Escape The Crowds And Opt For Snorkeling In Clearwater FL

By Tracie Knight


Florida is an excellent destination if you're into watersports. The Sunshine State offers everything from sailing to fishing. Divers and snorkelers flock to the Keys, where conditions are excellent and there is plenty to see. However, the Keys can get very crowded and your snorkeling experience can become a disappointment because of this. A great alternative is to go snorkeling in Clearwater FL.

Clearwater is located in the Tampa Bay Area on the west coast of Florida. It lies in Pinellas County, with the Gulf of Mexico to one side and Tampa Bay to the other. The city of Tampa is located about 22 miles to the east and Tampa International Airport is close by.

The city may be the smallest of the three major cities in the Tampa Bay Area but it is no backwater. It hosts large festivals and events throughout the year and also has all the amenities a visitor might want. There are restaurants for every taste and seafood, especially the grouper sandwich, is a specialty. Moreover, there is a wide range of accommodation, no matter what your budget.

The Church of Scientology has its headquarters in the city and several celebrities own properties here. If you're looking for a bit of Hollywood in a different way, the old-style movie theater known as the Capitol is the place to go. During the day, enjoy sports such as tennis or golf or visit an ice-skating rink. In the late afternoon, watch the sunset from Pier 60.

The main reason to visit is the fantastic beaches. They're rated among the best in the USA and are characterized by powdery white sand and crystal clear waters. The most popular are the main city beach and the beach in Sand Key Park.

With the beach comes a variety of activities, of which many are water based. Charter a boat and go sailing or fishing in the waters of the Gulf. Alternatively, go on a cruise, even a pirate-themed one. For an adrenalin rush, try jet-skiing, speedboat rides or parasailing. While this is not the best destination for surfers, stand-up paddle-boarding is a great alternative or you may want to rent a kayak with a glass bottom.

Visibility is excellent in the waters around the city and an abundance of marine life makes snorkeling here a joy. At Sand Key and the more remote Shell Key, you may even be lucky enough to see a manatee or some dolphins. A short ferry ride can also take you to Fort Dade. This old fort is in ruins and parts of it have fallen into the water, creating an unusual habitat for colorful fish and starfish, among others. If you'd rather not venture out too far, even the shallow waters just off the main city beach are good for snorkel action, with the possibility of spotting stingrays.

The best thing about Clearwater is that it doesn't matter what time of year you visit, you'll have great weather. The city sees an average of 361 days of sunshine every year, after all. Fall and winter have more comfortable humidity levels but since this is high season, everything is busier and more expensive. In summer the humidity can be high but it shouldn't bother you when you're out in the water with your snorkeling gear.




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