I originally wrote this article for Bucketlistpublications.com where it was published on January 13. It’s a little different from my usual posts, but I have edited it slightly and added many more pictures for your enjoyment. See you in Florida soon 😉 Tiny
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After having lived on three continents, and traveled the world for more than two decades for work and pleasure, I finally found my own little piece of paradise here on Sand Key, a barrier island on Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast.
Don’t get me wrong, I still travel, but I no longer feel I have to get away. Simply because there’s so much to explore right here in my backyard. Outdoor activities for every taste, every age and ability.
I’m not going to tell you about all the excellent hotels, restaurants and bars that cater for visitors here. There’s an app or two for that. Instead, I’ve chosen to talk about a few activities and adventures for those who want an active, outdoorsy vacation.
Beaches. Beaches are of course the main attraction around here. Clearwater Beach offers everything beachgoers could ask for, a beautiful beach and lots of water related activities at the marina across the road – and throngs of company. Shopping and activities on Pier 60 every night at sunset, and lots of watering holes nearby.
For those who prefer a bit more quiet and space for their beach day, or maybe want to catch a fresh grouper for dinner, the Sand Key Park and beach just over the bridge from Clearwater Beach, will be ideal. It has all the necessary amenities, including food at nearby establishments.
Water sports. Jet skiing is probably the most popular water sport among visitors, and is available both on Clearwater Beach and on Sand key.
Kayaking, sailing and paddle boarding are available at the Community Sailing Center just opposite the Sand Key Park and the beach. They also offer summer camps and instructional courses where you can learn the basics of sailing or paddle boarding.
Kite surfing is popular on Sand Key when the winds are right. Parasailing and “sky-surfing” are also on offer for those who have a higher calling, or just seek the big picture.
Excursions on the water. Clearwater Beach marina is a busy place. That’s where you can book trips on the water. Again, the items on the menu are many. Anything from a Pirate Ship rides with kids, to dolphin tours, dinner cruises or sunset sails. Going slow or fast. Your choice.
But I’d like to mention one particular experience that all my guests regardless of age have loved, Captain Mike’s Dreamcatcher Explorations. Most tours (private or split between 5-6 people) go to the Three Rooker Bar, a small Barrier Island.
There is no better way to spend a morning or an afternoon. You can do tube riding and dolphin watching on your way there, fantastic shelling and snorkeling once you reach the island. It’s an untouched paradise, and if you’re lucky a dolphin might come to swim with you there.
Three Rooker Bar is also a protected nature preserve, which brings me to my final theme.
Wildlife and hiking. Many visitors enjoy the birds found on Florida shores. And you can watch/photograph many species right in the salt marsh of Sand Key Park, on the beach and on the bay side. I’ve photographed at least 40 different species there, maybe around 10-15 on any given day.
If you want to experience untouched Florida nature and are up for a hike, then I can recommend a visit to Honeymoon Island about 30 minutes north of Clearwater.
And if you are up for a really long hike and the weather is nice, you can walk to Caldesi, a pristine barrier island, on a sand bar all the way from Clearwater. Those who want to just enjoy the beach or hike the nature trail can also reach Caldesi Island by boat from Honeymoon Island.
Other nature related adventures are offered by Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is the home of Winter, the dolphin from two movies, Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2. The Aquarium, which is actually a hospital and rehabilitation center for marine animals, also offers excursions on the bay to examine the interesting marine life there.
Here’s to an outdoorsy vacation in the Clearwater area!
TINY LESSONS BLOG 
WOW! Simply stunning. Of course, I love the birdies the best! But what a beautiful place~
Thanks Cindy! We love it here…and I thought I might entice a few more blogging friends to visit, it would be lovely to meet in person 🙂 And yes, the birds are the best!
Fantastic photos! You have inspired me to make more of an effort to get to the beach. After all, it is just down the road from the nursing home!
Thanks Julie! It’s great to just walk on the each and listen to the waves, very soothing.
