Experiences
Bounce between two sun-splashed pool decks. Opal Sands features a stunning zero-entry pool cantilevered over the gulf, while Opal Sol offers two glittering pools with gulf views and a third indoor pool. Both locations provide everything for a perfect day in the sun: towel service, lounge chairs under swaying palms, and private cabanas for rent. Satisfy your hunger with light bites and ice-cold cocktails from Reflections Poolside Bar (Opal Sands) or Current (Opal Sol).
With the resorts’ optimal locations on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, you’ll have a front row seat to one of the most coveted stretches of coastline in the country. From Opal Sands, just follow the gentle sand ramp to the beach; from Opal Sol, it’s just a quick street crossing to the Beach Walk promenade. Relax on the powdery white sands with a beach cabana or lounge chair, or enjoy a day of sunbathing, surf adventures, or exploring Pier 60.
You have your choice between two luxury Opal Spas – one located in Opal Sands, and a brand-new facility in Opal Sol. Both locations offer the same menu, which hinges around the holistic healing of Kerstin Florian products, while treatments are performed on custom-designed, zero-gravity Oakwork Britta beds for the ultimate relaxation.
If you like to break a sweat on vacation, we’ve got you covered with two fitness centers – one located in Opal Sands, a second based in Opal Sol. Thoughtfully stocked with strength training equipment, treadmills, Peloton bikes, cross trainers and more, the center is complimentary to access to keep you at your peak.
Dunedin native and master artist Christopher Still is the individual responsible for much of the aesthetic at Opal Sands Resort, having hand-selected and worked with other Florida artists to create custom installations that adorn the property. Throughout the lobby, art connoisseurs can peruse an array of opulent beach-inspired sculptures and paintings by Still, Mark Aeling, Bluworld, Arnold Ruiz, Daryl Vaughn, and Carrie Jadus.
Located in Opal Sands tower
Activities
Hinging around pedestrian-friendly beach boardwalk with easy access to restaurants, marinas, and one of the most legendary sunsets on the Gulf, Clearwater Beach is a lively coastal city offering a captivating blend of adventure and culture.
Get on The Gulf
Although “America’s Best Beach” deserves its accolades, being on the water – not just beside it – is an equally captivating to-do in Clearwater. And there’s so many ways to get on the waves, everything from jet ski rentals and fishing charters to schooner tours and floating tiki bar cruises.
Explore Caladesi Island
Located on the northern tip of Clearwater Beach, Caledesi Island is only reachable by boat, but the extra effort to reach this 600-acre undeveloped barrier island is more than worth it. Home to enormous live oaks, tropical mangroves, and an unspoiled stretch of beach rated among the best in the nation, it’s an untouched paradise offering a unique glimpsed into one of few remaining natural islands along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Celebrate Sunset by the Sands
For more than 25 years, the nightly sunset celebrations at Pier 60 have provided a playground for the arts and busking community to showcase their talents. Watch the pier transform into an evolving expression of arts and culture while experiencing the magic on the ground and in the sky. Enjoy this year-round, weather permitting event, operating two hours before and two hours after sunset every evening.
Boat Tours That Make a Splash
While there are family-friendly boat tours galore – including Little Toot Dolphin Tours and Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruises – one of the most unique may just be Mega Bite Tours. That’s because the one-of-a-kind 50-foot boat is designed to resemble that of a shark with big nasty teeth. You’ll feel like you’re stalking Clearwater’s calm waterways as you search for frolicking dolphins.
Have an Angling Adventure
Whether you’re casting your line from its famous pier, chartering a boat for deep-sea excursions, or opting for inshore fishing adventures, the options are as varied as the species you can catch. With experienced guides and a year-round fishing season, it’s no wonder Clearwater is a top destination for both novice and seasoned anglers looking for their next big catch.
The Number 1 Sand Sculpting Festival in Florida
For two weeks each April, Clearwater pays tribute to the feature that has brought it renown: its sugar sand beach. Sugar & Sand Festival is a beach-wide celebration headlined by The Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit, a 21,000-square-foot tent filled with sculpted sand art crafted by world-class sculptors. If the sand art inspires you, sit in on one of the sand sculpting classes, speed sand demonstrations, or the master sand sculpting competition.
MLB Spring Training
Baseball fans can take in spring training games for three Major League Baseball teams – the Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees – all within a short drive of the resorts.
Marvel at Marine Life
Clearwater Marine Aquarium may be the best-known place to get up-close and personal with dolphins, sea turtles, otters, pelicans, sharks, and more. But don’t forget that you can see local wildlife in their natural habitat, too, thanks to eco-tours like Sea Life Safari Nature Cruises and The Dolphin Exploration Tour.
Pretend to Pilot a Plane
Unlike most simulation centers, SimCenter Tampa Bay, located in Clearwater, is open to not just racers, pilots, and other professionals, but the public. That means families can try the venue’s seven real-size simulators, which include a Boeing 737 jetliner, an F-16, and an F-35 fighter jet, plus two full-motion Formula 1 race car simulators, no experience needed!
Opal Unpacked
Sunset celebrations, shops, activities, dining – the list of things to do on and around the 1,000-foot Pier 60 is so seemingly endless, it can be difficult to distill into one day. So consider this your ultimate, hour-by-hour guide to spending the perfect day at this favorite hot spot.