Does Clearwater Beach Have Blue Water?

Yes Clearwater Beach has blue water. It can also appear green or possibly even tea colored all depending on weather conditions and the level of algae in the water which is normal on the gulf coast. When the water appears tea colored or possibly even brown that can often be only on the surface and close to shore.

Clearwater Beach

Florida Beaches From Miami Beach To The Emerald Coast Are The Atlantic Ocean

Yes the same cobalt blue water that laps up onto Miami Beach and South Beach makes it's way to the Emerald Coast beaches, Alabama, Louisiana Texas Mexico etcetera. It does this via the gulf stream and that blue water usually makes it relatively close to Clearwater Florida beaches.

However, due to naturally occurring algae that is critical to the marine life along the gulf coast the water most often appears to have a greenish tint. It may even appear to be tea colored but that is somewhat seasonal and rare. Off shore the greenish water will seem to have a border with the blue water. The PH levels are slightly different and I have dove off of my boat and found blue water under the greenish water on the surface.

Florida Panhandle & Destin Beach

Launching a boat in Santa Rosa Beach or Fort Walton Beach would result in a 40 mile trip into the Gulf of Mexico before reaching the gulf stream on a typical day. Obviously in Key West and the Florida Keys that run takes less than 5 miles on most days. In South Florida the gulf stream is almost always within sight of shore and is several miles wide. The result, more of that beautiful blue water in Florida can be found along Key West and South Florida.

Anna Maria Island & Northeast Florida Beaches With Clear Water

Although the water is still clear here the gulf stream is much further off shore than in South Florida. Truly deep water is also much further off shore. That has little effect on water clarity or the popularity of these beaches. The reason the gulf coast has more popular beaches is on Florida's gulf coast white sand beaches with clear water are the norm. That white sand is made up of crystal quartz making it cooler during the day and much softer. Florida's west coast is better for beach enthusiasts.