Clearwater, FL

Travel Guide

Clearwater Beach showing a beach and a coastal town
Clearwater Beach which includes a beach and a coastal town
Clearwater
Clearwater Marine Aquarium featuring a marina and general coastal views
Clearwater showing a park

See the cradle of Scientology, visit the famous bottlenose dolphins from Dolphin Tale and try water sports at the stunning beaches.

Clearwater is a delightful beach town with all types of water sports activities and an entertaining pier area. It is also known across the globe as the headquarters of the mysterious and controversial Church of Scientology. Sunbathe on the gorgeous beaches and learn about the notorious religion of Tom Cruise and John Travolta in this intriguing town.

Among the town’s highlights is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is known for rescuing injured sea creatures. See the famous bottlenose dolphins Winter and Hope from the Dolphin Tale movie. Winter has a prosthetic replacement for her tail, which was caught in a crab trap line.

Get around the town center via the Suncoast Beach Trolley. Visit the majestic building of the Church of Scientology, which the religion considers a 21st-century cathedral. Drop in at the Church of Scientology Information Center to learn more about this enigmatic belief system.

Enjoy the picturesque scenery in the region while you practice your swing at Cove Cay Golf Course. Enjoy a meal at its grill restaurant against a picturesque backdrop of the lake and the bay. Bring your kids to Congo River Golf – Clearwater for a course of miniature golf that leads through waterfalls, caves and tropical rainforests.

Take advantage of the year-round warm weather with a trip to Pier 60. Note that August is particularly wet, with afternoon storms. Watch the lightning during tempests and the sunset on a clear day. At Clearwater Beach rent Jet Skis and kayaks to take out on the water.

The town is located on the western outskirts of Tampa in the western section of central Florida. Fly to the Saint Petersburg Clearwater International Airport or the Tampa International Airport, a 30-minute drive east across Old Tampa Bay from the town. See some of Florida’s other famous nearby towns, such as Largo, St. Petersburg and Palm Harbor.

Clearwater is a haven for golfers, beachgoers and Scientologists.

Extended Stay America Suites Clearwater Carillon Park

Extended Stay America Suites Clearwater Carillon Park

2.5 out of 5
2311 Ulmerton Rd Clearwater FL
$87 nightly
The price is $99 total per night from Jan 4 to Jan 5
$99 total
Jan 4 - Jan 5
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
6/10 (1,003 reviews)
Yes they were and the room was great

Reviewed on Dec 13, 2025

Extended Stay America Suites Clearwater Carillon Park
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Clearwater Central

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Clearwater Central

3 out of 5
Clearwater FL
$105 nightly
The price is $118 total per night from Jan 4 to Jan 5
$118 total
Jan 4 - Jan 5
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,717 reviews)
The room and services were good, but the cleanliness can be improved. The breakfast had extensive and healthy choices and good service.

Reviewed on Dec 28, 2025

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Clearwater Central
SureStay Hotel by Best Western St. Pete Clearwater Airport

SureStay Hotel by Best Western St. Pete Clearwater Airport

2.5 out of 5
Clearwater FL
$79 nightly
The price is $90 total per night from Jan 4 to Jan 5
$90 total
Jan 4 - Jan 5
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,565 reviews)
Great location snd price

Reviewed on Jan 1, 2026

SureStay Hotel by Best Western St. Pete Clearwater Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Spacious Retreat Near Beach/Park

Spacious Retreat Near Beach/Park

Clearwater FL
Stay at this vacation home in Clearwater. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Clearwater Beach and Sand Key Park are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (3 reviews)
Very open concept. Couches are super comfy. Bathroom tub could use a refinish and there are ling skinny windows in two of the bedrooms without coverings, which made them a lot less desirable.

Reviewed on Nov 1, 2025

Spacious Retreat Near Beach/Park
Full 2-Bedroom Exclusive Condo in Beautiful Clearwater Beach Area

Full 2-Bedroom Exclusive Condo in Beautiful Clearwater Beach Area

Clearwater FL
Stay at this condo in Clearwater. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Sand Key Park and Clearwater Beach are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
The host is very responsive. The home was clean and well maintained. Would stay again.

Reviewed on Nov 2, 2025

Full 2-Bedroom Exclusive Condo in Beautiful Clearwater Beach Area
Florida Retro Home minutes from the famous Clearwater Beach and Honeymoon Island

Florida Retro Home minutes from the famous Clearwater Beach and Honeymoon Island

Clearwater FL
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Clearwater. Enjoy laundry facilities, an in-room coffeemaker, and air conditioning. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (23 reviews)
Our stay was amazing. Everything was very clean and comfortable. The inside and outside was full of entertainment and offered so many extras…from every kind of coffee you could pick from to extra blankets and bathroom goodies, candies on the pillow, and all varieties of games you could choose from. ...

Reviewed on Dec 27, 2025

Florida Retro Home minutes from the famous Clearwater Beach and Honeymoon Island
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Clearwater

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
687
5 - Excellent 44%
4 - Good
637
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
191
3 - Okay 12%
2 - Disappointing
30
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
28
1 - Terrible 2%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very nice vacation

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Clearwater was ok. We changed hotels to Clearwater beach and had a much better experience

4/5 - Good

Ed

We went for the beach it was nice, clean but very crowded.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

It was My first time To Clearwater Beach It was Excellent Clean the Water was Beautiful I will be Going back in the Future. Very Friendly Staff And Helpful. Lots of Activity to do while your there I could not get them all in.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Great and calm beaches, nice for the walk and the food

Cities near Clearwater

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