Adventures in Clearwater Beach
Thrill seekers unite in Clearwater Beach, FL. We know many of our Florida snowbirds come to Clearwater for the relaxing atmosphere, laid back beaches and long afternoons beneath the warm sun. But we also know there are plenty that come for adventure and excitement. For those, there is plenty to do on Clearwater Beach just outside the doors of the Beachview Inn.
Sky Screamer Parasail
See Clearwater Beach like you never have before, from 800 feet above the Gulf of Mexico that is. Sky Screamer Parasail offers riders a once in a lifetime opportunity to float above the beautiful blue ocean and get a bird’s (or maybe a seagull’s) eye view of the white sandy shores. Soar above everything and ride the wind behind one of the state of the art winchboats. The Sky Screamer winchboats allow parasailers to take off directly from the back of the boat without having to run or leap from a dock or the shore. While parasailing you’ll experience floating, free falling and perhaps even a quick dip in the ocean. Sky Screamer Parasail is conveniently located nearby the Beachview Inn, ask our concierge for more information.
Tanks-A-Lot Dive Charters
While aboard the Tanks-A-Lot Dive Charter you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy an entire day of scuba diving fun. Their boats are Coast Guard inspected and certified to ensure your safety and offer you a comfortable and exhilarating dive. See the colorful and exotic wildlife that live on the ocean floors just off the coast of Clearwater Beach, FL. Tanks-A-Lot Charters has been in business for more than 15 years in Clearwater Beach, so you can rest assure these guys truly are the experts that can show you the greatest spots for diving in the Gulf.
Alligator Bob’s Encounter
Discover Florida in one of Alligator Bob’s Ecotours. Take an interpretive walk through the coastal and freshwater wetlands, flat pinewood forests and hardwood hammocks. See the beautiful birds, rare plants and exotic wildlife that reside only in these secluded lands. You can also paddle through the wetland rivers and see alligators, turtles, otters and many other animals up close that live among Florida’s shoreline.
No matter what level of thrill you’re looking for while visiting Clearwater Beach, there is sure to be an adventure for you.
Beach Photography 101
It’s that time of year where the beaches of Clearwater Beach, FL are flocked with Florida snowbirds. We can’t blame them though, with beautiful weather and breathtaking sunsets it’s no wonder Clearwater Beach is one of the top spots for Florida snowbirds to get their feet wet. When visiting our spectacular beaches, besides your beach gear you should have one other thing on hand, your camera. Here you’ll see natural beauty, a variety of lighting and vivid colors. Beaches are naturally great places to take some of your favorite artistic pictures, and digital cameras now allow even a photography novice to take incredible shots. So in case you need a little help capturing the moment perfectly, here are some tips on beach photography.
Focal Points
While capturing images of the gorgeous scenery at sea it quite a spectacle, often there is no point of interest. When snapping a picture, try and find a subject or a focal point as a place for your picture viewers to rest their eyes. Some great examples are footprints, life guard stands, sand castles or a crashing wave. Get creative and allow your subject to tell the story of the photo.
Play with the Horizon
A picture looking out to the sea is certainly one that will capture the true essence of Clearwater Beach, especially during one of our awe inspiring sunsets. However, often these pictures all look the same. Play with the horizon and try not to let it split your picture right down the middle. Also, try to keep the horizon square in your view finder to avoid a slanted picture.
Flash
When you take portrait pictures of friends or family in the bright beach light you’ll often notice there are shadows across their faces, usually casted by noses, hats or glasses. To avoid this, turn on your flash. Without a flash you could end up with a silhouette (which can also be pretty cool). If your subjects end up looking overexposed from the flash try taking a few steps back and zooming in to reach your desired framing.
Black and White
Although Clearwater Beach is full of an array of bright and warm colors, a black and white beach shot can completely change the feel of a photo. Take a few black and white shots to convey a romantic mood in your pictures. Black and white also gives beach shots taken on an overcast day more oomph, as these can sometimes look colorless.
While visiting Clearwater Beach always remember your camera, because we can assure you there will be many great photo opportunities and you’ll be glad you have it with you.
Calling All Snowbirds!
That’s right, we’re calling all northerners, southerners, easterners and westerners to come see the magnificent weather, the white sandy beaches and the exciting nightlife Clearwater Beach has to offer. No matter your age, there is sure to be something fun for every Florida snowbird to experience in Clearwater Beach, FL.
For the younger generations or those simply young at heart, two theme parks are located nearby the Beachview Inn. Located less than an hour away, Busch Gardens offers spectacular shows, exciting rides and incredible wildlife centers for animal lovers. Only a short ride from Busch Gardens you will find the Adventure Island Water Park, this theme park offers kids and adults the chance to cool off in 30 acres of water soaked fun. Slides, wave pools, a lazy river and many other family fun attractions offer everyone in your group a chance to soak in some sun and splash around in the laid back atmosphere that channels the look and feel of the Florida Keys.
