The short version

Florida stone crab season opens October 15 and runs into spring, so from fall through spring you will see stone crab claws on menus all along Clearwater Beach (Clearwater weather and seasonality, check current). Outside stone crab season, fresh Gulf grouper and shrimp are the seafood you will most often see on local menus. This guide covers what is in season when, where the well known beach seafood landmarks are, and the option most listings never mention: with a full kitchen at the apartment, you can buy fresh Gulf grouper or shrimp at the market and cook it yourself. One honest note up front: our two Avalon condos are a 10 to 15 minute drive from Clearwater Beach, so the beachfront seafood spots below are a short drive away, not steps from the door.

When stone crab season runs

The season is fixed to the calendar, not the weather: it opens October 15 and runs into spring, and stone crab claws show up on local Clearwater Beach menus fall through spring (currentresults seasonality note, check current). That timing lines up neatly with the quieter, better value months on the coast. October is one of the cheapest and quietest months here, and November and December stay crisp and uncrowded, so a fall trip gets you the opening of stone crab season without the spring break prices (Clearwater by month, check current).

A quick note to avoid confusion: stone crab claws (the fall through spring seasonal item) are not the same thing as she crab soup, the creamy soup that is a signature at Frenchy’s.

What is in season when, and where to get it

Water temperature is a decent shorthand for the seafood year here. The Gulf is warmest July through September, in the mid 80s Fahrenheit, and stays above about 70 degrees April through October (currentresults, check current). Stone crab overlaps the cooler, quieter half of that calendar.

Source for water temperature and crowd or value pattern: currentresults Clearwater month by month (check current). Stone crab window: opens Oct 15, runs into spring. If you are trying to time a whole trip around the seafood and the weather together, our month by month guide goes deeper on when to come.

The beach seafood landmarks

We will be straight with you: our own restaurant shortlist is something we are still putting together, so rather than pretend, here are the well known Clearwater Beach seafood landmarks that the regional tourism board lists in its dining guide (Visit St. Pete Clearwater dining, check current):

• Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, a Clearwater Beach original since 1981, right on the beachfront, known for its grouper sandwich and its she crab soup. There are several Frenchy’s along the beach.
• Crabby’s Beachside, a casual beach bar and kitchen, formerly the Palm Pavilion.

Both are on Clearwater Beach itself, which from Avalon is that 10 to 15 minute drive. The practical version of getting there, parking, and using the trolley once you are at the coast is in our getting to the beach guide.

The cook your own angle

Here is the part that makes a rental worth it over a hotel room. Every one of our apartments has a full kitchen. At Oasis Dream that means a dishwasher, microwave, oven, and fridge, plus an in unit washer and dryer and a private balcony. Fresh Gulf grouper and shrimp are easy to find at a local fish market, so you can cook your own seafood at the apartment for a fraction of a sit down bill, then eat it on the balcony.

That works year round, and it is especially handy in summer, May through September, when stone crab is out of season but the water is at its warmest and fresh Gulf seafood is still easy to find. A full kitchen also means you are not tied to restaurant hours with a group of six. If you are weighing a kitchen and space against a room by the sand, our vacation rental vs hotel comparison lays out the tradeoff, and the Avalon at Clearwater page shows the kitchens and grounds.

Making a day of it

Seafood pairs naturally with the rest of a Clearwater day. The nightly Sunsets at Pier 60 festival is free and runs year round on Clearwater Beach, so a grouper sandwich and the sunset market is an easy evening. For a fuller list of what is near the apartments, from the beaches to the day trips north and south, see our things to do near Avalon guide and the broader Clearwater guide.

Frequently asked questions

When is stone crab season in Clearwater?

Florida stone crab season opens October 15 and runs into spring, so you will see stone crab claws on Clearwater Beach menus fall through spring. Timing a trip for October or November gets you the season opening in the quieter, better value months.

Where can I get a grouper sandwich near Clearwater Beach?

Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill is a Clearwater Beach original since 1981 and is known for its grouper sandwich and she crab soup, and there are several Frenchy’s along the beach. It is one of the landmarks the regional dining guide lists. From our Avalon condos it is about a 10 to 15 minute drive.

Can I cook seafood at the apartment?

Yes. Every apartment has a full kitchen. At Oasis Dream that is a dishwasher, microwave, oven, and fridge, plus a private balcony. Buy fresh Gulf grouper or shrimp at a local fish market and cook it at the apartment, which works year round.

What seafood is around in summer when stone crab is out of season?

May through September is out of season for stone crab, but that is when the Gulf water is warmest, in the mid 80s Fahrenheit, and fresh Gulf grouper and shrimp are still easy to find at the market. It is a good stretch for cooking your own catch at the apartment.

How far are the beach seafood restaurants from Avalon?

The beachfront spots like Frenchy’s and Crabby’s are on Clearwater Beach, which is about a 10 to 15 minute drive from our Avalon condos. They are a short drive away, not walking distance, and parking at the complex is free.

For where to stay while you eat your way through the season, see our where to stay in Clearwater Beach guide, and our three places: Oasis Dream Vacations, Blue Ocean, and Dolphin Point.

The honest trade

Clearwater Beach is the main event, and on a bright Saturday in March it feels like it. If your idea of a good beach day involves fewer people, a shorter walk to the water and a parking lot you can actually get into, the better move is to drive a few minutes past the busiest stretch. The good news is that some of the area’s quieter, highly rated beaches sit just north and south of the crowd, and from our two Avalon condos, which are already a 10 to 15 minute drive from the sand, most of them are barely any further.

None of these are secret, and we are not going to pretend they are empty. They are calmer and less built up than the busiest part of Clearwater Beach, and they take a little more effort to reach. That is the whole point. Here is what is actually out there, with hours, parking and the catches, so you can pick the right one for the day you want.

Sand Key Park, just south over the bridge

If you only add one beach to your trip, make it Sand Key. It sits just south of Clearwater Beach, about a ten minute drive over the Sand Key bridge, so it is genuinely close. It is a 95 acre Pinellas County park, and because it is a county park rather than a strip of hotels, it feels calmer and less crowded than the main beach even when the coast is busy.

