Yes, you can walk from Clearwater Beach to Caladesi Island. The entrance fee is $2 per person if you kayak over to the island. - 134 Woman.ru, Kuat NV 2.0 two-bike hitch bike rack review, Strangers said she was abrasive and gauche, but as Paul McCartney sank into whisky-soaked oblivion, only Linda knew how to save him, Understanding Subaru Outback Roof Rack Weight Limit, Is there a bathroom on Caladesi Island? The trail will take you through salt marshes, mangrove swamps, down to the beach, and through the coastal scrub on the island. Tickets must be bought in person at the ticket office in the carpark. I am here now to share all my best inside tips about this paradise in Florida, and learn from a local how to better explore Caladesi Island State Park! If you are visiting during the winter months you might get lucky and see a manatee in the mangrove trees. This is just an island for you to visit, or spend a nice day with your family or enjoy nature. A nice boat ride to Caladesi Island (about 20 minutes). 34. Fishing, boating, swimming and fires are allowed in designate areas only. Our guides got you covered with everything you need to know to enjoy the perfect getaway! How to visit Ten Thousand Islands, Florida | A Comprehensive Guide + 8 Things to do, Honeymoon Island State Park in Florida: Complete Guide + Insider Tips, https://www.paulapinstheplanet.com/florida-honeymoon-island-caladesi-island/. If youre looking at visiting some of the other beautiful beaches on this side of Florida, we recommend looking into nearby Marco Island and Lovers Key State Park. Caladesi Island State Park is only accessible by boat, which helps keep it more private. 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! , What to do if you see an alligator in Florida? You can also easily bring your own chairs across on the ferry. Along the trail, be sure to look for the armadillos and maybe even a raccoon, although youre more likely to see their tracks. You can also take your kayak from Honeymoon Island and paddle about 15 minutes to Caladesi Island. Reservations can be made here. 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. Whether youre staying in the area or visiting as a day trip from Orlando, Florida, this is a great place to visit. Boat camping . You know the deal, sort of like that scene in Top Gun. Child ticket valid for ages 6-12. (function() { By far the most popular way of reaching Caladesi Island is with the regular ferry that leaves from Honeymoon Island State Park ( maps) Starting at 10 am each day, there are departures every 30 minutes every day (except Christmas Day and Thanksgiving). A great, albeit expensive, place to grab some food and fun souvenirs. It may require you to walk through the water at times though. The best time to walk is 2 hours before low tide. From the marina, the beach is clearly sign-posted and requires only a few minutes walk along a raised walkway to reach it. There are no overnight Caladesi Island State Park camping facilities or lodging available on the island. At least one company on the island near Avalon will transport the kayaks to Two Harbors. You may have to walk through the water at times to reach Caladesi Island. Entrance is $6 per boat, for up to 8 people. The unique geography off the coast of Florida means that many of the shells that would normally fragment when coming to shore remain mostly intact - thats what makes this part of the world is such a popular shelling destination! 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. More Florida Adventure Posts You'll Love! Prices for a single kayak start at $35 for two hours and go up from there. amzn_assoc_region = "US";
I have been to more than 40 countries while following my fitness journey. You will want to look for shells starting an hour before low tide. (Florida's 'gators only live in fresh water.) There will be signs posted on land with instructions on how to do this if youre unsure. Blvd. 15.22 mi from city center. Kayak rental costs $25 per person for four hours and can be found down at the marina. I recommend parking as far north in clearwater as you can to cut down on your walk as much as possible. Honeymoon is pretty rocky. , Are there rattlesnakes on Honeymoon Island? Caladesi island shelling is a lot of fun! In some ways, Caladesi Island truly appears to be the Florida Gulf Coast's best kept secret - that is open to the public. Alcoholic beverage consumptionis allowed in designated areas only. 