As one strolls along Gulf View Drive on Clearwater Beach late on a Saturday night, the night air is awash in convertible car headlights, bright spirits, laughter, and the meanderings of teenagers and adults. Clearwater Beach is a barrier island on the Gulf Coast of Florida, near St. Petersburg and Tampa. In fact, Clearwater Beach is a part of Clearwater, which became a city in 1915. One hundred and ten years later, Clearwater's population is 104,000, not including the annual 1.5 million snowbirds which flock from points north seeking an alternative to the hustle of South Florida or the commercialism of Orlando. Its beaches and outdoor life are the main attraction.
Visitors enjoy the beaches at all times of the day.
The outdoor evening action starts shortly before the setting sun sizzles into the ocean against a backdrop of a usually perfect sky filled with puffy, white clouds. This landmark is easy to find since the major road on to the island, State Road 60, leads you to the intersection of Coronado Drive, the Pier looming in the background. The best way to experience Clearwater Beach and its environs is by boat, and there is every type of boat adventure imaginable at the marina. Cigarette boats, fishing boats, nature tours, snorkeling boats, air-conditioned paddleboats, and even a pirate ship tie up at the docks. Kids don pirate hats, engaging in treasure hunts, water pistol fights, and line dancing with the crew.