Marinas in Clearwater Beach, FL

April and May or October are the best overall times to boat the Gulf waters off Clearwater Beach and use Clearwater Pass. Rather than having a short season, local conditions shift year-round: average water temperatures rise from the mid-60s in winter to the mid-to-upper 80s in summer, while April, May and October range from the low 70s to low 80s.

January through May is the area’s high visitor season, while fall generally brings fewer crowds. Summer stays warm but commonly has brief afternoon rainstorms, so mornings are often the better choice. Also check the tide before using Clearwater Pass, where the tidal current averages about 1.2 knots.

Source: Visit St. Pete-Clearwater (visitstpeteclearwater.com)

From Clearwater Beach, you can cruise Clearwater Harbor and the Intracoastal Waterway, follow Mandalay Channel beside the beach, run through Clearwater Pass to open Gulf waters, or continue into St. Joseph Sound behind the barrier islands. Clearwater Harbor is the more protected inside route; Mandalay Channel is a marked harbor branch, while Clearwater Pass is the dredged, well-marked connection to the Gulf.

Rentals operate from Clearwater Beach Marina, and trailer boaters can launch at Seminole Street Boat Ramp. At Caladesi Island State Park, boaters can use the bayside marina or anchor offshore in calm weather.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (nauticalcharts.noaa.gov)

From Clearwater Beach, boaters can make Gulf coast day trips to Caladesi Island State Park, Anclote Key, Three Rooker Island and the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks. Caladesi draws crews for its beach, bayside marina and mangrove paddling trail. Anclote Key is accessible only by boat or ferry and offers swimming, snorkeling and picnicking, while Three Rooker is another sandy island within the same preserve. At the Sponge Docks, the city marina provides transient dockage close to shops and restaurants.

Source: Florida State Parks (floridastateparks.org)

Florida does not issue a boating license, but operators born on or after January 1, 1988, must carry photo ID and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating education card when running a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft. There is no general minimum age for boats; personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and no one under 18 may rent any vessel other than a human powered one. Exemptions include Coast Guard licensed masters, private lake or pond operators, operators accompanied aboard by someone 18 or older who holds the card or is exempt and is responsible for the vessel, and nonresidents with proof of a NASBLA-approved out of state course. Any non exempt operator may instead pass an FWC approved temporary certificate exam and carry that certificate with photo ID for 90 days.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules require boaters to carry life jackets, stay sober, use properly registered vessels, follow personal watercraft limits, and obey posted no wake and manatee zones. Every vessel must carry an accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable life jacket for each person; children under 6 must wear one while underway on vessels under 26 feet. Operating while impaired is illegal; a .08 blood or breath alcohol level creates a presumption of impairment. Most vessels must be registered and carry the certificate aboard. Personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, wear a noninflatable PFD, and not operate from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida law requires you to be at least 18 to rent a livery vessel other than a human-powered vessel. Florida sets no general minimum age to operate a boat, but a personal watercraft operator must be at least 14.

Under section 327.395, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must carry the required boating safety credentials. An exemption applies when accompanied by a credentialed or exempt person age 18 or older who is attendant to the operation and responsible for safe operation and violations. The rental operator sets its own booking minimum subject to state law, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Alongside the marinas on this page, Clearwater Beach has 11 boat rentals.