On the morning of Thursday, Sept. 24, a small crowd gathered at 25 Causeway Blvd. for the unveiling of a mosaic sculpture called "Ketch." Nevada artist Eileen Gay made it with images of dolphins, seen either from a boat deck or underwater. The location matters more than the artwork. The city placed "Ketch" as a landmark on the new Clearwater Beach Marina Walk. Marina Walk extends Beach Walk with shaded seating, landscaping and pedestrian amenities that connect the beach to the marina and its businesses.
That is the clearest change to come out of nearly two years of construction at the foot of Memorial Causeway. The marina used to be a place you drove to, parked at and bought tickets in. After the rebuild, Beach Walk carries on to the docks, and the beach's biggest winter evenings either finish there or happen a short walk away.
"My vision for 'Ketch' was to create a sculptural mosaic to celebrate the Clearwater Beach Marina location while also including imagery of Clearwater's iconic dolphin inhabitants as you might see them either from the deck of a boat or as a diver with them underwater." Eileen Gay, as quoted by Tampa Bay Beacons
A $46 million rebuild that kept the slip count
The project's scale explains why the walk is the visible payoff. Tampa Bay Beacons reported that the roughly $46 million rebuild kept about 165 boat slips. It added new fixed and floating docks, more than 1,300 linear feet of new and elevated seawall, upgraded utilities, accessibility improvements and new public spaces. When the City Council approved the construction contract in June 2024, the record estimated the overall budget at $46.5 million. That figure has held.
The slip count was a deliberate choice. One of the goals on the city's project page is to make the most of city-owned submerged land while keeping the existing slip count and balance. The rest of the list is about the people on land: ticket sales locations, less congestion on Coronado Drive, and activating "Marina Walk." The boats got new docks, and pedestrians got most of the new space.
Finished, nearly finished and still projected
The schedule has slipped a little. Bay News 9 reported in April that completion was expected in August. The city's project page now gives the overall schedule as "Fall 2024 - October 2026" and puts substantial completion in late September. The same page still mentions the August target, though. As of early October, here is where the marina stands:
- Done: The ticket kiosks, according to the city's task update.
- Done: Phase 1, which demolished and rebuilt the marina's west side. Tourism boats are in their new slips along Coronado Drive.
- Not yet working: The new fuel dock. The city's marina page says a temporary fuel dock is being installed.
- Still on the list at the Sept. 9 Marine Advisory Board meeting: The Dock A fuel line and electrical conduit, plus two catwalk extensions for Queen Fleet and Double Eagle. This comes from a meeting summary, not official minutes.
- Projected but not confirmed: A ribbon-cutting in late October or early November. City staff gave that window at the same meeting but no date.
Parking is still the main hassle. The city says construction reduced the space in the marina lot. Marina patrons can still use what's left there or the other beach lots and garages, and a temporary lot on Memorial Causeway holds construction crews and marina employees. None of the sources reviewed say when the full lot comes back.
Who is docked where right now
The boats have moved in a set order. The tourism fleet came first, into the Coronado Drive slips. The fishing fleet and dinner boats are still in temporary spots on the floating docks, and the city says they are fully operating and accessible. If you're booking a dinner cruise for out-of-town guests this fall, that means Calypso Queen, StarLite Majesty and Yacht StarShip. If you're heading out to fish, the city's list includes Queen Fleet, Double Eagle Deep Sea Fishing, Big Angler, Double Hook, Gulfstream, High Tide, Reel Deal Sportfishing, Salt Cracker Charters, Stella Fishing Co, Strike Zone and Two C's.
The catwalk extensions for Queen Fleet and Double Eagle are among the last items on the punch list, so expect the fishing side of the marina to keep shifting slightly after the walk itself feels finished.
The food and drink stops along the walk are the same ones the city lists in its marina directory: Bar Tiki, Cool Cookie, Crabby's Dockside, Marina Cantina, Roundabout Pizza and Salt Cracker Fish. Being in the directory doesn't confirm current hours, so check with each place before planning an evening around it.
The ferry ride costs a dollar more
For many residents, the marina is mostly a ferry stop. The Clearwater Ferry connects downtown Clearwater, the beach marina and Dunedin. PSTA says it raised fares by $1 starting Thursday, Sept. 17, because of high fuel prices, and calls the increase temporary. Bay News 9 reported that boats leave every 30 minutes on a Thursday-through-Sunday schedule.
| Route | Adults 9+ | Seniors, disabled riders, students with ID | Children 8 and under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Line, Clearwater Beach Marina | $6.00 | $3.00 | Free |
| Blue Line, Beach Marina and Dunedin | $9.00 | $4.50 | Free |
The ferry operator's printed timetable still shows the old fares, and the published sources don't agree on fall operating hours. Check the times before a weekend trip to Dunedin, especially for a late return.
The winter calendar ends at the docks
The finished walk will get its first big crowds in December. Here are the dates on the calendar this season, in order:
- Thursday, Oct. 22, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Trunk-or-Treat at the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center, 69 Bay Esplanade, from the city's fall events list.
- Saturday, Nov. 7, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Make a Difference Fishing Tournament for Adults at Pier 60, 370 Mandalay Ave.
- Saturday, Dec. 12, 6 p.m. The Clearwater Yacht Club's 52nd annual Holiday Lighted Boat Parade. It starts just north of the Mandalay Channel Bridge, loops around Island Estates, passes Coachman Park, heads toward the Sand Key Bridge, passes the Yacht Club and finishes at the Clearwater Beach Marina, where the official judging takes place. There's no official theme. Boats can go traditional or come up with their own.
- Thursday, Dec. 31, 3 to 9:30 p.m. Sunset to Sparkle, a new free, family-friendly New Year's Eve event at Pier 60 Park. Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival is running it with the city, with fireworks over the beach at 9 p.m. so families can celebrate before midnight.
The boat parade finishes where the rebuild happened. Bay News 9 reported that the city started the two-phase replacement in January 2025, a couple of months later than planned because of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. That makes this the first parade since then that could end at a finished marina with a public walk alongside the judging area, provided the punch list wraps up as staff projected. The Yacht Club's page names only its own members' viewing party, not any official public viewing spots.
One more December opening is a short walk south. Creative Loafing reported on Oct. 7 that Squiki Tiki with Dr. BBQ, Ray Lampe's barbecue and tiki concept, is planned inside the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach at 100 Coronado Dr. It hopes to open in December, though no exact date has been announced. It plans to serve hotel guests and the public daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Our summer post on Clearwater Beach covered the changes on the island's edges. This fall, most of the change is happening at the marina end of Coronado Drive.
Do you own a slip, a condo near the marina or a home on Clearwater Beach and wonder how a finished marina and Marina Walk might affect your property's value? Kathie Lea Team follows these waterfront changes block by block. Request a home valuation and we'll walk you through what the rebuild means for your address.
