Clearwater Beach Activities

Brad Wester

Walk to Caladesi Island State Park

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Walk to Caladesi Island State Park

One of the reasons I love staying on the North Beach side of Clearwater Beach, Florida is that it makes it easier to walk to Caladesi Island State Park. Caladesi Island State Park is one of the completely natural islands along Florida’s Gulf Coast. The pristine Gulf Coast island is filled with mangroves, peaceful hiking trails and quiet, soft, white beaches with palm trees even touching the calm waves of the ocean.

There are only two ways to get to Caladesi Island. You can take a 20-minute ferry ride from Honeymoon Island or you can walk to Caladesi Island from Clearwater Beach, Florida!

Yes, you can walk from Clearwater Beach to Caladesi Island. The two islands weren’t always connected, but they are now. The islands used to be separated by Dunedin Pass. In the 1980s sand began to accumulate, narrowing the pass. Then in 1985, Hurricane Elena rolled up the Gulf Coast of Florida, sealing the pass completely. With Dunedin Pass sealed, Clearwater Beach and Caladesi Island became connected, making it possible to walk from Clearwater Beach to Caladesi Island.

The walk to Caladesi Island State Park from Clearwater Beach is beautiful, but it isn’t a short walk. Before setting out to walk from Clearwater to Caladesi Island, you should pack a small bag with water and a snack. If you’re staying on the North Side of Clearwater Beach (at or near Surfside Condominiums or the Villas of Clearwater Beach) the walk to Caladesi Island State Park is ~2.2 miles. That’s just the “entrance” of Caladesi Island State Park. I say “entrance” because it is only marked with a sign on the beach.

Caladesi Island State Park has public bathrooms and a small snack bar available towards the middle of the island. That area of Caladesi Island is just over a 3-mile walk. While the public bathrooms are always open, the snack bar may not be, so be sure to pack some water.

One of my favorite things about Caladesi Island is walking to the end of the beach on the north side of the island. It is an incredibly beautiful and peaceful area. With all of Caladesi and Clearwater Beach behind you, you can sit in the soft sand and watch boats travel in and out of Hurricane Pass, the pass separating Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island. With Caladesi Island being so narrow, you can easily tell you’re sitting on the furthest north part of the island. The beautiful view will leave you with a strong sense of accomplishment since it’s a far walk, and you can’t walk any further. From the North Beach area of Clearwater Beach, it’s a ~4.5-mile walk to get there.

Clearwater Beach Shells

Tips for the walk to Caladesi Island State Park

  • Pack some water and a snack.
  • Bring some sunscreen so you can reapply while you’re on the beach hike.
  • Check the weather before you go and avoid any pop-up rain showers.
  • Start the walk as it is transitioning from high tide to low tide. That way you’ll be able to make it there and back before it’s high tide. (I made this mistake once. One part of the walk to Caladesi Island involves walking past a small line of trees that touch the ocean waves even during low tide. Hit this area during high tide and instead of a cool wave washing across your toes, you may be knee-deep. This short part can be avoided by following a trail that leaves the beach, but the trail can hold water after rains as well.)

How much does it cost to visit Caladesi Island State Park?

By Walking…

  • $2 per person. Please pay at the ranger station.

By Boat…

  • $6 per boat (up to eight people); $2 for each additional person
  • $2 per kayaker

By Ferry from Honeymoon Island…

  • Entrance to Honeymoon Island: $8 per vehicle (2 to 8 people)
  • Entrance to Honeymoon Island: $4 single-occupant vehicle
  • Entrance to Honeymoon Island: $2 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass
  • Caladesi Connection Ferry fees: $16 per adult
  • Caladesi Connection Ferry fees: $8 for children ages 6 to 12
  • Caladesi Connection Ferry fees: Children 5 and under are free
  • No pets are allowed on the ferry

For updated costs, visit: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/caladesi-island-state-park

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Brad Wester

Clearwater Beach Rainy Day Activities

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Clearwater Beach Rainy Day Activities

We all dream of relaxing on the beach, feeling the soft sand between our toes and the warm sun on our skin… but that’s not every day at the beach. Sometimes it rains. I love sitting on the balcony, drink in hand, watching the rain. During a light rain, it’s relaxing. During a thunderstorm, it can be beautiful. But for kids, it’s often a boring day, stuck inside wishing to be on the beach. Instead of playing in the sand, you’re just stuck staring at it. If your kids are needing a place to go (or if you’re still a kid at heart and need a place to go yourself) here are some fun Clearwater Beach rainy day activities.

My Favorite Clearwater Beach Rainy Day Activities

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a must-do for the whole family! It’s not your typical aquarium. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a marine life rescue center focused on the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick or injured marine animals. While visiting the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, you’ll get a chance to meet Winter the dolphin, star and inspiration of the hit movies Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2, both filmed on location.

