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Honeymoon Island State Park is a Florida State Park located on Honeymoon Island, a barrier island across St. Joseph Sound from Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Ozona, and Crystal Beach. The park is 385 acres (1.6 km2) in land area, with 2,400 acres (10 km2) submerged and 4 miles (6 km) of beach. Honeymoon Island State Park offers a variety of activities, including swimming, fishing, shelling, hiking, and bicycling, making it a popular destination for outdoor recreation. The park provides easy access to neighbouring Caladesi Island State Park via a ferry service, adding to its appeal as a natural getaway.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Honeymoon Island, Florida, United States |
| Area | 385 acres (1.6 km2) of land, 2,400 acres (10 km2) submerged |
| Beach Length | 4 miles (6 km) |
| Visitors | Over 1 million per year |
| Activities | Swimming, fishing, shelling, hiking, sunbathing, kayaking, snorkelling, bicycling, birdwatching |
| Facilities | Showers, restrooms, picnic pavilions, nature trails, observation deck, beach chair rentals, ferry service, food service, gift shop |
| Flora and Fauna | Florida slash pines, mangroves, sea turtles, ospreys, wading birds, dolphins, sharks, stingrays, jellyfish, starfish, sand dollars, sea life |
| Address | 1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, Florida |
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What You'll Learn
Honeymoon Island State Park's size
Honeymoon Island State Park is a Florida State Park located on Honeymoon Island, a barrier island across St. Joseph Sound from Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Ozona, and Crystal Beach. The park is 385 acres (1.6 km2) in land area, with 2,400 acres (10 km2) submerged and 4 miles (6 km) of beach. It is a popular destination, attracting over one million visitors each year, and is the most-visited state park in Florida.
The island offers a variety of activities and amenities, including swimming, fishing, shelling, hiking, and bicycling. The South Beach Pavilion provides bicycles and kayaks for rent, and there is a concession stand with food and drinks. The park also features nature trails, bird observation areas, and a beach for pets. The Osprey Trail (2 miles long) and the Pelican Cove Trail (0.75 miles long) circle the eastern side of the island, offering views of palmetto trees, an eagle's nest, slash pine, and sea life.
Honeymoon Island State Park is known for its white sand beaches and diverse nature trails. It is home to one of the last remaining virgin slash pine forests, with a 3-mile trail that passes through it. The island also has a rich history, originally inhabited by the Tocobaga chiefdom until the arrival of Spanish explorers in the mid-1500s. In the early 1940s, it was known as Hog Island, and honeymoon-type huts were built for vacationing newlyweds, giving the island its current name.
The park is easily accessible, located at the western end of Causeway Boulevard, and is open daily from 8 am to sundown. It offers disability parking, ADA-compliant restrooms, free beach wheelchairs, paved paths, and elevated boardwalks. The Rotary Centennial Nature Center, open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm, provides insights into the island's natural and cultural history, with an elevated observation deck offering panoramic views.
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How to get to Honeymoon Island State Park
Honeymoon Island State Park is located in Florida, on the west coast of the state, about 30 minutes west of Tampa International Airport. The park is a short drive from Tampa and is easily accessible from Clearwater Beach, Florida.
The address of Honeymoon Island State Park is 1 Causeway Boulevard, Dunedin, Florida. The park is located at the western end of Causeway Boulevard, which becomes Curlew Road east of Alternate US 19.
If you are coming from Clearwater Beach, you can take the Jolly Trolley to ALT 19 and then rent a bike to get to the park. The Pinellas Trail and the causeway offer a great biking experience. You can also drive to the park and park your car at the entrance for a fee.
Honeymoon Island State Park is also accessible by ferry from Caladesi Island, which is a short walk from Clearwater Beach. The ferry costs $14 per adult, in addition to the park entrance fee.
The park offers a range of activities, including swimming, fishing, shelling, hiking, and bicycling. There are also nature trails, bird observation areas, and a beach for pets. The South Beach Pavilion provides bicycles and kayaks for rent by the hour or day.
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Activities to do at the park
Honeymoon Island State Park is a Florida State Park located on Honeymoon Island, a barrier island across St. Joseph Sound from Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Ozona, and Crystal Beach. The park covers 385 acres (1.6 km2) of land, with 2,400 acres (10 km2) submerged and 4 miles (6 km) of beach. It is a popular destination, attracting over a million visitors each year, and offers a range of activities for those looking to enjoy the outdoors. Here are some of the activities you can enjoy during your visit:
Hiking and Bicycling
The park features diverse nature trails, including the Osprey Trail (2 miles long) and the Pelican Cove Trail (0.75 miles long), which circle the forested eastern side of the island. Along these trails, you can discover palmetto trees, an eagle's nest, slash pine, and even some sea life and wading birds. The South Beach Pavilion offers bicycle rentals by the hour or day, and there are also fantastic biking options outside the park, such as the Pinellas Trail and the causeway.
