Spring Break On Clearwater Beach: Ultimate Guide(2024)

When you hear the term “Spring Break”, do you envision white sandy beaches? Palm trees swaying in the breeze? An ice-cold rum runner to sip on? Boat rides and fishing excursions?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, spring break on Clearwater Beach is your ticket!

Not only will Clearwater Beach check off all of those things, but there is so much more to discover and enjoy in the St. Pete / Clearwater area.

💡ProTip: CityPASS Tampa Bay is the best deal for the top attractions. You pay one low price and get admission to 5 top, local, attractions including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium, and ZooTampa. Then, you pick 2 more attractions to round out the pass!

Spring Break On Clearwater Beach: Ulmitate Guide(2024)

Choosing to come to Florida for vacation was the easy part. Now, where in Florida? Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Clearwater Beach has won numerous awards for being the ‘best beach’. It’s not hard to see why, with its pristine beach and nightly sunset celebration.

Your Spring Break will be a memorable one with family or friends. Whether you are looking for theme parks, beaches, dolphin cruises, spring training baseball, or to relax, Clearwater Beach has it all.

You probably won’t find many locals on Clearwater Beach during Spring Break, but I encourage you to come here and ENJOY it!

Where To Stay On Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach offers a variety of accommodations, from 4-star beach resorts to budget-friendly hotels. The prices will tend to be higher during the Spring Break season, however. It’s popular!

$ – Sunrise Resort Motel South is located a short 5-minute walk to Clearwater Beach and offers free parking, free wifi, and an outdoor pool. Also on the property are BBQ facilities and laundromat services. Each accommodation includes a microwave and small refrigerator.

$$ – Pelican Pointe Hotel offers a refrigerator, microwave, and dining area in each accommodation. Also, a heated outdoor pool and laundry facility are available. If location is a factor, you’ll love this one, it’s centrally located on the island and walkable to a majority of the beach attractions.

$$$ – Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa is the ultimate beachfront location. This excuisite property comes with all of the wonderful amenities the Hilton brand offers, worldwide. Pamper yourself at the onsite spa, and get that ice-cold rum runner at Tommy’s Tiki Bar.

To view ALL accommodations in the Clearwater Beach area, click on the interactive map to view all available options.

Fishing Charters near Clearwater Beach

Do you love to fish? Have you never gone fishing, but now is your time? Whether you are a beginner or an experienced angler, going fishing is a wonderful activity for the whole family or group of friends.

There are many options for fishing charters, inshore and offshore, 1/2 day or Full day. This is one activity that you will want to book in advance during the peak Spring Break season, as spaces are limited.

I highly recommend finding your experienced charter caption through Captain Experiences. This site offers specific details about the captain, boats, what’s included, and what to expect. Complete with customer reviews and a 100% weather guarantee, book your fishing trip with confidence.

Things To Do In Clearwater Beach

Where do I begin?! First, let me inform you that there will be a massive construction project at the Clearwater Beach Marina starting in 2024. The commercial docks will still be operating tours during this much-needed renovation.

There is so much to do and see in and around Clearwater Beach, including free and cheap things that won’t break your vacation bank.

Encounters With Dolphins is a 90-minute boat tour that heads toward Compass Island and along the way, the captain gives a commentary about the area, while on the lookout for the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. Once you reach Compass Island, you can walk around looking for seashells or use the snorkeling equipment to search for additional sea life under the surface. This is a newer, Coast Guard-inspected vessel with a highly trained captain and crew.

Schooner Sailing Cruise is a wonderful 2-hour sailing excursion that gives you a different perspective of Clearwater Beach… from the Gulf of Mexico! Once the captain has maneuvered the sailboat through the channel, the engine is turned off and you will experience the amazing feeling of sailing, being propelled by the wind. Ahhhh… You may even see dolphins on this trip!

Are you with a larger group? Renting your own Pontoon Boat is a great way to get away from the crowds and explore the waterway. I love exploring our area by pontoon. It’s comfortable, safe, and FUN!

Looking for something different? Viator has a variety of tours, excursions, rentals, and other activities you may be interested in.

Beach Day! You did come here for some beach time, after all! Clearwater Beach is saturated with rental cabanas, beach chairs and umbrellas, and other water sports toys that can be rented for use.

Tampa Bay is not known as a SCUBA diving destination, however, there are many wonder dive shops in the area to get your certifications and refreshers.

The cabanas, chairs, and umbrellas are first come first served and cannot be reserved in advance. They are available for rent between 8 and 9 a.m., so get your breakfast and head to the beach!

