With a cornucopia of award winning beaches, crystal waters and warm white sand, Clearwater, Florida provides the perfect backdrop for easy living. Just West of Tampa, this Pinellas County city lies on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, attracting a diversity of world-class culture to the city.
The Tampa Bay Beach city is known for its easy access to the water, thus bringing out all sorts of boaters to the region, seeking to take advantage of the Sunshine State's domineering summer weather. Throughout the community of Clearwater, there are handfuls of places to bring your water wheels out to.
One of the most popular areas for boating is in Ft. Desoto. Although this beach park is near 35 to forty minutes from the city, its inlets take you all throughout the Gulf shores. Ft. Desoto is a beach, lake, park and campsite. This water region is perfect for families or those looking to spend a day out in the Gulf. Ft. Desoto has half a dozen public boat ramps, which allow you to easily retreat your water vehicle into the ocean. While day parking is a five-dollar fee, it is plentiful and you rarely have to worry about finding an empty spot. There are also many Clearwater apartments near Ft. Desoto. However, most of these units are a bit older and less modernized, which is a fair price to pay to have water front views.
Ft. Desoto is a short boat trip to some of the local's most favorite spots near Clearwater apartments such as Anclote and Egmont Key. These keys are filled with boaters who love to tailgate in the clear shallow waters with their floating coolers and noodles. If you are feeling hungry you can anchor out at Sloppy Pelican, where many boaters park to enjoy their famous Sloppy burgers and tropical rumrunners.
A much closer public boat ramp near Clearwater beach is the Seminole Street Boat dock located off of US 19, just North of downtown. Seminole Street boat ramp charges five dollars a day for residents and seven-dollars a day for non-residents. Equipped with a twenty-four hour bait shop and gas station, this public recreational site is just near Sand Key and Island Estates. Clearwater apartments near these islands are highly desirable, newly built and very secluded.
If your boat is under fifteen feet, you may prefer to use the Clearwater Beach Recreation Complex boat ramp. This public boat ramp is free of charge and is just near the tourist attractions of the city, on Mandalay Boulevard. This facility comes with handicap access, restrooms, and parking. However, parking may be more difficult to come by in this neighborhood considering it always packed with vacationers. Apartment communities located in this part of town are a mix of new and old. However, they tend to be on the pricey end due to their high demand from out of towners.
There are several public boat ramps throughout the Tampa Bay area of Clearwater. Although some may charge you for the day, most of these charges are fairly cheap and provide you with ample parking space.