Along the Caladesi beach, you will see a variety of wildlife, sea life, shells, and beautiful water. Pack enough snacks and water for the day or plan to get lunch at Caladesi Cafe. Yes, I know! The trail is clearly sign-posted from the marina; follow the path that leads to the beach and youll quickly encounter another sign directing you left to the trail. There is no camping allowed on the actual island itself but if you have a boat or have access to a boar overnight then boat camping is allowed on the docks. (at $2.57 per gal.) Especially if you are like me, travel insurance is ideal for adventurous travelers. From the north end of Clearwater Beach (near the Surfside Condominiums) it's about a 3 mile walk to the area of Caladesi Island where the cafe and restrooms are. Reservations can be made online at ReserveAmerica.com or first-come, first-served in the marina. If you have any other questions let me know and I will do my best to answer them. The four miles of pristine white virgin beach which edges Caladesi Island is wild, rugged and a world away from polished stretches of sand elsewhere in Florida. $2 per kayaker. If you do go over on the Caladesi ferry, there is a 4-hour time limit on the island. Which one you choose will be determined by how long you have, your physical abilities and your budget. There are two ways to get to Caladesi: Private boat or take the Caladesi Connection Ferry service that operates out of Honeymoon Island State Park. You can even find whole sand dollars among the beautiful collection of shells. The options are a ferry ride, kayaking, walking or boating. There are two ways to get to Caladesi: Private boat or take the Caladesi Connection Ferry service that operates out of Honeymoon Island State Park. But the adage holds particularly true for Caladesi: it is accessible only by boat, a ferry that runs hourly from Honeymoon Island. We explored the entire island, went shelling, swam, and snorkeled in the crystal clear water, and we even got the surprise of a lifetime when two beautiful dolphins swam right by us! This was our first time watching armadillos in the wild! The path you need to walk does occasionally get covered in water or get blocked by plants depending on the tide. Walk through the slider doors onto a large covered patio. Kids below five years old are free. The island is only accessible by boat, making it the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland. Welcome to CS Ginger! To ride the ferry . The ferry from Honeymoon Island to Caladesi makes it really easy to visit. There is a three-mile mangrove trail on the island so if you are wanting to explore that you will want more time, potentially even a whole day. Once you arrive on Honeymoon Island (past the entrance gates), there's a parking area where you'll go to catch the ferry. Whether youre staying in the area or visiting as a day trip from Orlando, Florida, this is a great place to visit. However, the most surprising beach experience we had during our west coast road trip was undoubtedly at Caladesi Island State Park. The sun is strong though so dont forget your shade, sunhat and sunscreen. My husband and I kicked off the summer by visiting the Island and we had a wonderful time! amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart";
My kids enjoyed playing on it as we made our way back to the ferry. Honeymoon is pretty rocky. Just make sure you are aware of any regulations concerning size, numer, season, etc. It's quite a walk from the ferry loading dock to the beach on the other side of the island. This does not apply if you are coming over on the ferry. Contact the Caladesi Island Ranger Station at 727-469-5918 to reserve a pavilion. - Gary McKechnie When you go. There are multiple (free and paid) ways to get to the Island, but once you're there the State Park fee is only $2 per person to enter the state park. The terrain is flat and easy to walk along with a few sandy spots. The ferries begin running at 10:00 a.m. every day, with numerous returns and departures, and you can stay on the island for 4 hours. Dr. Beach is Stephen Leatherman, a professor at Florida International University. You can take a 20-minute ferry ride from Honeymoon Island or you can walk to Caladesi Island from Clearwater Beach, Florida! You can rent a slip in advance, or chance turning up. I never leave my home without travel insurance which is designed to help cover your expenses if something goes wrong on your trip. Please note that some links on our blog are affiliate links. This is just an island for you to visit, or spend a nice day with your family or enjoy nature. A Caladesi Island day trip is the perfect way to escape Tampa, Florida for the day. 1 Cswy. Wild camping is illegal, and there is no accommodation, however you are able to spend the night in your boat, in the dock. Caladesi Beach. You'll love the wood burning fireplace for cooler evenings. event : evt, Head out to exclusive beaches, only accessible by boat near beautiful Clearwater Beach, Dunedin, Honeymoon Island, Caladesi Island, and Tarpon Springs. This is absolutely the best guide you can find on the web on how to explore Caladesi Island in Florida, and here I cover pretty much everything you need to know to make your visit memorable. I have been to more than 40 countries while following my fitness journey. Be sure to ask for directions from the Sail Honeymoon staff and keep an eye out for boats and other motorcraft while you are on the water. Your email address will not be published. , Can you take alcohol to Caladesi Island? This guide contains everything you need to know + answers to all of your questions about visiting Caladesi Island State Park. You can bring almost any item you would need for a comfortable day trip to Caladesi Island and beach day onto the ferry. To ride the ferry, take Curlew Road (Hwy 586) out of Dunedin and drive west. This trip departs from the Ft Desoto Boat Ramp (click here for directions) Ages 12+ $45 Ages 3-11 $25 Ages 2 & Under No Charge Parking $5 Quick Details: Duration: 5 hours total | 3 hours island time | 60 mins to and from dock Departure times: 11am Daily! We visited during our road trip around Florida and consider it to be one of our favorite beaches in Florida. The island has about four miles of beach. PICNIC PAVILION RENTAL: Picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. From the marina, the beach is clearly sign-posted and requires only a few minutes walk along a raised walkway to reach it. Ferry passengers are allotted a four-hour stay on the island. Half the fun of any day trip to Caladesi is the journey. , How far is the walk from Clearwater Beach to Caladesi Island? It is only a 15 minute paddle through fairly shallow water with beautiful scenery all around. Starting at 10 am each day, there are departures every 30 minutes every day (except Christmas Day and Thanksgiving). There is no camping at Caladesi Island, but the 108-slip marina is equipped with water and electricity for overnight boat stays. Private Boat | If you have your own boat, you can access Caladesi Island independently. Preference is given to people in their correct time slot. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "stacehomem-20";
We love spending time here as a family when we are in Clearwater with kids. VeganDisneyCouple 59K views 3 years ago Custom Gheenoe Low Tide 25 (40C020) 15K views 2 years ago We got a new Gheenoe LT25!! The half-day charter can take you to many of the barrier islands including Caladesi Island and Three Rooker Island. There are two ways to get to Caladesi: Private boat or take the Caladesi Connection Ferry service that operates out of Honeymoon Island State Park. You can also take a day tour from Orlando with a speed boat. The ferry is the most popular and easiest way to get to the island. If you want to rent a kayak to explore the mangrove trails, it's more convenient to rent directly from the State Park so you don't have to paddle across Hurricane Pass first. It will take you across the Dunedin Causeway to Honeymoon Island where you pay an entrance fee. It's about 40 minutes (to the ferry terminal) from Clearwater Beach, 25 from Clearwater, an hour from St. Petersburg, and 50 minutes from Tampa. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 2 h 25 min to complete. It truly is an island paradise - and somewhere we highly recommend visiting if youre spending week or so in Clearwater. , Can you walk from Clearwater Beach to Caladesi Island? The Captain of the boat stopped in both directions so we could all enjoy the dolphins that were swimming around us. The Caladesi Island Ferry leaves from Honeymoon Island just to the north. Ferries departing Honeymoon Island starts at 10:00 am and leave every half an hour. If you don't want to shlep your own gear, you can rent chairs and an umbrella for $30 for four hours on the island. If you arent bringing your own food onto the island, there is a caf where you can order lunch and drinks. Here are ADDITIONAL AWESOME THINGS TO DO AROUND Caladesi Island State Park: HONEYMOON ISLAND: It is a must-do if you are visiting Caladesi island, is to spend some time at the next-door Honeymoon Island State Park, just kayak there or take the ferry. } Yes, you are allowed to bring chairs, umbrellas, coolers, etc on the ferry from Honeymoon to Caladesi. Visitors may spot dolphins leaping alongside the ferry, but they won't see any alligators. Plus, stop here on your way back to the ferry to see what kind of shells you found. I have more details below on this walk. Rental of both single and double kayaks is available form Sail Honeymoon on the Dunedin Causeway (maps). Things to Do at Caladesi Island. Find accommodation, sign up for a local tour, or buy your Tampa Travel Guide. Re: Personal boat to Caladesi Island State Park 11 years ago Save Yes you can. There is no public parking at the north end of Clearwater beach, youll need to either arrive by bicycle and lock up at a northern beach-access point or walk several miles on the beach. If you love nature and are looking for a pristine beach area with options for plenty of other activities to keep everyone happy, I really recommend visiting Caladesi Island State Park and enjoying this hidden paradise in Florida. We are able to adjust location pickup, just be sure to ask. However, boaters can dock overnight at the 108-slip marina as long as they register before sundown. If you are looking for a nice dinner or a full meal, I have made some recommendations on my favorite restaurants and a close distance from Honeymoon Island: There are plenty of fantastic activities to explore around Caladesi Island. It promotes sustainable and responsible travel for the curious modern day explorer. Honeymoon Island State Park is connected to the city of Dunedin on the mainland by a 1.5-mile-long man-made causeway, right to the park entrance, and from there you can take a ferry or rent a kayak and go visit Caladesi Island, State Park. There are only two ways to get to Caladesi Island: take the Caladesi Connection ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park or walk over from Clearwater Beach. The round-trip is $16 per adult and $8 per kid from 6-12 years. Caladesi Island is easily accessible by private boat. Always check the weather conditions and tides ahead of your visit here. The water is clear so snorkeling is fun although you may not see much more than small fish here or there. The following activities are all fun family-friendly things that you can do while on the island! 2 beach in the nation by Dr. Beach in 2022, Caladesi Island State Park is a rare combination - a Florida Gulf Coast barrier island that is both remote and natural, and yet well stocked with amenities. Large backyard features plenty of space to park your boat, trailer, RV, work truck, and jet skis as deed restrictions allow. The Caladesi Island Kayak Experience It will definitely take some effort, but paddling through the clear waters is an experience worth having. The Caladesi Connection ferry travels to Caladesi Island State Park for a four-hour stay. I recommend parking as far north in clearwater as you can to cut down on your walk as much as possible. Kayakers and those with small boats can launch directly from the Honeymoon Island Causeway which is about a 15-minute boat ride away from Caladesi Island. In this video we share our experience walking to one of the best Florida beaches and share tips along the way. HOA is only $120 a month which covers gates, all clubhouse amenities, basic cable and internet. Copyright All Rights Reserved. Another option is to take a ferry to Caladesi Island State Park from Honeymoon Island State Park or even wade over Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach. When we were there, we had the Caladesi Island beach almost to ourselves. Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island State Park Honeymoon Island is a state park accessible by bridge from Dunedin. I live where people vacation. Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you. World Nomads Travel Insurancehas been designed by travelers for travelers, to cover their trip essentials. There is usually a lifeguard on duty between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The ferry leaves from Honeymoon Island State Park and the ride is about 20-minutes long. Dr. Beach, or Stephen Leatherman, again ranked Caladesi Island State Park, one of the county's most remote beaches, as the seventh-best in the country. on: function(evt, cb) { There were a few other people looking for shells as they walked the beach. Our guides got you covered with everything you need to know to enjoy the perfect getaway! Mar 27 - Mar 28. 13 Delicious Quick Service Meals at Disney World That Vegans Will Love! , Which is better Honeymoon Island or Caladesi? window.mc4wp.listeners.push( You can plan your trip with this easy guide and have access to the best services I recommend and you can get discounted prices. - Clearwater Beach (From 705.90) Off The Beaten Path Florida: 20 Hidden Gems Revealed by a Local! You are just minutes from Howard Park Beach, Sunset Beach & a short drive to Honey Island State Park & Caladesi Island voted one of the top 10 beaches repeatedly. If you are traveling from Clearwater you will most likely get on the ferry at the Caladesi Island Ferry Tickets & Information area. (If you're of the yachting class, enjoy the island's 110-slip marina. Caladesi Island is a short boat ride away from Clearwater Beach. Be sure to pack your own water and a snack because that's a long way in the sun! Join my email list to receive the latest articles directly in your inbox. With 3 Miles of pristine beaches accessible only by boat, Caladesi Island is an unspoiled paradise,and a magical place for swimming, sun-bathing, picnics, snorkeling, or shelling! Or, there are docks where the ferry boat docks. Given the sunny nature of Floridian days (even during the winter months), its advisable to begin your walk as early as possible and be sure to carry plenty of water. I like the tips, it makes it easier to visit the island. Caladesi Island was voted one of the top beaches in the U.S., Caladesi Beach is a pristine, undeveloped island haven off the coast of Clearwater Beach. You can get to the island via the Caladesi Island Ferry, (727) 734-5263, which departs from Honeymoon Island and runs from 10:00 am to 5 pm, weather and attendance permitting. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit";
There is only one real building on the island, the ranger station which also houses the cafe and gift shop. , Are there rattlesnakes on Honeymoon Island? While we were on the Island I made sure to find out everything that I could so I could share the most current and up-to-date information with you. Trips run every half hour February to September and hourly the rest of the year.