Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Escape The Crowds And Opt For Snorkeling In Clearwater FL

By Tracie Knight


Lovers of water-based activities often opt for Florida as a vacation destination. This is after all the Sunshine State and some of the activities on offer are fishing, sailing and diving. The Florida Keys are a prime diving destination and has plenty of great sites for snorkelers too. The problem is that, especially in high season, the Keys are overrun with visitors. If you'd rather escape the crowds, you may want to opt for snorkeling in Clearwater FL instead.

Clearwater is located in the Tampa Bay Area on the west coast of Florida. It lies in Pinellas County, with the Gulf of Mexico to one side and Tampa Bay to the other. The city of Tampa is located about 22 miles to the east and Tampa International Airport is close by.

Whether you can afford to splash out on a suite in a luxury beachfront hotel or would prefer a budget motel, you'll find accommodation to suit your budget. The same goes for the many dining options here. Seafood is popular and a favorite among locals and visitors alike is the grouper sandwich. There is plenty of entertainment too and you'll find festivals throughout the year.

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.

Many people agree that the beaches of Clearwater are among the most spectacular in the USA. They are wide with sand that is almost a sugary white. The city's main beach is probably the biggest attraction but another popular beach is the one at Sand Key.

When you need to cool off, the water also offers a range of things to do. Join a cruise or charter your own yacht. Go for a ride in a speedboat or on a jet-ski or try your hand at parasailing. Go paddling in a glass-bottomed kayak or learn how to do stand-up paddle-boarding on the calm waters.

Clearwater is within easy reach of excellent snorkeling sites and you don't even have to venture away from the city. Right there at the main beach you can see stingrays, for instance. Sand Key, another popular beach here, is a good spot too and it's not impossible that you'll see a manatee or a dolphin during your swim. A short ferry ride away is Shell Key, where the lack of amenities also means a lack of crowds. Another ferry can take you to Fort Dade, an old fort that is now partly submerged and home to starfish, fish and other marine life.

The sun shines in Clearwater almost every day. From fall throughout winter the weather is perfect, with lots of sunshine but lower levels of humidity. However, since this is high season, prices tend to be higher too. If you need to budget, you may prefer visiting during summer low season. Even though the heat can become very uncomfortable because of the high humidity, you can make the most of it by heading into the water where you won't feel it once you discover the wonderful world that lies beneath the surface.




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