Clearwater Beach: beach at dusk with dunes, shallow water, and distant swimmers6 photos
Photo: Evan Nichols (Virtua…, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (source)

Clearwater Beach

Clearwater, Florida

Ocean beach in Clearwater, facing west, with parking, bathrooms, restaurants, and lifeguards within walking distance.

  • Calm water 7.4
  • Sunset over water
  • Lifeguards
  • No dogs
  • HoursNot on file
  • ParkingFree, 24 lots within 1,310 ft
  • DirectionsGoogle Maps
7.1/ 10Very good
Beach Score 7.1 of 10, Very good.How we score beaches
Calm water
7.4 of 10
Water
88 Ftoday
Sunset
7:41 pmover the water
Parking
Free24 within 1,310 ft
Rip risk
Lowtoday
Families
Excellent
92of 100

Today, Thursday, Sep 10

Good beach day

Calm water · low rain chance · very warm water · light wind.

78 Fovercast
High
88 F
Sea temperature
88 F
Waves
0.4 ftup to 0.9 ft
Wind
4 mphup to 8 mph
Rain chance
13%
UV index
8high
Sun
7:14 am to 7:41 pm
Surf zoneNWS Tampa Bay Ruskin forecast for Pinellas, issued 4:00 am EDT, Wed Sep 9
  • Rip current riskLowtoday
  • Surf1 ft or less
  • ThunderstormsModerate
  • Rip risk tonightLow
Tidesnext low at 5:27 am
  1. High12:02 am2.6 ft
  2. Low5:27 am1.0 ft
  3. High11:44 am3.5 ft
  4. Low6:18 pm0.5 ft
  1. 8:00 am77 Fovercast, 6% rain, 4 mph
  2. 11:00 am · best84 Fmostly clear, 6% rain, 4 mph
  3. 2:00 pm86 Fpartly cloudy, 9% rain, 3 mph
  4. 5:00 pm88 Fclear, 13% rain, 7 mph

Forecast for Thursday, Sep 10, local time (GMT-4). Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, refreshed hourly. Sea temperature and waves are model values for the nearest offshore point. Tides from NOAA CO-OPS station Clearwater Beach (8726724), 2,620 ft from the beach, heights above MLLW. Rip current risk and surf from the National Weather Service Surf Zone Forecast for the zone; a low risk still means rip currents near piers, jetties, and inlets.The rating rule is on the methodology page. Planning a future date? See typical weather by month.

Great for

  • FamiliesExcellentCalm water 7.4, lifeguards
  • SwimmingVery goodWaves around 2.0 ft, sea 77 F on average
  • SunsetsExcellentover the water 12 months a year
  • ConvenienceExcellent24 parking lots, 18 places to eat
  • Wildlife and beachcombingYessea turtle nesting
How the Beach Score is calculated: 7.1 of 10

The score is the sum of the components below. Clear water counts only where a clarity source exists. Rankings never take revenue as an input.

ComponentPointsFact
Facilities3.0 of 3Within walking distance: parking, bathrooms, restaurants, lifeguards.
Calm water1.5 of 2Mean daily maximum wave 2.0 ft.
Warm water0.6 of 1Mean sea temperature 77 F.
Sunset over water1.0 of 112 months a year, all year.

Ranks #1 of 6 for sea turtle nesting in Florida, #1 of 41 for showers in Florida, #1 of 3 for fires allowed in Florida, #1 of 4 for wheelchair access in Florida, #2 of 38 for free parking in Florida. All beaches in Florida.

Verdicts on the cards come from the same facts. Sources: OpenStreetMap (Sep 10, 2026), Open-Meteo (Sep 10, 2026), Wikipedia (Sep 7, 2026), Operator official pages (hours, fees, rules) (Sep 6, 2026). The formula is on the methodology page.

