Vibrant coastal photography of Clearwater Beach at golden hour, wide-angle lens, turquoise water meeting pristine white sand, editorial style

There is fun to be had by locals and travelers alike...

Clearwater Beach Insider Guides

Endless Fun for Every Traveler

Clearwater Beach lets you dial the pace however you want—whether you’re looking to run wide open on the Gulf or just sit on a towel with a cold drink. You won't struggle to fill a weekend here.

What to Do Around the Water

On the Water: Walk the docks at Clearwater Marina to catch dolphin boat tours, line up a deep-sea charter, or rent jet skis and book parasailing flights right off the beachfront.
On the Sand: Jump into a game at the volleyball nets, hit the shaded beachside playground with the kids, or hang around Pier 60 two hours before dark for the daily market and busker performances.
Low-Key Spots: Head further north away from the commercial strip to find quieter stretches of hard-packed shell and soft quartz sand, ideal for a peaceful swim or catching the sunset without the crowds.

Clearwater Beach Pier 60

Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach: The Complete Guide

Pier 60 extends 1,080 feet straight into the Gulf, serving as the central hub of Clearwater Beach. Built in 1962, the concrete pier still draws steady traffic day and night for public angling, evening crowds, and front-row sunset views.

Key Highlights & Activities:

Fishing the Pier: You don't need to haul your own gear to wet a line here. The pierhead bait shack rents rods and sells tackle, frozen bait, live shrimp, and cold drinks. Depending on the run, anglers regularly pull Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout, snook, and flounder right off the deck planks.
Nightly Sunset Festival: Pier 60 hosts its evening sunset celebration 365 days a year. Buskers, magicians, and craft vendors set up tables along the boardwalk two hours before dusk, pulling in crowds right up until the sun drops below the water. There’s no admission charge, making it an easy stroll with the family.
Around the Park: Right at the foot of the pier, you'll find beach volleyball courts, coin-operated viewing telescopes, covered picnic pavilions, and one of the largest shaded beach playgrounds in Pinellas County.
Water Sports: For time on the water, local outfitters run parasail trips, jet ski rentals, and stand-up paddleboards right off the adjacent shoreline and Clearwater Marina docks.

Clearwater Marine aquarium Winter the dolphin

sand key Park in Clearwater Beach florida

Clearwater Beach Attractions:

Dive into our resident-vetted guides designed to make your gulf-side getaway stress-free. We cover everything from local-approved. Beyond Pier 60, Clearwater Beach is famous for a variety of iconic landmarks, nature reserves, and unique attractions. Here is a must see's that makes Clearwater Beach a world-class destination:

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Beach Walk Promenade

Beautiful Sand Key Park

Located just over the causeway in Island Estates, this renowned marine rescue and rehabilitation facility is world-famous. It gained international fame as the home of Winter the Dolphin (from the Dolphin Tale movies) and continues to rescue, rehabilitate, and release sea turtles, dolphins, manatees, and otters.

Clearwater’s famous Beach Walk is a wide, winding, palm-lined pedestrian promenade that stretches along the waterfront. Lined with tropical landscaping, outdoor drinking fountains, foot rinses, high-end resorts, and open-air cafes, it's the heart of the beach’s walking and biking culture.

Located just south of Clearwater Beach across the Clearwater Pass bridge, Sand Key Park offers a quieter, more natural beach alternative. It features 95 acres of pristine shoreline, shaded park pavilions, salt marshes, nesting sea turtle habitats, and a dog park.

Local Wisdom

If you want to escape the midday congestion at Pier 60, head south to Sand Key Park. The extra five-minute drive saves you hours of searching for a spot.

Marcus K., North Beach Resident