Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 727-447-1790;
www.seewinter.com
;
249 Windward Passage; adult/child 3-12yr $20/15;
9am-6pm)
The home of Winter the dolphin, this nonprofit aquarium is dedicated to rescuing and re-
habilitating injured sea animals, such as dolphins, sea otters, fish, rays, and loggerhead and
Kemp's ridley sea turtles. Though small, it provides unusually intimate encounters with
these magnificent creatures, many of which are resident due to injuries that prevent their
return to the wild. While the aquarium's mission is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation
and release of injured sea animals, dolphin encounters and shows make up a large part of
the aquarium's entertainment offerings, and some animal rights groups maintain that these
can be harmful to dolphins.
Excellent conservation-focused movies, demonstrations and presentations are included
with admission. Other behind-the-scenes tours and dolphin interactions, such as shadow-
ing a professional trainer for the day (from $30 to $325), must be reserved ahead.
Pier 60
BEACH
(
www.sunsetsatpier60.com
; 1 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater Beach)
In high season, Clearwater's long stretch of smooth, white sand becomes a scrum of sun-
baked coeds and extended families. Hotels, resorts and raucous beach bars line the sand,
particularly near Pier 60, where sunset is 'celebrated' each night with a festive menagerie
of musicians, magicians, performers and trinket stands hawking their wares. On Coronado
Dr across from the pier, activity booths offer parasailing, fishing, cruises and so on.
Sand Key Park & Beach
BEACH
(
www.pinellascounty.org/park
; 1060 Gulf Blvd; 7am-sunset)
If you want a less-crowded beach day free of commercial folderol, head to this 65-acre,
family-friendly beach park. It's at the northern tip of the barrier island to the south, just
over the Clearwater Pass Bridge. The sand isn't nearly as fine as at Clearwater Beach, but
it's a wide strand with decent shelling that's popular with local families. It has restrooms
and outdoor showers, but bring lunch. Clearwater's Jolley Trolley stops here. Daily park-
ing costs $5.
