Florida

Clearwater

By Jim Campbell

Soft white sand, sparkling turquoise water and magnificent sun rises and sun sets create the magic moments for your Clearwater Beach honeymoon. Hand-in-hand, you enter the enchanted dimension of unique sights, sounds and smells of a seaside paradise on the Gulf of Mexico.

Together you stroll on the Beach Walk Promenade, make friends with the dolphins, deep or not—so- deep fish and grill those fish for dinner at Sandy Key Park, cruise on the Clearwater Beach Ferry, gawk at the sea turtles laying their eggs, hike the Pinellas Trail, and unleash your inner child on the giant slide at Pier 60 and your inner teenager by gliding over town in a type of motorcycle with wings. Street musicians serenade you. The artists invite you into their world of creativity.

Then you are off to the more earthbound Cleveland Street District. There you pick and choose entertainment. You shop for one-of-a-kind items, year-round-Christmas merchandise and popular brands.

Food, glorious food. You can grab a quick bowl of tuna and salmon. Sit down like royalty in luxury restaurants for exotic seafood. Sample a variety of Asian dishes. Try out the local pizza on thin-crust dough made daily from scratch. Or just stick with your usual standby of ribs.
Prediction: You will be returning to Clearwater Beach year after year, recapturing these moments, on your anniversaries. Meanwhile, you have a memory bank of special photos. The friendly residents of Clearwater will help you take the selfies.

The 3 Best Honeymoon Resorts in Clearwater

1

The Belleview Inn

3-star hotel
9.4
Excellent
Our Rating

Located in the stunning town of Belleair just a few hundred feet from the Intracoastal Waterway, The Belleview Inn is a charming honeymoon destination steeped in local history. Built in 1897, the hotel’s extraordinary architecture enhances its natural elegance, though the interior and exterior have been carefully restored to ensure…

2

Fenway Hotel

4-star hotel
9.2
Excellent
Our Rating

Open your door to the world of romance with the Fenway hotel. Tucked away at the end of an idyllic beachside road, on Florida’s pristine Gulf Coast, in the heart of a nature preserve, lies the eco-friendly Fenway Hotel. This charming retreat is the best place to get away from…

3

Opal Sands

4-star hotel
9.2
Excellent
Our Rating

For couples looking for a romantic getaway with the spectacular backdrop of endless turquoise waters at clearwater beach, Opal Sands Resort is the must-visit destination. Opal Sands Resort is a contemporary beachfront property located in Clearwater Beach. It is just 0.6 mi from Pier 60. Overlooking the powder white sands…

About Clearwater

At a Glance

  • ALL SO SIMPLE: Clearwater Beach is the Hawaii and Caribbean you do not have to leave the mainland U.S. to enjoy. Its small-town ambiance makes for its charm and easy mobility. It is divided into two parts: the beach and the downtown area. And all that you can navigate on foot, Jolly Trolley, Clearwater Beach Ferry, Free Beach Rides, rented bicycles (traditional and e-) and rented scooters. A car? Not necessary. Also ride-hail services are available.
  • SHOPPER’S DELIGHT: On the majestic Pier 60, you will find the out-of-the-ordinary whatever to purchase. The Westfield Countryside Mall has 1 million square feet of space for 150 stores. Boutiques make it their mission to feature what will be special for honeymooners. You will also find exactly the right gifts to ship back home to those you love and miss.
  • EXPERIENCES: There are so many memories you are forming. On charter boats you fish and fillet your catches. At the Celebration Station there are the arcade with 100 games, miniature golf, batting cages and pool tables. You take a lofty look at the water and the sand from up in a Cessna plane. You picnic at the barrier island of Sandy Key Park. It is a must to say hello to Nicholas the Dolphin at the Marine Aquarium. You can do a water-all: swim/jet ski/parasail/paddleboard/boat. Yes, marvel at the engineering feat of the Pinellas Trail created from an abandoned railroad corridor. If you hang out for six days that means you will capture six rising and six setting suns in your photos.
  • DINING: The sound, sparkle and smell of the Gulf of Mexico make everything taste special. If you want to try your own hand at putting together a meal you can purchase fresh fixings at the market in Pioneer Park. And, just about anywhere, including your lodging, you can try out recipes cooking the fish you caught.
  • THE DNA: The essence of Clearwater is the beach. Its very soul is the unique combination of white sand, turquoise water and enough space for a sense of privacy. TripAdvisor ranked Clearwater Beach number-one in its annual assessment of the top 25 beaches in the U.S.
  • SIDE TRIPS: The most popular is visiting the Disney Theme Park in Orlando, Florida. But there are plenty other adventures for you “out of town.” Yes, you can rent a car for those under-three-hours drive. Those adventures include Weeki Wachee River for kayaking, Tampa Country Concerts, Sea World, Discovery Cove, Devil’s Den and Downtown St. Petersburg.
  • RECREATIONAL VEHICLES: The area has about 10 RV parks. They are diverse in accommodations, including the ability to stay long-term if you fall in love with life on the Gulf of Mexico.

Honeymoon Hints

  • PEDESTRIAN CITY: Clearwater Beach is laid out for the romance of walking hand-in-hand. That is why so many honeymooners choose it.
  • YOUR FAVORITE SPOT: Some of you will designate one part of Clearwater as very special. That could be Pier 60 overlooking the turquoise water of the Gulf of Mexico. There you can sit in the shade and watch the water, fish, peer through telescopes, be entertained by local artists, shop, enjoy a snack or fine dining and hang around for the nightly festival.
  • FISHING: The area is known as the “Grouper Capital of the World.” It lives on fish stories. You can rent fishing equipment, charter cruises, learn the basics or master advanced techniques.

Travel Tips

  • GETTING THERE: Two airports serve Clearwater. They are Tampa International (TIA), 19 miles from the beach, and St. Petersburg/Clearwater (PIE), 11 miles from the beach. For car drivers, the route usually involves the I-95 corridor. What not to miss: the scenic drive along The Courtney Campbell Causeway (state route 60).
  • SAFE SWIMMING: There is a designated area called “Safe Bathing Limit.” It extends 300 feet west of the high-water line mark and is surrounded with buoys. No boaters or jet skiers are allowed in the area. Overall, the water is calm.
  • ALCOHOL: Is not allowed on public beaches.
  • • SUNSHINE: On the average there are 250 days of sunshine.

Destinations to Explore

Additional honeymoon destinations in Clearwater you may want to consider: