stand up paddleboarding on the Weeki Wachee River. This isolated island features 4 miles of pristine white sandy beaches, a 3-mile mangrove-shaded kayak trail, and a peaceful nature path. Cruises are an excellent way to spend a few days, weeks or months of vacation visiting many . You can also get to Caladesi Island by a private boat ($6 per boat / kayak is $2 per person). Board at Honeymoon Island State Park and enjoy a relaxing 15-20 minute ride across St. Joseph Sound, where you may spot dolphins playing in the shallows on your way. Cost for the ferry is $16.00 for adults and $8.00 for children. 13 Delicious Quick Service Meals at Disney World That Vegans Will Love! Whilst Caladesi was indeed once an island, separated from Clearwater Beach by a body of water known as the Dunedin Pass, for the last couple of decades its been possible to walk between the two; sand accumulation causing the development of a sand bar and a Hurricane named Elena having sealied the pass completely. https://www.paulapinstheplanet.com/florida-honeymoon-island-caladesi-island/. There's more than just the four miles of pristine beach at Caladesi Island to enjoy. per night. It's been voted one of the top beaches in the United States because it's one of the . They are open 7 days a week unless there is bad weather. Adults: $16 Children (6 12): $85 and Under: Free. For questions, clients are advised to contact the business at (727) 734-5263. Starting at 10 am each day, there are departures every 30 minutes every day (except Christmas Day and Thanksgiving). You can share a link to my post but, no, you cannot share the entire article on your website. Pets are permitted in designated areas only and they must be kept on a leash that's no longer than 6 feet. Large backyard features plenty of space to park your boat, trailer, RV, work truck, and jet skis as deed restrictions allow. If you dont have your own, you can rent a kayak, stand-up board, or a sailboat on the Dunedin Causeway and it is a short 15 minutes to the island from here. $9 for children ages 6 to 12. Simply dock at the marina and enjoy the park on an overnight visit. Caladesi island shelling is a lot of fun! amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon";
This is a popular trail for fishing, running, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The journey time is 20 minutes. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links";
The paradisaical beauty of Caladesi Island State Park is worth every cent, especially when you book with us. It's paradise found. You can bring your own food to Caladesi Island. So to avoid a wasted trip I recommend always checking the weather before leaving home. Here are the top things you can do during your visit: If you are planning to visit Caladesi Island State Park and to stay overnight or during the weekend the closest area to stay is in Dunedin, followed by Clearwater I have listed the best accommodations options: COOLEST PLACE: Fenway Hotel, Autograph Collection. If youre wondering if you can swim on Caladesi Island the answer is YES! 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. The walk to the island is not a short one but can be done. (And yes, I know this has been said before, and better.) Please note that some links on our blog are affiliate links. Take a day trip to the serene Caladesi Island State Park. You would have to cross Hurricane Pass which is very deep, deceptively far and frequented by boats and other motorcraft. Thanks. If you are going to be in the area with your own boat or a rented boat, you can drive your own boat to Caladesi Island. 1 Cswy. (727) 515-9575. During certain times of year stingrays will frequent the waters and to prevent getting stung you should walk through the water by shuffling your feet along the bottom. There are docks you can use or I even saw people bring their boats close to the shallows and then swim the rest of the way to shore. During the summer when the weather really starts heating up you are going to want to get into the water to cool off! The walk itself is just under three miles from Clearwater, and should take someone of good fitness no more than 90 minutes to complete. 2023 Greatfallswhitesox. You can catch the 20-minute ferry ride from Honeymoon Island State Park (starting at 10 AM) for $14 roundtrip per adult ($7 per child aged 6-12, kids 5 and under are free). - Clearwater Beach (From 705.90) For travelers up to the task, you can also walk to the park. If you do go over on the Caladesi ferry, there is a 4-hour time limit on the island. There is usually a lifeguard on duty between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The ferry drop-off & pick-up point is also the visitor hub of the island, with a small cafe / restaurant, bathroom facilities, and tourist information. 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. Details. And have fun with it, the walk is long but youre heading somewhere beautiful. And never, ever, ever collect live shells - if you notice something living inside, place the shell back where you found it immediately. If you do go over on the Caladesi ferry, there is a 4-hour time limit on the island. Fill a backpack or a beach bag with the following items:
Which one you choose will be determined by how long you have, your physical abilities and your budget. But before we jump into the amazing things to do in Caladesi Island State Park, lets review some practical information: Located in the Gulf of Mexico, Caladesi Island State Park is west of Dunedin, Florida, and just north of the very popular Clearwater Beach. Keep your eyes peeled in the water for stingrays, crabs and an abundance of tropical fish, but dont forget to look up to spot great blue herons, snowy egrets, sandpipers, pelicans, osprey and cormorants. Caladesi Beach. } It's the most popular and easiest way to get to the island unless you have your own boat. The slip spots have 30 amp electrical and water hookups. They charge a daily rate of $6.00 per boat for up to 8 people and $2.00 per extra . The large island bar opens to the living room. PICNIC PAVILION RENTAL: Picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Cross the causeway from Dunedin and pay the entry fee of $8 per car. Caladesi Island is easily accessible by private boat. If you decide to walk, you will need to pass some scratchy trees, and depending on the tides, you will probably need to get in the water. Sightsee the stunning coastline of the Gulf of Mexico. 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. You can even find whole sand dollars among the beautiful collection of shells. Call ahead if you have special accessibility needs: 727-734-5263 Ferryboat Information By Private Boat Whilst Clearwater did sometimes fulfil a few of those preconceptions, a trip to Caladesi blew them out of the water. You can make your reservation online or first-come, first-served in the marina. Nearby Sanibel Island off the coast of Fort Myers is often referred to as the seashell capital of the world but we found really beautiful shells along the whole west coast of Florida. ENTRY FEE: The boat fee is $6 per boat. We wouldnt recommend this option! (1,040 reviews) "We stayed for a couple nights and the room was clean, modern, had a fridge and microwave. Kayaking To Caladesi Island: A Beginners Guide KayakCritic. There are picnic tables with grills available to reserve. Click here to view the Caladesi Island State Park Florida map. You can access a voucher for $1 off per person here. You can take a ferry from Honeymoon Island should kayaking not be your thing, and the ferry fare includes the state park entry fee. Yes, I know! Find flights to Caladesi . But those in the know and health, can also paddle over from the Dunedin Causeway or even walk up from Clearwater Beach. Trips depart every half hour beginning at 10 a.m. 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. Kids ages 5 and under ride free. There were a few other people looking for shells as they walked the beach. You can also take a day tour from Orlando with a speed boat. Outdoor showers are located at the North and South bath house. Although its certainly possible to make the journey during high tide, do note that there will be sections that you are required to wade through - nothing too deep, but something to be aware of if planning the trip with children or with spontaneity. Quality Inn & Suites Conference Center. Tickets must be bought in person at the ticket office in the carpark. 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. For this reason, it's less crowded than some other beaches in the area. Caladesi island is only accessible by ferry from Honeymoon island, making it an exclusive beach paradise. 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. There is a large parking lot and the ticket office. I never leave my home without travel insurance which is designed to help cover your expenses if something goes wrong on your trip. Many animals reside here, such as gopher tortoises, raccoons and eastern diamondback rattlesnakes. The walking trails all eventually lead from and back toward it too, so dont worry if you lose your bearings. Don't miss the ferry ride to Caladesi Island! This means I make a small profit from your purchase but at no increased cost to you. The white sandy beaches and nature trails on the island make it a popular destination for boaters and beach goers. By ferry A trip to Caladesi Island starts on the water, and one of the most popular options for locals and tourists alike is the Caladesi Ferry. I also recommend a hat, an umbrella or tent of some kind and a t-shirt or lightweight clothes. You cannot walk from Honeymoon Island to Caladesi Island. Caladesis protected status means that there is plenty of potential wildlife spotting to be done along her shores (as well as inland). By far the most popular way of reaching Caladesi Island is with the regular ferry that leaves from Honeymoon Island State Park ( maps) Starting at 10 am each day, there are departures every 30 minutes every day (except Christmas Day and Thanksgiving). 5316 Us Highway 19, New Port Richey, FL, 34652. Not much to see there other than the nice views of the water, but you'll get that from Caladesi, and have the nicer of the two beaches. The walking is close to 3 miles and takes approximately 90 minutes. Trips run every half hour February to September and hourly the rest of the year. Check Prices for Shell Bags on Amazon Here! We saw a great blue heron and lots of pelicans. Be aware that you may see some dolphins or even manatees along the way and enjoy nature and the views! Fireworks and hunting are prohibited. CLEARWATER BEACH: The famous white sand and crystal water beach, with great options for restaurants, bars, a waterfront park for the kids, and tons of local shops. If you need help accessing the beach, you can contact the ranger station and they will assist you. Along Dusty Roads is a travel blog by British couple, Andrew & Emily. A nice boat ride to Caladesi Island (about 20 minutes). Caladesi Island Ferry The ferry is the most popular and easiest way to get to the island. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from Qualifying Purchases. There is a cafe if you need to buy anything but it is pricey so to save money I recommend bringing your own. Top Things to do in Caladesi Island State Park, Best Accommodations Options Nearby Caladesi Island State Park, FL, Where to Eat near Caladesi Island, Florida, Caladesi Island State Park Nearby Things to do, Caladesi Island State Park, FL Conclusion, best State Parks in Florida to go kayaking, 22 Best Things to do in Anna Maria Island, Florida, Discover the ecological paradise of Ten Thousand Islands in Florida, All you need to know about renting an RV for the First Time. In addition to being one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, there are hiking trails, boat docks, a ranger station, a concession stand, and of course abundant . There are four ways to get to the island - private boat, kayak, ferry, or walking from Clearwater Beach. The Caladesi Island Kayak Experience It will definitely take some effort, but paddling through the clear waters is an experience worth having.