Aerial view of Clearwater Beach in Clearwater, Florida, shoreline and surroundings, USDA NAIP imagery from May 2023
Clearwater Beach: wide sandy beach with lifeguard stands, calm waters, buildings in distance
Clearwater Beach: sandy beach with dunes, ocean, and distant beachgoers on horizon

Aerial imagery: USDA NAIP 2023 via USGS National Map, public domain (source) · Photo: 4net, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (source) · Photo: 4net, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (source)View all 6 photos

Amenities

  • Parking24 nearby
  • Free parking1 nearby
  • Bathrooms2 nearby
  • Showers7 nearby
  • Restaurants and bars18 nearby
  • Beachfront hotels2 nearby
  • Hotels nearby10 nearby
  • LifeguardsYes
  • Wheelchair accessYes
  • Dogs allowedNo
  • Fires allowedYes
  • Beachfront campingNo
  • Camping nearbyNo
  • Pier6 nearby
  • BoardwalkNo

Water, sand, and nature

  • Sunset over waterYes, all year
  • Calm water7.4 of 10
  • Sea turtle nestingYes, Loggerhead and green sea turtles nest on the beach at Caladesi Island State Park
  • Warm water6.4 of 10

Nearby means within walking distance of the beach centre (980 ft to 1,640 ft, by kind), from OpenStreetMap. Scores are 0 to 10. Sources: OpenStreetMap (Sep 10, 2026), Open-Meteo (Sep 10, 2026), Wikipedia (Sep 7, 2026), Operator official pages (hours, fees, rules) (Sep 6, 2026); the method for each is on the methodology page.

Hours, fees, and rules

Hours and fees are not on file yet. Managed by Run by City of Clearwater. No operator page found yet.

Dogs
No dogs
Alcohol
No alcohol
Fires
Fires in designated pits only
Operator
Run by City of Clearwater
Address
Kendall Street, Clearwater, FL 33767

From City of Clearwater, checked Sep 6, 2026. Hours and fees change; the official page is the final word. Address from OpenStreetMap (nearest road, approximate).

Sunset and sunrise

The shore faces west (276 degrees). The sun sets over the water in 12 months, all year.

Computed from the OpenStreetMap coastline and the sunset azimuth for each month.

Planning a trip

Early October is usually warm, with warm water and a higher chance of a rainy day.

Water
80 FWarm
High
84 FWarm
Rainy day
36%Rain is common
Waves
2.1 ftModerate
Sunset
Yesover the water in October

What to expect

  • Warm swimming water, around 80 F
  • Moderate waves, around 2.1 ft
  • Rainy days are common in October (9 a month)
  • Sunset over the water
  • October is within Atlantic hurricane season, at its peak
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, peak from mid-August to late October. Storm history near this beach

2 October storms within 62.1 mi since 1980, about one every 23 years, 1 at hurricane strength. Most recent in any month: Hurricane Milton, October 2024, 41.7 mi away. Source: NOAA HURDAT2 best tracks, counted at tropical storm strength or stronger. Season dates from the NOAA National Hurricane Center.

Clearwater Beach through the year

Measure
Warm waterJan: 60 F, coldFeb: 65 F, coolMar: 71 F, mildApr: 76 F, warmMay: 82 F, very warmJun: 86 F, very warmJul: 89 F, very warmAug: 89 F, very warmSep: 86 F, very warmOct: 79 F, warmNov: 73 F, mildDec: 65 F, cool
Low rainJan: 9 rainy daysFeb: 5 rainy daysMar: 10 rainy daysApr: 7 rainy daysMay: 13 rainy daysJun: 22 rainy daysJul: 22 rainy daysAug: 24 rainy daysSep: 21 rainy daysOct: 9 rainy daysNov: 4 rainy daysDec: 6 rainy days
Calm waterJan: waves 2.8 ft, moderateFeb: waves 2.2 ft, moderateMar: waves 2.5 ft, moderateApr: waves 2.2 ft, moderateMay: waves 1.6 ft, moderateJun: waves 1.7 ft, moderateJul: waves 1.3 ft, usually calmAug: waves 1.8 ft, moderateSep: waves 1.6 ft, usually calmOct: waves 2.2 ft, moderateNov: waves 2.0 ft, moderateDec: waves 2.3 ft, moderate

Darker is better: warmer water, fewer rainy days, calmer water. Monthly means, 2023-2025, from Open-Meteo. Values for a date blend the nearest two months; the bands and the rule are on the methodology page.