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. Where Do You Catch The Ferry To Caladesi Island? If you are wondering how to visit Caladesi Island State Park in Florida you are in the right place. If you arent bringing your own food onto the island, there is a caf where you can order lunch and drinks. The four miles of flat beach with the nearby shallow waters make Caladesi State Park a great place to go snorkeling, especially for families. This does not apply if you are coming over on the ferry. DUNEDIN: It is my favorite town in Tampa Bay Area, and I am sure you will also love this very unique and quaint town featuring Floridas oldest microbrewery, such as the Dunedin Brewery, and lots of options for great restaurants such as The Living Room, bars, ice cream, and local shops. This all varies with traffic as well. Starting from Clearwater North Beach, the walk is about 3 miles. Fully refundable Reserve now, pay when you stay. They are open 7 days a week unless there is bad weather. If you are going to be in the area with your own boat or a rented boat, you can drive your own boat to Caladesi Island. In 1921, a hurricane struck and dug the sand, forming the so-called Hurricane Pass the waterway that separates the two islands. Details. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "stacehomem-20";
You can save $1 off your ferry ticket (good for up to 6 people) by using this coupon. How much does it cost to go to Caladesi Island? No dogs are allowed on the Caladesi Island ferry nor are they allowed on the beaches. We wouldnt recommend this option! Find flights to Caladesi . Find accommodation, sign up for a local tour, or buy your Tampa Travel Guide. 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). I only recommend products that I love and would purchase myself! It simply would not be safe. You'll love the wood burning fireplace for cooler evenings. This guide contains everything you need to know + answers to all of your questions about visiting Caladesi Island State Park. Honeymoon Island is located 8.7 miles away. If you want the best helicopter tour of Caladesi Island and the surrounding Clearwater Beaches, I suggest booking a guided tour with Tampa Bay Aviation. Feel free to bring your coolers, chairs, umbrellas, wagons, food etc. Board at Honeymoon Island State Park and enjoy a relaxing 15-20 minute ride across St. Joseph Sound, where you may spot dolphins playing in the shallows on your way. We will call you the evening before the day we set sail to go over all the specifics of your trip. Ferry Service Catch the Caladesi Connection ferry at Honeymoon Island State Park for entrance onto Caladesi Island. Dunedin, FL 34698. If you are spending the day or camping on Caladesi Island overnight at the dock slips, there are quite a few amenities on the island to make your stay more comfortable. Here are the top things you can do during your visit: If you are planning to visit Caladesi Island State Park and to stay overnight or during the weekend the closest area to stay is in Dunedin, followed by Clearwater I have listed the best accommodations options: COOLEST PLACE: Fenway Hotel, Autograph Collection. Yes, I know! Geneva Airport to Les Menuires 3 Valleys Transfers, Do Plant Cells Have Cytoskeleton? There are docks you can use where the ferry boats dock or you can anchor wherever you would like. This provides a nice break from the sun in the shade and is a fun place to spot some aquatic wildlife up close. It is a three-mile trail, but you can turn around if you dont want to paddle that far. Learn more about non-ferry fees and options at https://www.floridastateparks.org How Long: Up to four hours for ferry visitors. You can kayak out to the island, take your own boat or catch the Caladesi Ferry over. Print out a $1 off coupon here. If you are planning a helicopter tour for a special occasion then a sunset tour would be especially special. Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful, Address: Suite 751 871 Lissette Throughway, West Kittie, NH 41603, Hobby: Creative writing, Motor sports, Do it yourself, Skateboarding, Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Stand-up comedy. There is no public parking at the north end of Clearwater beach, youll need to either arrive by bicycle and lock up at a northern beach-access point or walk several miles on the beach. Offering pool or garden views, each unit comes with a kitchen and it is only 3.7 miles to Honeymoon Island. The two islands Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island were once part of a single barrier island, and during the hurricane of 1921, they were split in half, getting the name Hurricane Pass. View Website. You can take a 20-minute ferry ride from Honeymoon Island or you can walk to Caladesi Island from Clearwater Beach, Florida! It is not an overly difficult walk but