You've seen the postcards. Those blindingly white sands and water so blue it looks like a Gatorade flavor. But if you’re standing on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico on this Friday, January 16, 2026, the reality is a bit more nuanced than the travel brochures suggest.
Clearwater Beach is currently in its prime "winter" mode.
Right now, the water temperature is hovering around 64°F to 69°F. Depending on which buoy you’re looking at—specifically station CWBF1 near the pier—it might even dip a bit lower during the overnight hours. Is it "swimmable"? Well, that’s a debate. If you’re visiting from Toronto or Chicago, you’ll probably think it’s refreshing. If you live in Tampa or St. Pete, you likely won't touch it without a 3/2mm wetsuit. Honestly, the wind chill is the real kicker today, with air temperatures struggling to stay in the mid-50s.
The Truth About the "Clear" in Clearwater
People expect the water to look like a swimming pool 24/7. It doesn’t.
Today, the water is actually quite clean, but "clear" is a relative term in the Gulf. The latest water quality reports from the Florida Healthy Beaches program (specifically the Mandalay Park sampling site) show an Enterococcus level of just 4. That is an excellent score. For context, anything under 35 is considered "Good."
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However, visibility isn't at its peak today. Why? Because the surf is up. We’re seeing waves in the 3-to-5 foot range with a choppy, northwesterly swell. When the Gulf gets "angry," it stirs up the fine white quartz sand and seagrass. It’s not dirty—it’s just active.
Red Tide and Marine Life Status
The big question everyone asks: Is there red tide?
The short answer is no. Not here. The most recent Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC) status report from earlier this week shows Karenia brevis (the red tide organism) is not present in Pinellas County samples. There are some "background" levels being monitored further south near Sarasota and some bloom concentrations way up in the Panhandle near Bay County, but Clearwater is currently in the clear.
No fish kills. No respiratory irritation.
You might see some "sea foam" on the shore today because of the high winds. Don't freak out. It’s just organic matter getting whipped up by the surf, not a sign of pollution.
Surf and Safety: The Flags You Need to Watch
If you are heading down to Pier 60 today, pay attention to the flags. With the current wind gusts hitting 25 knots from the north, the rip current risk is elevated.
- Waves: 3-5 feet and choppy.
- Tides: We just had a high tide around 11:17 AM. The next low is roughly at 3:52 PM.
- Wind: Coming in strong from the North/Northwest.
The water looks a bit darker today because of the cloud cover and the sediment being tossed around. It’s a "surfer’s day" rather than a "floating on a noodle" day. In fact, if you look out toward the horizon, you’ll probably see a few locals trying to catch the short-period wind swells.
What to Actually Do Right Now
Since the water is a bit chilly and the surf is rough, it’s a perfect day for beachcombing. High winds and rougher seas often wash up some interesting shells and "sea beans" that you won't find when the water is flat and calm.
Wait for the sunset. Even on a breezy January day, the Sunsets at Pier 60 festival is still a go. The air is crisp, the crowds are thinner than they will be in March, and the water—while a bit wild today—is objectively healthy.
If you’re determined to get in the water, stick to the shallows and keep an eye on the lifeguards. The sand nourishment projects that happened recently across Pinellas County have changed the "drop-off" points in some areas, so the bottom might feel a little different than it did a couple of years ago.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the live Clearwater Beach webcam before you drive over to see if the cloud cover has broken. If you’re planning on swimming, grab a heavy-duty windbreaker for when you get out; the transition from 68-degree water to 54-degree air is where most people regret their life choices. For the most current safety status, look for the color-coded flags at the lifeguard towers immediately upon arrival—never enter the water if you see double red flags.