Manager's Message

Welcome to Caladesi Island, home of the #1 Beach in North America! Dr. Stephen Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach, announced Caladesi Island State Park as having the best beach in America on Thursday, May 22nd. The beautiful, sandy beach has been a consistent contender for the coveted #1 slot since the listings began in 1991. We have all known for quite some time that Caladesi is a timeless gem in the gulf and are proud to be recognized nationwide for the natural beauty of this tranquil island! We’d like to thank everyone in our community for their continuous support in keeping Caladesi Island beautiful, clean, and pristine!

At Caladesi Island, recreational opportunities are endless! A mangrove-covered kayak trail winds from the marina to the St. Joseph Sound and back. Kayaks are available for rental through the Cafe Caladesi. The nature trail is a great place to find Osprey in old pine snags or cross paths with a gopher tortoise. Remember to bring water and sunscreen!

Caladesi Island is accessible only by private boat or via the Caladesi Connection ferry service. Cost for the ferry is currently $9 for adults and $5.50 for children ages 4-12. However, the fees will be increasing to $10 for adults and $6 for children on July 1, 2008. Trips depart hourly beginning at 10 a.m. Ferry passengers are allotted a four-hour stay on the island. No pets are allowed on the ferry. Contact the ferry office at 727-734-1501 for more information. For further information about about Caladesi Island State Park, call the park office at 727-469-5918.

- Pete Krulder, Park Manager

View Instructions (allow pop-ups)

Welcome to Caladesi Island State Park

One of the few completely natural islands along Florida´s Gulf Coast, Caladesi´s white sand shores have been rated as the nation´s #1 best beach. Beach lovers can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. Saltwater anglers can fish from their boats or throw a line out into the surf. Nature enthusiasts watch wildlife while hiking the three mile nature trail through the island´s interior or paddling a three mile kayak trail through the mangroves and bay. Picnic tables and shelters are located near the beach; picnic pavilions can be reserved for a fee. The park has a marina with electric and water hookups for boaters. The park also has a snack bar and gift shop. For ferry information call (727) 734-5263. Located one mile west of Dunedin off the Gulf Coast.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Caladesi Island State Park, please call 727-469-5918.

Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Driving Directions

Caladesi Island is accessible only by boat or ferry.
The ferry service to Caladesi leaves from HISP hourly beginning at 10 AM. Folks can call the ferry service directly 727-734-1501.

By Boat: From channel marker #14, just west of the Dunedin Causeway Bridge, take an approximate 212´degree heading on your compass for approximately 1 mile. Follow the channel markers into the Caladesi Island State Park Marina.

Driving Directions
From Orlando: I-4 west to I-275 south to SR-60 west. Cross Courtney Campbell Causeway, then turn right on US Hwy 19 north. Left on Curlew Rd. (SR-586). Follow SR-586, crossing Dunedin Causeway, to Honeymoon Island State Park for Caladesi ferry.

From north of Tampa: I-75 south to I-275 south to Hillsborough Ave. exit.
West to slight left at Curlew Rd. (SR 586). Pass fork at SR-580. Follow SR-586, crossing Dunedin Causeway, to Honeymoon Island State Park for Caladesi ferry.

From Bradenton and South: I-75 north to I-275 north to Roosevelt Ave. exit (Follow signs for St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, last exit before the Howard Franklin Bridge). Stay right on SR-686 west when SR-688 forks to left. Right (north) on McMullen Booth Rd. (CR-611) to cross over the Bayside Bridge. Left on Curlew Rd. (SR 586). Follow SR-586, crossing Dunedin Causeway, to Honeymoon Island State Park for Caladesi ferry.

Park Fees

Admission Fees - $4.00 for up to 8 people per private boat.
- Kayakers: Admission Fee $1.00. Catch the ferry at Honeymoon Island for entrance onto Caladesi Island. Entrance fees at Honeymoon Island are: $5.00 for up to 8 people per car / $1.00 for an individual entrance. The ferry travels to Caladesi Island for a 4 hour stay.
Ferry fees are: $9.00 per adult, $5.50 for children ages 4 - 12.
Children under 4 years old are free. Sorry, no pets are allowed on the ferry.

Pavilion Fee

- Rental fees are $32.10 per pavilion. Call ahead at least two weeks for Pavilion reservations.

Caladesi Island State Park

# 1 Causeway Blvd.
Dunedin, Florida 34698
Phone: 727-469-5918
Fax: 727-298-2320

Visitor Service Providers
Caladesi Island Connection, Inc.
Post Office Box 3563
Clearwater, FL 33767
(727) 734-1501

Florida Beach Services, Inc.
150 Marina Plaza
Dunedin, FL 34698
(727) 443-4369

Citizen Support Organization

Friends of the Island Parks
Gulf Islands GEOpark, #1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698

Visitor Service Provider

Caladesi Island Connection, Inc. Post Office Box 3563 Clearwater, FL 33767 (727) 734-1501

Visitor Service Provider

Florida Beach Services, Inc. 150 Marina Plaza Dunedin, FL 34698 (727) 443-4369