roundtrip it is about 6 miles. You can also arrange rental of a picnic pavilion (contact in advance). The ferry drop-off & pick-up point is also the visitor hub of the island, with a small cafe / restaurant, bathroom facilities, and tourist information. Honeymoon and Caladesi were once part of a single island. If you decide to walk, you will need to pass some scratchy trees, and depending on the tides, you will probably need to get in the water. Honeymoon Island State Park, as well as Caladesi Island State Park to the south, offer public beaches with bath houses and showers, picnic tables, grills, and nature trails. $114. Visiting Caladesi Island and this part of Florida is one of the great things to do in Orlando with kids because it is one of the closest beaches. The Caladesi Island Ferry leaves from Honeymoon Island just to the north. The Caladesi Island website can tell you more. No pets are allowed on the ferry. The options are a ferry ride, kayaking, walking or boating. The state park is a hidden gem, with stunning beaches that have not yet become overpopulated. Cruises are an excellent way to spend a few days, weeks or months of vacation visiting many . This is not the official way to enter the island, and I havent personally done it. So if you own a boat or decide to rent one then feel free to head on over. When we were there, we had the Caladesi Island beach almost to ourselves. It's been voted one of the top beaches in the United States because it's one of the . Let's Pin the Planet together! It's quite a walk from the ferry loading dock to the beach on the other side of the island. Caladesi Island is only accessible by boat. How to Get to Caladesi Island There are actually a few different ways to get to the island. , Can you walk from Clearwater Beach to Caladesi Island? 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The journey time is 20 minutes. Caladesis protected status means that there is plenty of potential wildlife spotting to be done along her shores (as well as inland). listeners: [], 3.7/5 Good! Take a day trip to the serene Caladesi Island State Park. Check Prices for Shell Bags on Amazon Here! The ferrys start running at 10 am and run every 30 minutes although times are sometimes seasonally adjusted. })(); I am a Bodybuilder athlete and adventure seeker always on the lookout for authentic experiences especially if it involves active and adventure travel! You can also catch a ferry from Honeymoon to Caladesi, but you would need to drive to Dunedin to get to it. The entrance fee is $6 per boat for up to 8 people. $16 per adult (age 13+) for round-trip ferry. Things can go wrong, and you dont want to get stuck paying tons of money if you get sick or have an accident without travel insurance. The beach is pristine, with crystal water, and white sands, surrounded by nature, and framed with the blue sky almost all year long. Yes, you are allowed to bring chairs, umbrellas, coolers, etc on the ferry from Honeymoon to Caladesi. If you want to explore more of the mangroves, you can paddle through the island on the Mangrove Kayak Trail. There are a number of facilities at the disposal to Caladesi Island visitors. If you are looking to escape the crowds in Tampa and Clearwater, take the ferry out to beautiful Caladesi Island State Park. Travel smarter and safer You can do your quick quote below and find out how little you can pay for the essential benefit of Travel Insurance for your next trip! Halfway between the beach and boat dock, there are showers, changing rooms, restrooms, and a drinking fountain. You just have to register before dark. Generally considered an easy route. There is not really any shade on the beach so sunscreen will be your best friend. 2018-2023 CS Ginger. Dr. Beach, or Stephen Leatherman, again ranked Caladesi Island State Park, one of the county's most remote beaches, as the seventh-best in the country. Or, there are docks where the ferry boat docks. ); Ferry Coming from Honeymoon Island, you'll need to take a 20-minute ferry ride. Also, keep in mind, you do need to pay the $8 entry fee to Honeymoon Island State Park to get to where the ferry leaves from. The terrain is flat and easy to walk along with a few sandy spots. Simply dock at the marina and enjoy the park on an overnight visit. Hours are 8 AM until sunset, 365 days a year. Walk north and then you will see a sign for the nature trail and bridge. If you are traveling from Clearwater you will most likely get on the ferry at the Caladesi Island Ferry Tickets & Information area. (727) 469-5918. We visited during our road trip around Florida and consider it to be one of our favorite beaches in