Practically, it has what you need for a real beach day: showers, changing rooms and a cafe on site. Parking runs about $6 a day, and the park is open 7am to sunset. Those are changeable, so check current hours and fees with Pinellas County before you go. For a family that wants space and facilities without the walk from a far away garage, this is usually the easiest win of the three.

Honeymoon Island, about twenty minutes north

Head the other way and you reach Honeymoon Island State Park, about a twenty minute drive north near Dunedin. It is a quieter, more natural beach with an osprey trail, and it doubles as the launch point for the ferry to Caladesi Island, so a lot of people combine the two into one day out.

Entry is $8 per vehicle for up to eight people, and the park is open 8am to sundown, 365 days a year. As always, confirm the current hours and fees on the Florida State Parks page, since state park pricing does move. Pay the per vehicle fee once and everyone in the car is covered, which makes it good value for a group.

Caladesi Island, the undeveloped one you take a boat to

Caladesi is the payoff for a bit of planning. It is a top ranked, undeveloped barrier island beach with no road to it: you reach it by boat only. The Caladesi ferry runs from Honeymoon Island, so the trip stacks on top of a Honeymoon Island visit.

The ferry ride is roughly 20 minutes each way, and the round trip runs about $20 for ages 13 and up and about $10 for ages 6 to 12, on top of the $8 park entry you already paid at Honeymoon Island. The ferry typically holds you to a stay of around four hours, which is plenty for a swim and a walk but worth knowing before you settle in. Check the current ferry schedule and pricing before you drive out, because departures and fares are seasonal. This is the most effort of the three and the most reward: quiet, wild and genuinely different from the main strip.

The quieter beaches compared

Times and prices below are approximate and change with the season, so treat them as a starting point, not a promise.

Sources: Pinellas County, Florida State Parks and the Caladesi ferry. All of these are changeable, so check current before you go.

One thing to check before any beach day

Whichever beach you choose, glance at the water conditions first. Red tide, a naturally occurring algae bloom, comes and goes along the Gulf and is most common in the fall, and it can make one beach unpleasant while another a few miles away is fine. Never take a fixed answer on this: check the live FWC status map, the Pinellas beach conditions page, or call the hotline at 866-300-9399 the morning you go. It is a two minute check that can save a beach day.

For when to visit in general, warmest Gulf water and quietest crowds, our month by month guide to Clearwater Beach breaks down the whole year.

Why a base a short drive inland works for this

Here is where staying at Avalon quietly pays off. Our two short stay condos, Oasis Dream Vacations and Blue Ocean, sit in a gated complex about 3.5 miles from Clearwater Beach, roughly a 10 to 15 minute drive. That inland position is not a downside for a trip built around these quieter beaches: you are already in the car, you have free parking at the complex, and Sand Key to the south and Honeymoon Island to the north are both an easy hop from that base rather than a fight through beachfront traffic.

Each condo sleeps six, has a full kitchen and a heated saltwater pool on the grounds, which is exactly the setup you want for beach days: rinse off, feed everyone, and head back out. One honest access note: our Oasis Dream apartment is on the third floor with stairs and no elevator, so tell us first if stairs and beach gear are a concern. If your heart is set on walking straight onto the sand, our waterfront Dolphin Point at Island Estates is the long stay option closer to the water.

For the full picture of these day trips and everything else within reach, see our things to do near Avalon guide. Traveling with kids? Our Clearwater Beach with kids guide leans into the calmer, facilities first choices. And if you are still weighing where to base yourself, our guide to where to stay in Clearwater Beach walks through the beachfront versus short drive tradeoff in full.

Frequently asked questions

What is the quietest beach near Clearwater Beach?

The two calmest options a short drive out are Sand Key Park, a Pinellas County park just south over the Sand Key bridge, and Honeymoon Island State Park about 20 minutes north near Dunedin. For the most undeveloped, quietest beach of all, take the ferry from Honeymoon Island to Caladesi Island, which has no road access at all. Crowd levels still vary by day and season, so there are no guarantees.

How much does it cost to park at Sand Key Park?

Parking is about $6 a day, and the park is open 7am to sunset. Fees and hours change, so check the current details on the Pinellas County page before you go. Sand Key also has showers, changing rooms and a cafe, which makes it easy for a full beach day.

How do you get to Caladesi Island?

Caladesi is boat access only. You reach it by the Caladesi ferry, which departs from Honeymoon Island State Park and takes about 20 minutes by boat. Expect a round trip fare of about $20 for ages 13 and up and about $10 for ages 6 to 12, on top of the $8 vehicle entry you pay at Honeymoon Island, with a stay of roughly four hours. Schedules and fares are seasonal, so check the current ferry timetable first.

How much is entry to Honeymoon Island State Park?

Entry is $8 per vehicle for up to eight people, and the park is open 8am to sundown, 365 days a year. Prices and hours can change, so confirm on the Florida State Parks page. The Caladesi ferry also departs from here, so many visitors combine the two.

Are these beaches close to the Avalon condos?

They are a short drive. Our Avalon condos are about 3.5 miles from Clearwater Beach, roughly a 10 to 15 minute drive, and Sand Key sits just south over the bridge while Honeymoon Island is about 20 minutes north. You will want a car for these trips, which pairs well with the free parking at the complex.

Do I need to worry about red tide at these beaches?

Sometimes. Red tide is a naturally occurring bloom that comes and goes along the Gulf, most common in the fall, and it can affect one beach while another nearby is clear. Always check the live FWC status map or the Pinellas beach conditions page, or call 866-300-9399, on the morning you plan to go.

More local guides: things to do near Avalon, Clearwater Beach with kids, best time to visit, and where to stay in Clearwater Beach.

The short version

Two airports serve Clearwater Beach, and they are not the same trip. St. Pete Clearwater (PIE) is the closer one: it sits on SR-686, also called Roosevelt Boulevard, about 4 miles north of St. Petersburg, and there is a shuttle to the beach from about $8 (fly2pie.com, check current). Tampa International (TPA) is the bigger airport with far more flights, about 21 miles from the beach across the Courtney Campbell Causeway, roughly a 30 to 40 minute drive, often 40 to 45 in traffic. If flight schedules and price are equal, PIE is the shorter, simpler arrival. In practice most people take whatever gets them here for less, and both work. This guide covers the drive, the shuttle, rideshare and a rental car, and one thing worth knowing before you land: at our Avalon condos a car helps, because the complex is a short drive inland.

