Rasika DalviAmid the chilly winter days of Connecticut in January 2022, we found ourselves craving something we desperately missed: warm sunshine, ocean breeze, and the sound of waves. Without overthinking it, we decided to escape the cold and head south to the beautiful Sunshine State of Florida. When you think of Florida, endless beaches immediately come to mind. But with so many stunning coastal destinations to choose from, deciding where to go can be surprisingly challenging. After exploring our options, we found ourselves drawn to Clearwater Beach, located in the Tampa Bay area.
Known for its powdery white sand, sparkling turquoise waters, and breathtaking sunsets, Clearwater Beach has earned a reputation as one of the top beaches in the United States. It has consistently ranked among the best beaches in the country, making it a popular destination for travelers seeking the perfect Florida beach escape. Of course, we had to see what all the excitement was about! With curiosity, excitement, and a strong desire to trade Connecticut’s winter chill for Florida sunshine, we packed our bags and set off for our coastal adventure.
We flew from Bradley International Airport in Connecticut to Fort Myers Airport and picked up a rental car for the scenic drive to Clearwater Beach. While the drive gave us a chance to enjoy Florida’s landscapes, I would recommend flying into St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) or Tampa International Airport (TPA) if Clearwater Beach is your primary destination. Both airports are significantly closer; approximately 12 miles and 21 miles away, respectively, giving you more time to relax, explore, and enjoy the beach instead of spending extra hours on the road.
And after leaving behind the cold Connecticut winter, we couldn’t wait to finally dip our toes into the warm Florida sunshine!
We decided to have dinner on our way to Clearwater and found a great local Thai restaurant called “Bangkok” in Sarasota. After dining here, we understood why this restaurant is so popular amongst locals. The atmosphere was exquisite with beautiful wood-carved furniture and crystal chandeliers, The staff was friendly and dressed in beautiful traditional Thai outfits, and the food was purely delicious. So, next time you are in Sarasota, this is a must-try for foodies.
Our trip plan was simple: just to spend time on the beach, relish local cuisine and enjoy charming small towns. Around 10 pm we reached the place we would call ‘home’ in Clearwater over the next couple of days, Hotel Hilton right on the sugary Clearwater beach. The street was bustling with people and we could feel the beachy vibes even at that hour. The Hilton is steps away from the beach and a short distance to the pier, downtown shops, and the marina where you have multiple tour options. Right from our balcony, we could get a gorgeous view of the beach and Pier 60. The hotel location was extremely convenient to everywhere you would want to be. You can truly park once and not use your vehicle until you leave if you want to. We could not wait to go to the beach in the morning.
We started our day at one of the popular breakfast joints like Beach Shanty Café which was just across the street. This cute, little restaurant has that beach town atmosphere with a laid-back vibe and delicious breakfast.
After having breakfast, we headed to the beach (which was stepping out of an elevator and your feet touching the softest sand). The Clearwater matches its namesake and the white sand is so soft that it feels like pillows for your feet when you walk down the beach.
It’s no wonder Clearwater Beach has been named America’s No. 1 Beach several times in recent years. It is pretty perfect though: powdery white sand so fluffy and soft you just can’t understand until you feel it, crystal clear turquoise water (I mean, it’s right there in the name!), and tons of space for beach activities. Anyone would immediately fall in love with this stunning beach. The whole area looks like it’s straight out of a glossy holiday brochure.
During our visit, the water temperatures were warm enough to swim in the ocean comfortably. We enjoyed every bit of it. The entire day we were just lounging on the beach, soaking beautiful sunshine, dipping in the crystal-clear water, and enjoying each passing moment. If you prefer to spend most of your vacation time on the beach, you will discover plenty of lounge chair rentals available along with water sports rentals.
The area is full of great restaurants with amazing views, delicious food, and Florida’s best sunset peeping (people applaud, every single night). And so many dolphins. Clearwater Beach is well-kept with plenty of clean bathrooms and showers. But, due to Covid public bathrooms and showers in Clearwater were closed.
