Clearwater Beach facts for kids
Clearwater Beach is a popular resort and living area located on a beautiful barrier island in Florida. It sits on the west-central coast, right on the Gulf of Mexico. You can reach it from the main city of Clearwater, Florida by crossing the Clearwater Memorial Causeway over the Intracoastal Waterway.
Clearwater Beach is famous for its bright white sand beaches, which stretch for about 2.5 miles (4 km) along the Gulf. It has a busy marina on the Intracoastal Waterway side. A short bridge connects it to another island called Sand Key, where you'll find Sand Key Park.
There's lots to do here! You can go shopping, eat at many restaurants, or try exciting activities like parasailing and jet ski rentals. Boat tours are popular, and you might even see dolphins swimming in the Gulf waters. Other fun options include miniature golf, fishing trips, and even "pirate ship" cruises!
Clearwater Beach has often been named one of the best beaches in the United States. In 2013, USA Today readers voted it Florida's Best Beach Town. Then, in 2019, TripAdvisor called it the best beach in the U.S. and the sixth-best in the world!
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Weather in Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach has warm weather all year round. The average temperature is about 75 °F (24 °C).
Summers
Summers are hot and humid, but a nice sea breeze from the Gulf of Mexico helps keep things a bit cooler. You can expect frequent thunderstorms during the summer months. Most of the yearly rain falls from June through September.
Winters
Winters are warm and usually drier. The temperatures generally stay between 67 and 89 °F (19 and 32 °C) throughout the year. This warm climate means that coconut palms and royal palms can grow here!
Getting Around
Clearwater Beach is about 20 miles (32 km) from Tampa International Airport. The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is also very close by.
A fun way to get around the beach is the Clearwater Jolley Trolley. It has been helping people travel up and down the beach since 1982. The trolley goes to North Clearwater Beach, down to Sand Key, and even to Island Estates. The main roads on the beach, Mandalay Avenue and Gulfview Boulevard, have many different shops and businesses.
Fun Things to Do
Pier 60
Pier 60 is a central spot for visitors. It's named after Florida State Road 60, which ends right here. The pier has a playground, a snack bar, and a long fishing pier. Every day, you can watch professional entertainers and children's acts perform on the pier.
Sunsets at Pier 60 is a daily event where you can enjoy street performers and live music. Local artists also sell unique items like jewelry and gifts on the pier each night.
Beach Walk and Shopping
Right next to the beach, you'll find many restaurants and shops. The area looks even better thanks to a project called Beach Walk. This paved area, located just south of Pier 60, has drinking fountains, showers to rinse off sand, and bike racks. It's also a great place for fishing.
The Clearwater Municipal Marina is directly across from Pier 60. Here, you can find deep sea fishing trips and other boating activities.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Just a short distance from the beach, in the Island Estates area, is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This aquarium was home to Winter, the famous bottlenose dolphin featured in the movie Dolphin Tale. It's a wonderful place to learn about marine life and conservation.
There are also several Frenchy's restaurant locations and stores like Surf Style and Ron Jon Surf Shop for your beach needs. You can also enjoy a paved bicycle trail lined with mangrove trees near the Clearwater Memorial Causeway.
