As we were staying here for longer than usual this time, we thought we would spread our wings a bit and head for Clearwater for the day. With this is mind, we said we would leave our villa at 9. 30 latest and head for the beach.
Finally at 11. 30 (hey, we are on holiday! ) we set off along the I-4 heading towards Tampa and Clearwater, and after a really straight forward, easy drive arrived at Clearwater at 1pm, an hour and a half later.
We quickly found a parking space, and had to remember to return 2 hours later to feed the parking metre again, but as this was right by the beach it was no problem. The beach was absolutely stunning, with beautiful white powdery sand as far as we could see, and considering we were here in peak summer (August), not crowded at all.
The day was a hot one, so we decided to hire some beds and an umbrella to give us some shade. Armed with their boogie boards the children headed straight for the sea, shortly followed by mum. The sea was incredibly warm (90 degrees), calm, and great for children as it was shallow until quite far out.
After a sandwich and drink and more sand castle building, it was time to head off to the Marina, where we had booked aboard the Sea Screamer. The Sea Screamer is an enormous speed boat, which takes guests on an hour long trip into the Gulf of Mexico, searching for dolphins. The crew are so confident they will spot the dolphins, they offer a free trip if they don’t find them. The boat leaves three times a day – at 12, 2 and 4pm, and they take reservations at the Marina. We headed off aboard the boat at 4pm with Captain Dave and his first mate. After a leisurely ride along the intra-coastal waterway, we were soon in the Gulf of Mexico trying to spot the dolphins. Within minutes our captain had spotted a pod of dolphins, slowed down and told us to go to the back of the boat. We then picked up some speed and the next minute we were amazed to see dolphin after dolphin playfully jumping and diving from the water in the boats wake – what a sight! For some time after dolphins were swimming to the sides of the boat, within feet, it was truly amazing and a trip we will all remember for some time to come, seeing these beautiful creatures in their natural environment.
Now it was time to head back to the Marina, after sailing along the Clearwater coastline for a while, finally reaching the dock at around 5pm.
Finally at 11. 30 (hey, we are on holiday! ) we set off along the I-4 heading towards Tampa and Clearwater, and after a really straight forward, easy drive arrived at Clearwater at 1pm, an hour and a half later.
We quickly found a parking space, and had to remember to return 2 hours later to feed the parking metre again, but as this was right by the beach it was no problem. The beach was absolutely stunning, with beautiful white powdery sand as far as we could see, and considering we were here in peak summer (August), not crowded at all.
The day was a hot one, so we decided to hire some beds and an umbrella to give us some shade. Armed with their boogie boards the children headed straight for the sea, shortly followed by mum. The sea was incredibly warm (90 degrees), calm, and great for children as it was shallow until quite far out.
After a sandwich and drink and more sand castle building, it was time to head off to the Marina, where we had booked aboard the Sea Screamer. The Sea Screamer is an enormous speed boat, which takes guests on an hour long trip into the Gulf of Mexico, searching for dolphins. The crew are so confident they will spot the dolphins, they offer a free trip if they don’t find them. The boat leaves three times a day – at 12, 2 and 4pm, and they take reservations at the Marina. We headed off aboard the boat at 4pm with Captain Dave and his first mate. After a leisurely ride along the intra-coastal waterway, we were soon in the Gulf of Mexico trying to spot the dolphins. Within minutes our captain had spotted a pod of dolphins, slowed down and told us to go to the back of the boat. We then picked up some speed and the next minute we were amazed to see dolphin after dolphin playfully jumping and diving from the water in the boats wake – what a sight! For some time after dolphins were swimming to the sides of the boat, within feet, it was truly amazing and a trip we will all remember for some time to come, seeing these beautiful creatures in their natural environment.
Now it was time to head back to the Marina, after sailing along the Clearwater coastline for a while, finally reaching the dock at around 5pm.