Clearwater Beach

[luvsvacations]

We are thinking of going here one day. Does anyone know what time in the morning we would need to be there in the middle of April to get a parking place. Looking for a beach that has chair/umbrella rentals and also bathroom facilities. Thanks

 

[DSLRuser]

in my experience, if you arrive at the beach later than 10:00am, you will have parking issues.

So you need to leave the Disney area around 7:30 or 8:00 depending on trafiic.

 

[luvsvacations]

Thank you for the info - I have just found out now that shelling is also on the list of requests - would the general time frame be to get to any of the beaches by 10...I am just starting to look at the other thread regarding beaches.

 

[Ametista]

We went in late May a couple years ago. Stopped and got beach toys so didn't leave Orlando until 9:30. There was still parking in the main CWB lot when we got there, but it was not a weekend. Its not really a shelling beach though.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If you want to go shelling most people start at the crack of dawn.

 

[krayzmelmel]

I live in Clearwater.... and Clearwater Beach is mostly a powdery white sand kind of beach... If you want to go a beach that's way less crowded with bigger shell possibilities... go a little North about 5-10 minutes to Honeymoon Island and you can take a ferry to Caladesi Island private-esque beach and shells galore! ...... it's our local secret!

 

[luvsvacations]

Thanks for that info - this has moved to the top of the list!

 

[Beth D]

Allow a good 2+ hours to drive from the Disney/south Orlando area to Clearwater. Your'e coming into Tampa at the end of rush hour and the roads are full. Mapquest says about 1 hr and 45 minutes, but I don't think we've ever made it that quickly. There's also lots of stoplights once you cross the first causeway.

The beach at the end of Rt. 60 is great, as is the Sunset at the Pier party. The Frenchy's restaurants are all good too. And if you want a sail, we did Captain Memo's pirate cruise a couple years ago. They keep the kids entertained while the grownups enjoy all you can drink beer and wine!

 

[tynkendallsmom]

great tips here - we'll be heading to the beach from Davenport area early April and are looking for a place to put our toes in the ocean! Are there places to eat that are kid friendly around Honeymoon Island

 

[krayzmelmel]

great tips here - we'll be heading to the beach from Davenport area early April and are looking for a place to put our toes in the ocean! Are there places to eat that are kid friendly around Honeymoon Island

It's a national park...l there's a little concession stand but not much else.... Clearwater/ Clearwater beach there's tons of restaurants ... Typical chains (hooters, Ihop) and some smaller restaurants too