Clearwater Beach, Florida
- Debbie Discovers
- Mar 3, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 10
Clearwater is a great area to visit. They have shops and places to eat right across from the beach. We have rented a condo a few years in a row across from the beach and stayed at the Sheraton Sans Key Hotel. We have also stayed in Oldsmar and Tamps and driven for the day.
If you’re looking for the perfect Florida beach day, Clearwater Beach is hard to beat. Known for its inviting turquoise waters and powdery white sand, this beach sits just outside Tampa and makes for an easy coastal escape.
Getting there is part of the adventure—you’ll cross a bridge onto the island. On busy days, traffic can slow things down a bit, so plan ahead and give yourself extra time. Once you arrive, you’ll find hotels and vacation rentals conveniently located right across from the beach.
Parking is available in a nearby lot, but it fills up quickly—especially during peak beach days—so arriving early is your best bet if you want a spot close to the sand.
Right across the street you’ll find plenty of food options, including McDonald's, along with several local restaurants and snack spots. There are also small beach shops where you can grab sand toys and other beach-day essentials. Public bathrooms are available, which makes it easy to spend the whole day there.
One fun stop to check out is Surf Style, located across from the beach. Inside, you can actually try an indoor surfing experience, browse tons of beach gear, and even buy hermit crabs—making it a memorable stop for families and kids.
For an extra adventure, several cruises depart from right across the street from the beach. We took the Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise, and it was an absolute blast—especially if you’re traveling with kids.
If you want a little shade while still enjoying the beach, you can rent covered beach chairs arranged in a half-circle tent right on the sand. Staff walk around to collect payment (cash or card), and the chairs can be moved out of the shade if you want to soak up the sun. It’s a great setup for families—kids can play in the sun while still having a shady place to cool off.
🏖️ Between the beautiful water, family activities, nearby food, and fun excursions, Clearwater Beach is an easy place to spend an entire day soaking up the Florida sunshine.
They have these you can rent on the beach.
We loved it here. WE got ticket last minute so many experiences were booked up but we still had a great time. Check out the movie Dolphin Tales (Amazon Affiliate) as it is from here.
Captain Memos Pirate Cruise
One activity my entire family unanimously gave 5 stars to (which almost never happens!) was the Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise. If you’re traveling with kids, this is an absolute must-do.
We booked the one-hour cruise, and I highly recommend ordering tickets ahead of time through their website: https://captainmemo.com/
What Makes It So Fun?
During the first half of the cruise, the crew takes over entertaining the kids so parents can actually relax for a bit. While the kids are busy inside the pirate ship, parents can sit outside, enjoy the beautiful views of the water near Clearwater, and even enjoy complimentary drinks.
Meanwhile, the kids are fully immersed in pirate life with activities like:
Pirate stories
A gold treasure hunt
Water gun fights
Face painting
And lots of pirate-themed fun
Parents can stay with their kids if they want, but the crew does a great job encouraging parents to take a break and enjoy the ride.
Pirate Action!
Later in the cruise, the kids come outside and “attack” the parents with water and pop guns—this ended up being one of the funniest parts of the whole trip. Every child also gets a piece of pirate gold and a certificate, which makes for a great little souvenir. They can also get their face painted if they’d like.
Good to Know
There’s a gift shop onboard if the kids want pirate gear.
Restrooms are available on the ship.
During the second half of the cruise, the kids hang out with the parents again while everyone enjoys the ride.
☀️ Tip: Bring a hat and sunscreen. You’re out in the sun most of the time, especially if you’re sitting outside enjoying the views.
⭐ Overall, this was one of the highlights of our trip. The kids had a blast, the parents got to relax, and everyone left smiling. If you’re looking for a memorable family activity near Clearwater Beach, this pirate adventure is hard to beat.
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