Three Day Clearwater Beach Itinerary From a Local
Clearwater Beach is a beautiful destination known for its pristine beaches. And while the beach is reason enough to visit, there’s also tons of fun things to do.
Today, we’re going to cover how to spend three full days in Clearwater Beach, Florida. It doesn’t really account for travel days arriving to and from the island.
If you’re coming longer, I recommend just spreading these activities out more. You could also add more time relaxing at the area’s beautiful beaches, your resort’s pool, or take a day trip.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this ultimate Clearwater Beach itinerary guide are affiliate links (including links to Amazon) providing us with a small commission if you make a qualifying purchase – at no extra cost to you. We greatly appreciate your support! As always, we share our honest opinion and everything is written by us.
Day 1: Sun, Sand, and Seafood
Before I lived at the beach, getting to the beach on vacation was my top priority. So day one is focused on the beach while also starting to explore the area.
Morning: Beach time and Breakfast
If you’re an early riser (or even if you’re not!) you may want to start your day with a beach walk. To me, morning is always the best time at the beach because it isn’t too hot yet. It’s also less crowded and we usually see dolphins while we’re out and about in the morning.
After your beach walk, you’ll want to grab some breakfast. Clear Sky Cafe is one of the most popular spots to grab breakfast on the island. They have all of your breakfast classics. Everything is good, but my favorite item is the breakfast tacos.
Pro tip: Clear Sky Cafe is one of the most popular restaurants for breakfast in Clearwater Beach so it’s a good idea to get there early. If you’re not an early riser, you might want to do your beach walk after breakfast instead.
Late Morning/Afternoon: Beach time and Lunch
Now it’s time to relax at the beach. This is probably the reason you came here, anyways! There are plenty of spots on the beach where you can rent chairs and umbrellas if you want more comfort. Otherwise, grab a towel and head towards the beach.
Relax and enjoy the crystal-clear waters. But if you don’t like laying on the beach, you can check out some water sports such as paddleboarding or jet skis.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, consider Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill. They are famous for their grouper sandwich. While there are a couple of Frenchy’s locations on the island, the Rockaway Grill location is my favorite because it’s beachfront.
Afternoon/Evening: Pier 60
After lunch, take your time strolling to Pier 60. Depending on where you are staying in Clearwater Beach, you may have several bars and small shops to stop in along the way.
Pier 60 refers to the huge pier in Clearwater Beach and it’s one of the best things about Clearwater Beach.
The pier is 1,080 feet and is a fisherperson’s dream. Along the pier, you’ll also find a playground. Every night at sunset, local artists set up to sell their locally made products. There are also really fun street performers and live music every night.
For dinner, both Crabby’s Dockside and Salty’s Island Bar and Grill are great options. They are somewhat similar because they’re owned by the same people. Crabby’s has great views from their third story dining room whereas Salty’s is across the street from the beach. Both options serve good seafood and bar-type food. Crabby’s is located more central to a lot of the main attractions of Clearwater Beach whereas Salty’s is on the south end of the island.
Day Two:
On day two, we’re going to explore some of the local marine life up close and personal. Then maybe see some more on a boat tour. If you’re an adult wanting a few drinks, we’ll end the day grabbing some great drinks.
Morning: Visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
The aquarium first became popular thanks to Winter the dolphin, who was featured in Dolphin Tale. She has sadly died since then. But her fame made (and continues to make) a significant impact on the aquarium, and therefore countless other marine animals.
The aquarium rescues and rehabilitates wildlife but if they can’t be rescued, the aquarium helps give them a home.
Afternoon: Boat Tour and Lunch
Clearwater Beach is amazing and experiencing it from the water makes it even more special. This afternoon, get out on the water. There are several different options to choose from, and here are some of my favorites:
- The Pirate Ship Cruise is one of the most popular trips in the area and it’s great for kids/families!
- Dolphin Watching Cruise
- A sunset cruise
- Kayaking
For lunch, head to Palm Pavilion. It’s right across from the Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill you may have eaten lunch at on the first day. Their tropical drinks are my favorite and I love their slogan there’s no place anywhere like this place, anywhere near this place, so this must be the place.
Most days, there is live music but this place is so laid back that there’s no guarantee. They serve a little bit of everything and it’s all good. If you don’t want to go there for a meal but you like a nice tropical drink, definitely stop there for a drink at some point on your trip. Can you tell that I really, really love this place?
Evening: Bar Hop
If you like a couple of drinks, Clearwater Beach has some really fun places to stop in for a cold one.
- 3 Daughters Brewing – their main brewery/original location is a local favorite. It was so successful they opened a second on in Clearwater Beach. It’s a great spot if you like craft beer! 3 Daughters Brewing is one of the most popular breweries in the St Pete/Tampa Bay area.
- Jimmy’s Fish House – right on the water with good drinks and live music. There is also a full menu here (side note – this is a great breakfast spot!)
- Bar Tiki – a cute rooftop spot with fun tropical decorations. They also have Hawaiian inspired food if you want to grab a bite to eat.
- Tommy’s Tiki – right on the beach, you can put your feet in the sand while you sip your favorite tropical concoction. This is also a very family friendly spot since you’re basically right on the beach.
- Jamminz – this reminds me of a bar that I’d sneak into in my college days. But I mean that in the best possible way. It’s a fun one to stop into for a quick drink while you’re wandering around. And they have jello shots.
Of course, you should go where your heart desires. If you find a cool bar while you’re wandering, stop in for a drink!
Day Three:
Day three consists of checking out a different beach then enjoying the views!