PIE vs TPA, side by side

Distances and times below are approximate and traffic dependent. Fares and schedules change, so treat the shuttle price as a starting point and check the current number before you count on it.

Flying into St. Pete Clearwater (PIE)

PIE is the closer airport and a smaller, quicker one to move through. It sits on SR-686 (Roosevelt Boulevard), about 4 miles north of St. Petersburg (fly2pie.com). If you are comparing on distance alone, this is the shorter arrival to the coast.

The budget option here is the Grouper Airport Express, a shared shuttle that runs between PIE and Clearwater Beach from about $8 for a single rider, about $20 for a group of four, and about $30 for a group of five to eight (fly2pie.com, check current before you rely on it). For a couple or a solo traveler heading straight to the beach, that is hard to beat. The catch is coverage: PIE carries fewer routes and fewer daily flights than Tampa, so you may not find a convenient time or price from your home city.

Flying into Tampa (TPA)

TPA is the bigger airport with far more flights, which is often why people land here even though it is farther out. The drive to Clearwater Beach is about 21 miles across the Courtney Campbell Causeway (FL-60), a long span over Old Tampa Bay, and it runs roughly 30 to 40 minutes, often 40 to 45 in traffic. There is no low-cost beach shuttle from TPA the way there is from PIE, so from Tampa you are choosing between a rideshare and a rental car.

Your three ways from either airport

• Rideshare. The simplest door to door option, and it works from both airports. From PIE it is a short run; from TPA you are paying for the causeway crossing, so expect a Tampa fare to run higher than a St. Pete one. Good if you are here for a short beach-only trip and do not plan to drive.
• The Grouper Airport Express shuttle. The value pick, and only from PIE: from about $8 single, scaling to about $30 for a group of five to eight (fly2pie.com, check current). Best for couples and solo travelers going straight to the beach without a car.
• A rental car. Worth it if you are staying more than a couple of nights or want to explore, and especially if you are staying inland. Both airports have on-site rental counters. See the next section for why a car earns its keep here.

Why a car helps once you are here

If you are booking one of our Avalon condos, plan on a car. The Avalon complex is a short drive inland, about 3.5 miles from Clearwater Beach, which is roughly a 10 to 15 minute drive, not walking distance to the sand. A rental turns that into a non-issue and opens up the rest of the area: groceries at the nearby Publix, downtown Clearwater a few minutes away, and the state parks and towns to the north and south.

You do not strictly need one to reach the beach. You can rideshare to the coast, and once you are there the Jolley Trolley runs the beach route about every 30 minutes for $2.25 one way, free for children eight and under (Jolley Trolley fares, check current). But for a stay at Avalon, a car is the difference between planning around rides and just going. Our full breakdown of the drive, parking and the trolley is in the getting to the beach guide.

Island Estates is the exception in our lineup: Dolphin Point sits on the water between the mainland and the beach, closer in, though it is a long-stay unit. Our two short-stay condos, Oasis Dream and Blue Ocean, are both at Avalon, inland.

Frequently asked questions

Which airport is closest to Clearwater Beach?

St. Pete Clearwater (PIE) is the closer of the two. It sits on SR-686, also called Roosevelt Boulevard, about 4 miles north of St. Petersburg. Tampa International (TPA) is larger with more flights but farther out, about 21 miles from the beach across the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

How long is the drive from Tampa airport to Clearwater Beach?

About 30 to 40 minutes for roughly 21 miles via the Courtney Campbell Causeway (FL-60), and often 40 to 45 minutes in traffic. Plan for the higher end at rush hour or on a busy beach weekend.

Is there a shuttle from the airport to Clearwater Beach?

Yes, from St. Pete Clearwater (PIE): the Grouper Airport Express runs to the beach from about $8 for a single rider, about $20 for a group of four, and about $30 for a group of five to eight (fly2pie.com, check current). There is no equivalent low-cost beach shuttle from Tampa, so from TPA you are looking at a rideshare or a rental car.

Should I fly into PIE or TPA?

If the flight times and price are close, PIE is the shorter, simpler arrival to the beach. TPA carries far more routes and daily flights, so if PIE does not have a good option from your home city, Tampa is the practical choice, you just add the causeway drive.

Do I need a rental car for a Clearwater Beach vacation?

It depends where you stay. Our Avalon condos are a short drive inland, about a 10 to 15 minute drive from the beach, so a car makes the stay much easier and opens up groceries, downtown Clearwater and the state parks. You can manage without one by using rideshare and the Jolley Trolley once you are at the coast, but a car is the smoother option for an Avalon stay.

How much is the Jolley Trolley to the beach?

The beach route runs about every 30 minutes for $2.25 one way, and it is free for children eight and under (Jolley Trolley fares, check current). It is a good car-free way to move around once you are already at the coast, not a way to get in from the airport.

More reading: where to stay in Clearwater Beach, getting to the beach from Avalon, things to do near Avalon, and the best time to visit.

The short version

Clearwater Beach is built around its marina, and that marina is where the water activities launch: dolphin-watching cruises, a pirate ship cruise, kayak and paddleboard and jet ski rentals, sunset sailing, and parasailing. From our two Avalon condos it is roughly a 10 to 15 minute drive to the beach and its marina area, so a morning on the water is an easy plan even though the complex itself sits inland. This guide covers what is actually on offer, who each thing suits, and the honest caveat that the operators set their own times and prices, so you check those on the day. One bonus you do not have to pay for: the wild dolphins that show up in the Intracoastal around Island Estates on their own schedule.

The water activities, compared

Everything below is a category of thing to do rather than a single company, because several operators run each one out of the Clearwater Beach marina near Pier 60. We are naming the well known landmark operators where the local tourism board does, and keeping schedules and prices general on purpose: they vary by operator and season, so treat times and costs as “check current” every time.

Source for the activity list and operators: the Visit St. Pete/Clearwater things to do and area guides (check current schedules and prices with each operator).

Getting to the marina from Avalon

Our two short-stay condos sit in the gated Avalon complex, about 3.5 miles inland, which is roughly a 10 to 15 minute drive to Clearwater Beach and the marina area beside Pier 60. Drive over, park in the public beach lots (pay-by-plate kiosks and ParkMobile), and the launch docks are right there. Once you are at the coast, the Jolley Trolley runs the beach route about every 30 minutes for $2.25 one way, free for children eight and under (check current), which is handy if you would rather leave the car parked once. The full driving and parking detail is in our getting to the beach guide.

