A recommended day trip from Sheraton Resort on Sand Key
A recommended day trip from Sheraton Resort on Sand Key: start with breakfast at Rusty's Bistro, take a 5–10 minute walk into Sand Key Park for a nature walk and beach time, then return for a midday swim or join a nearby dolphin-watching cruise from Clearwater Beach. End the day with sunset at Pier 60 or a relaxed dinner at Mainstay Tavern or Rusty's Bistro.
In this guide
- Start at the resort — quick logistics
- Morning: breakfast at Rusty's Bistro
- Midmorning: Sand Key Park and nature trails
- Midday: beach time or a pool break back at the resort
- Afternoon: choose an excursion — dolphin cruise or Caladesi Island ferry
- Late afternoon into evening: sunset and dinner options
- Return to the room — relax or continue onsite activities
Start at the resort — quick logistics
Meet at Sheraton Resort on Sand Key’s lobby or your room before you head out; the hotel address is 1160 Gulf Blvd, Clearwater Beach, Florida, 33767. Check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM (if you’re arriving before check-in, luggage storage and the concierge can help).
If you want a local ride, the Jolley Trolley South Beach Route stops at the Sheraton Sand Key and runs roughly 9:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m.; hotel guests ride free with their room key card. A rental car, rideshare, or the local shuttle are also options for trips farther afield.
- Hotel phone for BookResorts agents (24/7): +1 (888) 605-1350
- Minimum age to check in: 21 years
- Bring photo ID and a credit card for check-in incidentals
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Lobby / concierge | Assistance with tours, reservations, and luggage storage |
| Jolley Trolley | Stop at Sheraton Sand Key; guests ride free with room key |
| Bike rentals | Available on-site for a fee (about $20) |
Morning: breakfast at Rusty's Bistro
Begin with breakfast at Rusty's Bistro on the resort’s beachfront. Rusty's serves breakfast daily (Mon–Fri 6:30 AM–11:30 AM; Sat–Sun 7:00 AM–11:30 AM) and accepts reservations via OpenTable or by phone.
Rusty's menu emphasizes Florida seafood and local ingredients at dinner, but breakfast offers casual options suitable for families. If you prefer something quicker, the Poolside Café opens later and serves grab-and-go items.
- Rusty's Bistro hours for breakfast: Mon–Fri 6:30 AM–11:30 AM; Sat–Sun 7:00 AM–11:30 AM
- Poolside Café hours: typically 11:30 AM–5:30 PM
- No reservation needed for Poolside Café or Slo Joe’s Turtle Bar
| Venue | Typical opening for food service |
|---|---|
| Rusty's Bistro | Breakfast service (early morning) |
| Poolside Café | Midday grab-and-go poolside bites |
| Slo Joe's Turtle Bar | Pool/beach drinks from late morning |
Midmorning: Sand Key Park and nature trails
From the resort, Sand Key Park and Preserve are about a 5–7 minute walk. The park offers quieter beach stretches, shaded picnic areas, and a short network of trails for a relaxed nature walk.
Wear comfortable shoes for sandy paths, bring water and sun protection, and watch for local wildlife along the dunes. If you rented bikes at the Sheraton, the route between the resort and the park is an easy pedal.
- Walk time from resort: roughly 5–7 minutes
- Features: nature trails, picnic areas, quieter beach
- Good for families and light hiking
| What to bring | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Sunscreen & hat | Shaded areas are limited on the dunes |
| Water bottle | Stay hydrated on the walk and trails |
| Camera/binoculars | For birds, shoreline views, and distant boats |
Midday: beach time or a pool break back at the resort
Return to Sheraton Resort on Sand Key for a swim — the property has a heated outdoor beachfront pool, a separate children's pool, and a whirlpool. Pool hours are generally from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, though they may change in severe weather.
If you prefer sand over pool loungers, the resort’s private Gulf-front beach is immediately accessible from the property. Slo Joe’s Turtle Bar and Poolside Café provide convenient food and drinks while you relax.
- On-site pool options: heated beachfront pool, children's pool, whirlpool (hot tub)
- Pool hours: commonly listed as 7:00 AM–11:00 PM (may vary)
- Poolside food/drinks: Slo Joe’s Turtle Bar (tropical cocktails), Poolside Café (pizza, wraps, nachos)
| On-site spot | Best for |
|---|---|
| Heated outdoor beachfront pool | Swimming and sunbathing |
| Children's pool | Families with small children |
| Private Gulf-front beach | Beach walks, sand play, water sports access |
Afternoon: choose an excursion — dolphin cruise or Caladesi Island ferry
Clearwater Beach’s nearby marina runs dolphin-watching cruises that depart multiple times daily; family-oriented options such as Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise are also available and are commonly recommended for guests. These cruises typically spot Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in the bay and along the pass.
If you prefer a nature island, plan for the Caladesi Island ferry: the ferry departs from Honeymoon Island State Park and the crossing takes about 15–20 minutes. Note the ferry schedule and any park vehicle fees before you go; the ferry operator posts departure times and fares.
- Dolphin cruises depart from Clearwater Beach Marina several times per day
- Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise is a family-oriented option with dolphin sightings
- Caladesi Island ferry crossing: about 15–20 minutes (check operator schedule and fares)
| Excursion | Travel detail |
|---|---|
| Dolphin-watching boat tours | Multiple daily departures from Clearwater Beach area |
| Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise | Family-friendly sailing with dolphin spotting |
| Caladesi Island ferry | 15–20 minute crossing from Honeymoon Island (check times) |
Late afternoon into evening: sunset and dinner options
For a classic sunset, head to Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach for the nightly sunset celebration, music, and street vendors. Pier 60 is reachable from the resort by a short drive, trolley ride, or about a 20–30 minute walk across the bridge to Clearwater Beach proper.
Back at the resort you can choose dinner at Rusty's Bistro (dinner hours 6:00 PM–9:30 PM) or more casual fare at Mainstay Tavern. Both venues maintain a casual dress code and accept walk-ins; Rusty's accepts reservations and the concierge can help book a table.
- Pier 60 sunset celebration: plan for crowds at sunset times
- Rusty's Bistro dinner hours: 6:00 PM–9:30 PM (reservations accepted)
- Mainstay Tavern: casual gastropub with late-night options; reservations typically not required
| Dinner spot | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Rusty's Bistro | Beachfront dining, reservations available |
| Mainstay Tavern | Gastropub, casual walk-in friendly |
| Poolside/Bar | Lighter bites and tropical drinks |
Return to the room — relax or continue onsite activities
After dinner, relax in your room or on your private balcony — many room types have Gulf or Intracoastal views. Room types at the hotel include Room; Room, Balcony; Room, Balcony, Resort View; Room, Pool View; and Room (Mobility/Hearing Access, Roll-In Shwr).
If you prefer to keep moving, the resort offers late-night poolside seating around the fire pit area on some evenings and a 24-hour Sheraton Fitness center if you want to fit a workout in before bed.
- Room options: Room; Room, Balcony; Room, Balcony, Resort View; Room, Pool View; Room (Mobility/Hearing Access, Roll-In Shwr)
- 24-hour Sheraton Fitness center on-site
- In-room dining is available for late-night snacks or meals
| Night option | Good for |
|---|---|
| Private balcony | Evening breeze and view |
| In-room dining | Quiet dinner or snacks in your room |
| Fitness center | Late-night workout (24-hour access) |
