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.

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
$69 nightly
The price is $78 total per night from Dec 10 to Dec 11
$78 total
Dec 10 - Dec 11
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! (1,544 reviews)
As advertised, staff was terrific. Very good value.

Reviewed on Dec 2, 2025

SureStay Hotel by Best Western St. Pete Clearwater Airport
Sleep Inn Clearwater - St Petersburg

Sleep Inn Clearwater - St Petersburg

2.5 out of 5
3939 Ulmerton Rd Clearwater FL
Fully refundable
$68 nightly
The price is $76 total per night from Dec 14 to Dec 15
$76 total
Dec 14 - Dec 15
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,028 reviews)
Smooth check in process. Room was very nice. Breakfast was very good with lots of food options.

Reviewed on Nov 29, 2025

Sleep Inn Clearwater - St Petersburg
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham St. Pete-Clearwater Airpt

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham St. Pete-Clearwater Airpt

3 out of 5
Clearwater FL
$76 nightly
The price is $85 total per night from Dec 7 to Dec 8
$85 total
Dec 7 - Dec 8
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 ...
5.8/10 (1,000 reviews)
Good ok

Reviewed on Nov 24, 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham St. Pete-Clearwater Airpt
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.
InTown Suites Extended Stay Clearwater FL

InTown Suites Extended Stay Clearwater FL

2.5 out of 5
2833 ROOSEVELT BLVD Clearwater FL
Stay at this aparthotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Cove Cay Golf Club and Tampa Bay Grand Prix ...
6.4/10 (32 reviews)
Staff was super friendly, the air conditioner went out the first night and maintenance fixed it that same night.

Reviewed on Oct 10, 2025

InTown Suites Extended Stay Clearwater FL
Mediterranean Apartment 5 min from the 🏝⛱🏖

Mediterranean Apartment 5 min from the 🏝⛱🏖

Clearwater FL
Stay at this condo in Clearwater. Enjoy free WiFi, an in-room coffeemaker, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Sand Key Park and Clearwater Beach are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (14 reviews)
Wonderful stay
we had a wonderful time and our host was fabulous! The only thing that could be improved would be the fact that we could not figure out how the mosquitos were getting in the room, and the water pressure in the shower was lacking. On the positive side the room was adorable, clean, comfortable and ...

Reviewed on Jul 22, 2025

Mediterranean Apartment 5 min from the 🏝⛱🏖
Adorable Private Craftsman with free bikes, near beach & downtown.

Adorable Private Craftsman with free bikes, near beach & downtown.

Clearwater FL
Stay at this vacation home in Clearwater. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Clearwater Beach and Sand Key Park are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (30 reviews)
We had a great stay. It was nice and clean and very convenient to the beach. Host was very responsive as well. Thanks again.

Reviewed on Nov 12, 2025

Adorable Private Craftsman with free bikes, near beach & downtown.
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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