| Whoever said there was no unspoiled beauty left in | | | | egrets and roseate spoonbills. See if you can spot the |
| Florida has never been to Caladesi Island State Park. | | | | osprey nests located atop barren pine snags. |
| This diamond in the rough is one of the few remaining | | | | Hours of Operation: Open from 8 a.m. until sundown all |
| examples of a secluded island paradise. Four miles of | | | | year round. Call (727) 469-5918 or visit for more |
| undeveloped white sand beach and dunes line this | | | | information. |
| island on the Gulf of Mexico, providing an ideal escape | | | | Directions: Caladesi Island State Park is accessible only |
| for sun worshippers and nature lovers. | | | | by boat from Honeymoon Island State Park, Dunedin |
| In fact, Caladesi Island was voted number one in the | | | | Florida |
| Annual Top 10 Beaches ranking by coastal expert Dr. | | | | By Ferry: The ferry service to Caladesi leaves from |
| Stephen Leatherman, Director of Coastal Research at | | | | Honeymoon Island State Park hourly beginning at 10 |
| Florida International University. | | | | AM. Folks can call the ferry service directly |
| In addition to its beautiful beaches, the island boasts | | | | 727-734-1501. |
| acres of lush mangrove forests; one of the few tree | | | | By Boat: From channel marker #14, just west of the |
| species that survives in salt water. The mangrove are | | | | Dunedin Causeway Bridge, take an approximate |
| also increasing the size of the island as their immense | | | | 212´degree heading on your compass for |
| root system traps soil and continue to spread. Explore | | | | approximately 1 mile. Follow the channel markers into |
| this area on foot via the three miles of trails or by | | | | the Caladesi Island State Park Marina. |
| kayak trails that intertwine through the forest. The | | | | Pets: Ok to bring Fido as long as he remains on a |
| vegetation on Caladesi Island provides an ideal nesting | | | | leash, but no pets are allowed on the beach. |
| place for the gopher tortoise, loggerhead and green | | | | Fishing: Fishing is allowed in designated areas. |
| sea turtles, and the occasional Eastern diamondback | | | | Facilities: Picnic pavilions, snack bar, gift shop and kayak |
| rattlesnake. | | | | rentals. Boaters have access to a 108 slip marina that |
| The beach at Caladesi is part of the Great Florida | | | | offers overnight docking with electric and water |
| Birding Trail. Popular sightings include American | | | | hook-ups. Off shore anchoring is also available. |
| oystercatchers, black skimmers, royal and least terns | | | | Beaches are not ADA accessible (Beach Wheelchair |
| and snowy, Wilson's and piping plovers. On the bayside | | | | is available and can be used on beach). |
| of the island watch for great blue herons, snowy | | | | |