Caladesi Island State Park
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/caladesi-island-state-park
The park is open from 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year
Dunedin FL 34698
"One of the few untouched islands along the Gulf Coast, Caladesi Island State Park is accessible only by boat, but is worth the extra effort. Whether it is a stroll along the island’s pristine beaches or a kayak trip through the bayside mangrove forest, a trip to Caladesi Island is an unforgettable experience."
This was a must on our list when we visited Florida in September.
We headed to Honeymoon Island State Park. The Osprey Trail and Pelican Cove Trail are popular options for hiking and birdwatching. These trails take you through a variety of coastal habitats, including mangrove swamps and pine forests. Pristine sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. You can find a variety of seashells along the shoreline, especially after high tide.
Fees:
- Entrance fee of $8 per vehicle for ppl
- $4 single-occupan vehicle
- $2 for peds, bikes, & extra passengers
After stopping to admire a tortoise (I think it's a tortoise?!) crawling through the grass, we then we took the Caladesi Island Ferry to travel to Caladesi Island State Park for a four-hour stay.
This ferry ride was great! 20 min ride where they give you an educated history of the island. Prior to the Hurricane of 1921, Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island were one large island known as Hog Island (you'll have to dig deeper for the story behind that!) The hurricane split the island in half and created Hurricane Pass. We also learned how Honeymoon island got its name, and who were the first honeymooners to stay in the honeymoon cottages, before that idea fell apart.
Hint: actors/actresses from a famous movie
We even added to our ferry ride a little bit as the captain circled around a pod of dolphins that were swimming in the area, so we could get up close for a better view and photo opp. (As close as you're allowed.)
Ferry departs hourly all year, beginning at 10am, with half hour departures Mid-February thru Labor Day and weekends. No pets allowed on the ferry.
Fees:
- $18 per adult, round-trip
- $9 for children ages 6 to 12.
- Children 5 and younger ride free
Click here for a $1 off coupon
"Caladesi is famous for its beautiful, soft, white sandy beaches and clear, turquoise waters. There are several nature trails that allow visitors to explore its diverse ecosystems, including mangrove forests, coastal dunes, and maritime hammocks. You can rent kayaks and canoes to explore the park's mangrove tunnels and waterways. Paddling through the mangroves provides a unique perspective of the island's natural beauty. The island is known for its excellent shelling opportunities. You can find a wide variety of seashells along the shoreline, especially after high tide."
Once docked at Caladesi, we used the free bathrooms, filled up our water bottles at the water fountain, and bought a hot dog hahah. After that, we set out on a "hike" instead of opting for the beach access in close proximity.
You can stop in the park rangers office, where they were happy to give us a run-down, and a paper map. Once we found the Caladesi Island Trail trailhead, pictured above, we jumped on the hiking trail, that leads you through coastal scrub. The Island "Hiking Trail" connects you to the "Hammock Loop" which encircles the old growth forests of Caladesi Island, about a 3-mile loop. However, we turned off at the "Beach Trail" which leads through the salt marshes and mangrove swamps, down to the beach.
Oh. My. Word.
This beach is exactly what I picture in all those movies where you get washed ashore and stranded on a deserted island. White sand. Palm trees everywhere. Huge seashells and sanddollars galore. Blue waters. And not a person in sight.
We hung up our beach towel on a palm tree, and waded out into the water. Huge pelicans were diving for fish right near us, as we dug our toes into the sand to find some sand sanddollars.
This was one of my highlights from this trip. <3
Maybe Floridians are shaking their heads that we could be so amazed by something this "common" down there, but our Maryland and Delaware beaches do not compare to this. The murky water. The crowds of people. The broken up shells.
Caladesi was so magical.
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