One more thing you cannot miss at Clearwater beach is celebrating sunset at Pier 60. The long pier juts out into the Gulf of Mexico, and offers a romantic, picturesque spot for sunsets over the water and to mark Clearwater’s daily transition from laid-back beach town to a more carnival-type nighttime atmosphere.
You can walk along half of the pier for free, but there’s an entry fee of $1 per person to access the best vantage point to enjoy the sunset – where you’ll probably share the view with the ever-present Floridian pelican and handfuls of local fishermen. Afterward, you can browse around the stalls of local artisans, or take in the talents from the various buskers and street performers scattered around the pier area.
Locals and visitors gather to watch the most colorful and dreamy sunset as the sun dips into the ocean setting the sky ablaze with color.
It only took my husband and me a few hours to fall in love with Clearwater, Florida. Our weekend getaway helped us understand why so many choose to go back to Clearwater Beach to vacation year after year. And we won’t be the exception. There are a few reasons for that: the wonderfully soft powder white sand, its pristine cleanliness, and its 2.5-mile stretch always guaranteeing a spot for the type of beach experience you’re after. Can’t wait to be here again soaking sunshine on this divine beach.
Honeymoon Island
Honeymoon Island State Park has a spectacular beach, a sweet name, and one of those classic Florida-history stories. Accessible by road via the cute little town of Dunedin, Honeymoon Island has more than four miles of virgin beach as well as a three-mile trail through beautiful pine forests.
During the 1930s, businessman Clinton Washburn purchased the island, which is north of Clearwater Beach. During a dinner with the editor of Life magazine, Washburn noted that the island would make a wonderful site for honeymooners. The editor used that in the Life story – and the name stuck.
This 385-acre park has three distinct beaches. The first Honeymoon Island beach you come to, labeled Main Beach, is deep and wide with that fine-grained white sand you find at the best of the Gulf’s beaches. South of this beach is Dog Beach, where dogs on 6-foot leashes are welcome. We went to the northern-most Honeymoon Island beach. This beach wouldn’t win any awards for its sand, because it is studded with rocks and seashells, and the beach is much narrower. But the north beach goes on and on and the farther you walk, the more stunning the scenery.
The park is open from 8 am until sunset, all year round. Entry is $8 per vehicle (no more than eight people) or $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, and then $2 for each additional occupant.
This whole area is so gorgeous, interesting, and accessible from everywhere. There’s almost no one around, the waters are easily navigable and crystal clear, and there’s an endless list of awesome wildlife to observe in their natural habitats: dolphins, manatees, birds galore, jellyfish, stingrays.
Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park
Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park is a truly beautiful beach to visit. The lighthouse and beach are located on the eastern tip of Sanibel, wrapping around to the bayside offering both Gulf of Mexico and San Carlos Bay views. You’ll enjoy stunning views of the Gulf as you stroll the beach looking for the perfect shell. It’s a wonderful spot for so many things – fishing, shelling, wading in the warm water, kayaking, and more. The beach’s main attraction is The historic lighthouse, a stately reminder of the rich history of Sanibel.
To our surprise, when we were just enjoying the serenity of this beach, we noticed a herd of dolphins flocking near the shore. The warm crystalline waters of the Gulf of Mexico that surround Clearwater are home to many bottle-nosed dolphins. It was such a privilege to see dolphins in the wild so unexpectedly and near the shore. Wow!! This way our memorable trip has been ended on a sweet note.
After spending a dreamy vacation at this perfectly groomed, white sand beach, it’s time to say Adios! to this Sunshine state and head to our tiny winter wonderland. We certainly made lot of beautiful lasting memories at this picturesque beach. So, whether you’re visiting Florida for your main summer vacation, an escape from the dreary cold winter, or as a part of a Florida road trip; Clearwater Beach has to be on the top of your itinerary.
Have you visited Clearwater Beach yet? Which is the most gorgeous beach have you visited yet? Please write in the comment. I am excited to know.
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