Pier 60 Clearwater Surf Report: Live Surf Cam, Conditions & Forecast

Pier 60 is the landmark fishing pier and gathering spot at the heart of Clearwater Beach on Florida’s Gulf Coast, as famous for its nightly sunset festival as for anything in the water. The surf is an exposed, sand-bottom Gulf beach break that gives up lefts and rights around the pier, but it rarely breaks. This is the Gulf of Mexico, so it is flat most of the time and only turns surfable when a winter cold front or a tropical system pushes swell in.

Best Swell Direction: South to southwest wind swell, generated by Gulf cold fronts and tropical or hurricane systems.

Best Winds: East to northeast winds are offshore here, the opposite of the Atlantic coast, since the Gulf lies to the west.

Best Size: Usually flat to small, coming up only briefly when a front or storm pushes wind swell in.

Best Tide: Often best around high tide on the rare days it breaks.

Break: A sand-bottom Gulf beach break, with the pier helping shape the sandbars on either side on the uncommon days there is swell.

Seasons: The best windows are winter cold fronts and the summer and fall hurricane season. Summer is typically flat and calm, and even in the good windows surfable days are short-lived.

Crowds: Rarely a surf crowd, though the beach itself is one of the busiest and most touristy on the Gulf Coast year round.

Pier Hazards: Respect the pilings and keep a safe buffer. Surfing too close to a pier is a common cause of injury, and the structure can funnel current.

Lifeguards: Clearwater Beach is guarded seven days a week, roughly 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with tower staffing varying by season.

Sunsets at Pier 60: The nightly festival runs from about two hours before sunset to two hours after, with local artists, craftspeople, and performers, a worthwhile hang even on a flat day.

Facilities: The pier (370 Mandalay Avenue) has a bait and tackle shop and rod rentals, and Pier 60 Park has a playground, picnic areas, paved trails, and restrooms. Shops, hotels, and restaurants line the beach nearby.

Operating Hours (Subject to change): The beach is open 24 hours, and the pier runs daily about 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Confirm current hours with the City of Clearwater.

Fees: Parking at Clearwater Beach is paid in city lots and garages and can be pricey and limited in season. The pier charges daily, weekly, and annual fishing passes. Confirm current pricing at https://www.myclearwater.com/Neighborhood-Map-Locations/Parks-Trails-and-Recreation-Centers/Pier-60-Park