Florida. Three Rooker island is a bird sanctuary for the black skimmer birds that looks like seagulls but are . Plan to arrive 60 minutes in advance for check-in and boarding. Kayak Getting on a kayak is an excellent option if you are looking for a little more adventure. This is the side facing the mainland. All natural beach with tons of shells. Top Things to do in Caladesi Island State Park, Best Accommodations Options Nearby Caladesi Island State Park, FL, Where to Eat near Caladesi Island, Florida, Caladesi Island State Park Nearby Things to do, Caladesi Island State Park, FL Conclusion, best State Parks in Florida to go kayaking, 22 Best Things to do in Anna Maria Island, Florida, Discover the ecological paradise of Ten Thousand Islands in Florida, All you need to know about renting an RV for the First Time. "Caladesi is reached by pedestrian ferry boat, private boats or a long walk north from Clearwater Beach-the inlet is closed so Caladesi is no longer a true island, but still a great getaway . There is a large parking lot and the ticket office. Swimming, fishing, boating, and fires are allowed in designated areas only. It was in the mid-1500s when the Spanish explorers first surveyed this coast. There is a picnic area, playground, restrooms, concession (Caladesi Cafe), and showers available on the island. The walking trails all eventually lead from and back toward it too, so dont worry if you lose your bearings. Caladesi Island Ferry The ferry is the most popular and easiest way to get to the island. Private Pontoon Boat Tours on the Island Runner. Cost for the ferry is $16.00 for adults and $8.00 for children. View from the ferry on the trip to Caladesi Island (photo by Marcea Cazel) A part of the Florida State Park System, Caladesi Island is only accessible by boat. However, Caladesi is just as beautiful as Clearwater Beach with the extra perks of having fewer people and the beauty of an untouched island. Reservations can be made online at ReserveAmerica.com or first-come, first-served in the marina. If you are looking for an adventurous way to get to the island, rent a kayak! According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Caladesi Island State Park: Helicopter Tour of Clearwater Beaches, Sand Key and Belleair Country Club (From 104.22) Clearwater Inshore Fishing Charter (From 451.60) Half- Day Private Boating On The Tahoe Funship! , Which is better Honeymoon Island or Caladesi? There is no tent camping allowed on Caladesi Island. The island was originally set to be commercialized like Clearwater is but the park services bought the land and kept it the paradise it is today. 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. During the summer when the weather really starts heating up you are going to want to get into the water to cool off! - Clearwater Beach (From 705.90) Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 2 h 25 min to complete. There is no camping at Caladesi Island, but the 108-slip marina is equipped with water and electricity for overnight boat stays. Caladesi island is only accessible by ferry from Honeymoon island, making it an exclusive beach paradise. You cannot walk from Honeymoon Island to Caladesi Island. Caladesi Islands hours are from 8 am till sunset everyday. If you love nature and are looking for a pristine beach area with options for plenty of other activities to keep everyone happy, I really recommend visiting Caladesi Island State Park and enjoying this hidden paradise in Florida. The water is clear so snorkeling is fun although you may not see much more than small fish here or there. Where is Caladesi Island State Park, Florida? The tickets listed above are the cost of a roundtrip ticket. Half the fun of any day trip to Caladesi is the journey. Not much to see there other than the nice views of the water, but you'll get that from Caladesi, and have the nicer of the two beaches. (And yes, I know this has been said before, and better.) Caladesi Island Ferry, (727) 734-1501, departs from Honeymoon Island beginning at 10 a.m. Caladesi Island is a pristine barrier island just north of the ever popular Clearwater beach. Kids ages 5 and under ride free. You can get to the island by private boat, kayak, ferry, or by walking from Clearwater Beach. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. And even better, when you visit Caladesi Island, you cannot skip visiting the Honeymoon Island State Park I will explain here how to take full advantage of your visit. Dont forget the sunscreen and other sun protection. In fact, Caladesi Island is one of the best State Parks in Florida to go kayaking. You can check the tide schedule here.