If you specifically want to be on the water constantly and step off your balcony toward it, that is the one place among our three where geography changes: our long-stay Dolphin Point unit is on Island Estates, waterfront on the bay and canals, where the wild dolphins actually show up.

The wild dolphins around Island Estates

You do not have to book a boat to see a dolphin here. Island Estates is a residential island community sitting in the Intracoastal between the mainland and Clearwater Beach, laced with canals and bay frontage, and dolphins move through those waters on their own. Our Dolphin Point listing markets exactly that: bay views, canals and dolphin sightings from the island. It is also where the Clearwater Marine Aquarium sits, which is the difference between watching dolphins in the wild and understanding the rescue work behind them.

When you would rather be near dolphins than on a boat with them

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a working marine rescue and rehabilitation centre at 249 Windward Passage on Island Estates, a short causeway from the beach. It is open 10am to 5pm daily, last entry 30 minutes before close (check current). It became famous as the home of Winter from Dolphin Tale and now cares for other rescued dolphins along with sea turtles, otters and stingrays. Admission runs about $41.95 for adults, $32.95 for children 3 to 11, and $39.95 for seniors 65+, with under-2s free and Florida resident discounts most dates (check current, and online prices can differ from the gate). It is the reliable rainy-day and animal-loving-kid plan when the boats are not sailing, and it pairs naturally with a marina cruise on a good-weather day. There is more on family plans in our Clearwater Beach with kids guide.

End the day on the water’s edge

When you are back off the boats, the free thing to do is the best-timed one. Sunsets at Pier 60 runs nightly, year round, from about two hours before to two hours after sunset (summer hours roughly 6 to 10pm, check current), with 30-plus artisan stalls and street performers right where the cruise boats dock. It costs nothing, it is genuinely local, and it is the natural cap on a day that started with a dolphin cruise.

A note on weather and timing

Summer, June through August, brings the warmest Gulf water, mid to upper 80s°F, and it is also the wettest stretch with reliable afternoon storms, so water plans go best in the morning (Clearwater climate normals, secondary). September and October are the quietest and best-value months, with water still warm into October. If you are choosing a month around water activities, our best time to visit guide has the full month-by-month table. And because this is the Gulf, always check the live red tide status before a boat day: the FWC status map, the Pinellas current beach conditions, or the hotline at 866-300-9399.

Frequently asked questions

What water activities can you do in Clearwater?

From the Clearwater Beach marina near Pier 60 you can take a dolphin-watching cruise, sail on Captain Memo’s pirate ship, rent a kayak, paddleboard or jet ski, book a sunset sail, or go parasailing. Operators set their own times and prices, so check current schedules with each one.

Where do the dolphin cruises leave from?

They launch from the Clearwater Beach marina area beside Pier 60, which is roughly a 10 to 15 minute drive from our Avalon condos. Park in the public beach lots and the docks are right there.

Are you guaranteed to see dolphins on a cruise?

No. These are wild dolphins, so sightings are common but never guaranteed. If you want the best odds without a boat, the waters around Island Estates, where our Dolphin Point unit sits, see wild dolphins move through the canals and bay on their own.

Which water activity is best for younger kids?

Captain Memo’s pirate cruise is a themed pirate-ship experience that suits younger children, and a dolphin-watching cruise is another easy family option. Check current sailings and book ahead.

How far is the marina from your Avalon condos?

About 3.5 miles, a 10 to 15 minute drive to Clearwater Beach and the marina area. The complex itself is inland, so a car helps, though the Jolley Trolley runs the beach route once you are at the coast.

Is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium a good rainy-day plan?

Yes. It is open 10am to 5pm daily on Island Estates, a short drive from the beach, and it is a working rescue centre with dolphins, sea turtles and otters. Check current hours and admission before you go.

More to plan with: our where to stay in Clearwater Beach guide, the wider things to do near Avalon roundup, and our waterfront Dolphin Point on Island Estates.

The short version

Dunedin is the easiest half day off the sand from a Clearwater base. It is a small, walkable downtown about 15 minutes north, built for wandering: independent shops, waterfront parks, the Pinellas Trail running straight through the middle of it, and a cluster of craft breweries anchored by Dunedin Brewery, Florida’s oldest microbrewery (Visit St. Pete Clearwater). It also happens to sit right next to Honeymoon Island State Park, which is where the boat to undeveloped Caladesi Island leaves from, so you can pair a morning at the beach with an afternoon of shops and a beer without much driving.

From our Avalon condos this is a drive, not a walk, which is exactly why it is a good use of a rental car you probably already have for the beach run. Below is what to do, what it costs, and how to get there.

Why Dunedin is worth a day

Most Clearwater trips never leave the beach, and that is fine. But if you want one day that feels like the real Gulf coast instead of the resort strip, Dunedin is the pick. The downtown is genuinely walkable, the kind of place you park once and cover on foot. Visit St. Pete Clearwater describes it as a walkable district of independent shops and craft breweries, and the one specific, checkable fact worth carrying is that Dunedin Brewery is the oldest microbrewery in Florida (Visit St. Pete Clearwater). Hours and taproom offerings change, so check current before you plan an evening around any single spot.

The Pinellas Trail cuts right through downtown Dunedin, which is part of what makes the town feel bikeable and relaxed rather than car choked. It is a paved rail trail good for a walk or a rented bike between shops and the waterfront.

And then there is the water. Dunedin sits beside Honeymoon Island and the ferry to top-ranked Caladesi Island, which is what turns a shopping stroll into a full day out.

Dunedin highlights and getting there

Everything below is a short drive north of the beach. Prices and hours are the changeable kind, so treat them as a starting point and check current before you go.

Pairing Dunedin with the islands

The move a lot of visitors miss is that Dunedin and the island beaches are the same trip. Honeymoon Island State Park is about 20 minutes north near Dunedin, a quiet stretch of sand with an osprey trail, $8 per vehicle for up to eight people, open 8am to sundown every day of the year (Florida State Parks).