Tampa Bay Escape Room

The Tampa Bay Escape Room, located in downtown Clearwater, is a real-life escape room game! Perfect for video game enthusiasts, families and friends, you’ll race the clock to find clues, solve puzzles and crack codes that will allow you to the exit the room! Will you be able to beat the clock? The Tampa Bay Escape Room comes with three different escape rooms: Tragic Magic, Kidnapped and Cabin in the Woods.

Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI)

The Museum of Science & Industry, located in Tampa, is a great place for all day fun! The museum has exhibits on weather, dinosaurs, space, flight, natural disasters, human development life stages, an IMAX Dome Theater and the Saunders Planetarium. If the weather clears up while you’re at the museum, there’s also an outdoor ropes course and zip line!

AirHeads Trampoline Arena

If the rain has you trapped inside and your kids are full of energy, take them to AirHeads Trampoline Arena! AirHeads Trampoline Arena is a full, indoor, trampoline park making it a great place to escape the rain. Just jump around and have fun, play some AirSports like dodgeball or basketball, or have fun playing some arcade games!

Vertical Ventures – St. Pete

Vertical Ventures, located in St. Pete, is a State-of-the-art indoor climbing area! The 20,000 square foot facility features 40-foot tall routes with 80+ climbing lines. Whether you’re climbing for the first time, or if you’re a seasoned pro, you’ll find a safe but challenging, climbing area that fits your level.

 

These Clearwater Beach Rainy Day Activities will keep you moving and entertained during those cloudy and rainy days. I hope the sun comes out soon so you’ll back on the beach and won’t miss another beautiful Clearwater Beach sunset! If you’re looking for more fun things to do in Clearwater, check out: Clearwater Beach Family Activities.

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Brad Wester

Clearwater Beach Family Activities

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Clearwater Beach Family Activities - Captain Memo's Pirate Ship at Sunset

Clearwater Beach, Florida has been named the Best Family Beach for 2018! The criteria for the award involved: lifeguards, convenient restrooms, nearby activities, family-friendly lodging, and clean, calm waters! Clearwater Beach Vacation Rentals is full of family-friendly lodging options; including condominiums with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, full kitchens, beautiful beach views and fun swimming pools! Surfside Condominiums and The Villas of Clearwater Beach are perfectly located for the Clearwater Beach family activities that fill Clearwater Beach, Florida.

Clearwater Beach Family Activities

The beach itself is my favorite Clearwater Beach family activity! The large beach, filled with beautiful soft white sand makes a perfect place to lounge in the warm sun, toss a ball around, safely play soccer, build sandcastles or just go for a walk in search of beautiful seashells. The warm water and peaceful waves of the Gulf of Mexico provide a great place for kids to play in the ocean. You can even rent paddleboards, kayaks, beach bikes, comfy beach chairs, fishing gear, snorkels, skim boards, boogie boards and more at Clearwater Beach PaddleBoard and Rental Co. Clearwater Beach PaddleBoard and Rental Co. even provides free delivery and lessons!

Wanting to spend some more time on the water? Head down to the marina! The Clearwater Beach Marina is full of family activities. You can take a ride on the Sea Screamer, the world’s largest speedboat, rent jet ski’s, search for dolphins on the Little Toot Tug Boat for guaranteed dolphin sightings, embark on a journey filled with pirates on Captain Memo’s Pirate Ship or take in a relaxing sail on the Schooner Clearwater, a 52′ custom built sailboat!

If you’re searching for something to do on a cloudy or raining day, head over to Surf Style on South Beach. Inside the large store, you’ll have the chance to catch a wave on their indoor surfing area! If you’re not looking for the chance to go surfing, visit Winter the Dolphin – the inspiration behind the movie, Dolphin Tale!

Pier 60 is a great family-friendly area no matter what time of day it is, but if you go during the daily Clearwater Beach Sunset Festival you’ll find artisans, crafters, and street performers throughout the playground, beach walk and on the pier. Pier 60 is a great place to not only watch the beautiful Clearwater Beach sunsets but to celebrate each and every one! After sunset, you can even watch a free movie under the stars at Sunset Cinema. You can find out what movies are playing on different nights on the Sunset Cinema website.

If there isn’t a movie showing at the Sunset Cinema and you are searching for other Clearwater Beach family activities for the evening, check out Captain Bligh’s Landing! Captain Bligh’s Landing features 18 holes of mini-golf that go in and out of caves, past waterfalls and even through a wooden pirate ship! After a round of mini-golf, you can playarcade games in the Captain Bligh’s game room.

What’s your favorite Clearwater Beach family activity?