Do take care to avoid getting a sunburn and don’t take valuables to the beach!

Every night, the celebration of the sunset happens at Pier 60. Come see buskers, musicians, and local crafters offer a variety of entertainment and shopping opportunities. Don’t miss it!

Getting Around Clearwater Beach and Area

If you will be flying to the Tampa Bay Region, having a rental car may be the best option to get around. However, if you plan on getting to your accommodation and staying put, take a private transfer or rideshare to save some money.

Once you get out to the beach, it’s easy to take public transportation or rideshares to where you want to go. Renting a bicycle is also a great way to get around the beach.

If you will be day-tripping to Clearwater Beach from other parts, parking could be a challenge, but with a little patience and planning, it shouldn’t be a problem.

You may also opt to bring the Clearwater Jolly Trolly up and down Gulf Boulevard. This is a great option if you’ve had some margaritas or other libations. Let’s keep our beach communities safe from impaired drivers. Thank you.

Dining on Clearwater Beach

Most beach accommodations will have a small fridge and microwave, so making sandwiches for the beach or a quick breakfast before heading out for the day will save a bit of money.

Breakfast on Clearwater Beach

When I’m on vacation, I love to have breakfast at a local’s favorite, or someplace quaint or quirky. There’s just something about the bottomless coffee mug that gets me going!

My pick for breakfast, as a local, would be Clear Sky Cafe. Located north of the roundabout, it’s best to make a reservation on the Open Table App. If you don’t have a reservation, you will most likely have to wait, but it’s worth the wait. Clear Sky serves food all day, so stop by for lunch or dinner if you don’t make it for breakfast.

I have dined here a few times over the years and it’s a great choice. We bring our visiting guests here before exploring the beach area.

Lunch on Clearwater Beach

There are many places to have lunch in Clearwater Beach, but nothing as spectacular as Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill. I love this place because you can sit on the beach, kick off your flip-flops, and gaze out to the Gulf while having a fresh grouper sandwich and ice-cold beverage. Ahhh.

The beachside tables have ample shade while you dine. If kicking the sand while you eat is not your thing, they offer patio seating and some indoor seating, too.

Peek at the Clearwater Beach Cam mounted at Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill to see what’s happening at the beach, or catch a virtual sunset while you plan your vacation!

Dinner on Clearwater Beach

Okay, for dinner, I’m going to suggest hopping just a bit south of Clearwater Beach to Sand Key to dine at the Columbia Restaurant. Don’t worry, it’s just over the Sand Key Bridge, but it’s sooo good!

The original Columbia Restaurant is located in Ybor City and has been award-winning for decades. They serve the same food at the beach location with spectacular water views. You will definitely enjoy this place. From the 1905 salad to the La Completa Cubana. To the fresh seafood dishes and Key Lime Pie for dessert.

The Columbia Restaurant is super popular so please, make a reservation. You can do that on their website. There is a convenient Suncoast Beach Trolly stop out front, for added adventure!

Nightlife on Clearwater Beach

There are a couple of places for poppin’ nightlife on Clearwater Beach.

Shepherd’s Tiki Beach has daily live music, food, and drinks to accompany the magnificent sunsets that this area is known for. After dark, continue the party in the indoor nightclub.

On the north end of the island, The Shipwreck is open late with a DJ, pool tables, darts, and a nautical vibe.

As always, please drink responsibly. Don’t ruin your vacation, or someone else’s by driving while intoxicated.

Day Trippin’ From Clearwater Beach

Let’s face it, the Tampa Bay Region is full of wonderful things to do during your visit. Your vacation time is valuable and you may want to fill it with as much as you can while you’re here.

A short 90-minute drive north of Clearwater Beach is Crystal River where, during certain times of the year, you can swim with the manatees. Manatee season ends around the end of April, once the Gulf temperatures warm up enough for the gentle giants to leave the relatively warmer spring waters for the Gulf.

South of Clearwater Beach is the Sunshine City, St. Petersburg. St. Pete has amazing museums, parks, beaches, and a gorgeous downtown with a brand-new state-of-the-art pier district. If you’re looking to get off of the beach for a bit, definitely make a trip to downtown St. Pete. I love it there.

Breakin’ It Down: Spring Break On Clearwater Beach

Spending your Spring Break in Clearwater Beach will provide many opportunities to create amazing memories with your friends or family. Whether you choose a deep-sea fishing trip, rent a personal watercraft, or just hang out on the beach, Clearwater Beach has everything you need for an amazing vacation.