Try Snorkeling In Clearwater FL As An Alternative To The Keys

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.

The city of Clearwater falls within Pinellas County in the Tampa Bay Area. It lies on Florida's west coast, a little over twenty miles west of Tampa. It is bordered by water on two sides: Tampa Bay to its east and the Gulf of Mexico to its west.

While Clearwater is not quite as big as neighboring Tampa and Saint Petersburg, it has plenty to offer the visitor. You'll find accommodation options for every kind of budget, with everything from typical Florida motels to luxury high-rises at the beachfront. The city is home to major annual events ranging from film to jazz festivals and if you love fresh seafood, this is the place to be. A popular local specialty is the grouper sandwich.

The city is especially famous as the headquarters of the Church of Scientology. Visitors can see the marine life at the local aquarium, play golf or mini-golf, relax in the parks or even go ice skating. Pier 60 is the place to go to see the sunset over the Gulf and for a night at the movies, nothing beats the historic Capitol Theatre, built in 1921.

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.

As its name implies, Clearwater's waters have excellent visibility, making this a wonderful place to go diving and snorkeling. The shallow waters just off the beach are where you'll spot stingrays. There's great snorkeling to be had at Shell Key, which is accessible by ferry, and at Sand Key too. You may even spot dolphins or manatees. For something different, check out the ruins of Fort Dade. Parts of these ruins have fallen into the water and are now home to an abundant variety of marine life.

Clearwater is one of the sunniest cities in the USA and can be visited at any time of year. The low season is during the summer months, when humidity levels can be uncomfortable and the heat will drive you to the water. Cooler and more comfortable weather arrives in fall and the winter months but even then water temperatures are quite high so you can enjoy the best snorkeling.




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