Clearwater Beach conditions

Nightly sunset celebrations at Pier 60.

Clearwater Beach is in Pinellas County, Florida, on the Gulf coast.

Clearwater Beach has the only year-round lifeguard post among the Pinellas County beaches Coasti covers. Parking runs through a garage plus metered spots, and concession stands sit near the main approach. Caladesi Island State Park comes in around three and a half miles away, and Honeymoon Island Dog Beach adds up to roughly five and a half.

Today's flag, water temperature, surf, wind, UV and tide times for Clearwater Beach load on this page automatically. Conditions change through the day, so nothing on this page is a substitute for the flag flying when you arrive.

Know before you go

Amenity details are Coasti's own notes and can go out of date. Fees, lifeguard seasons and dog rules are set locally.

Beach flag colors

Flags run from green for low hazard to double red for water closed — see what each flag color means.

Where these readings come from

Tide predictions come from NOAA station Clearwater Beach (8726724).

Weather and marine forecasts come from the National Weather Service at St. Pete-Clearwater Intl (KPIE).

Red tide readings come from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission monitoring map.

Red tide at Clearwater Beach

Pinellas County sits at the northern edge of the stretch of coast, roughly Pinellas through Collier, where Gulf red tide blooms have concentrated most often over the years. Karenia brevis is the alga responsible, a species that occurs naturally throughout the Gulf, and FWC's statewide monitoring map tracks it from samples refreshed on a rolling eight-day cycle. It shows up in patches rather than a solid front, which is why two beaches close together, including Clearwater Beach, can report different conditions. See today's statewide red tide status.

Common questions

Is Clearwater Beach safe for swimming today?

That depends on the flag and the surf, and both change through the day. Coasti shows the posted lifeguard flag when a current one exists, and estimates from surf, wind and rip-current risk when it does not. Today's answer for Clearwater Beach loads at the top of this page.

Does Clearwater Beach have lifeguards?

Clearwater Beach has lifeguards on duty year-round. Hours vary by season, and no flag flying does not mean the water is safe.

Is there parking at Clearwater Beach?

Parking at Clearwater Beach is paid. Garage + metered. Fees and lot hours change, so check locally before you go.

Are dogs allowed at Clearwater Beach?

Dogs are not allowed on the beach at Clearwater Beach. Nearby rules vary, so check locally before you go.

Why is the sand at Clearwater Beach so white?

It is quartz rather than crushed shell or coral. Quartz reflects more light, so it looks whiter and stays noticeably cooler underfoot on a hot afternoon.

Nearby

More Pinellas County beaches · All beaches Coasti covers · Red tide status · What the flags mean