Clearwater Ferry
The Clearwater Ferry is the passenger boat from Downtown Clearwater and Downtown Dunedin to Clearwater Beach Marina — the local way to skip Memorial Causeway traffic and the beachside parking hunt. Adult fares from $5 (Downtown ↔ Beach) or $8 (Dunedin crossings), reduced tickets for seniors, youth and students, and kids ride free. Two boat lines running Thursday through Sunday — every seat bookable in seconds below.
Downtown Clearwater → Clearwater Beach — the classic 25-minute crossing from just $5.Book →Two ferry lines, live on the map
Red Line (Downtown ↔ Beach, hourly) and Blue Line (the Dunedin circuit, four runs a day) — both operating Thursday through Sunday. Tap a line to book.
Why locals ride the Clearwater Ferry
Skip the causeway
Memorial Causeway is the only road on. On a busy weekend it's a slow crawl each way. The ferry cuts across the Intracoastal in minutes.
Park once
Downtown Clearwater and Dunedin both have easy, affordable parking. Leave the car, board the ferry, save yourself the beachside parking hunt.
The ride's the ride
Open-air seating, salt breeze, dolphins in the wake and a captain who knows every channel marker. Transport that feels like a mini-cruise.
Clearwater Ferry fares at a glance
Reduced fares apply to seniors 65+, riders with a disability, Medicare card holders, youth 9–18 and adult students (ID required). Kids ride free on every route.
Clearwater Ferry schedule
Both lines run Thursday through Sunday. Live availability shows on each FareHarbor booking screen — the times below are the PSTA-published departures.
Red Line — Boat 1
Hourly · 10 am – 8:30 pmBlue Line — Boat 2
4 circuits · 10 am – 7 pmFerry vs. driving to Clearwater Beach
Driving in
- Memorial Causeway backs up on weekends and event days.
- Beachside surface lots and garages routinely fill by mid-morning.
- Pier 60 and Rockaway lots close overnight — can't leave the car.
- Metered rates on the beach commonly run $3 to $6 per hour.
- You do the same crawl in reverse to get home.
Taking the ferry
- Park once downtown or in Dunedin — plentiful, cheaper spots.
- ~25-minute Red Line crossing to Clearwater Beach Marina; no bridge queue.
- Walk two blocks to Pier 60 — you're on the sand.
- Live availability + pricing on the booking screen; instant confirmation.
- Come back on any scheduled return — Red Line runs until 8:30 pm.
Pick your line
Every crossing books through FareHarbor with instant confirmation. Each direction is its own ticket, so a round trip is two bookings — pick your outbound and return separately.
Where the ferry picks up and drops off
Three docks, all on the water. Both lines serve Downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach Marina; the Blue Line adds Dunedin. Tap the map link for turn-by-turn directions to the boarding gangway.
Clearwater Harbor Marina — Downtown Clearwater
Meet at Clearwater Harbor Marina in Downtown Clearwater. The ferry pickup is on the promenade — look for the Clearwater Ferry signage and the fenced boarding area on the dock. Be there at least 10 minutes before your scheduled departure; the ferry leaves on time.
Clearwater Beach Marina — 25 Causeway Blvd
Meet at 25 Causeway Boulevard on Clearwater Beach — the ferry stop is at the docks just outside the main marina building. Arrive at least 10 minutes before departure. From here it's a two-block walk west up Causeway Blvd to Pier 60, the beach and Beach Walk — no rideshare needed.
Downtown Dunedin Marina
Board at the Dunedin Marina slips off Edgewater Drive, one block from Main Street. Arrive at least 10 minutes before departure. Step off here and you're a block from downtown's brewery cluster and restaurants, and about a mile north to TD Ballpark for Blue Jays spring training.
Who the Clearwater Ferry is perfect for
Beach day-trippers
Anyone driving in for the day and dreading the causeway crawl and $30 beach lots. Park downtown, ferry over, walk two blocks to Pier 60.
Blue Jays fans
In town for Toronto's spring training at TD Ballpark in Dunedin? Take the Blue Line from your Clearwater Beach hotel for the game, then ferry back for dinner on the sand.
Brewery hoppers
Downtown Dunedin's craft-brewery cluster (Dunedin Brewery, HOB, Woodwright, Caledonia) is a straight Blue Line ride from downtown Clearwater or the beach.
Sunset seekers
Red Line evening departures put you on the water for the color show and land you in time for Sunsets at Pier 60 — or a downtown dinner reservation.
Hotel guests
Staying downtown but want a beach day? Skip the rental car, skip the Uber surge — the Red Line runs hourly all day.
Families
Kids love a boat. Parents love not driving. Everyone loves not paying $6/hour to park by the sand.
Clearwater Ferry FAQ
Practical answers for planning your ferry day. Anything not covered here — call the crew at 727-643-1832.
What days does the Clearwater Ferry run?
Where does the Clearwater Ferry depart from?
What are the two ferry lines?
Is the ferry faster than driving to Clearwater Beach?
Do I need to book the Clearwater Ferry in advance?
How long does the ferry ride take?
Where do I park at the ferry terminals?
Does the Clearwater Ferry run at sunset?
How much does the Clearwater Ferry cost?
Can I bring luggage, coolers, beach chairs and a stroller?
Is the ferry a good option for Blue Jays spring training or a brewery hop in Dunedin?
Who runs the Clearwater Ferry?
Talk to the crew
Departure changes, private charters, group rates and holiday schedules — the Clearwater Ferry team can help.
Plan the rest of your day
Live schedules, capacity and pricing show on each booking screen. Clearwater Ferry is a PSTA-supported local service; bookings are handled securely by FareHarbor.