From the Honeymoon Island dock, the ferry runs across to Caladesi Island, one of the top ranked undeveloped beaches in the country and reachable only by boat. The crossing is about 20 minutes, runs around $20 round trip for anyone 13 and up and $10 for children 6 to 12, on top of the $8 park entry, and the schedule holds you to roughly a four hour stay (Caladesi Ferry, check current). Do the beach in the morning while it is cool, then roll back into downtown Dunedin for shops, the trail and a late lunch or a brewery stop. We go deeper on both islands in our things to do near Avalon guide.

Getting to Dunedin from Avalon

Our two short stay condos are at the gated Avalon complex in Clearwater, about 3.5 miles and a 10 to 15 minute drive from Clearwater Beach. Dunedin sits just up the coast to the north, so from Avalon it is a straightforward drive. A car is the simplest way to do this day, and since you will likely have one for the beach anyway, the day trip costs you nothing extra but gas and parking.

If you would rather not drive the whole way, the Jolley Trolley runs the coastal route that connects Clearwater Beach, downtown Clearwater, Dunedin and points north up to Tarpon Springs, 7 days a week, at $2.25 one way and free for children 8 and under (fares and schedule, check current). It is a fun, low stress option once you are near the coast, though from an inland base like Avalon most people find the car easier. The full driving, parking and trolley detail lives in our getting to the beach guide.

One honest note on our place: the Oasis Dream apartment is on the third floor with stairs and no elevator, so if you are hauling beach gear and coolers up after a long island day, that is worth knowing. Tell us first if stairs are a concern.

When to go

Dunedin is a year round day trip, but the weather shapes how you spend it. The hot, wettest stretch runs June through September, when afternoon storms are common, so on those days it is smart to hit Honeymoon Island early and keep the shops and breweries for the afternoon when the rain rolls through. The cooler, drier months from November through March are easier for walking the trail and downtown without the midday heat (Clearwater climate normals). Our month by month guide breaks the seasons down in full.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Dunedin from Clearwater Beach?

Dunedin is a walkable downtown about 15 minutes north of the beach (Visit St. Pete Clearwater). From our Avalon condos it is a short drive up the coast.

What is Dunedin known for?

An walkable downtown of independent shops and craft breweries, with the Pinellas Trail running through the middle of it. The best known brewery is Dunedin Brewery, which is Florida’s oldest microbrewery (Visit St. Pete Clearwater). Taproom and shop hours change, so check current.

Can I visit Honeymoon Island and Caladesi on the same Dunedin trip?

Yes, that is the natural pairing. Honeymoon Island State Park is just north of Dunedin, $8 per vehicle, open 8am to sundown (Florida State Parks), and the ferry to undeveloped Caladesi Island leaves from there, about a 20 minute ride and roughly $20 round trip plus the park entry (Caladesi Ferry, check current).

Do I need a car to get to Dunedin?

A car is the simplest way from an inland base like Avalon, and you will likely have one for the beach anyway. If you prefer not to drive, the Jolley Trolley runs the coastal route through Dunedin 7 days a week at $2.25 one way, free for children 8 and under (Jolley Trolley, check current).

How much does the Caladesi ferry cost?

About $20 round trip for ages 13 and up and $10 for children 6 to 12, on top of the $8 Honeymoon Island park entry, for a stay of roughly four hours (Caladesi Ferry). Prices and schedules change, so check current before you go.

Is Dunedin good with kids?

It can be an easy family day: a quiet state park beach, an osprey trail, the flat Pinellas Trail for bikes, and a downtown that is walkable rather than car heavy. Our Clearwater with kids guide has more on family friendly outings from Avalon.

More from us: where to stay in Clearwater Beach, staying at Avalon, and our three places, Oasis Dream Vacations, Blue Ocean and Dolphin Point.

The short version

Parking is the one part of a Clearwater Beach day that quietly eats time and money if you do not plan it. The beach has a mix of city lots, two big garages, and a long line of on street meters, and on a busy afternoon the good spots go fast. This guide lays out where to park, how you actually pay now (pay by plate kiosks, the ParkMobile app, or pay by text, not coins), and the honest tradeoff for anyone staying with us: our Avalon complex has free parking on site, and the beach is a 10 to 15 minute drive, so many trips there start with a short hop rather than a hunt for a meter.

One thing up front, and we are being straight with you because the official pages are: we are not going to quote a dollar per hour rate. The published tourism guide lists the lots and the payment methods but not a current hourly price, and rates at the beach change. Check the meter or kiosk when you arrive, that is the only number you can trust.

How you pay now

Clearwater Beach has moved to a plate based system. You do not feed coins into a meter head anymore. In practice you have three ways to pay, per the Visit St. Pete/Clearwater beach parking guide (updated 2025-09-30, check current):

• Pay by plate kiosks. You park, walk to the nearest kiosk, enter your license plate, and pay. There is no paper ticket to display, your plate is the record.
• ParkMobile app. Download it before you go, set up your plate and a card, then pay from your phone and extend time without walking back. Enforcement reads the plate.
• Pay by text. Where offered, you text to start and top up a session.

A small practical tip: know your license plate number before you walk to the kiosk. If you are in a rental car, snap a photo of the plate before you leave the car so you are not walking back to check.

The lots and garages, compared

Here is the beach inventory from the same Visit St. Pete/Clearwater guide (check current, capacities and rules can change). We have added what each is best for. There are also roughly 389 metered on street spaces scattered along the beach roads, which are the ones that fill first on a nice day.

A few honest notes on reading that table. The Surf Style garage first free hour is the closest thing to a deal on the beach if you are only running in for a bite or a quick swim. The Hyatt Regency garage is large and covered, which is exactly what you want when an afternoon storm rolls in, but the 3 hour minimum means it is not the pick for a 45 minute stop. The small surface lots at the north end (37, 38) are pleasant and close to the quieter sand, but with 53 and 79 spaces they are the first to say full. The metered on street spaces are convenient when they exist and frustrating when they do not.

The Avalon alternative: park free, drive ten minutes

Here is where staying inland changes the math. Our two short stay condos are in the gated Avalon complex in Clearwater, about 3.5 miles from the beach, a 10 to 15 minute drive, and the complex has free multistorey parking on the premises. So your car has a home base that costs nothing, and a beach day becomes: load the cooler, drive over, pay one beach session while you are there, come home. You are not paying to park where you sleep, which is a real difference on a longer stay.

