Franklin Dean
Caladesi Island is a secluded beach destination, consistently voted among the top beaches in the US. It offers a pristine natural environment with access to some modern amenities, including public restrooms and a small snack bar. The island, which was once home to homesteader Henry Scharrer and his daughter Myrtle, is known for its soft white sand and tranquil gulf waters. Visitors can enjoy shelling, kayaking through the mystical mangroves, hiking along nature trails, and fishing. Caladesi Island is only accessible by boat, and one of the most popular ways to get there is by taking the Caladesi Island Ferry from Honeymoon Island. The ferry ride is a short 15 to 20 minutes, and tickets are available at the Honeymoon Island State Park. This guide will provide all the information needed to plan a visit to Caladesi Island from Honeymoon Island, including transportation options, activities, and amenities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Just south of Honeymoon Island |
| Accessibility | Only accessible by boat |
| Boat options | Ferry, kayak, or private boat |
| Ferry schedule | Everyday, first ferry at 10 am, last trip off the island at 4 pm, runs every 30 minutes |
| Ferry ticket prices | $18 for adults, $9 for kids ages 6-12, kids 5 and younger are free |
| Kayak rental | Available at Sail Honeymoon Inc. and Caladesi Island Dock |
| Other activities | Hiking, fishing, shelling, and kayaking through the mangroves |
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Travel by ferry
To get to Caladesi Island from Honeymoon Island, you can take a ferry. The Caladesi Island Ferry runs every day, weather permitting, between the Honeymoon Island Docks and the Caladesi Island Docks. The first ferry is at 10 am, and ferries then depart every 30 minutes. The last trip off the island is usually around 4 pm, but this can be later on busy days. The journey takes 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the weather and whether the captain takes a detour to spot dolphins.
Round-trip tickets are $18 for adults, $9 for children aged 6-12, and children aged 5 and under travel for free. Tickets can be purchased at the Honeymoon Island State Park, where you can park your car before boarding the ferry. The marina at Caladesi Island has a cafe, gift shop, and restrooms/showers. From there, you can walk to the beach.
There is a four-hour time limit for your stay on Caladesi Island, and beach carts and wagons are no longer allowed on board the ferry. If you want to stay longer than four hours, you could consider kayaking to the island instead. It is a half-hour paddle, but it is not recommended for inexperienced kayakers or during weekends when there is heavy boat traffic.
If you are bringing your own boat, you can dock at the Caladesi Island State Park Dock for $6 a day. Boat slips can be purchased at the State Park office on the island. Overnight boat camping is the only way to camp on Caladesi Island.
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Kayak or paddleboard
If you're looking to get to Caladesi Island from Honeymoon Island by kayak or paddleboard, there are a few options available to you.
Firstly, you can bring your own kayak or paddleboard. You can park on the left side of the causeway, near Sail Honeymoon, where there are bathroom facilities. From here, it's a half-mile paddle across the gulf to reach Caladesi Island.
Alternatively, if you don't have your own kayak or paddleboard, you can rent one from Sail Honeymoon, located on the causeway on the left before you reach Honeymoon Island. They are open seven days a week from 8 am to 7 pm, and their rates are reasonable. A single kayak rental costs $35 for two hours, $45 for four hours, and $60 for the entire day. They also rent stand-up paddleboards for $30 for one hour or $45 for two.
If you're renting a kayak or paddleboard, keep in mind that a two-hour rental will give you enough time to reach Caladesi Island and walk on the beach. However, if you want to explore more of the island, such as the central area or the mangrove trail, you'll need at least four hours.
The paddle to Caladesi Island is a scenic and enjoyable trip, offering great opportunities for island exploring, beachcombing, and wildlife spotting. The water is a beautiful shade of turquoise, and you may even spot dolphins, birds, and other marine life along the way.
The Caladesi Island kayak trail is a three-mile loop, but you can shorten the trip by paddling back to the start or towards the causeway after reaching the mangrove tunnels. It's important to note that the paddle can be affected by factors such as tide and wind strength, so be prepared for a more challenging journey if the conditions are not calm.
Overall, kayaking or paddleboarding to Caladesi Island from Honeymoon Island is a fun and adventurous way to experience the beauty of the gulf coast and the magic of Caladesi Island State Park.
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Travel by car
Caladesi Island State Park is located just south of Honeymoon Island, and the two were once a single island known as Hog Island. In 1921, a hurricane carved its way through the island, creating what is now known as Hurricane Pass, which separates the two islands.
To get to Caladesi Island from Honeymoon Island by car, you will first need to drive into Honeymoon Island State Park via the Dunedin Causeway. There is an $8 fee per vehicle to enter the park. Once you're inside the park, follow the signs to the Caladesi Ferry. Park your car and purchase your ferry tickets at the booth in the parking area. The round-trip ferry ride to Caladesi Island costs $16 for adults and $8 for children aged 6-12, while children under 6 ride for free.
