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.

Candlewood Suites Safety Harbor - Clearwater NE by IHG

Candlewood Suites Safety Harbor - Clearwater NE by IHG

2.5 out of 5
2471 Mcmullen Booth Road Clearwater FL
$139 nightly
The price is $157 total per night from Jan 25 to Jan 26
$157 total
Jan 25 - Jan 26
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (376 reviews)
Friendly staff. Large room. Local conveniences. Coffee 24/7.

Reviewed on Jan 17, 2026

Candlewood Suites Safety Harbor - Clearwater NE by IHG
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Clearwater Central

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Clearwater Central

3 out of 5
Clearwater FL
$140 nightly
The price is $158 total per night from Jan 26 to Jan 27
$158 total
Jan 26 - Jan 27
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! (1,708 reviews)
Front desk staff were wonderful. I believe her name was Linda, can't remember the gentleman's name. They were very friendly and were helpful with local info, helping me get a cab, etc. Room was lovely, very clean, housekeeping staff were nice and polite. Breakfast was very good and the gentleman ...

Reviewed on Jan 15, 2026

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Clearwater Central
Tropical Palms Hotel

Tropical Palms Hotel

2.5 out of 5
3580 Ulmerton Rd Clearwater FL
$62 nightly
The price is $70 total per night from Jan 23 to Jan 24
$70 total
Jan 23 - Jan 24
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
6/10 (415 reviews)
Clean

Reviewed on Jan 10, 2026

Tropical Palms Hotel
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
Tiny Home Paradise

Tiny Home Paradise

Clearwater FL
Stay at this mobile home in Clearwater. Enjoy an in-room coffeemaker and air conditioning. Popular attractions Clearwater Beach and Sand Key Park are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (16 reviews)
Nice quiet place

Reviewed on Jan 1, 2026

Tiny Home Paradise
Spacious Family Retreat w/ Heated Saltwater Pool, Games, & Near Clearwater Beach

Spacious Family Retreat w/ Heated Saltwater Pool, Games, & Near Clearwater Beach

Clearwater FL
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Clearwater. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a water park. Popular attractions Sand Key Park and Clearwater ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (23 reviews)
The house was perfect for the seven of us. It was in a great location

Reviewed on Sep 14, 2025

Spacious Family Retreat w/ Heated Saltwater Pool, Games, & Near Clearwater Beach
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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