That is the tradeoff we are honest about across our writing. You give up walking to the sand, and in exchange you get a quiet, secure base with free parking, a heated saltwater pool, and room for six, without the beachfront premium. If being on the sand for a short trip matters most, beachfront is the better call, and our guide to where to stay in Clearwater Beach walks through that choice in full.

One Avalon access note that is not about beach parking but matters for your car and your bags: our Oasis Dream apartment is on the third floor with stairs and no elevator, so tell us first if stairs or heavy gear are a concern.

The car free option once you are at the coast

You do not have to move the car every time you want to shift down the beach. Once you have parked, the Jolley Trolley runs the beach route about every 30 minutes, for $2.25 one way, reduced $1.10, and free for children eight and under (fares and schedule, check current, it is cash and exact change). Park once, ride the trolley for the rest of the day, and you have sidestepped the whole second parking search. It runs 7 days a week, and the beach route runs late, to about 10:18pm Sunday to Thursday and 11:48pm Friday and Saturday (seasonal, check current).

For the full driving, parking and trolley detail from our complex, see our getting to the beach guide, and for what to do once you are there, our things to do near Avalon guide.

When parking is hardest

Timing matters as much as the lot you pick. The beach is busiest and priciest in spring break, early March to mid April, peaking in March, and the warm crowded stretch runs through summer. The quietest, best value months are September and October, and midweek beats weekends year round (Clearwater climate and crowd patterns, secondary source). If you are coming in peak season, plan to arrive earlier in the day, or lean on the Jolley Trolley and park once. Our best time to visit guide has the month by month picture.

Frequently asked questions

How much does parking cost at Clearwater Beach?

Rates change and the official tourism guide lists the lots and payment methods but not a current hourly price, so we will not quote a number that could be wrong. Check the meter or kiosk when you arrive, that is the rate that applies. Two things that are stated: the Surf Style garage at 311 S Gulfview offers a first hour free, and the Hyatt Regency garage charges hourly with a 3 hour minimum (check current).

How do you pay for parking at Clearwater Beach?

By your license plate. You use a pay by plate kiosk, the ParkMobile app, or pay by text, not coins. Know your plate number before you walk up, or photograph it before you leave the car.

Where is the closest parking to Pier 60 and the beach?

The Pier 60 area lot (Lot 31) sits right by the pier, the nightly sunset market and the main swimming beach, so it is the most convenient and among the first to fill. The Hyatt Regency and Surf Style garages are in the beachfront core nearby and are covered, which helps in the heat or a storm.

Is there free parking at Clearwater Beach?

Not at the beach itself in any reliable way, the beach is metered lots, garages and on street spaces. The free parking is where you stay: our gated Avalon complex has free multistorey parking on the premises, and the beach is a 10 to 15 minute drive.

Do the beach lots fill up?

The smaller north end lots are modest, Lot 37 at 6 Avalon St has 53 spaces and the Rec Center Lot 38 has 79, and the roughly 389 on street meters go first on a nice day. In peak season, come earlier or park once and use the Jolley Trolley.

Can I avoid moving my car around the beach?

Yes. Park once, then ride the Jolley Trolley along the beach route, about every 30 minutes for $2.25 one way, free for children eight and under (check current). It saves you a second parking search entirely.

More from us: where to stay in Clearwater Beach, getting to the beach from Avalon, things to do near Avalon, and our Blue Ocean and Dolphin Point condos.

The short version

Every night, weather permitting, the stretch of sand around Pier 60 turns into a free open air festival. It runs year round and daily, roughly two hours before sunset to two hours after, with 30 plus local artisan and craft vendors plus street performers, all set against the main event of the sky going orange over the Gulf (Sunsets at Pier 60, check current). It is free to walk in and free to browse.

Our two Avalon condos sit about 3.5 miles inland, a 10 to 15 minute drive from the beach, so getting to Pier 60 for us is a short drive and a park, not a walk. Below is how the festival works and two practical things worth sorting before you go: parking and timing.

What it is

Sunsets at Pier 60 is a daily craft market and street performer festival on the beach beside the pier, not a ticketed event and not a once a week thing. The draw is a combination of three things happening at once: a walkable market of artisan stalls, buskers and performers working the crowd, and the sunset itself over the water. It runs year round and daily, weather permitting (Sunsets at Pier 60, check current).

A few honest notes. It is outdoors and it is free, so it draws a crowd on clear evenings, especially in the busy season. Individual vendors and performers rotate, so no two nights are identical. And because the whole thing is anchored to sunset, the start and end times move through the year.

When to go

The single most useful thing to understand: the schedule is tied to the sun, not the clock. The festival runs about two hours before sunset to about two hours after, so in high summer that lands roughly 6pm to 10pm, and in winter it shifts earlier as the sun sets earlier (Sunsets at Pier 60, check current). Always check the current times before you drive over, because they shift with the season and can change for weather or events.

Clearwater Beach was named the number one beach in the US by Tripadvisor travelers in 2018 and 2019, and ranked number one in Florida in the 2026 awards (Fox 13). To actually see the sun hit the horizon you want to be on the sand before it goes down, not still looking for parking. Give yourself time to spare before sunset so you can park, walk in, browse a few stalls, and claim a spot facing the water.

The essentials at a glance

All times and details are date sensitive; confirm on the official festival page before you go.

How to do it from Avalon

Our Avalon complex is a gated community about 3.5 miles from Clearwater Beach, which is a 10 to 15 minute drive. So the plan from either of our two Avalon condos is straightforward: drive over, park, and walk in.

Parking. The festival is at Pier 60, and there is a cluster of public beach lots right there, including the Pier 60 lot and others nearby such as the lot on Avalon Street. You pay at pay by plate kiosks or through ParkMobile or pay by text (Visit St. Pete Clearwater beach parking, check current). Beach parking is limited and popular evenings get busy, so it is worth arriving early or being ready to use a lot a short walk from the pier. The full driving and parking playbook is in our getting to the beach guide.

