Planning a day trip to Caladesi Island? Our guide’s got you covered with everything you need to know to enjoy the perfect getaway!
When it comes to beaches in Florida, the St. Pete / Clearwater region really is spoiled for choice.
However, the most surprising beach experience we had during our west coast road trip was undoubtedly at Caladesi Island State Park. 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!) frat boys, and something quite commercialised over all. You know the deal, sort of like that scene in Top Gun.
Whilst Clearwater did sometimes fulfil a few of those preconceptions, a trip to Caladesi blew them out of the water.
One of the few remaining uninhabited islands on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Caladesi Island offers visitors that chance to explore a tropical nature path, a mangrove-shaded kayak trail, and a glorious four-mile, wild and white sandy beach filled unique shells, birds, photogenic deckchairs, and a very remote vibe.
It truly is an island paradise - and somewhere we highly recommend visiting if you’re spending week or so in Clearwater.
In this short guide you’ll find all you need to plan your visit to Caladesi Island, including how to get there (by boat and on foot), how much it costs and the best things to do on the island.
Caladesi Island essentials
// Uninhabited, protected island
// 4 miles of wild, white sand beach
// 3-mile circular hiking loop
// Mangrove kayak trail
// Accessible by boat + on foot
// Entry is $2 per person
How to Get to Caladesi Island By Boat
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). The journey time is 20 minutes.
Tickets cost $16 round trip per person ($8 for children 6-12 years old, free under 6 years) and this also entitles you to spend up to 4 hours on the island. You do not need to pre-book your the return ferry trip time, but it’s 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).
Tickets must be bought in person at the ticket office in the carpark. You can access a voucher for $1 off per person here.
A slightly annoying additional cost is the need to pay the entry fee to Honeymoon Island in order to access the ferry terminal; that’ll set you back $8 per vehicle.
You will also be required to pay the $2 entry fee upon arrival to the island.
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. The walking trails all eventually lead from and back toward it too, so don’t worry if you lose your bearings.
How to Walk to Caladesi Island From Clearwater
Whilst Caladesi was indeed once an island, separated from Clearwater Beach by a body of water known as the Dunedin Pass, for the last couple of decades it’s been possible to walk between the two; sand accumulation causing the development of a sand bar and a Hurricane named Elena having sealied the pass completely.
The walk itself is just under three miles from Clearwater, and should take someone of good fitness no more than 90 minutes to complete. Given the sunny nature of Floridian days (even during the winter months), it’s advisable to begin your walk as early as possible and be sure to carry plenty of water.
Although it’s certainly possible to make the journey during high tide, do note that there will be sections that you are required to wade through - nothing too deep, but something to be aware of if planning the trip with children or with spontaneity.
Always check the weather conditions and tides ahead of your visit here.
There are multiple spots to park your car in Clearwater, however we’d recommend picking a carpark at the northern section of the beach to not needlessly add extra distance to your walk to Caladesi. The most appropriately located is Avalon Public Parking (maps) although there are several other nearby.
You can find the startpoint for the walk from Clearwater to Caladesi here, just off of Somerset Street.
Alternative Ways to Reach Caladesi Island
Private Boat | If you have your own boat, you can access Caladesi Island independently. Entrance is $6 per boat, for up to 8 people. You can rent a slip in advance, or chance turning up.
Kayak | A great option if you’d like a little more adventure, it’s possible to kayak across to the island. Rental of both single and double kayaks is available form Sail Honeymoon on the Dunedin Causeway (maps). The cost for two hours is $35 for a single, and $45 for a double, but it’s possible to rent for up to a full day.
The paddle takes about 20 minutes and you are still required to pay the $2 entry fee to the park.
Things to Do on Caladesi Island
For a relatively small island, there’s actually quite a large number of activities to keep you occupied on Caladesi Island!
Hang out at the beach
The four miles of pristine white virgin beach which edges Caladesi Island is wild, rugged and a world away from polished stretches of sand elsewhere in Florida.
It’s the perfect spot to hang out for a few hours, taking dips in crystal clear water, lazing beneath the warm Floridian sun and generally enjoying being at one with nature.
It’s so lovely in fact, that if you did nothing else on the island, we’d completely understand!
You can rent two of the wonderfully photogenic blue sunbeds and a matching parasol for $30 for four hours or alternatively just show up and your towel down wherever you fancy!
From the marina, the beach is clearly sign-posted and requires only a few minutes walk along a raised walkway to reach it.
Wildlife Spotting
Caladesi’s protected status means that there is plenty of potential wildlife spotting to be done along her shores (as well as inland)
Keep your eyes peeled in the water for stingrays, crabs and an abundance of tropical fish, but don’t forget to look up to spot great blue herons, snowy egrets, sandpipers, pelicans, osprey and cormorants.
And if you’re super lucky you may even spot some manatees and dolphins!
As ever, please be a responsible and respectful visitor, and give all wildlife the necessary space and distance when observing.
Kayaking
If you weren’t keen to kayak across to the island but would still like a few hours with a paddle, consider renting a kayak to explore the three-mile Mangrove Kayak Trail.
Kayak rental costs $25 per person for four hours and can be found down at the marina.
Shelling
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 - that’s what makes this part of the world is such a popular shelling destination!
To make hunting for shells easier, consider beginning no sooner than an hour before low tide.
Whilst this is a well-recognised activity here, we were personally a tad uncomfortable about the amount of shells being collected by some people. From a conservation point of view, please only take a small number.
And never, ever, ever collect live shells - if you notice something living inside, place the shell back where you found it immediately.
Hiking
Well, more like a jolly good walk than a hike, but a wonderful way to spend an hour lost in nature. Caladesi Island has a circular loop trail that covers the internal portion of the island, the length of which is approximately three miles.
The trail itself is very easy, and completely flat, but would be more challenging in the middle of the day, under the hot sun.
The trail is clearly sign-posted from the marina; follow the path that leads to the beach and you’ll quickly encounter another sign directing you left to the trail.
You can find the complete trail route here.
Caladesi Island Facilities
There are a number of facilities at the disposal to Caladesi Island visitors. These include:
Elevated boardwalks to the beach and free beach wheelchairs
Picnic facilities with tables and grills. You can also arrange rental of a picnic pavilion (contact in advance)
Caladesi Café for simple meals
Restrooms
Outdoor showers are located at the North and South bath house.
Wild camping is illegal, and there is no accommodation, however you are able to spend the night in your boat, in the dock. Reservations can be made here.
