Outdoor showers are located at the North and South bath house. Top 5 Clearwater Private Charters 2023 - TripShock! Cross the causeway from Dunedin and pay the entry fee of $8 per car. Details - Clearwater Beach .com The walk itself is just under three miles from Clearwater, and should take someone of good fitness no more than 90 minutes to complete. This trip departs from the Ft Desoto Boat Ramp (click here for directions) Ages 12+ $45 Ages 3-11 $25 Ages 2 & Under No Charge Parking $5 Quick Details: Duration: 5 hours total | 3 hours island time | 60 mins to and from dock Departure times: 11am Daily! With powdery soft white sand covered in shells, clear emerald waters, mangrove trees and wildlife galore you really almost feel like you are on a deserted island paradise. Caladesi is much better than Honeymoon I think. Caladesi State Park Guidelines Hours are 8 AM until sunset, 365 days a year. You can get to the island by taking the Caladesi Island ferry, by private boat, by renting (or using your own) a SUP, jet ski, or kayak. The ferry has plenty of room to store all the beach gear you will inevitably need to bring along including coolers, chairs and umbrellas. Dr. Beach again ranks Caladesi Island among country's best beaches To make hunting for shells easier, consider beginning no sooner than an hour before low tide. Fees Admission $6 per boat (up to eight people); $2 each additional person. The ferries begin running at 10:00 a.m. every day, with numerous returns and departures, and you can stay on the island for 4 hours. You can also take your kayak from Honeymoon Island and paddle about 15 minutes to Caladesi Island. Head out to exclusive beaches, only accessible by boat near beautiful Clearwater Beach, Dunedin, Honeymoon Island, Caladesi Island, and Tarpon Springs. The state park is a hidden gem, with stunning beaches that have not yet become overpopulated. There are picnic tables, two covered pavilions, restrooms and barbecue grills. Be sure to pack your own water and a snack because that's a long way in the sun! A Short Guide to Visiting Caladesi Island - ALONG DUSTY ROADS When we were there, we had the Caladesi Island beach almost to ourselves. Dr. Beach Says Caladesi Island Among The Top 10 In The Country From there follow the signs to the ferry (the turn will be on your left). Contact the Caladesi Island Ranger Station at 727-469-5918 to reserve a pavilion. 1 Cswy. The two islands weren't always connected, but they are now. You do not need to pre-book your the return ferry trip time, but its a good idea in high season to take a note of the timetable and get in the queue before the ferry arrives (it can get quite busy). Get ready for a relaxing day on the water with Captain Nick around Clearwater. Enjoy both Sunrise and Sunset and fireworks at . There is no hotel or restaurant here, but you can find restrooms and even a little place to get snacks. There are a number of facilities at the disposal to Caladesi Island visitors. Caladesi Island is only accessible by boat. The paradisaical beauty of Caladesi Island State Park is worth every cent, especially when you book with us. How to Walk to Caladesi Island From Clearwater Beach! No pets are allowed on the ferry. Please note that some links on our blog are affiliate links. Our guides got you covered with everything you need to know to enjoy the perfect getaway! Starting from Clearwater North Beach, the walk is about 3 miles. Fishing is allowed in designated areas around the island so bring your fishing poles if you want to catch your own dinner. If you bring reusable water bottles there is a water fountain to refill your water bottle. Offering pool or garden views, each unit comes with a kitchen and it is only 3.7 miles to Honeymoon Island. Bottom line is to get into all this IF you may like kayaking (i.e. Yet, you will still have to pay a $6 entrance fee per boat with up to eight people. Or if you prefer to relax, bring a book and a chair so you can read the day away to the sound of the ocean. Our family travels throughout the United States in our RV visiting beaches, national parks and everything in between. There are two ways to get to Caladesi: Private boat or take the Caladesi Connection Ferry service that operates out of Honeymoon Island State Park. There are no overnight Caladesi Island State Park camping facilities or lodging available on the island. Click Here Caladesi Connection Accessibility & Inclusion Policy The best beach access is at Somerset Road. Caladesi Island State Park: Kayaking to an island paradise The paddle takes about 20 minutes and you are still required to pay the $2 entry fee to the park. Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you. The water is clear so snorkeling is fun although you may not see much more than small fish here or there. So without any further ado, lets discover the very best of Caladesi Island State Park in Florida. The options are a ferry ride, kayaking, walking or boating. Depending on how long you want to spend on the island, you can pick a two-hour or four-hour rental. Click here to view the Caladesi Island State Park Florida map. There is no camping at Caladesi Island, but the 108-slip marina is equipped with water and electricity for overnight boat stays. Kayak rental costs $25 per person for four hours and can be found down at the marina. If you need a safe ride to get you to Florida's private haven, Bay Excursions offers the best private boat tours to Caladesi Island State Park, FL. We are here to show you that traveling as a family is not as hard as you might think. Its so lovely in fact, that if you did nothing else on the island, wed completely understand! Although the shelling capital of the US and maybe even the world is Sanibel Island down south near Fort Myers Caladesi Island is still a popular shelling destination. 5316 Us Highway 19, New Port Richey, FL, 34652. The passes just off the shore make great waters for catching tarpon, snook, redfish, seatrout, flounder, grouper, sharks, and more. If you want to walk to the island, it is only possible to do so at low tide. https://www.paulapinstheplanet.com/florida-honeymoon-island-caladesi-island/. Especially if you are like me, travel insurance is ideal for adventurous travelers. You can hike along the nature trail, rent a kayak and paddle through the three mile long mangrove trail, or even go fishing where your catch of the day may be snook, redfish, trout, or . You can find the startpoint for the walk from Clearwater to Caladesi here, just off of Somerset Street. How to plan your visit to Caladesi Island, one of America's Top 10 If you want to try and time your visit around low tide this website can tell you what times will be best. They are however allowed on the rest of the island as long as they are on a leash. The drive from Clearwater to where you get on the Caladesi ferry is about 25 minutes. This blue water beach in Florida is so pretty from above. Join my email list to receive the latest articles directly in your inbox. It is a six mile walk round trip from the most northern part of Clearwater, so three miles each way through the sand. Private Pontoon Boat Tours on the Island Runner - Tripadvisor The summer months are especially great for trophy snook. Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island State Park Honeymoon Island is a state park accessible by bridge from Dunedin. Can you rent beach chairs at Caladesi Island or Honeymoon Island? If you dont have your own, you can rent a kayak, stand-up board, or a sailboat on the Dunedin Causeway and it is a short 15 minutes to the island from here. Tampa Beaches: The Ultimate Guide to Beaches in and Around Tampa Bay, Cypress Point Beach Park: What You Need to Know, Beach Vacation Packing List for Peace of Mind. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links";
Thank goodness they did. You will only share the miles of pristine beach with a limited number of people so you will get your own space. Kids ages 5 and under ride free. I would ask the park staff for help finding them. You can find the complete trail route here. It is so cool to see all of the shells that can be found on the island, even if you dont find them yourself. For travelers up to the task, you can also walk to the park. Fishing, boating, swimming and fires are allowed in designate areas only. Florida is a popular place to live and to visit, especially recently it has seen a large surge of people moving in. Want to know more? As an Amazon Associate, we earn from Qualifying Purchases. Honeymoon Boat Island, FL, Boat Tour - Bay Excursions , Is it hard to kayak to Caladesi Island? Generally, an alligator is deemed a nuisance if it is at least 4 feet in length and the caller believes it poses a threat to people, pets or property. Egmont Key Ferry from Fort Desoto Park | Hubbard's Marina Hop aboard a private cruise with Captain Nick on this Clearwater Afternoon Pontoon Cruise. The sun is strong though so dont forget your shade, sunhat and sunscreen. The Barrier Islands are only accessible by boats and your private trip is no exception. There is no camping allowed on the actual island itself but if you have a boat or have access to a boar overnight then boat camping is allowed on the docks. Be aware that you may see some dolphins or even manatees along the way and enjoy nature and the views! You may not be on the beach itself but the views are spectacular. Kayak Getting on a kayak is an excellent option if you are looking for a little more adventure. Home Travel Ultimate Guide to Caladesi Island, By Stacey Homemaker on June 9, 2019, Updated January 31, 2023 2 Comments. What a great place I chose to call home- Caladesi Island in Florida is among one of the best State Parks in the U.S. $114. If you are looking for an adventurous way to get to the island, rent a kayak! It's a mere ten-minute boat ride (depending on your speed) and approximately three miles away from its popular neighbor. They are open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas as long as weather permits. $2 per person for pedestrians, kayakers or SUP paddleboards. The sea water is rather cold in winter, while the period from June to September is a rainy season. For the kiddos there is a small playground to enjoy if they need a break from the beach. But the adage holds particularly true for Caladesi: it is accessible only by boat, a ferry that runs hourly from Honeymoon