The trolley option. Once you are at the coast, the Jolley Trolley runs the beach route about every 30 minutes for $2.25 one way, $1.10 reduced, and free for children eight and under; it runs seven days a week, later on Friday and Saturday nights (fares and routes, check current). If you would rather not move your car once you are down there, or you are staying for dinner and a drink, parking once and hopping the trolley along the beach is the easy call.

One access note. Our Oasis Dream apartment is on the third floor with stairs and no elevator, so if stairs or gear are a concern, tell us before you book and we will help you plan.

Make an evening of it

The sunset market pairs naturally with dinner on the beach. Clearwater Beach has long running landmarks like Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, a beachfront original since 1981 known for its grouper sandwich, and Crabby’s Beachside. You can eat before or after the sunset, whichever suits your evening.

If you have a full day at the beach ahead of the sunset, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a short causeway away on Island Estates, open 10am to 5pm daily (admission about $41.95 adult, $32.95 child 3 to 11, $39.95 senior, check current). More ideas for filling the daytime are in our things to do near Avalon guide.

One weather caveat worth planning around: the festival runs weather permitting, and Gulf storms are common in summer afternoons, with Atlantic hurricane season running June 1 to November 30 (NOAA). A passing afternoon storm often clears in time for a clean sunset, but check the sky before you commit to the drive.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sunsets at Pier 60 free?

Yes. It is free to attend and free to browse the artisan market and watch the street performers. Bring some cash if you want to buy from the vendors, grab a snack, or tip a busker (Sunsets at Pier 60, check current).

What time does Sunsets at Pier 60 start?

It runs about two hours before sunset to about two hours after, so in summer that is roughly 6pm to 10pm, and it shifts earlier in winter as the sun sets earlier. The schedule follows the sun, not a fixed clock, so check the current times before you go (Sunsets at Pier 60, check current).

Does the festival run every night?

It is year round and daily, weather permitting. Because it is outdoors and tied to the sunset, a storm can cut it short, so glance at the sky before making the drive.

How do I get to Pier 60 from Avalon?

It is a 10 to 15 minute drive from our Avalon condos, then you park in the public beach lots near the pier and pay at the kiosks or via ParkMobile (Visit St. Pete Clearwater, check current). Once at the coast you can also use the Jolley Trolley to move along the beach. Full detail is in our getting to the beach guide.

Where should I park for Sunsets at Pier 60?

The public beach lots right by the pier, including the Pier 60 lot and nearby lots such as the one on Avalon Street. Parking is limited and popular evenings get busy, so arrive early or be ready to walk in from a lot a little further out (Visit St. Pete Clearwater, check current).

What is the best time of year to see the sunset here?

It is a year round festival, so any season works. Clearwater’s fall months tend to be quieter and better value, and the sky puts on a show all year. Our month by month guide covers the seasonal trade offs in detail.

More on planning your stay: our guide to where to stay in Clearwater Beach, our things to do near Avalon, and our two Avalon condos, Oasis Dream Vacations and Blue Ocean.

The short version

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is a working marine rescue and rehabilitation centre on Island Estates, the residential island that sits between the mainland and Clearwater Beach. This is the place that rehabilitated Winter, the dolphin from the film Dolphin Tale, and it still cares for rescued animals today, including a dolphin named Hope, along with sea turtles, otters and stingrays (cmaquarium.org, check current). Because it is a rescue and rehab centre first, the animals you see are here because they were sick, injured or could not survive in the wild, and that gives the place a clear purpose. From our Avalon condos it is a drive over toward Clearwater Beach, and CMA sits on Island Estates on that same route.

Hours, tickets and address at a glance

Everything in this table is the kind of thing that changes, so treat it as a starting point and confirm on the official site before you go. Online prices and gate prices can differ, and Florida residents get a discount on most dates.

Source: cmaquarium.org tickets and admissions and know before you go. CMA notes that prices are subject to change and seasonal rates may apply, so check current pricing when you book.

What CMA actually is

The most useful thing a host can tell you is what to expect, because CMA is a rescue and rehabilitation centre rather than a big commercial aquarium. The animals it holds are here because they were sick, injured or could not survive in the wild, so the place is built around rescue and rehab work rather than around entertainment (cmaquarium.org, check current).

If your family is coming specifically because of Dolphin Tale, know that Winter has passed, but CMA still cares for rescued dolphins including Hope, plus sea turtles, otters and stingrays (cmaquarium.org, check current).

Getting there from Avalon

Our two Avalon condos sit in a gated complex about 3.5 miles inland, roughly a 10 to 15 minute drive from the coast. CMA is on Island Estates, the island community in Clearwater Harbor linked to both the mainland and the beach by causeways, so from Avalon it is on the same drive corridor as the beach. The beach itself is 10 to 15 minutes; we have not clocked the exact door to door time to the aquarium specifically, but it is barely a detour if you are already heading over to Clearwater Beach.

A car is the simplest way to do it from Avalon, and the full driving and parking picture is in our getting to the beach guide. If you would rather leave the car once you are on the coast, the Jolley Trolley runs the beach area seven days a week (check current routes and fares). Our long-stay unit, Dolphin Point, is actually on Island Estates itself, so a CMA visit from there is about as close as it gets.

When to go, and pairing it with the day

CMA opens at 10am, so a morning visit ahead of an afternoon at the beach is a sensible rhythm, especially in summer. June through September is Clearwater’s wet stretch, with August the highest month for rainfall and afternoon storms common through the season (Clearwater climate normals, seasonal pattern not a guarantee). Front-loading the day means you are done with the drive and the animals before the afternoon heat and storms build.

Opening at 10am means you can be first in, see the animals, and still have the afternoon for the beach or for Sunsets at Pier 60, the free nightly craft market and street performer festival on Clearwater Beach (check current times, they shift with the season). For more on timing a whole trip, see our month by month guide.

A practical family plan

CMA slots neatly into a family day, and it is one of the family attractions on our own area guide. Arrive near opening so you are ahead of the day, and remember that last entry is 30 minutes before the 5pm close, so do not roll up at 4:55. Kids 2 and under are free, which helps with a young family.

If you are building a wider itinerary of things kids will actually enjoy, we cover the aquarium alongside the beach, the parks and the trolley in our Clearwater Beach with kids guide, and in our broader things to do near Avalon roundup.

Frequently asked questions

What are Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s hours?

