Are Clearwater and St Pete comparable to the Caribbean?

[Anonymous]

LOL no.

[Anonymous]

Yes I think they are comparable by certain measures.

The beach in Clearwater was 10000 times nicer than our last visit to Dominican Republic. So. It all depends on what your comparison point is.

Advantages of these exquisite gulf beaches: shorter travel times, no dealing with customs, resort amenities (on site restaurants, kids clubs, lovely pools and beaches) but also greater ability than on many islands to walk/drive around off the resort for activities.

Disadvantages: It’s not comparable in the winter. That area of Florida is much cooler. So if it’s December travel and you want to swim - go to the Caribbean.

Tell us what you value/are looking for and we can recommend more specifically.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes I think they are comparable by certain measures.

The beach in Clearwater was 10000 times nicer than our last visit to Dominican Republic. So. It all depends on what your comparison point is.

Advantages of these exquisite gulf beaches: shorter travel times, no dealing with customs, resort amenities (on site restaurants, kids clubs, lovely pools and beaches) but also greater ability than on many islands to walk/drive around off the resort for activities.

Disadvantages: It’s not comparable in the winter. That area of Florida is much cooler. So if it’s December travel and you want to swim - go to the Caribbean.

Tell us what you value/are looking for and we can recommend more specifically.

Thanks! This trip will be 8 days in June. I’d say the most important feature is warm, clear water with a nice beach. My fondest beach memory is snorkeling at Coki Beach in St Thomas.

It’s been my experience that the best beaches are public, rather than at resorts. But unfortunately we probably won’t have time to leave the resort. I know there’s an aquarium and Busch Gardens in Tampa, and my toddler would love that. But we also have a baby who isn’t sleeping through the night and our toddler takes forever to get dressed, eat, etc. Realistically, the only way we can do anything on vacation is to have all activities right outside our door.

I’m intrigued by these swim up resort suites in the Caribbean. It sounds like an amazing way for DH and I to relax after putting the kids to bed, or during naptime, since we’ll be chained to the hotel room. But I don’t think we can afford that for 8 days, and it would be a hazard if our toddler can open the door.

[Anonymous]

The color of the Caribbean waters really does take your breath away. The beaches are beautiful though not every one, depending on which island you go to. You can swim in most but not all. Overall its very pretty. I have been to several islands.

I went to Clearwater once. The sand was white, the beach was wide, public but was easy to get chairs and shades. The water was AMAZING to swim in. Extremely swimmable as opposed to lots of Caribbean/ worldwide gorgeous beaches. It was warm , soft waves sometimes.
In the early morning hours we could see lots of dolphins out in the sea.
Over all this was one of the best beach vacation we had.
You wont be dissapointed.

ps I would not do a swim up suite with a toddler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes I think they are comparable by certain measures.

The beach in Clearwater was 10000 times nicer than our last visit to Dominican Republic. So. It all depends on what your comparison point is.

Advantages of these exquisite gulf beaches: shorter travel times, no dealing with customs, resort amenities (on site restaurants, kids clubs, lovely pools and beaches) but also greater ability than on many islands to walk/drive around off the resort for activities.

Disadvantages: It’s not comparable in the winter. That area of Florida is much cooler. So if it’s December travel and you want to swim - go to the Caribbean.

Tell us what you value/are looking for and we can recommend more specifically.

+100
Clearwater is way nicer than Dominican Republic with all of its seaweeds.

[Anonymous]

Go to 30A

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes I think they are comparable by certain measures.

The beach in Clearwater was 10000 times nicer than our last visit to Dominican Republic. So. It all depends on what your comparison point is.

Advantages of these exquisite gulf beaches: shorter travel times, no dealing with customs, resort amenities (on site restaurants, kids clubs, lovely pools and beaches) but also greater ability than on many islands to walk/drive around off the resort for activities.

Disadvantages: It’s not comparable in the winter. That area of Florida is much cooler. So if it’s December travel and you want to swim - go to the Caribbean.

Tell us what you value/are looking for and we can recommend more specifically.