Island. You'll love the wood burning fireplace for cooler evenings. Where Do You Catch The Ferry To Caladesi Island? You can make your reservation online or first-come, first-served in the marina. Whether you go for shelling, hiking or relaxation I know it will be a great trip! All Rights Reserved. Quick Answer: How To Get To Caladesi Island - BikeHike Caladesi Island is one of the Gulf Coast's last uninhabited islands in the Tampa Bay area. Wild camping is illegal, and there is no accommodation, however you are able to spend the night in your boat, in the dock. The options are a ferry ride, kayaking, walking or boating. By far the most popular way of reaching Caladesi Island is with the regular ferry that leaves from Honeymoon Island State Park (maps). With this unique blog, my goal is to inspire you to find a life balance betweenActive Travel & a HealthyLifestyle! The docks are equipped with electric and water service and the pavilions have grills available for public use. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The overnight slip cost is $24 per night plus tax. It is one of the few undeveloped barrier islands left in the United States, the 600-acre State Park is accessible only by boat or kayak. forgetting about Catalina for the moment). 11 Baymont St APT 1505, Clearwater, FL 33767 - Zillow Caladesi held the same spot in 2018 and . Located off the Gulf of Mexico west of Clearwater, the island can be reached by a private (or rented) vessel. Caladesi Island was "Voted Best Beach 2008 " so if you are looking to relax, Caf Caladesi offers beach chairs and umbrellas for rental. Alcoholic beverage consumptionis allowed in designated areas only. During the summer when the weather really starts heating up you are going to want to get into the water to cool off! This is the side facing the mainland. It will take you across the Dunedin Causeway to Honeymoon Island where you pay an entrance fee. Kids below five years old are free. Cruises to Easter Island 2023, 2024 and 2025 A Cruise in Easter Island with the image of a moai statue. You also need to pay the entrance fee to the Honeymoon Island State Park which is between $2 and $4 per adult. You would have to cross Hurricane Pass which is very deep, deceptively far and frequented by boats and other motorcraft. If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email. We visited during our road trip around Florida and consider it to be one of our favorite beaches in Florida. Thanks! I live where people vacation. It's truly an island paradise! Play games, eat snacks, take a nap, whatever is your preference. Dont forget to include a visit to Honeymoon Island while you are here, you will love your adventure in this piece of paradise. Tip: Shuffle your feet in the sand to avoid being stung by a stingray. Day Trip Guide to Caladesi Island, Florida - Rachel's Crafted Life After exploring the beautiful beaches and trails on Caladesi Island, it is time to see it from the sky. When is an island not an island? When it's Caladesi - Tampa Bay Times Your email address will not be published. You can bring your own food to Caladesi Island. 2 beach in the nation by Dr. Beach in 2022, Caladesi Island State Park is a rare combination - a Florida Gulf Coast barrier island that is both remote and natural, and yet well stocked with amenities. The trail itself is very easy, and completely flat, but would be more challenging in the middle of the day, under the hot sun. We wouldnt recommend this option! Caladesi Island State Park is a separate state park from Honeymoon Island State Park, but it's only accessible by private boat or via ferry from Honeymoon Island. Many kayakers often spot different wildlife on their journey to the island. The marina has electrical and water hookups for you to use. Caladesi Island State Park is right off of the coast near Clearwater, Florida. This was our first time watching armadillos in the wild! If you don't want to shlep your own gear, you can rent chairs and an umbrella for $30 for four hours on the island. Be sure to ask for directions from the Sail Honeymoon staff and keep an eye out for boats and other motorcraft while you are on the water. It has deep and fine-grained white sand. There is not really any shade on the beach so sunscreen will be your best friend. Facebook; . , Is there a concession stand on Caladesi Island? They rent single and double kayaks. You can share a link to my post but, no, you cannot share the entire article on your website. There are multiple (free and paid) ways to get to the Island, but once you're there the State Park fee is only $2 per person to enter the state park. Caladesi Beach. However, Caladesi is just as beautiful as Clearwater Beach with the extra perks of having fewer people and the beauty of an untouched island. Cost for the ferry is $16.00 for adults and $8.00 for children. If you take the ferry, there is a 4-hour time limit on the island. It is the beach closest to the restrooms and caf. They are located on the south side of the causeway leading to Honeymoon Island. Prior to this, we had an assumption that most Florida beaches would be a little like the ones we'd seen on TV - bodybuilders, cocktail bars, spring break (whooo!)