Clearwater Beach, Florida, is where turquoise water meets white sand. A paradise for beach lovers, adventure seekers and food lovers alike, it packs an amazing amount into a small, walkable stretch of island.
Whether you want to unwind in the sun or chase something more thrilling on the water, there are countless fun things to do in Clearwater Beach. Here at Sunny Orange Stays we like making the most of a day, so here’s how to do Clearwater Beach in one splendid day, from a morning on the sand to a rooftop nightcap, with the practical details checked for this season.
Morning: get to the beach early
As you step onto Clearwater Beach you’ll sense its energy straight away. The soft white sand is perfect for lounging and the gentle Gulf invites a swim. The city cleans its roughly three miles of beach every day, and lifeguards are on duty from 10 am to 5 pm, so set up near a staffed tower and check the warning flags before anyone goes in. Beach rules.
Arriving early is the single best tip for a one day visit. City lots charge $3.50 an hour from 6 am to 11 pm and fill fast on weekends, and there is no public parking north of the Acacia Street roundabout. Beach parking. If you’re staying nearby, leave the car and walk or ride the Jolley Trolley, which runs every day of the year. Our parking and transportation tips have the full picture.
Rent an umbrella and a lounger and lose yourself in a good book, or take a slow walk along the shoreline. For breakfast first, see our Clearwater Beach breakfast spots.
Late morning: jet ski or parasailing
One of the most exciting ways to experience Clearwater Beach is on the water. Renting a jet ski gives you a real sense of freedom as you skim across the waves, and several outfitters operate from the beach and the marina area. If you’d rather float above it all, parasailing gives you a bird’s eye view of the island and the Gulf.
Book ahead in busy seasons and ask each operator about age and weight limits, what’s included and their weather policy, since trips are cancelled when wind or storms roll in. Morning slots tend to have the calmest water.
Afternoon: a private boat charter
If you’d like something more personal, a private boat charter can be the highlight of the day. A captain can take you to quieter spots, look for dolphins and tailor the trip to your group. It’s a great choice for families and groups who want the boat to themselves.
For dolphin trips of every style, from big catamarans to small boats, see our Clearwater Beach dolphin tours guide, and for anglers there’s our fishing guide.
Rainy afternoon? The Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Island Estates is about a mile from Pier 60 and mostly indoors.
Sunset: a cruise or Pier 60
As daylight fades, a sunset cruise is hard to beat. You glide across calm evening water while the sky turns pink and gold, and for couples there’s no better start to a romantic evening. Our dinner and sunset cruise guide compares the boats, prices and times.
Staying on land? Sunsets at Pier 60 is a free festival held nightly, weather permitting, from about two hours before sunset to two hours after, with street performers and local artisans. Sunsets at Pier 60. Our Pier 60 guide has more.
Evening: dining and drinks
End the day with a great meal. Here are four places we send guests, each within a short walk or drive of Pier 60.
Columbia Restaurant Sand Key
For waterfront dining, Columbia Restaurant Sand Key at 1241 Gulf Boulevard looks out over the Intracoastal Waterway, about 2.3 miles south of Pier 60. The Columbia family of restaurants dates to 1905 and calls itself Florida’s oldest restaurant, and the menu is Spanish and Cuban. It’s open 11 am to 9 pm Sunday to Thursday and until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. Columbia Sand Key.
Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber
For a classic night out, Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber at 447 Mandalay Avenue has been family owned since 1948, serving fresh seafood, steaks and classic cocktails in an elegant room with live piano music daily. It’s a few minutes’ walk from Pier 60. Beachcomber.
Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest
For a rooftop bar with a view, Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest sits on the 10th floor of the Pier House 60 hotel at 101 Coronado Drive, with a 270 degree view over the beach and the marina. It opens at noon daily, and stays open until midnight Sunday to Thursday. Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest.
The Deep End
For an elevated meal with endless Gulf views, The Deep End is the rooftop restaurant on the 11th floor of the JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa, 691 South Gulfview Boulevard. The chef curated menu is Florida focused and Latin inspired. It’s open from 11 am daily, until 11 pm Sunday to Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday, with the kitchen closing at 10 pm. The Deep End.
Want more ideas? See our Clearwater Beach restaurant guide and best bars on the beach.
Stay close and skip the car
The easiest way to fit all of this into one day is to stay on the island, so you can walk to the beach in the morning and back from dinner at night. Here are three homes that make that easy. Seas The Day is a two bedroom beach house on Mandalay Avenue that sleeps four. Sandy Shores 2 is a relaxed two bedroom beach cottage that sleeps seven, steps from the sand. Forever Sunshine has nine bedrooms, sleeps 26 and has a rooftop terrace with Gulf views, a block from the beach.
Seas The Day
Sandy Shores 2
Forever Sunshine
Got more than a day? Stretch it out with our 3 day Clearwater Beach itinerary.
Questions we get asked
What is the best way to spend one day in Clearwater Beach?
Beach in the morning, a jet ski, parasail or boat trip in the afternoon, a sunset cruise or Sunsets at Pier 60, then dinner at one of the restaurants above.
When are lifeguards on duty?
From 10 am to 5 pm.
How much is parking at Clearwater Beach?
City lots are $3.50 an hour from 6 am to 11 pm; arrive early on weekends.
Is Sunsets at Pier 60 free?
Yes. It runs nightly, weather permitting, from about two hours before to two hours after sunset.
Let’s plan it
Make It a Clearwater Beach Day
Sun, water, sunset and a rooftop nightcap all fit into one day when you stay close. Find your home base.
See you on the sand.