Thanks! This trip will be 8 days in June. I’d say the most important feature is warm, clear water with a nice beach. My fondest beach memory is snorkeling at Coki Beach in St Thomas.

It’s been my experience that the best beaches are public, rather than at resorts. But unfortunately we probably won’t have time to leave the resort. I know there’s an aquarium and Busch Gardens in Tampa, and my toddler would love that. But we also have a baby who isn’t sleeping through the night and our toddler takes forever to get dressed, eat, etc. Realistically, the only way we can do anything on vacation is to have all activities right outside our door.

I’m intrigued by these swim up resort suites in the Caribbean. It sounds like an amazing way for DH and I to relax after putting the kids to bed, or during naptime, since we’ll be chained to the hotel room. But I don’t think we can afford that for 8 days, and it would be a hazard if our toddler can open the door.

I am the one who lives in St Pete - and just, I'm sure you know, but it is going to be HOT in June here.

If you're looking for kids stuff - there's a children's museum, two aquariums (the Clearwater aquarium and the fancier one in Tampa), Busch Gardens, the Tampa zoo, a super fun old school place a bit of a drive away called Dinosaur World that kids love (https://www.dinosaurworld.com/). There's loads more, too. Disney is about an hour and a half away, if you want to do that for a day. I can suggest other stuff, too, if you're interested.

But yes, it is going to be very hot. I'd want to stay someplace with a pool that you can chill out at least part of the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes I think they are comparable by certain measures.

The beach in Clearwater was 10000 times nicer than our last visit to Dominican Republic. So. It all depends on what your comparison point is.

Advantages of these exquisite gulf beaches: shorter travel times, no dealing with customs, resort amenities (on site restaurants, kids clubs, lovely pools and beaches) but also greater ability than on many islands to walk/drive around off the resort for activities.

Disadvantages: It’s not comparable in the winter. That area of Florida is much cooler. So if it’s December travel and you want to swim - go to the Caribbean.

Tell us what you value/are looking for and we can recommend more specifically.

Thanks! This trip will be 8 days in June. I’d say the most important feature is warm, clear water with a nice beach. My fondest beach memory is snorkeling at Coki Beach in St Thomas.

It’s been my experience that the best beaches are public, rather than at resorts. But unfortunately we probably won’t have time to leave the resort. I know there’s an aquarium and Busch Gardens in Tampa, and my toddler would love that. But we also have a baby who isn’t sleeping through the night and our toddler takes forever to get dressed, eat, etc. Realistically, the only way we can do anything on vacation is to have all activities right outside our door.

I’m intrigued by these swim up resort suites in the Caribbean. It sounds like an amazing way for DH and I to relax after putting the kids to bed, or during naptime, since we’ll be chained to the hotel room. But I don’t think we can afford that for 8 days, and it would be a hazard if our toddler can open the door.

I am the one who lives in St Pete - and just, I'm sure you know, but it is going to be HOT in June here.

If you're looking for kids stuff - there's a children's museum, two aquariums (the Clearwater aquarium and the fancier one in Tampa), Busch Gardens, the Tampa zoo, a super fun old school place a bit of a drive away called Dinosaur World that kids love (https://www.dinosaurworld.com/). There's loads more, too. Disney is about an hour and a half away, if you want to do that for a day. I can suggest other stuff, too, if you're interested.

But yes, it is going to be very hot. I'd want to stay someplace with a pool that you can chill out at least part of the time.

Thanks for all the tips! I didn’t know there was an aquarium in Clearwater- that is a lot more feasible than Tampa. My toddler loves aquariums so we’ll be sure to do it. I am a little wary of having our baby out in the heat for very long but I guess since we’ll be at a resort I can easily bring him in for air conditioned nap breaks.

Thank you to everyone who responded! DH and I are excited about Florida now! We’ll do the Caribbean when the kids are old enough to put in a kids club so we can snorkel.

[Anonymous]

OP here. My toddler is obsessed with crabs. Are there any tide pools or good beaches for seeing them walking around on the sand?