CMA is open 10am to 5pm daily, with last entry 30 minutes before close, so plan to arrive by 4:30 at the latest. Hours can change seasonally, so check current times on cmaquarium.org before you go.

How much are tickets to Clearwater Marine Aquarium?

As a starting point, admission runs about $41.95 for adults 12 and up, $32.95 for children 3 to 11, and $39.95 for seniors 65 and up, with children 2 and under free. Florida residents get a discount on most dates, and online and gate prices can differ, so confirm current pricing on the official site.

Where is Clearwater Marine Aquarium?

It is at 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater FL 33767, on Island Estates, the residential island between the mainland and Clearwater Beach. From our Avalon condos it is a drive over toward the beach.

When is the best time of day to visit?

CMA opens at 10am, so arriving near opening works well, especially in summer when afternoon storms are common. A morning visit leaves the rest of the day for the beach, and last entry is 30 minutes before the 5pm close.

Did Winter the dolphin from Dolphin Tale live here?

Yes, CMA rehabilitated Winter, the dolphin from the film Dolphin Tale. Winter has since passed, but the centre still cares for rescued dolphins including Hope, along with sea turtles, otters and stingrays. It remains a working rescue and rehabilitation centre.

How far is the aquarium from your Avalon condos?

Our Avalon condos are about 3.5 miles inland, roughly a 10 to 15 minute drive from the coast. CMA sits on Island Estates on the way to Clearwater Beach, so it is on that same drive; we have not timed the exact door to door to the aquarium. Our Dolphin Point unit is on Island Estates itself, closer still.

More planning help: where to stay in Clearwater Beach, things to do near Avalon, Clearwater Beach with kids, and our Clearwater guide.

Two beaches, one easy drive north

Clearwater Beach is the headline, but two of the best beaches in the state sit a short drive north of it. Honeymoon Island State Park is a drive-up, park-your-car, walk-to-the-sand beach with a genuinely good nature trail. From its causeway a small ferry runs across to Caladesi Island, an undeveloped, boat-access-only barrier island. You can do one or both in a day.

We host three places in the Clearwater area, and this is the day trip we point guests to when they want the Gulf without the Pier 60 crowd. Our two Avalon condos are inland, roughly a 10 to 15 minute drive from Clearwater Beach, so you already have a car in the mix. That makes the run north to these two parks straightforward: it is a drive either way, so you may as well point the car somewhere quieter.

Honeymoon Island: the drive-up option

Honeymoon Island State Park sits about 20 minutes north near Dunedin, and it is the easy half of this trip because you just drive in. Entry is $8 per vehicle for up to eight people, and the park is open 8am to sundown, 365 days a year (Florida State Parks, check current). Beyond the beach itself, the draw here is the osprey trail, a nature trail through the park.

Honeymoon Island is also where the Caladesi ferry departs, so even if the boat is your real goal, this is where you start and park.

Caladesi Island: the ferry to an undeveloped beach

Caladesi Island State Park is boat-access only, which is exactly why it stays wild. The Caladesi ferry operator bills it as a top-ranked undeveloped beach, and there is no bridge and no development to reach it. You get there on the Caladesi ferry from Honeymoon Island, a ride of about 20 minutes each way.

The ferry runs roughly $20 round trip for ages 13 and up and $10 for ages 6 to 12, and that is on top of the $8 park entry you already paid to get into Honeymoon Island. Standard stays on the island run up to about four hours (Caladesi Ferry, check current schedules and pricing, since ferry times shift with the season and the weather).

A few honest planning notes. Because it is a timed ferry with a set return, Caladesi rewards an early start and a plan, not a wander-over-at-4pm approach. And because there is far less shade and fewer services than a developed beach, bring what you need with you: water, sun cover, and snacks.

The two parks compared

All of the above are changeable, so check current fees, hours, and ferry times before you set out.

Make a day of it: Dunedin on the way back

Because you are already this far north, the natural bookend to the trip is Dunedin, a walkable downtown about 15 minutes north of Clearwater Beach with independent shops and craft breweries, including Dunedin Brewery (Visit St. Pete Clearwater). A morning at the beaches and a late lunch in Dunedin makes a full, easy day out of it.

If you would rather stay closer to home, Sand Key Park is a calmer county beach in the other direction, about a 10 minute drive south, with showers, changing rooms, and a cafe. We line up all the beaches and day trips within reach of the condos in our things to do near Avalon guide.

How this fits a stay at Avalon

The reason this day trip works so well from our Avalon condos is the same reason people choose them: you are inland with a car and free parking, so a drive north to a quieter beach is only a bit further than the drive to the main one, but still easy. You trade walking to the sand for a quiet, gated base with a heated saltwater pool and room for six, and days like this are what you spend the difference on. Our where to stay in Clearwater Beach guide walks through that tradeoff in full, and the getting to the beach guide covers the drive and parking.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Honeymoon Island from Clearwater Beach?

Honeymoon Island State Park is about a 20 minute drive north, near Dunedin. From our inland Avalon condos it is a drive either way, a bit further than heading to the main beach but still easy.

How do you get to Caladesi Island?

Caladesi is boat access only. You drive to Honeymoon Island State Park, park, and take the Caladesi ferry across, a ride of about 20 minutes each way. There is no bridge or car access, which is what keeps it undeveloped.

What does the Caladesi ferry cost?

It runs roughly $20 round trip for ages 13 and up and $10 for ages 6 to 12, plus the $8 per vehicle entry to Honeymoon Island where the ferry departs. Fares and schedules change with the season, so check current pricing on caladesiferry.org before you go.

How much time do you get on Caladesi?

Standard ferry stays run up to about four hours. Because it is a timed return, an early start and a plan work far better than showing up late in the day.

How much does Honeymoon Island cost and when is it open?

Entry is $8 per vehicle for up to eight people, and the park is open 8am to sundown, 365 days a year (check current with Florida State Parks).

Can you do both parks in one day?

Yes. A good order is to start at Honeymoon Island, take the ferry to Caladesi for a few hours, then come back and either walk the osprey trail or head into Dunedin for a late lunch. Bring water, sun cover, and snacks, since Caladesi is undeveloped.

More local reading: things to do near Avalon · where to stay in Clearwater Beach · best time to visit · our two Avalon condos, Oasis Dream Vacations and Blue Ocean.