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Brad Wester

Clearwater Beach Weather & Events – March 2018

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Clearwater Beach, Florida

Clearwater Beach Weather – March 2018

March in Clearwater Beach, Florida holds average temperatures of 71° / 62°. March of 2018 is looking to be just as beautiful, and maybe even a little warmer! When looking at a long-range forecast, it appears as though we’re in for a beautiful month with the highs being in the mid to upper 70°s and a lot of sunshine! Perfect for a Clearwater Beach Spring Break!

Keep an eye on the Clearwater Beach Weather, including a live video, with the Clearwater Beach Weather Station hosted by Surfside Condominiums!

Clearwater Beach Events – March 2018

Clearwater Beach Pier 60 Sunset Festival

Clearwater Beach, Florida is known for its beautiful sunsets, and they celebrate them every day! The Pier 60 Sunset Festival starts 2 hours before and ends 2 hours after sunset, every day of the year. The festival is full of artisans, crafters, street performers, and beautiful views of Clearwater Beach’s world famous sunsets.

Pier 60 Sunset Cinema

Watch movies under the stars after sunset!

March 2 – The Lion King (G)
March 3 – Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (PG-13)
March 9 – The Lego Ninjago Movie (PG)
March 10 – Wonder (PG)
March 16 –  Moana (PG)
March 17 – Breathe (PG-13)
March 23 – Despicable Me 3 (PG)
March 24 – La La Land (PG-13)
March 25 – Geostorm (PG-13)
March 29 – Dolphin Tale 2 (PG)
March 30 – Coco (PG)
March 31 – Wonder Woman (PG-13)

Clearwater Farmers Market

Downtown Clearwater hosts its own Farmers Market every Saturday, from 10am to 2pm.

Clearwater Beach Taste Fest

The 9th Annual Clearwater Beach Taste Fest will be held on Friday, May 4, 2018  from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Recently named Trip Advisor’s #1 Beach in America, Clearwater Beach will host this scrumptious event at the newly renovated and iconic Pier 60 Park. This event will feature tastings from over 30 participating restaurants, wine & craft beer, live entertainment.

Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival

Busch Gardens in Tampa will be hosting the Food & Wine Festival each weekend from March 3rd through April 29th. The Food & Wine Festival features delicious food, wine, craft brews, cocktails and live music!

St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Dunedin

Celebrate St. Patrick’s day at Flanagan’s Irish Pub in Dunedin, Florida. Flanagan’s St. Paddy’s Day Festival will be held on Friday, March 16th and Saturday, March 17th. Enjoy green beer, delicious Irish food, and live Irish music and entertainment!

Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training

Clearwater, Florida hosts the Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training games. Click here for the full Spring Training Schedule.

Tampa Bay Rowdies

The Tampa Bay Rowdies have their home opener on Saturday, March 24th! The Tampa Bay Rowdies will be taken on Bethlehem Steel FC at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida. Kickoff is at 7:30 pm.

Valspar Golf Championship

The Valspar Championship is taking place just a short drive from Clearwater Beach in Palm Harbor, Florida on March 8th – March 11th.

Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

On March 9th, 10th and 11th, St. Petersburg will be hosting the Firestone Grand Prix. Tickets are still available!

Strawberry Festival

Plant City, Florida is hosting the annual Strawberry Festival on March 1st through March 11th! The Florida Strawberry Festival is an 11-day community event celebrating the strawberry harvest of Eastern Hillsborough County. Each year, over 500,000 visitors enjoy the festival’s headline entertainment, youth livestock shows, rides, exhibits of commerce and, of course, its strawberry shortcake.

Bay Area Renaissance Festival

The Tampa Bay Renaissance Festival continues each weekend in March 25th from 10 am to 6 pm.

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Brad Wester

Best Clearwater Beach Sunset Locations

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Clearwater Beach Sunset from Surfside Condos. https://beachresortcondos.com/index.php

Clearwater Beach continues to win awards! Clearwater Beach, Florida has been listed as 2018’s Best Beach in the United States, the second Best Spring Break Beach in America, and the 7th Best Beach in the World! Clearwater Beach continues to be recognized for its family-friendly atmosphere, fun festivals throughout the year, soft sand and beautiful sunsets! In my opinion, you can’t beat a Clearwater Beach Sunset and I’m not alone in believing that. Clearwater Beach has even been ranked as one of the Best Sunset Spots in America.

My favorite locations for watching a beautiful Clearwater Beach Sunset

There’s not a bad area to watch a Clearwater Beach sunset, but I do have some favorite locations. My first choice is directly on the beach. I love sitting in the soft sand and feeling the calm waves wash over my feet as I watch the sun slowly dip into the ocean. My favorite beach location is right in front of Surfside Condominiums and the Villas of Clearwater Beach on the north side of Clearwater Beach. The north side of Clearwater Beach is less crowded and much quieter. It makes the beautiful sunsets even more relaxing to watch.