Swimming, Sunbathing, and Beach Activities
The park boasts 4 miles of white sand beaches, providing ample opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and beach activities. The main beach offers designated swimming areas, while the north beach is perfect for swimming and features great shelling. The southern portion of the beach is a pet-friendly area where dogs can enjoy the waves. The beach also provides excellent surfing conditions, especially on the north end.
Kayaking and Boating
Kayaks are available for rent at Café Honeymoon, allowing visitors to explore the waterfront and surrounding areas. For those seeking a more luxurious experience, private boating options are available from Clearwater Beach, including the Tahoe Funship and Platinum Funship.
Fishing
The beach at Honeymoon Island provides a variety of fishing opportunities. Saltwater game fish, including snook, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, and snapper, are frequently caught just offshore. Fishing is a popular activity for visitors looking to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Birdwatching and Nature Observation
The park is home to a diverse range of bird species, including ospreys, wading birds, and terns. The observation deck at the Rotary Centennial Nature Center offers ample views of wading birds and plant life at low tide. The nature center also features exhibits about the natural and cultural history of the island. Interpretive kiosks located throughout the park provide information on the indigenous plants and animals.
Ferry to Caladesi Island State Park
The park serves as a ferry terminal to Caladesi Island State Park, providing access to another unspoiled natural area. The ferry ride is included in the park entrance fee.
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The history of the island
Honeymoon Island State Park is a Florida State Park located on Honeymoon Island, a barrier island across St. Joseph Sound from Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Ozona, and Crystal Beach. The island was originally inhabited by members of the Tocobaga chiefdom, the native population of the Tampa Bay area, until the arrival of Spanish explorers in the mid-1500s.
In the autumn, a pair of bald eagles made a nest on Osprey Trail in the park. Osprey and various species of tern, plover, herons, and wading birds reside on the island or stop during spring and fall migration. Dolphin pods are often sighted within yards of the shore. Many species of fish, shark, stingray, and jellyfish inhabit the waters surrounding the island as well. Starfish, sand dollars, and other marine invertebrates are commonly found in the shallow waters along the shore.
Before the 1921 hurricane that split it in two, what are now Honeymoon and Caladesi islands were a single spit of sand known as Hog Island. In the early 1940s, honeymoon-type huts were built on the island for vacationing, and the name was changed. After the US entered World War II, the thatched huts fell into disuse and were soon worn down by the elements. In the late 1930s, a businessman bought the northern island and built 50 cottages that he marketed to newlyweds as Honeymoon Island.
In the 1960s, a developer planned to build a large residential area on the island by expanding it to 3,000 acres. A causeway leading to the island was constructed in 1964. However, this plan was scrapped in 1969 when the developer's permit expired and the state prevented them from renewing it. Local environmentalists played a key role in foiling this plan. The state purchased most of the island in 1974 and the rest soon after. On December 7, 1981, Honeymoon Island State Park was created.
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The wildlife at Honeymoon Island State Park
Honeymoon Island State Park is a Florida State Park located on Honeymoon Island, a barrier island across St. Joseph Sound from Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Ozona, and Crystal Beach. The park is 385 acres (1.6 km2) in land area with 2,400 acres (10 km2) submerged and 4 miles (6 km) of beach. It is the most-visited state park in Florida, attracting over one million visitors annually. The island was originally inhabited by the Tocobaga, the native population of the Tampa Bay area, until the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century.
The park is a haven for a variety of wildlife species, including birds, dolphins, and raccoons. The park also protects important wildlife habitats such as coastal strands, flatwoods, maritime hammocks, seagrass beds, tidal flats, and
The Osprey Trail is a 2-mile-long trail that circles the forested eastern side of the island. It is known as one of the best places in the world to observe nesting ospreys. The trail also attracts migratory songbirds like warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and Indigo and Painted Buntings. Along the trail, you can spot palmetto trees, eagle nests, and Florida slash pines.
The Pelican Cove Trail, also known as the Pelican Trail, is 3/4 miles long and winds along Pelican Cove on the eastern side of the island. This trail offers excellent opportunities for birdwatching, with two observation decks providing good views at low tide. Here, you can spot herons, egrets, migratory shorebirds like the American Oystercatcher, and various species of tern. The trail also leads to the beach, where you can observe shorebirds along the causeway waterfront.
In addition to the bird species, Honeymoon Island State Park is home to a variety of marine life. Dolphin pods are often sighted within yards of the shore, and the waters surrounding the island are inhabited by many species of fish, shark, stingray, and jellyfish. The shallow waters along the shore are known for their starfish and sand dollars, as well as other marine invertebrates.
The park also provides a vital habitat for several threatened and endangered species. The shell mounds and ridges of Mound Key, rising over 30 feet above Estero Bay, are framed by forests of mangrove trees. These mangroves play a crucial role in the ecosystem, providing a refuge for various plant and animal species.
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Frequently asked questions
The park is 385 acres (1.6 km2) in land area with 2,400 acres (10 km2) submerged.
The beach is approximately four miles long.
The Osprey Trail is 2 miles long.
The Pelican Cove Trail is 3/4 miles long.
The nature trail is 2.5 miles long.
