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

Should you visit Clearwater or Duck Key?

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 Clearwater and Duck Key. 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: Clearwater or Duck 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.

Duck Key

If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Clearwater and Duck Key, we can see that Clearwater is more expensive. And not only is Duck Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Duck Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Duck 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 Duck Key.

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

Which is Bigger, Clearwater or Duck Key?

Clearwater has a larger population, and is about 220 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Clearwater and Duck Key, 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 Clearwater or Duck Key?

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 Clearwater or Duck Key in the Summer?

Both Duck Key and Clearwater during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Clearwater for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Clearwater is around the same temperature as Duck Key. Typically, the summer temperatures in Clearwater in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Duck Key averages at about 84°F (29°C).

In Duck Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Clearwater. In the summer, Clearwater often gets less sunshine than Duck Key. Clearwater gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck Key receives 328 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. Clearwater usually gets more rain in July than Duck Key. Clearwater gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Duck Key receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Clearwater or Duck Key in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Clearwater and Duck Key. Many visitors come to Clearwater in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Clearwater is generally cooler than Duck Key. Daily temperatures in Clearwater average around 75°F (24°C), and Duck Key fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck Key this time of the year. In Clearwater, it's very sunny this time of the year. Clearwater usually receives less sunshine than Duck Key during autumn. Clearwater gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Duck Key receives 258 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Duck Key receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Clearwater usually receives less rain than Duck Key. Clearwater gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Duck Key receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Clearwater.

Should I visit Clearwater or Duck Key in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Clearwater as well as Duck Key. Most visitors come to Clearwater for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Clearwater is cooler than Duck Key in the winter. The daily temperature in Clearwater averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and Duck Key fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck Key. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Clearwater this time of the year. In the winter, Clearwater often gets less sunshine than Duck Key. Clearwater gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck Key receives 252 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Clearwater or Duck Key in the Spring?

Both Duck Key and Clearwater are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Clearwater because of the beaches.

In the spring, Clearwater is cooler than Duck Key. Typically, the spring temperatures in Clearwater in April average around 71°F (22°C), and Duck Key averages at about 77°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Duck Key. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. Clearwater usually receives less sunshine than Duck Key during spring. Clearwater gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Duck Key receives 326 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Duck Key and Clearwater