Saturday, May 3, 2014

Escape The Crowds And Opt For Snorkeling In Clearwater FL

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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.

The city of Clearwater falls within Pinellas County in the Tampa Bay Area. It lies on Florida's west coast, a little over twenty miles west of Tampa. It is bordered by water on two sides: Tampa Bay to its east and the Gulf of Mexico to its west.

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.

Clearwater is one of the sunniest cities in the USA and can be visited at any time of year. The low season is during the summer months, when humidity levels can be uncomfortable and the heat will drive you to the water. Cooler and more comfortable weather arrives in fall and the winter months but even then water temperatures are quite high so you can enjoy the best snorkeling.




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