Honeymoon Island State Park is abounding with opportunities for nature lovers! The water and weather are ideal this time of year for a day on the beach building sandcastles, relaxing to the sound of the waves crashing on the beach, or sauntering in the shade of the nature trail. Take a stroll on the beach to view the sunsets that beckon an audience in the late afternoons. When bringing your dog out to Pet Beach please make sure that you allow everyone (including you and your dog) to enjoy the beach safely by keeping your dog on a 6 ft. hand-held leash and under your control at all times.
As you walk along the beach, you may notice some areas roped off with twine. These areas are where various species of shorebirds have nested, or are resting. Please do not disturb the birds as any disturbance can cause them to fly from their nests leaving their eggs and young vulnerable to predators.
To enhance your experience, visit the recently opened Rotary Centennial Nature Center. Open daily from 9am to 5pm, the observation deck provides a spectacular view of the St. Joseph Sound, as well as the Gulf of Mexico. Inside you will learn more about the natural communities and history of Honeymoon
In the shadow of Clearwater Beach are the tandem treats of Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island state parks. I usually save Caladesi Island State Park for special times like a difficult birthday. It’s the kind of place where time moves as slowly
Caladesi Island State Park
St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area CVB
as the burrowing gopher tortoises that live here.
Caladesi and I first met during a mid-life crisis (mine), when I followed her tranquil shoreline to the Gulf of Mexico and cured a persistent bout with the blues in the process.
While it seems just a shell’s throw away from Honeymoon Island, it is best to take your time getting to Caladesi. You can launch a kayak from the Dunedin Causeway, take the ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park or even wade over from the north end of Clearwater Beach (although many find the six-mile trek a one-way venture and call friends to pick them up). The ferry departs at 10 a.m. every day for a four-hour stay, weather permitting.
For first-timers, it’s probably best to take the ferry over from Honeymoon. And pay attention to the skipper. The storyline of Caladesi is almost as interesting as the landscape. The island was once home to a family who sent a little girl off to school each day in a skiff. That pioneer, salt-spray-in-your-face feeling still lingers on this wild oasis, though today there are restrooms and even a place to get a snack. Floating aluminum docks are tucked neatly on the island’s sheltered backside.
With three miles of nature trails and three miles of kayak trails, Caladesi has evolved gracefully over the years, embracing the concept of a user-friendly preserve. Still, before you get too comfortable – or citified – the signs along the path to the beach quickly remind you that this is just a place to visit. There are no hotels here. You’ll find those, such as Adam’s Mark Clearwater Beach Resort (800-444-ADAM (2326), www.adamsmark.com), to the south on bright and busy Clearwater Beach. The closest trendy
Royal Tern
Donna McLaughlin
downtown is on the mainland in Dunedin.
Relax. Sun. Swim. Go shelling along the stretch of beach that juts toward the Gulf. But remember this island belongs to the real natives – birds and, yes, even things that slither. Notices posted along walkways remind you that the thick interior brush is home to rattlesnakes. That little chill up your spine won’t last long, though. By the time you make it to the sea oats and shoreline, your thoughts will turn to blissful waves and blue skies.
Caladesi and her sister, Honeymoon Island, were separated in a 1921 hurricane that created the aptly named Hurricane Pass. You’ll find Honeymoon Island just over the Dunedin Causeway from the mainland. Here on the northern loop trail you can get a rare look at a Florida virgin slash pine stand. The park tends to have few sunbathers and is known to locals as a place to go when Clearwater Beach gets busy. Honeymoon is friendly to critters, offering a dog beach that is a hike off the main road. Like Caladesi, there are scaled-down amenities. Honeymoon, however, can be a bit rocky in parts. If you want privacy, the trick is to move farther and farther from the wood shelters and trust your Tevas to find a spot.
Or, you could check out these islands from my favorite perspective: by kayak. The paddle out to the Gulf varies from day to day. Sometimes the configuration of shores, tide and wind make it a test. Other mornings you do little more than plunk a paddle in the water as you stroke away your troubles.
Most frequently visited honeymoon islands are of Caribbean and South Pacific. There are a number of small islets scattered all over in the expanse of azure and noisy seas. The resorts at the islands serve the best seafood in the whole world.
In the moist and fragrant air along the coasts, lie down on your back with your beloved. Enjoy the sight of clear waters and cloudless sky. The islands offer a host of activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, diving, swimming, surfing, and much more.. The charm of the islands is irresistible.
The photogenic environment of the islands makes you click some beautiful snapshots for your remembrance. Travel to Hawaii to enjoy a fantastic island honeymoon. Hawaii culture has attracted a number of honeymoon couples since long time.
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