If you are looking to escape the crowds in Tampa and Clearwater, take the ferry out to beautiful Caladesi Island State Park. Our guides got you covered with everything you need to know to enjoy the perfect getaway! Visitors may spot dolphins leaping alongside the ferry, but they won't see any alligators. You will want to look for shells starting an hour before low tide. Also, keep in mind, you do need to pay the $8 entry fee to Honeymoon Island State Park to get to where the ferry leaves from. You also need to pay the entrance fee to the Honeymoon Island State Park which is between $2 and $4 per adult. It is not an overly difficult walk but roundtrip it is about 6 miles. $8 per child. Pack light! The best time for shelling is at low tide. I wish I had found it sooner! To ride the ferry, take Curlew Road (Hwy 586) out of Dunedin and drive west. 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. And even better, when you visit Caladesi Island, you cannot skip visiting the Honeymoon Island State Park I will explain here how to take full advantage of your visit. The trail itself is very easy, and completely flat, but would be more challenging in the middle of the day, under the hot sun. Cruises to Easter Island 2023, 2024 and 2025 A Cruise in Easter Island with the image of a moai statue. TOTAL FUEL USED 55 gal. 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 leaving from Honeymoon Island, you will need to take a 20-minute ferry ride. A Short Guide to Visiting Caladesi Island | One of Florida's Last Untouched Islands, The Best Travel Water Filter Bottles For Your Next Trip, A Short Guide To Cala Galdana | An Excellent Base in the South of Menorca, 10 Wonderful Things to do in St Pete, Florida, A Complete Guide to the Best Things to Do in Clearwater, Florida, 22 Wonderful Airbnbs in St Pete, Florida | For City and Beach Lovers, The St Pete Revival Story | A New Side to Florida, Our Favourite Hipster Foodie Hangouts in Downtown St Pete. There is not really any shade on the beach so sunscreen will be your best friend. 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 beautiful sand is covered in hundreds and thousands of seashells and many of them are in perfect unbroken condition. The ferry and the kayak rentals close in the event of bad weather. , How far is the walk from Clearwater Beach to Caladesi Island? When to go The best time to travel to Caladesi Island are May and October. The oak and palm hammock are really unique and fun to see. Whether you go for shelling, hiking or relaxation I know it will be a great trip! 13 Delicious Quick Service Meals at Disney World That Vegans Will Love! Find accommodation, sign up for a local tour, or buy your Tampa Travel Guide. Make sure you bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen because there is no shade to protect your skin from the sun. , Are there alligators in Caladesi state park? And have fun with it, the walk is long but youre heading somewhere beautiful. The 23 best CrossFit workouts | Can you handle these Elite WODs? The sea water is rather cold in winter, while the period from June to September is a rainy season. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. How to Get to Caladesi Island There are actually a few different ways to get to the island. Just dont expect to see a large number of sea life here. I've lived in Florida for 30 years and I just recently got to visit Caladesi Island State Park for the first time. To make it easier, Caladesi Island State Park driving distance from the major cities: There are different ways to get to Caladesi Island, but my favorite, and what I recommend is by bringing your own or renting a kayak at the Dunedin Causeway and paddling to Caladesi island, park your kayak at the shore and explore the island on foot. My family always visited Clearwater Beach because it's ranked as Florida's #1 beach. There are no overnight Caladesi Island State Park camping facilities or lodging available on the island. And if youre super lucky you may even spot some manatees and dolphins! If you need help accessing the beach, you can contact the ranger station and they will assist you. The options are a ferry ride, kayaking, walking or boating. Boat camping . Caladesi Island, located in Dunedin and accessible only by boat or a short walk from north Clearwater Beach, ranks 7th in the US, according to Dr. Beach's 2021 rankings. Make sure you bring plenty of water and snacks. When it comes to beaches in Florida, the St. Pete / Clearwater region really is spoiled for choice. It was in the mid-1500s when the Spanish explorers first surveyed this coast. The best place to rent a Calades Island kayak from is Sail Honeymoon. Don't miss the ferry ride to Caladesi Island! It's paradise found. 