4 Caladesi Island State Park: Beach and Nature Trails

Located 3 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, Caladesi Island is one of Florida’s largest undeveloped barrier islands. Its magnificent beach has been included on the list of America’s Best Beaches six times since 2002, finally ranking as number 1 in the entire nation in 2008. So you know the sands here will be extra fine. Caladesi Island can be reached only by boat, which makes it one of the state’s most remote hiking sites. Fortunately, you don’t need your own craft to reach it. A scheduled ferry runs frequently from nearby Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area. Those who do have their own boats can overnight at the island’s 108-slip marina or anchor offshore. Whether the island ferry runs is based on sea conditions; call ahead during periods of high winds to confirm that it is operating.

Nearest town: Dunedin

Start: On the Caladesi Island dock, at the kiosk

Distance: 3 miles

Approximate hiking time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Trail surface: Mostly sand, some boardwalk

Seasons: Anytime

Other trail users: Nature watchers

Canine compatibility: Pets are not permitted on the ferry from Honeymoon Island. Pets brought to the island by private boat must be leashed and are not allowed on the beaches, only in a designated area. Pet owners must provide proof of rabies vaccination.

Land status: State park

Fees and permits: Entrance fee under $5

Schedule: Open daily to sunset. The ferry from Honeymoon Island SP to Caladesi Island leaves hourly beginning at 10:00 a.m. The last ferry is 3:00 p.m. To contact the ferry service, call (727) 734-1501.

Maps: Available at entrance

Trail contacts: Caladesi Island State Park, #1 Causeway Boulevard, Dunedin, FL 34698; (727) 469-5918; www.floridastateparks.org/caladesiisland

Finding the trailhead: First, you must take the ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park that departs the west end of State Road 586, north of Dunedin. The ferry leaves hourly beginning at 10:00 a.m.; the last boat is at 3:00 p.m. The hiking trailhead is at the kiosk on the dock where the ferry lands.

Coming east from Orlando, take Interstate 4 west to Interstate 275 south to State Road 60 west. Cross Courtney Campbell Causeway, then turn right onto US Highway 19 north. Go left on Curlew Road (SR 586). Follow SR 586, crossing Dunedin Causeway, to Honeymoon Island State Park.

Traveling from north of Tampa, take Interstate 75 south to I-275 south to the Hillsborough Avenue exit. Go west to slight left at Curlew Road (SR 586). Pass fork at State Road 580. Follow SR 586, crossing the Dunedin Causeway, to Honeymoon Island State Park.

Coming from south of Tampa, take I-75 north to I-275 north to the Roosevelt Avenue exit. (Follow signs for St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport, last exit before the Howard Franklin Bridge.) Stay right on State Road 686 west when State Road 688 forks to the left. Next turn right (north) onto McMullen Booth Road (County Road 611) to cross over the Bayside Bridge. Go left on Curlew Ro ad (SR 586). Follow SR 586, crossing the Dunedin Causeway, to Honeymoon Island State Park. GPS: N28 01.860' W082 49.222'

The Hike

For 2 miles of gorgeous waterfront walking, follow the boardwalk to the Gulf beach. Long and beautiful, it has been ranked as the best in the entire United States, including Hawaii. Understandably, on summer weekends it becomes crowded, with the rental umbrellas and picnic pavilions offering some of the best beachfront shade.

The boardwalk to the beach also leads to the Island Trail, which in turn connects with two other trail sections to create a 3-mile loop around both the interior and beach. The interior is mostly a closed maritime hammock formed by red bay, sabal palm, live oak, and Southern red cedar. Woodland residents you may encounter include marsh rabbits, armadillos, raccoons, and squirrels.

The Beach Trail at Caladesi Island State Park takes you to one of the nation’s top beaches.

Start the Island Trail by bearing left at the boardwalk and walking straight, meandering first through a scrub forest then passing large salt-tolerant bushes like sea myrtle, a woody plant that can remove salt through its leaves. In fall the plants may be covered with tiny white cloudlike flowers. Another hardy salt-tolerant species along this walk is the sand live oak, a smaller relative to the larger live oak trees so common throughout the state. Leaves of the sand live oak are much more curled, a feature that allows them to survive in a salty, arid environment like Caladesi Island.

Still on the Island Trail, you’ll bear right briefly then turn left onto the Hammock Loop, which curves through the island’s oldest trees. You are now walking among a stand of Florida’s last remaining virgin slash pine. At 1.3 miles on the Hammock Loop, you’ll pass a spring of fresh water, the island’s largest freshwater source. It is what made it possible for a Swiss immigrant arriving in 1883 to survive on the island for almost fifty years.

The Hammock Loop connects with the longer Beach Trail that skirts the salt marshes and leads down to the beach. Behind the open beach, a dune line populated with sea oats and sea purslane (also called sea pickle) is the favorite nesting area for both sea turtles and birds. Note that the bay side’s mangrove swamp attracts numerous shore birds. From the beach, the trail leads back to the access boardwalk that came from the dock.

The island contains many osprey nests, and the excellent beach is ideal for swimming and fishing.

Miles and Directions

0.0 On the boardwalk leading to the Gulf, go left to join the marked Island Trail.

0.2 Pass anti-litter kiosk. Get interpretive brochure for the three trails. Go straight.

0.6 Ignore Shortcut to the Beach sign. Go straight to see old-growth forest on Hammock Loop.

1.0 Junction with Hammock Loop. Go left.

1.3 Pass freshwater spring on right.

1.8 Hammock Loop ends. Turn right onto Island Trail, then left to join Beach Trail. Continue west.

2.0 Shortcut trail comes in from the right. Ignore; go straight. Prepare for trail to make a sharp left.

2.5 Arrive at first boardwalk going inland and crossing the dunes. Follow boardwalk, go right.

2.8 Junction with Island Trail and access boardwalk coming in from the left. Go left to return to dock.

3.0 Arrive back at ferry dock.

More Information

Local Information

Dunedin Chamber of Commerce: www.dunedin-fl.com.

City of Dunedin: www.dunedingov.com.

Local Events/Attractions

Rental kayaks are available on the island. Fishing for flounder, snook, trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead, pompano, Spanish mackerel, cobia, ladyfish, and tarpon. Umbrellas and beach chairs are available for rent.

Sister city to Stirling, Scotland, the Scottish heritage is strong in this region and the annual Highland Games are a large celebration in the nearby city of Dunedin: www.dunedinhighlandgames.com/games.html.

Lodging

St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention and Visitors’ Bureau: www.floridasbeach.com.

Camping

No tent camping available in the park. Boaters are allowed to camp overnight on their craft.

Organizations

Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks: www.dep.state.fl.us/parks.