By Dawn Henthorn
Florida Travel Expert, about.com
Welcome to Caladesi Island State Park... welcome to paradise. It doesn't take long to figure out why Caladesi Island is reportedly one of the favorite getaways for Dr. Beach. Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman (affectionately known as Dr. Beach) issues his list of America's Best Beaches on Memorial Day weekend. He named Caladesi Island State Park as America's Best Beach in 2008 and it ranks consistently among America's top beaches year after year.
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In
1628, a Spanish captain named the island Caladesi, meaning "beautiful
bayou." Indeed, the island is still beautiful today and one of the most
unspoiled areas in Florida. Perhaps that could be because of its limited
access. Caladesi Island State Park is one of the few parks in Florida's
state park system that is only accessible by boat. While this makes the
island a bit exclusive, a ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park makes
access available to anyone, allowing over 200,000 people to visit
Caladesi Island State Park each year.
People come to Caladesi Island for many reasons. While its
pristine beaches are ranked among the best in America, people also come
for the outdoor recreational opportunities — swimming, fishing, boating,
kayaking, hiking, birding, picnicking and shelling. One of the more
popular activities is renting a kayak to enjoy the three-mile,
mangrove-shaded kayak trail.
Caladesi Marina
There is no
camping on the island. The only way you'll stay on Caladesi Island
overnight is to bring your boat. Dock at the well-appointed marina and
enjoy island life with covered picnic pavilion, grills and the Caladesi
Cafe just steps away.
The Beach
It is no wonder that Caladesi
Island is a consistent contender for America's best beach — there's four
miles of beautiful white sand that glisten in Florida's sunshine and
the waters of the Gulf meet the sky in shades of clear blue. It's a
picture perfect beach.
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Two paved trails lead to the beach and are a
good walking distance from the entrance to the park. Two separate
boardwalks that span the protected sand dunes each have shower and
restroom facilities. While you may bring along many items on the
Caladesi ferry, it might be more convenient to rent a beach umbrella and
chairs. A beach umbrella and two chairs are available for a $20.00
rental fee per day. Additional beach chairs are $5.00 per day. Gulf
kayaks are available from $10.00 per hour for a single and $20.00 per
hour for a double.
A nice picnic area is located on Caladesi
Island near the beach, between the two boardwalks. Also located in the
same area is a large playground for the children.
Caladesi Trails
Four
miles of beach dune community teems with sea oats, dune sunflower and
beach morning glory making it home to shorebirds such as American
oystercatchers, black skimmers, royal and least terns and snowy Wilson's
and piping plovers. Loggerhead and green sea turtles also use the beach
for nesting.
On the bay side of the island, wading birds such as
great blue herons, snowy egrets and roseate spoonbills feed around the
shallow water in the tidal flats. It is no wonder this great island is
on the Great Florida Birding Trail.
The Island Trail offers hikers
about an hour and a half of natural unspoiled terrain where they are
likely to see gopher tortoises on the ground and ospreys flying
overhead.
Also, visitors can rent a kayak and take to thethree-mile, mangrove-shaded kayak trail.
Information and Directions
Caladesi Island State Park is accessible by boat or ferry only.
By
boat, from Channel Marker #14, just west of the Dunedin Causeway, take
an approximate 212 degree heading for approximately one mile. Follow the
channel markers into the Caladesi Island State Park Marina.
The
108-slip marina at Caladesi Island State Park is equipped with water and
electric hookups. Docking fees are $5.00 per day or $20.00 for
overnight camping. Reservations for overnight boat camping may be made
through ReserveAmerica.com up to eleven months in advance.
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The Caladesi Island Connection ferry departs daily from Honeymoon Island State Park
on an hourly schedule (every half hour during peak season) beginning at
10:00 a.m. (weather permitting) and the trip takes about 15 to 20
minutes. The round trip is $10.00 per adult, $5.00 for children ages
4-12 and free for children three and younger.
Passengers are
allowed a four hour stay on Caladesi Island before returning to
Honeymoon Island. Can you stay longer? That's the question I asked. It
seems the capacity each ferry is 62 passengers, with two ferries making
the trips. So, to ensure room on a return ferry, each passenger is
assigned a return time. Passengers are guaranteed a seat at that time,
but are only allowed the trip on a space available basis any other time.
The
Caladesi Island Connection at times has reached capacity in the middle
of the day. It is advisable to call ahead to check seat availability —
727-734-1501.
