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.