When to go

  • Best overallMarch to Septemberwarm water · fewer rainy days · warm days
  • Warmest waterJuly to August89 F average
  • DriestNovember to December4 to 6 rainy days a month
  • Best for sunsetsall yearSun sets over the water
All monthly averages, 2023-2025Clearwater Beach: sea and air temperature by monthMonthly mean sea surface temperature and daily maximum air temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.5060708090100JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecSea temperature (F)Air, daily max
MonthSea tempAir maxRain daysWave height
Jan60 F (16 C)67 F (20 C)92.8 ft
Feb65 F (19 C)73 F (23 C)52.2 ft
Mar71 F (22 C)77 F (25 C)102.5 ft
Apr76 F (25 C)82 F (28 C)72.2 ft
May82 F (28 C)87 F (30 C)131.6 ft
Jun86 F (30 C)87 F (31 C)221.7 ft
Jul89 F (32 C)90 F (32 C)221.3 ft
Aug89 F (32 C)90 F (32 C)241.8 ft
Sep86 F (30 C)88 F (31 C)211.6 ft
Oct79 F (26 C)83 F (28 C)92.2 ft
Nov73 F (23 C)78 F (26 C)42.0 ft
Dec65 F (19 C)72 F (22 C)62.3 ft

Monthly means, 2023-2025. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com. Wave height is the mean of daily maximum significant wave height.

Explore Clearwater Beach

Parking, food, stays, and facilities around the beach, mapped in OpenStreetMap within 0.7 mi.

All places near Clearwater Beach as a list (79)

Beach access Main access and 7 more · Nearest parking at the beach · Nearest food and drinks at the beach · Nearest restrooms at the beach · Nearest showers at the beach

Distances are straight-line to the nearest point of the beach as mapped in OpenStreetMap; walking times assume 80 m a minute. Access points are where OpenStreetMap paths, steps, and boardwalks meet the beach. Coordinates 27.9850, -82.8287. Open this spot in OpenStreetMap or Google Maps. Missing or wrong? Fix it in OpenStreetMap and it appears here after the next weekly update.

Nearby beaches

Questions about Clearwater Beach

Is there parking at Clearwater Beach?

Yes. 24 mapped parking areas within 1,310 ft. Source: OpenStreetMap.

Are dogs allowed at Clearwater Beach?

No, dogs are tagged as not allowed in OpenStreetMap.

Are there lifeguards at Clearwater Beach?

Yes, mapped as supervised or with a lifeguard station within 980 ft. Hours are seasonal and not always mapped.

How warm is the water at Clearwater Beach?

Sea surface temperature averages 89 F (32 C) in July and 60 F (16 C) in January. Source: Open-Meteo marine model, monthly means.

Is the water calm at Clearwater Beach?

Calm water scores 7.4 of 10. Mean daily maximum wave height is 2.0 ft. Source: Open-Meteo marine model.

Can you see the sunset over the water at Clearwater Beach?

Yes, in 12 months a year (all year), based on the shore direction and the monthly sunset azimuth.

When is hurricane season at Clearwater Beach?

Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with the peak from mid-August to late October, per the NOAA National Hurricane Center. Since 1980, 17 named storms passed within 62.1 mi of the beach, 5 at hurricane strength, most in June, September and November. Source: NOAA HURDAT2 best tracks.

Sources

  • © OpenStreetMap contributors (data as of Sep 10, 2026)
  • Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (data as of Sep 10, 2026)
  • Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 (data as of Sep 7, 2026)
  • [operator], checked [date] (data as of Sep 6, 2026)
  • Storm tracks from the NOAA National Hurricane Center HURDAT2 archive, public domain (data as of Sep 10, 2026)
  • Tide predictions from NOAA CO-OPS station Clearwater Beach (8726724), public domain
  • Rip current risk, surf, and alerts from the National Weather Service TBW office for Pinellas (FLZ050), public domain

Licenses and refresh dates for every dataset are on the data page. Something wrong? Every beach page has a report button; corrections are logged with a date.

© OpenStreetMap contributors. Beach location, shoreline, and amenity positions are from OpenStreetMap under the ODbL. Data updated Sep 10, 2026.