 reviews)
"Nice place to stay"

Reviewed on May 22, 2024

Days Inn by Wyndham Clearwater/Gulf to Bay
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
AVALON RESORT, LUXURY CUSTOM 2/2 BEACH THEMED CONDO, HEATED POOL, CLOSE TO BEACH
AVALON RESORT, LUXURY CUSTOM 2/2 BEACH THEMED CONDO, HEATED POOL, CLOSE TO BEACH
Clearwater
Stay at this condo in Clearwater. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Sand Key Park and Beach Walk are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (11 reviews)
Birthday/family trip
"I loved the condo. Very comfy & felt at home. I loved how the stores was close. The heated pool was everything. We had everything we needed. If you hesitating to stay don’t. 10/10 I didn’t want to leave."

Reviewed on May 2, 2024

AVALON RESORT, LUXURY CUSTOM 2/2 BEACH THEMED CONDO, HEATED POOL, CLOSE TO BEACH
Discover the tranquility of charming  ground floor Avalon Condo Clearwater Beach
Discover the tranquility of charming ground floor Avalon Condo Clearwater Beach
Clearwater
Stay at this condo in Clearwater. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and balconies. Popular attractions Sand Key Park and Beach Walk are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (17 reviews)
Great stay
"It was a great place to stay , very clean and quiet. Host was very nice and informative. Would definitely come here again."

Reviewed on May 19, 2024

Discover the tranquility of charming ground floor Avalon Condo Clearwater Beach
Vacation Home w/ billiard game room and sleep up to 16 people with heated pool.
Vacation Home w/ billiard game room and sleep up to 16 people with heated pool.
Clearwater
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Clearwater. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and a pool table. Popular attractions Sand Key Park and Beach Walk ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (19 reviews)
Great VRBO home
"We had three families stay in the house over spring break. There are multiple bedrooms and tons of space so there was never any crowding or uncomfortableness. Worked out perfect to have the teens on one wing of the house since they were up late every night. Pool and hot tub area is beautiful. Lots ..."

Reviewed on Apr. 12, 2024

Vacation Home w/ billiard game room and sleep up to 16 people with heated pool.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Clearwater

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
26
" "5 - Excellent 41.26984126984127%
4 - Good
28
" "4 - Good 44.44444444444444%
3 - Okay
8
" "3 - Okay 12.698412698412698%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 1.5873015873015872%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Feb. 29, 2020

Overall very good disappointed Jolly Trolley didn't stop as per their schedule people were very friendly

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Feb. 18, 2020

Very friendly people, all the amenities you'd need, and access to everything was very good. Traffic was decent - no big delays or tie ups.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Feb. 16, 2020

It’s beautiful

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Feb. 9, 2020

Overall an excellent experience for what we needed. The Clearwater area was great for transportation, eating and ubering. Lots to see and do.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
Feb. 3, 2020

I would stay closer to Indian Rocks if I was going to be visiting for a few days. We stayed here only because we were leaving on a flight very early in the morning the next day.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Jan. 1, 2020

Nice beach!

Cities near Clearwater