The ferry departs every half hour starting at 10 am every day, and the ride takes around 15-20 minutes. Once you arrive at Caladesi Island, you will disembark at the docks and take a short walk to the beach. The marina at Caladesi Island has a cafe, gift shop, and restrooms/showers.
It's important to note that the ferry has a four-hour time limit for your stay on Caladesi Island. Additionally, beach carts and wagons are no longer allowed on board the ferry due to safety reasons, but strollers and wheelchairs are permitted.
If you prefer to travel light, you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas at Caladesi Island for around $29. You can also bring your own beach gear, but keep in mind that you'll need to carry it onto the ferry and walk across the boardwalk to the beach.
For a more adventurous option, you can also rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards from Sail Honeymoon, located outside the entrance to Honeymoon Island. From there, you can paddle to Caladesi Island, exploring the maze of mangroves along the way. However, this option is not recommended for inexperienced kayakers or during weekends when boat traffic is typically heavier.
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Hike the island
Caladesi Island State Park is a pristine island with white sand beaches and clear blue waters. It is the perfect destination for those seeking a secluded and tranquil beach experience. The island is accessible by ferry from Honeymoon Island or on foot from Clearwater Beach.
Caladesi Island offers a variety of hiking trails that allow visitors to explore the island's natural beauty and diverse ecosystems. Here are some tips and suggestions for hiking the island:
- The island has three great trails for hiking, ranging from easy to strenuous. The trails vary in length, with elevation gains from 3 to 6 feet, offering something for everyone, from casual walkers to experienced hikers.
- The longest trail is the Mangrove Paddle Long Route, which is 3.9 miles long and takes you through a vast mangrove forest. This trail starts at the marina and leads you through a tunnel of mangrove branches that form a canopy overhead. You'll glide through the winding water trails, immersed in the beauty of one of Florida's most interesting plants. Keep an eye out for various wading birds, such as blue herons, great egrets, and ospreys.
- Another recommended trail is the Caladesi Island State Park Trail, which is 3.2 miles long with a 6-foot elevation gain. This trail takes you through different Florida ecosystems, including a palm forest with an abundance of sandal palms, and a slash pine forest providing shade and leading to small ponds.
- If you're looking for a shorter hike, the 2.5-mile loop on the island is a great option. It offers a peaceful walk through nature, and you might even spot some dolphins off the shore.
- For a more remote and less touristy experience, try the trail starting from Somerset Street towards the island. This area is mostly private beaches or residences, so dogs are allowed to roam freely on the beach.
- If you're an early bird, hit the trails first thing in the morning before it gets too hot. Stay until sunset for a grand finale!
- Bring bug spray! Mosquitoes can be prevalent on the island, especially on the nature trails.
- Don't forget to bring a hydration pack, especially if you're visiting during the hotter months.
- If you're looking for a casual stroll, the walk along the beach from Clearwater Beach to Caladesi Island is a great option. It's about a two-mile walk one way, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.
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Explore the beach
Caladesi Island State Park is a secluded beach destination with pristine, soft, white sand and tranquil, refreshing gulf waters. It is known for being one of the few untouched islands on the Gulf Coast, with access to some modern amenities, including public restrooms, showers, a small snack bar, and a gift shop.
The island is just south of Honeymoon Island, and the two were once a single island called Hog Island until a hurricane in 1921 separated them. The best way to get to Caladesi Island is by ferry or private boat, as the island is only accessible by boat. The Caladesi Island Ferry runs from the Honeymoon Island Docks to the Caladesi Island Docks every day, weather permitting, with ferries departing every hour from 10 am. The journey takes 15-20 minutes, depending on the weather and whether the captain takes a detour to see dolphins. A round trip on the ferry costs $18 for adults and $9 for children aged 6-12, with children under 5 travelling for free.
If you would prefer to travel to Caladesi Island by kayak, you can rent one from Sail Honeymoon Inc, located outside the entrance of Honeymoon Island. This option allows you to stay longer on the island, as you are not subject to the 4-hour time limit placed on ferry passengers. However, kayaking is not recommended for inexperienced kayakers or during weekends when boat traffic is heavy.
Once you arrive at Caladesi Island, you can explore the four miles of beach, go hiking or fishing, or rent a kayak to paddle through the mangrove trail. Shelling is also a popular activity, with over 40 shells to discover, and you can purchase souvenirs, beach essentials, and food at Cafe Caladesi.
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Frequently asked questions
The only easy way to get to Caladesi Island from Honeymoon Island is by ferry or private boat. The Caladesi Island Ferry is located inside Honeymoon Island State Park and runs every day, weather permitting.
Roundtrip tickets are $18 for adults, $9 for kids aged 6-12, and children 5 and under travel for free.
The ferry departs every hour from 10 am. On busy days, the two ferry boats run every half hour. The last trip off the island is usually around 4 pm, but this can be later on busy days.
The ferry ride takes between 15 and 20 minutes.
It is possible to walk to Caladesi Island from Clearwater Beach, but it is a very long walk.