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. You are welcome to bring all your own gear to the island but if youd rather avoid the hassle then chair and umbrella rentals are available. You can take $1.00 off your ticket with this Caladesi Island Ferry coupon. The round-trip is $16 per adult and $8 per kid from 6-12 years. There is usually a lifeguard on duty between Memorial Day and Labor Day. We will call you the evening before the day we set sail to go over all the specifics of your trip. Caladesi Island State Park A truly untouched island offering natural delights Hours The park is open from 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year Fees $6 per boat See all fees Location Offshore island Dunedin FL 34698 Get directions Contact Info 727-469-5918 Park Menu Hours & Fees Experiences & Amenities Public Notice 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. We have to emphasize the around Caladesi Island because our favorite activity has been paddling along the east side of the island facing St. Joseph sound and the mainland. You can fish off the shore, from a kayak, or on a boat. It is only a 15 minute paddle through fairly shallow water with beautiful scenery all around. , Can you walk from Clearwater Beach to Caladesi Island? Geneva Airport to Les Menuires 3 Valleys Transfers, Do Plant Cells Have Cytoskeleton? I live where people vacation. To ride the ferry . Caladesi Island Ferry The Caladesi Island Ferry leaves from Honeymoon Island just to the north. Although the shelling capital of the US and maybe even the world is Sanibel Island down south near Fort Myers Caladesi Island is still a popular shelling destination. 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. Caladesi Island State Park is right off of the coast near Clearwater, Florida. It remains one of the very few remaining underdeveloped barrier islands in Florida. event : evt, All Rights Reserved. In this short guide youll find all you need to plan your visit to Caladesi Island, including how to get there (by boat and on foot), how much it costs and the best things to do on the island. Head out to exclusive beaches, only accessible by boat near beautiful Clearwater Beach, Dunedin, Honeymoon Island, Caladesi Island, and Tarpon Springs. Nice beaches on the East side of the Northern tip. Tampa Beaches: The Ultimate Guide to Beaches in and Around Tampa Bay, Cypress Point Beach Park: What You Need to Know, Beach Vacation Packing List for Peace of Mind. Although Caladesi Island can be reached by foot, riding a boat to get there adds some thrill to an otherwise mundane trek. $9 for children ages 6 to 12. Yes, you can walk from Clearwater Beach to Caladesi Island. (And yes, I know this has been said before, and better.) The ferry leaves from Honeymoon Island State Park and the ride is about 20-minutes long. Itinerary You'll start at Seminole Boat Ramp 198 Seminole St, Clearwater, FL 33755, USA Address is 198 Seminole St Clearwater, FL. If you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. But the adage holds particularly true for Caladesi: it is accessible only by boat, a ferry that runs hourly from Honeymoon Island. The summer months are especially great for trophy snook. The state park is a hidden gem, with stunning beaches that have not yet become overpopulated. Three Rooker island is a bird sanctuary for the black skimmer birds that looks like seagulls but are . Planning a day trip to Caladesi Island? If you take the ferry, there is a 4-hour time limit on the island. Caladesi Island Ferry The Caladesi Island Ferry leaves from Honeymoon Island just to the north. To make sure everyone doesn't try to take the last boat back, your return ticket is for four hours after you arrive. . Plus, stop here on your way back to the ferry to see what kind of shells you found. amzn_assoc_region = "US";
You can rent a kayak on Caladesi Island (or launch your own) and explore the mangrove tunnels. 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. If you are looking for an adventurous way to get to the island, rent a kayak! They charge a daily rate of $6.00 per boat for up to 8 people and $2.00 per extra . No, you cannot rent beach chairs on Caladesi Island, but you can rent on Honeymoon Island please check this complete article for all you need to know about honeymoon island. If you do go over on the Caladesi ferry, there is a 4-hour time limit on the island. Trips run every half hour February to September and hourly the rest of the year. So feel free to bring them for a hike but only if you kayak over or bring them on your own private boat. Whether you want to just run up to and explore the Islands or pack a lunch . It is a nice and relaxing boat trip. } Each ferry ticket is a round trip ticket and gives you a four hour time slot on Caladesi Island. Fishing is allowed in designated areas around the island so bring your fishing poles if you want to catch your own dinner. Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island State Park Honeymoon Island is a state park accessible by bridge from Dunedin. One of the few remaining uninhabited islands on Floridas Gulf Coast, Caladesi Island offers visitors that chance to explore a tropical nature path, a mangrove-shaded kayak trail, and a glorious four-mile, wild and white sandy beach filled unique shells, birds, photogenic deckchairs, and a very remote vibe. The water is clear so snorkeling is fun although you may not see much more than small fish here or there. Whether youre wanting to take a short day trip or looking to make it a multi-day camping and hiking expedition, Caladesi State Park is a great choice. The paddle takes about 20 minutes and you are still required to pay the $2 entry fee to the park. 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. Along the trail, be sure to look for the armadillos and maybe even a raccoon, although youre more likely to see their tracks. Dr. Beach is Stephen Leatherman, a professor at Florida International University. Which one you choose will be determined by how long you have, your physical abilities and your budget. Welcome to CS Ginger! From the boardwalk, there is a T intersection that will have signs for the Island Trail.