A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Big Pine Key vs. Clearwater for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Big Pine Key or Clearwater?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Big Pine Key and Clearwater. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Big Pine Key or Clearwater?

Big Pine Key

If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!

Clearwater

Clearwater is a city in Florida's Tampa Bay area known for its sunny weather and gulf coast beaches. Its most famous beach (Clearwater Beach) is located on a barrier island with white sands and crystal waters - a perfect setting for activities such as fishing, sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, dolphin and sunset tours, parasailing, and more.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Clearwater, we can see that Clearwater is more expensive. And not only is Big Pine Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Pine Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Pine Key and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Clearwater would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Clearwater than you might in Big Pine Key.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Clearwater Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Clearwater?

Clearwater has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Clearwater, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Big Pine Key or Clearwater?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Clearwater in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Clearwater. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Clearwater this time of year.

In July, Big Pine Key is generally around the same temperature as Clearwater. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Clearwater fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the summer, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Clearwater. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Clearwater receives 265 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Clearwater. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in July than Clearwater. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Clearwater receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Clearwater in the Autumn?

Both Clearwater and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Clearwater for the shopping scene.

Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Clearwater in the autumn. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Clearwater fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Clearwater. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Clearwater during autumn. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Clearwater receives 234 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Big Pine Key. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Clearwater. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Clearwater is June to November.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Clearwater in the Winter?

Both Clearwater and Big Pine Key during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Clearwater in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Clearwater. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Pine Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Clearwater averages at about 60°F (15°C).

In Clearwater, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the winter, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Clearwater. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Clearwater receives 200 hours of full sun.

Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in January than Clearwater. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Clearwater in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Clearwater. Furthermore, most visitors come to Clearwater for the beaches during these months.

In April, Big Pine Key is generally a little warmer than Clearwater. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Clearwater fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Clearwater this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Clearwater during spring. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Clearwater receives 299 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Clearwater. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Clearwater.

Typical Weather for Clearwater and Big Pine Key