3 Best Sandbars & Islands to Visit from Clearwater Boat Charters
Looking for the best Clearwater Beach things to do on the water? The answer is simple: grab a private boat charter and spend the day island-hopping to some of the most beautiful, untouched sandbars and barrier islands on Florida's Gulf Coast. Three spots stand out above the rest — Honeymoon Island, Caladesi Island, and Three Rooker Island — and Salt Sand Adventures charters to all three on various trips throughout the week.
Whether you're on our popular 4-Hour Island & Sandbar Adventure ($519) or the full-day 6-Hour Custom Island Adventure ($749), Captain Mark will route you to the best island for that day's weather, tides, and conditions. The beauty of a private captained charter is that you don't have to plan a thing — just show up at 663 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater Beach, and let a USCG-licensed local captain handle the rest.
Here are the three best sandbars and islands you can visit from Clearwater boat charters, ranked from #3 to #1.
#3 — Three Rooker Island
Three Rooker Island seen from above — a low sandbar island surrounded by turquoise Gulf shallows.
Three Rooker Island is the wildcard of the bunch — a shifting, boomerang-shaped sandbar island north of Honeymoon Island that feels like your own private slice of the Gulf. There are no facilities, no boardwalks, and no crowds. It's pure sand, sky, and water, which is exactly why boaters love it.
What Makes It Special
Three Rooker is technically a barrier island in progress — it's still forming, still shifting, and still gloriously undeveloped. On calm days, the shallow sandbars surrounding the island create wide, warm wading pools that are perfect for kids and non-swimmers. The water is typically ankle-to-knee deep for dozens of yards out, and the sand is soft and white. It's also a haven for shorebirds, so bring a camera — you'll often see pelicans, terns, and skimmers working the shallows.
What Guests Do Here
- Wading and swimming in the calm Gulf shallows
- Shelling along the undisturbed shoreline — Three Rooker is far enough out that you'll find shells most beachgoers never see
- Dolphin sightings — the waters around Three Rooker are a frequent feeding ground for bottlenose dolphins (sightings are common but never guaranteed, since dolphins are wild animals)
- Relaxing on the sandbar when the tide is low enough to expose a wide beach
Getting There
Three Rooker sits north of Honeymoon Island, accessible only by boat. There's no ferry, no bridge, and no parking lot — which is precisely why it stays so quiet. When conditions are right, Captain Mark can include Three Rooker on our Clearwater sandbar tours or longer island-hopping charters. Exact destinations always depend on weather, tides, and the captain's call.
#2 — Caladesi Island
Caladesi Island seen from above — pristine sand curving along turquoise Gulf shallows.
Caladesi Island is frequently named one of the best beaches in America, and for good reason. This unspoiled barrier island offers three miles of white-sand Gulf beach, a tranquil mangrove-lined interior, and some of the best shelling on Florida's Gulf Coast. While you can reach Caladesi's main beach by walking north from Clearwater Beach, the truly quiet side — the intracoastal side with its calm, shallow sandbars — is only accessible by boat.
What Makes It Special
Caladesi is a Florida State Park, which means it's protected and largely undeveloped. The Gulf side offers wide, open beaches with gentle surf, while the intracoastal side is a maze of mangroves, calm shallows, and sandbars that appear and disappear with the tide. That intracoastal side is where private boat charters shine — you can anchor in knee-deep water, step off the boat, and explore a shoreline that most visitors never see.
What Guests Do Here
- Swimming and wading in the calm intracoastal shallows — warmer and calmer than the Gulf side
- Shelling — Caladesi's beaches are famous for lightning whelks, sand dollars, and olive shells
- Dolphin watching — the intracoastal channel between Caladesi and the mainland is a dolphin highway
- Beachcombing along three miles of nearly empty sand
- Photography — the mangrove shoreline and Gulf horizons are stunning
Getting There
Caladesi Island sits just north of Clearwater Beach, separated by a narrow channel. By boat, it's a short, scenic ride from our dock. Captain Mark often includes Caladesi on the 4-Hour Island & Sandbar Adventure and the 6-Hour Custom Island Adventure, depending on the day's conditions. (If you want to compare it head-to-head with Honeymoon Island, check out our post on Honeymoon Island vs. Caladesi Island boat tours.)
