Clearwater Beach

Some of the best and most beautiful beaches in the USA can be found on Florida's Gulf Coast. One of our favourite beaches is Clearwater. Close to Tampa on the West coast of Florida. Present-day Clearwater was originally the home of the Tocobagan Indian tribe. Modern day Clearwater offers a superb, award winning, spacious beach with powdery sugar like sand that stretches for miles. There are many fine dining places in Clearwater many  along Gulfview Boulevard overlooking the beach.

Home to the largest fishing fleet on the West CoHome to the largest fishing fleet on the West Coast of Florida, is the Clearwater Marina. Situated behind the main treet of Clearwater, boats gain access to the sea via an inland water way.  In the marina are boats that offer a wide choice of activities, including  fishing, sightseeing, sailing, speed, dining and dancing, parasailing and more. Dolphin watching is very popular too. We love the Sea Screamer! Worlds largest speed boat and the Dolphins love to play in the boats wake. If you don’t get to see any Dolphins the next trip is free.

Pier 60, Clearwater's famous 1050 ft. sightseeing and fishing pier, complete with bait hut where you can also hire fishing rods for around $20 including bait, is the focal point of the beach. There is also Pier 60 Park, with a covered children's playground right on the sand. It has two play areas with age based equipment-one for infants and the other for 8-12 years olds. Pier 60 Park is also where to find "Sunsets at Pier 60", a nightly "street" festival celebrating the setting of the sun. With many craft stalls and entertainers. etc.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is one of eight facilities in the United States, and the only one on the west coast of Florida, authorised to rescue and rehabilitate marine mammals. This "hands on" attraction offers personal encounters with bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead sea turtles, Kemp's Ridley sea turtles, river otters, sting rays, coral reefs and local fish. Sick and injured marine mammals recover here until they can be returned to the sea. Clearwater marine aquarium is also home to a world renowned painter, Sunset Sam, a dolphin.

Click here for a live web cam picture.

The sunsets at Clearwater are phenomenal. So much so that it turns the beach areas to a festive gathering every night. Craft stalls, street performers and many other attractions take place during this time and well worth a visit.

Dining in Clearwater.

There are some lovely places to eat in Clearwater. Here are some of our favourites. Let us know if you know of some places we should all know about.

Reno’s
At first sight it looks like a run down shack but the food served here is some of the best in Clearwater. They have an Italian based menu but use a lot of fresh seafood too. I love the Cajun Chicken Alfredo.

Gondoliers.
674 Gulfview Blvd.
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
PH: (727) 441-3353
Again this is a restaurant with an Italian and Greek influence. Serving pizzas, pasta, chicken wings, Gyros and much more. The food has a distinct home made feel to it. Some of the best fries I have tasted came from here. Click here for current coupons. Although there are a few of these restaurants in the US this is the only one in Florida. The really good thing about it is the price. Very reasonable. There is a Menu here.

More info can be found on the Perfect Florida Villas forums or The Perfect Florida Guide