Clearwater Beach sits on a narrow barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico and is consistently ranked among the best beaches in the US for its powdery white quartz sand and calm, clear water. Gulf tides are small but noticeable; low tide reveals a wide, gently sloping sand flat ideal for wading.
Gulf tidal range here is about 1–1.5 ft — conditions stay consistently calm at any tide, with low tide producing the widest wading area over the gently sloping sandy bottom. Swimming is excellent in the warm, clear Gulf water at any tide; surfing is not possible; shelling yields some finds after storms, best searched at low tide; fishing from Pier 60 is productive at any tide, especially around tide changes. Local note: the Pier 60 Sunset Festival runs nightly with street vendors and live entertainment; the parking garage on Coronado Dr is the main option and charges by the hour; the beach consistently ranks among the best in national surveys.
Nearby Beaches