#1 — Honeymoon Island
Honeymoon Island seen from above — the island's coastline curving through turquoise Gulf shallows.
Honeymoon Island takes the top spot because it offers the most variety of any destination on this list. On the Gulf side, you'll find wide, sandy beaches and gentle waves. On the intracoastal side, calm shallows and sandbars that are perfect for wading. There's a nature trail through a rare virgin slash pine forest, and the northern tip of the island — reachable only by boat — is where the crowds disappear entirely.
What Makes It Special
Honeymoon Island is another Florida State Park, but it's larger and more diverse than Caladesi or Three Rooker. The island has been a beloved Clearwater Florida boating destination for generations. What sets it apart is the contrast: the southern end has a marina, café, and ferry dock, while the northern end — the part you reach by private charter — is wild, quiet, and often completely empty. That's the magic of Clearwater boat charters: you get the island everyone knows about, but you see the side almost no one else does.
What Guests Do Here
- Wading the sandbars on the intracoastal side — warm, shallow, and calm even on breezy days
- Swimming in the clear Gulf waters on the western beach
- Shelling — the northern beaches are loaded with uncollected shells
- Dolphin spotting — the channel between Honeymoon and Caladesi is one of the most reliable dolphin-viewing spots on the Gulf Coast
- Birdwatching — ospreys, great blue herons, and roseate spoonbills are regulars
- Simply floating and relaxing — with a cooler full of ice and bottled water already on board, there's nothing to do but enjoy it
Getting There
Honeymoon Island sits just north of Clearwater Beach, a short cruise from our departure point at 663 Bay Esplanade. It's a staple on our Clearwater sandbar tours and longer island-hopping trips. As always, exact routing depends on the day's weather and tides — Captain Mark makes the final call to make sure you have the best, safest experience possible.
How to Book Your Island & Sandbar Adventure
All three of these islands are within easy reach of Clearwater Beach, and Salt Sand Adventures can take you to any of them — depending on the charter you choose and the conditions on the water that day. Here's the quick breakdown:
- 2-Hour Sandbar & Swim Charter — $329: A quick hit of Gulf Coast sandbar time, perfect for families with young kids or couples squeezing in a sunset swim.
- 4-Hour Island & Sandbar Adventure — $519 (our most popular trip): Enough time to reach Honeymoon, Caladesi, or Three Rooker, explore the sandbars, and still have time for dolphin spotting on the ride.
- 6-Hour Custom Island Adventure — $749: The full experience — hop between multiple islands, linger on the sandbars, and make a day of it.
Every charter includes a USCG-licensed captain, fuel, safety equipment, cooler with ice, bottled water, and a Bluetooth sound system. You can bring snacks, food, and drinks (adult beverages are fine — just no glass). Beach chairs and umbrellas aren't included, so bring your own if you want them.
You're not renting a boat — you're getting a private captained pontoon for up to 6 guests, one flat price for the whole boat. No per-person fees, no hidden charges. If you've been searching "rent a boat Clearwater" and want something easier and safer than captaining it yourself, this is the way to go.
Booking & Cancellation
Booking is simple — just request your charter through our contact form and we'll get you on the schedule. Full refund if you cancel at least 72 hours before departure; inside 72 hours we'll do our best to reschedule. If Captain Mark cancels for weather, you always get a full refund.
The Bottom Line
If you're putting together a list of Clearwater Beach things to do, a private boat charter to Honeymoon, Caladesi, or Three Rooker Island should be at the top. Three islands, three different experiences, all reachable from one dock. Reach out today and let's plan your day on the water.