For a more low key adventure step aboard a StarLite Dining cruise, the Calypso Queen or the Sea Life Safari Nature cruise. Each vessel offers an experience only Clearwater Beach could make so special. On a StarLite Dining cruise, treat yourself to an exciting day or night out aboard the 115 foot Majesty Dining Yacht. The StarLite Majesty departs from Clearwater Beach 6 days of the week for a scenic cruise of Florida’s gulf coast inland waters. The dining area offers cruisers panoramic views of the breathtaking scenery while they enjoy a delicious meal made to order. Or step aboard the StarLite Princess Authentic Paddlewheeler, this 107 foot authentic paddlehweeler takes you back in time with its emaculate attaentiion to detail and Victorian essence. The dining room offers delectable entrees and incredible panoramic vistas of the inland waters. The Calypso Queen offers sunset cruises with casual dining or an afternoon sightseeing cruise where the captain educates cruisers on the history of the surrounding area. The Sea Life Safari Boat tour in Clearwater Beach is a 90 minute boat trip that sails along the intercoastal waters and offers a hands on learning experience for cruisers of all ages. Search for dolphins and exotic sea birds while witnessing data collection first hand as the Sea Life staff performs a net pull and passes around sea critters before releasing them back to the water.
No matter your age or interests, Clearwater Beach has something in store for every Florida snowbird that comes to visit our beautiful shores. Book your room now at The Beachview Inn and take advantage of being centrally located to all the exciting amenities Clearwater Beach has to offer.
What’s for Dinner?
We know it didn’t take much to convince our Florida snowbirds that Clearwater Beach is the ultimate vacation spot to stay warm and refreshed. While friends and family up north are shoveling snow you’ll be digging your toes in the soft white sand of Clearwater Beach, FL. Conjuring up the images of your poor neighbors trudging through the icy slush while you bask in the sunlight can be exhausting and work up quite an appetite. So once you’ve had your fill of sun, silky sand and salty warm water on Clearwater Beach, head on over to one of the great restaurants nearby and fill your belly. There are plenty of restaurants located within minutes of The Beachview Inn, so you don’t have to stray far for a great meal. Here are a few suggestions, and if you have any of your own we’d love to know what they are.
Frenchy’s Restaurants
Frenchy’s offers four great restaurants in Clearwater Beach, FL, The Original Café, The Saltwater Café, The Rockaway Grill and The South Beach Café. These casual beach restaurants combine fresh seafood and stunning views to enhance the charming beach town feel. Stone crabs are now in season so stop by to get your order of these sweet and succulent claws.
The Brown Boxer Pub and Grille
With more than 20 flat screen TVs this place is a sports fanatic’s haven. The Brown Boxer offers great drink specials and live entertainment. Got your furry friend in tow? No problem! The pet friendly patio allows diners to enjoy their meals with their pooches by their sides. The founder and president, Hoot the dog, will even stop by from time to time to check in on his guests.
Kiku Japanese Restaurant
Great sushi is hard to find, but here in Clearwater Beach, FL you don’t have to look far. Kiku’s Japanese Restaurant combines east and west coast Japanese fare to create incredible sushi and Japanese fusion dishes at a reasonable price.
Cesare’s at the Beach
Located at the South end of Clearwater Beach this family owned and operated restaurant offers authentic recipes from Northern Italy. Stop by for a hearty Italian dish, a great glass of wine and enjoy the quaint old Italy atmosphere.
The Salt Rock Grill
Arrive by land or sea and enjoy the upscale ambiance The Salt Rock Grill offers. Indulge in wood fired steaks and seafood while sipping on the perfectly paired wine from the deep cellar of selections.
Now these aren’t the only dining options in Clearwater Beach, just a few which come highly recommended by the locals. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to stop in for a quick bite or want to treat someone special to an elegant dinner, Clearwater Beach, FL is sure to have the perfect restaurant for you. Have a favorite? Please share it with us on Facebook or Twitter!
Beach Day Snacks
Nothing beats hanging out on the pristine beaches of Clearwater Beach, FL. Relaxing under the warm sun, basking in its glorious rays while your toes stay cool beneath the soft white sand sure sounds like heaven. But let’s face it, whenever lunch time rolls around it often ruins the moment. Suddenly hunger strikes and you realize you’ll soon have to pack up the sandy camp you worked so hard to set up, gather your things and attempt to shake off the salty sea water and sand you were praising only a moment ago for keeping you cool. But now you feel like a wet, sticky, hungry mess and trudging through the sand with all your belonging in search of a decent meal sounds absurd. While there are plenty of spectacular restaurants surrounding the beaches of Clearwater Beach, FL, what if you could stay where you are, leave everything where it is, sit back under your umbrella and enjoy lunch in the perfect spot. Well if you are properly prepared you can do just that. By packing delicious and satisfying snacks to munch on, you don’t have to worry about going anywhere. Here are a few great beach snack ideas to pack in your cooler before you head out to Clearwater Beach for the day.
Trail Mix
Trail mix is great because you can customize it to your own liking. Mix together your favorite nuts, dried fruit, pretzels, seeds and even chocolate chips for a tasty snack. Make a big batch in the morning and package them in a few smaller resealable bags. That way everyone will have their own bag and if a little sand gets in one there’s still plenty to go around. Remember salty foods make everyone thirsty so be sure to pack lots of water in your cooler.
Fruit
Fresh fruit is the easiest snack to prepare for the beach. Some grocery stores even have plastic containers of fruit precut to save you even more time. Fruit is also one of the healthiest snacks you can bring. Remember to pack them in the cooler so they’re a refreshing treat later on.
Raw Vegetables
This snack is loaded with vitamins and fiber and is great for refueling energy. Pack celery sticks, baby carrots, broccoli and cauliflower florets as well as cucumber slices and grape tomatoes. Bring along a small container of hummus or your favorite salad dressing for dipping.
By preparing enough healthy snacks that are refreshing and filling you won’t have to worry about having to pack up only to return an hour later. Don’t forget to bring a long enough cold drinks to keep everyone hydrated all day. And most of all, enjoy your day on the beautiful beaches of Clearwater Beach.
