From Orlando: Day Trip to Clearwater Beach with Options

About This Experience

This day trip takes you from Orlando across Florida to Clearwater Beach on the Gulf of Mexico, and someone else handles the highway. Pickup is available from many Orlando hotels, and the drive takes about two and a half hours each way. You are dropped at Pier 60, right on the beach, so there is no hunting for parking. The whole day runs about 12 hours, with a driver-guide on board both ways.

Once you arrive, the time is built around the option you choose. Every option includes some free time on the white sand, where you can swim, walk the fishing pier or rent a kayak. The Lunch option and the Express option leave you the most beach time; Express also skips the other pickup stops and goes straight to the beach.

The other options add an activity. You can visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium and watch dolphins from its underwater viewing areas, or sail on Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise, with treasure hunts, face painting, water-gun games and complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks. The Dolphin Encounter boat and the Sea Screamer speedboat both head into the Gulf to look for wild dolphins. The deep-sea fishing option goes 10 miles out and includes equipment and a fishing license.

Meals and drinks are not included unless your option says so, and neither are tips or beach gear. Bring your own towel, swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. Wild dolphin sightings cannot be guaranteed. Pets, luggage and large bags are not allowed on the coach. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

This suits families, couples and anyone staying in Orlando without a car who wants a Gulf beach day. It is a long day with around five hours on the road, so it is less suited to travelers who get restless on coaches. If you mainly want time in the sea, choose the Lunch or Express option; if you want a structured day, pick one of the boat or aquarium options.

Highlights

• Spend the day on the white sand of Clearwater Beach on the Gulf of Mexico
• Get dropped right at Pier 60, with no beach parking to find
• Watch dolphins from underwater viewing areas at Clearwater Marine Aquarium (aquarium option)
• Join treasure hunts, face painting and water-gun games on a pirate ship (pirate cruise option)
• Head into the Gulf to look for wild dolphins by boat or speedboat (Dolphin Encounter or Sea Screamer option)
• Fish 10 miles offshore and keep what you catch (deep-sea fishing option)

What's Included

• ✓ Round-trip transportation from Orlando, with pickup from many hotels
• ✓ Driver-guide assistance
• ✓ Free time on Clearwater Beach
• ✓ Admission or boarding for your chosen option: marine aquarium, pirate cruise, Dolphin Encounter boat or Sea Screamer
• ✓ Pirate cruise option: complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks on board
• ✓ Deep-sea fishing option: all fishing equipment and a fishing license; Lunch option: a lunch gift voucher for a beachside restaurant

Not Included

• Meals and drinks, unless included in your option
• Tips
• Towels, sunscreen and other beach items

What to Bring

• Comfortable shoes
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen

Good to Know & Caveats

• The drive from Orlando to Clearwater Beach takes about 2.5 hours each way
• Exact departure time depends on your pickup point
• The Lunch and Express options give you the most time on the beach
• Dolphins and other animals are wild, so sightings are not guaranteed
• Pets, luggage and large bags are not allowed
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

Meeting Point

Pickup is offered from many Orlando hotels at times that vary; the listed meeting point is outside Charlie's Steakhouse, where you should wait 10 to 15 minutes before the 8 AM departure.