This was great Helen…
Thanks David. Some R & R with family down here does wonders 😉
I loved the photos and suggestions for visiting. I find the same thing with Richmond, Virginia. I may live here, but a lot of people come here to visit. It’s encouraged me to write up my own “backyard” to share with others. They’re interested in it, just like I am in your backyard.
Nancy
Thanks Nancy. It is so true that we all have interesting things in our backyards. I’ve been visiting with family in the Richmond area a couple of times when we lived up in MD. Very nice!
We vacationed in the Clearwater/St. Petes area many times in my teens. I wish I had known about the nature preserve. Then again, I’m not sure my 16 year old self was as much into nature as current self is. 🙂
I’m sure you are right, 16 olds usually have some other priorities. I had to laugh when I remembered the “I’m totally bored” expression on the face of a girl about that age on Honeymoon Island. She had just arrived with family in the parking lot when I was leaving. She was not particularly looking fwd to seeing the ospreys on the trail…but I hope the birds eventually changed her mind 🙂
It all looks so inviting!
Welcome to visit, Kathy!
Thanks – maybe one day!
You already know I’m up for a visit! Or down rather. 😉 One day my friend, one day. ❤
I know! One day we’ll do many of these outdoor things together, but please don’t ask me to “skysurf” 😉 anything else is game!
I think it’s safe to say I won’t ask you to skisurf. LOL That sounds a bit too adventerous for me. 🙂
I see this “bird” surfing the skies every now and then…happy you don’t insist we’d try it 😀
What a beautiful place, Tiny, and not one I’ve ever visited, so this will be one for my personal ‘bucket list’. Love the photography, especially that amazing sunset. Thank you so much ♥
This is a good ‘bucket list’ item! The sunsets are gorgeous most days, sometimes deep red, other times orange/golden (like yesterday) and yet other days pink/purple. Please let me know when you come and I’ll take you around ❤
tiny, these places are reason enough to head to florida…mhmmm!
Oh yes! Would be lovely hear more of the language(s) you speak around here 🙂
who knows, maybe one day i’ll seek you out and we’ll have a nice long talk “suomeksi” 🙂
🙂
Grand
Thanks Bruce.
Makes me curious.
Mostly, the birds and other natural beauty.
That’s what is most precious for me too.
Lovely photos.
Happy you liked them Celestine.
Thanks Tiny for the tour … and seeing my 2 favorites birds again 🙂
Thanks Val. I inserted the two just for you 🙂 when I edited the article.
Ahh shucks …. ☺️
Fantastic post, Tiny. The Gulf Coast is such a mecca for water sports and aerial views.
One quick fix needed: “After having lived on three continents, and traved the world . . .”
Thanks for the fix Nancy! That was one of my quick edits last night. Took me 3 reads before I saw it 🙂 I think Florida’s west side is somehow less known than the east side (at least among many friends from up north) so I thought I’d write an article that could be seen by people outside the blogging circles too.
Excellent idea! The East Coast has lots going for it ~ St. Augustine, Cape Canaveral, Miami, etc. ~ but I’m partial to our side of the state.
Tiny, Olet onnekas nainen! 🙂
Wow! Se on totta! 😀
Beautiful! Thank you for the great tour!
Happy you enjoyed the outdoors ‘tour’ here in my backyard!
What a magnificent job you’ve done capturing your home. I would have to retire early just to enjoy ALL the beauty. Some day… xoxo
Happy you enjoyed my little ‘tour’. A few days here would be an antidote to stress even before retirement 🙂 that’s how I first came here too…xoxo
Beautiful photos!
Thank you Elena! I was trying to “paint” a picture of my backyard.
Such a stunning place, Tiny. The sunsets and the birds were my favourites. 🙂
Thanks Sylvia! We have the same favorites! I just had to write about “everything” for that article…
So beautiful! That’s all you would want in a vacation – beautiful sunsets and sunrises, fun activities, and great scenery! Thanks for sharing!
Happy you liked it Lauren.