Morning:
If you’re not making your own breakfast, consider Holy Crepe if you want a quicker breakfast or have a sweet tooth like me (hello, nutella crepes!). For more of a sit down/traditional breakfast, consider Ryan’s Island Cafe.
Late Morning/Afternoon: Sand Key
If you want a change of scenery, head to Sand Key park. It’s a short distance from Clearwater Beach (under 10 minutes). The park consists of 95 acres, has a gorgeous beach, nature trails, a dog park, and a playground.
Evening: Catch the Sunset from a Rooftop Bar
There are a few rooftop bars in Clearwater Beach, but my favorite is Jimmy’s on the Edge. The views from the top are incredible and they give out free shots at sunset. It can also be a kid-friendly place if you’re a family and they have a full menu. We usually just order an appetizer (I love their guacamole and their salsa!) and a fun drink.
This is the incredible view from Jimmy’s on the Edge!
If you are just grabbing a drink at Jimmy’s and want some dinner options, consider Columbia. It’s located right by Sand Key. You could go here right after you visit Sand Key, but it is a bit of a nicer establishment so you might want to freshen up after a day in the salt and sun.
Columbia is a traditional Spanish restaurant right on the water. The atmosphere is nice whether you’re inside or have a water view. Inside, you’ll enjoy the Spanish decor and energy. The restaurant has a few locations (including one in St Augustine) and dates back to 1905. I highly recommend the 1905 salad. It is so good!
Other Things to Do
If you happen to be visiting for longer than 3 days or if you just tend to pack more into your schedule than what I alotted for, here are some more fun things to do in Clearwater Beach:
- Mini golf
- Take a day trip! There are so many good day trip options from Clearwater Beach. For a small town feel, check out Dunedin or Tarpon Springs. For thrill-seekers, check out Busch Gardens. Tampa is also in easy driving distance or you could head north to kayak the springs in Weeki Wachee.
- Ride the Jolley Trolley to the Suncoast Trolley and check out one of the other beach towns in the area (I have guides on Indian Rocks Beach and St Pete Beach if you want to head that way)
- Explore downtown Clearwater, just a short trip away (around a 7 minute drive depending on traffic). There are shops and restaurants there as well as Coachman Park, which is an outdoor music venue.
Where to Stay in Clearwater Beach
There are plenty of spots to stay in Clearwater Beach. Most are in a convenient spot to be able to easily explore the island and if they aren’t, they’re close to the trolley which can get you pretty much anywhere you’d want to go for a few dollars.
Here are my personal favorite places to stay in Clearwater Beach:
Hyatt Regency
I am a bit partial to this option mostly because I typically pay for my hotels on points and Hyatt has one of the best point redemption programs out there. If you are like and like to use credit card points to pay for your travels, then this will be a fabulous option.
The Hyatt Regency has a great location right by Pier 60. You get two beach chairs and a beach umbrella included in your stay and it’s nice to not have to pay extra for that extra comfort on the beach.
Photo: Hotels.com
One thing to note is that the hotel isn’t directly on the beach. You’ll technically have to cross the street to get to the beach.
There are on site restaurants, an on site spa, and a lot of activities for kids. It also has a wonderful pool. The pool is on the 8th floor, so you have some incredible views of the beach from there.
Click Here to Book the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach
Opal Sands Resort
Perhaps my favorite thing about Opal Sands is that every one of their 230 guest rooms has a panoramic view of the Gulf of Mexico. They have floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies.
Photo: Hotels.com
Opal Sands is located around a half mile to all of the action on and around Pier 60. To me, it’s a perfect distance because it’s just a short walk but it makes the area a bit more quiet.
Opal Sands has a few different on-site restaurant options. Sea-Guini is an upscale option but there is also a casual beachfront option (Sandbar) and a poolside bar.
Of course, there is a pool and it’s zero entry with a tanning deck. There is also a spa, fitness center, and direct beach access.
Click Here to Book the Opal Sands
Wyndham Grand
The Wyndham Grand has an excellent location right by Pier 60 (it’s right next door to the Hyatt). Like the Hyatt, you’ll technically have to cross the street to get to the beach. But don’t worry, it’s literally right. there.
You really can’t get closer to Pier 60 than the Wyndham Grand.
Photo: Hotels.com
All rooms technically have water views, but some water views are of the marina (still beautiful, but it’s not the beach). Also, some of the rooms are more of a partial view, not the full on sweeping views you might be picturing (still gorgeous, I’m just setting you up for realistic expectations!)
Like the other hotels I mentioned, the Wyndham Grand also has some great dining options. Ocean Hai has Asian cuisine, there is a poolside bar and grill, and eSKPades is an on site coffee and cocktail bar. You can also order room service.
There is an on site spa and I absolutely love the pool here. There is a very nice (and very large) hot tub. We happened to visit during a chilly night and spent hours in that hot tub. It was amazing!
Tips for Your Clearwater Beach Getaway
- Book Activities in Advance: Popular activities like dolphin cruises and aquarium visits can book up quickly, so reserve early.
- Stay Hydrated: Clearwater Beach can get hot, especially in the summer, so bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
- Parking: Parking around Clearwater Beach fills up fast. Arriving early each day or staying at a nearby hotel can save you hassle.
- Pack Light: Most areas around the beach and pier offer rentals and amenities, so you won’t need much beyond essentials.
Final Thoughts
Clearwater Beach is a great place for vacation basically no matter what kind of group you’re traveling with. It’s good for couples, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and families. There is enough to do to easily tailor your vacation in Clearwater Beach to be whatever you want it to be!
