Clearwater, FL

Travel Guide
Clearwater Beach which includes a beach and a coastal town
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.

Where to stay in Clearwater

Days Inn by Wyndham Clearwater/Gulf to Bay
Days Inn by Wyndham Clearwater/Gulf to Bay
2 out of 5
2940 Gulf To Bay Blvd, Clearwater, FL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $71 per night from Oct 8 to Oct 9
$71
per night
Oct 8 - Oct 9
Stay at this hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Suncoast Star Playhouse Dinner Theatre and Eddie C. ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,004 reviews)
"I was very disappointed on the breakfasts that they had a lot of times by the time I had gone to breakfast everything was gone from. I guess the contractors that were there and they never replenished anything for other guests in the hotel. I think that was the biggest problem and the pool was not ..."

Reviewed on Sep 27, 2023

Days Inn by Wyndham Clearwater/Gulf to Bay
Comfort Inn & Suites St. Pete - Clearwater International Airport
Comfort Inn & Suites St. Pete - Clearwater International Airport
2.5 out of 5
3910 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, FL
The price is $88 per night from Oct 29 to Oct 30
$88
per night
Oct 29 - Oct 30
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Tampa Bay Grand Prix and Feather Sound ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"From the time we walked through the doors till the time we checked out everything was perfect and very modern and clean , the staff were very friendly and accommodating, we liked it so much we have another booking there later this month"

Reviewed on Sep 25, 2023

Comfort Inn & Suites St. Pete - Clearwater International Airport
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Clearwater Central
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Clearwater Central
2.5 out of 5
21338 Us Highway 19 N, Clearwater, FL
The price is $94 per night from Oct 1 to Oct 2
$94
per night
Oct 1 - Oct 2
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the convenient parking and the spacious ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,314 reviews)
Great Stay
"Every employee I encountered was very friendly. I would highly recommend this hotel for anyone staying in the Clearwater area."

Reviewed on Sep 26, 2023

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Clearwater Central
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.
Sonesta Simply Suites Clearwater
Sonesta Simply Suites Clearwater
2.5 out of 5
Clearwater
Stay at this business-friendly vacation home in Clearwater. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour fitness center. Popular attractions Tampa Bay Grand ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,016 reviews)
"Construction going on at hotel"

Reviewed on Sep 3, 2023

Sonesta Simply Suites Clearwater
Hampton Inn & Suites Clearwater/St. Petersburg-Ulmerton Road
Hampton Inn & Suites Clearwater/St. Petersburg-Ulmerton Road
2.5 out of 5
Clearwater
Stay at this business-friendly vacation home in Clearwater. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Tampa Bay Grand Prix and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,013 reviews)
"Toilet in room was not fully cleaned"

Reviewed on Sep 23, 2023

Hampton Inn & Suites Clearwater/St. Petersburg-Ulmerton Road
Large Vacation Home with private Lazy River and Outdoor Kitchen
Large Vacation Home with private Lazy River and Outdoor Kitchen
Clearwater
Stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Clearwater. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Eagle Lake Park and The Landings ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (19 reviews)
Lazy River
"House was great, but it needs some much needed improvement’s & landscaping needs some improvement’s also. Cabana needs to be replaced or redone."

Reviewed on Jul 24, 2023

Large Vacation Home with private Lazy River and Outdoor Kitchen
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

Reviews of Clearwater

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
687
" "5 - Excellent 43.67450731087095%
4 - Good
637
" "4 - Good 40.49586776859504%
3 - Okay
191
" "3 - Okay 12.142403051493961%
2 - Disappointing
30
" "2 - Disappointing 1.9071837253655435%
1 - Terrible
28
" "1 - Terrible 1.7800381436745074%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 3, 2020

BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 2, 2020

Very nice vacation

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Jun 2, 2020

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

4/5 - Good

Ed
Jun 2, 2020

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 1, 2020

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
May 26, 2020

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

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