Not only is this area of the beach more peaceful, but it also directly in front of the best Clearwater Beach Vacation Rentals making it an extremely short walk to and from the beach. The balconies at Surfside Condominiums and the Villas of Clearwater Beach look directly over Clearwater Beach and provide amazing views of the beautiful sunsets. Not only do these balconies provide a beautiful view, but you also have the opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine, cold beer or sunset cocktail while enjoying the Clearwater Beach Sunset.

Clearwater Beach Restaurants with a Sunset View

Depending on the time of year, sunset may fall directly during dinner time. Don’t worry, there are many restaurants in the area with beautiful sunset views.

Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill and Palm Pavillion are both delicious and are just a short walk down the beach from Surfside Condominiums and the Villas of Clearwater Beach. Both of these restaurants often feature live music, but always have beautiful sunsets.

Jimmy’s Fish House & Iguana Bar is located on South side of Clearwater Beach. While it isn’t directly on the beach, it still offers one of the best Clearwater Beach Sunset views. Jimmy’s Fish House offers an outside patio directly on the water of Clearwater Pass, leaving you with amazing views of sunset and a chance to watch boats passing by… you may even see a Pirate Ship!

If you’re looking for sunset drinks and maybe a few snacks, check out Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest. Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest is located on the 10th floor of Pier House 60 Marina Hotel and offers a great view over the Clearwater Beach Marina and Pier 60. The view is beautiful all day long, but it’s especially a great place to watch Sunset and look over Clearwater Beach at night.

Pier 60 Sunset Festivals

Beautiful sunsets are worth celebrating, and Clearwater Beach hosts a Sunset Festival at Pier 60 every night, all year long! The Pier 60 Sunset Festival features artisans, crafters, street performers, and of course beautiful views of the Clearwater Beach Sunset. The Pier 60 Sunset Festival starts two hours before sunset and remains open until two hours after sunset. Pier 60 also offers outdoor movies at the Sunset Cinema – the schedule for what movies are showing can be found on the Sunset Cinema at Pier 60 website.

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Brad Wester

Clearwater Beach Spring Break 2018

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Clearwater Beach Sunset

Are you ready for Spring Break? I know I am!

I’ll be headed to Clearwater Beach for Spring Break and I cannot wait to feel the warm sun and the soft sugar white sand. I’m not the only one counting down the days until I get to walk on the soft white sand, Clearwater Beach was just named as 2018’s Top Beach in the United States and is ranked as the second Best Spring Break Beaches in America.

Things To Do: Clearwater Beach Spring Break 2018

The best thing about Clearwater Beach, Florida is the beautiful beach. It’s perfect for sitting in the sun and reading a book, building sand castles and playing other beach games with family and friends, going for relaxing walks and swimming in the calm ocean.

While I am most excited about the beautiful weather and sitting and relaxing on the beach, there’s so much more to do than just enjoying the sun and sand.

Clearwater Beach features fun events all year long, and of course, the parties continue throughout Spring Break! If you’re visiting on the early side of the Clearwater Beach Spring Break, be sure to check out the Clearwater Beach Taste Fest, featuring delicious tastings from over 30 local restaurants, wine, craft beer and live music! If you are headed to the beach during the second half of the Clearwater Beach Spring Break season, don’t miss the Sugar Sand Festival at Pier 60!

Clearwater Beach’s Sugar Sand Festival is a 10-day celebration of the soft sugar sands and beautiful sunsets that Clearwater Beach is known for. The Sugar Sand Festival features over 21,000 square feet of sand-sculpted art crafted by world-class sculptors, live concerts on the beach, fun games for the whole family, fireworks, movies on the beach, and wine and craft beer at the “Sand Bar”.

If you’re a baseball fan, Clearwater has you covered. Not only are you a short drive from watching the Tampa Bay Rays, but Clearwater hosts the Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training so you can catch a game while you’re on Spring Break. If you miss spring training, Clearwater is also home to the minor league baseball team, The Clearwater Threshers!

If you’re looking for things to do on a rainy day (or maybe you just need to take a break from the sun) visit the stars of the Dolphin Tale movies, Winter and Hope! The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is more than the home of Winter and Hope. When visiting the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, you’ll see dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, nurse sharks and more! The Clearwater Marine Aquarium isn’t your typical aquarium, it is a marine life rescue center focusing on the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick or injured marine animals. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is dedicated to inspiring guests of all ages to appreciate the marine environment while promoting conservation action and developing an understanding of the irreplaceable value of all life in our world’s ocean.

Clearwater Beach Spring Break trips are always full of fun and relaxation, I can’t wait to see you there!

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