Caladesi Island State Park
Caladesi Island State Park
4.5
About
One of Florida's few remaining undisturbed barrier islands.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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  • Jerry W
    South Point, Ohio63 contributions
    Gorgeous
    Absolutely gorgeous! Very easy ferry ride from Honeymoon Island State Park (it was either $16 or $18 per adult, I can’t recall the exact price). We saw dolphins on the ferry ride over! Be prepared to see rattle snakes! 😂 that part kinda through me for a loop. Gorgeous shelling and there wasn’t a lot of people there at all. Definitely going back next time I’m in the area.
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written February 11, 2023
  • Andrew W
    Indianapolis, Indiana258 contributions
    Beautiful Island Along The Gulf
    We used the Caladesi Ferry which takes you from Honeymoon Island State Park to Caladesi Island State Park. If you haven’t been to Caladesi Island, I highly recommend visiting! It’s a beautiful island - one of the few untouched islands along the Gulf.
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written March 8, 2023
  • Merci Deez
    7 contributions
    Beautiful Island get away 🏖️
    Beautiful island get away only an hour from Tampa. The ferry ride was informative and entertaining thanks to the Captains and 1st mates. Tasty bites available onsite. Lovely beach! 🏖️Soft white sand and shell collector’s paradise 💕
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written April 15, 2023
  • mplegal
    Orlando, Florida336 contributions
    Unspoiled Beauty
    We decided to take our friends, who live in Minnesota and annually vacation in the gulf coast, to Caledesi Island, which is one of the continually top rated beaches in the U.S. You can only get to the island by boat, and there is a ferry service provided at Honeymoon Island State Park (cost is $18.00 per person). The ferry ride is approximately 15 mins long and it is not uncommon to see plenty of dolphins on the trip. Upon arrival, there is a 108 slip marina and when you disembark, you arrive at the snack bar/ranger station. The snack bar features burgers, hot dogs, snacks, soft drinks and beer. From there, it’s a 5 min walk over the boardwalk to unspoiled beauty! The beach is simply beautiful, there are 3 miles of hiking trails and you can also rent kayaks and explore through the mangroves. Be advised, your time on the island is limited to a few hours if you take the ferry across. You are given a return time on your ferry ticket stub (do not discard this stub). You can reach the island via private boat or kayak; however you travel, it will be a memorable experience!
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written April 17, 2023
  • Nancy K
    8 contributions
    Dunedin at its best!
    Went to the regular beach one day and the pet beach the next. Actually like the pet beach better. Beautiful, and staff is extremely friendly. great family place!
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written April 17, 2023
  • Michelle H
    3 contributions
    Highly recommend this excursion!
    What a blast! Doug and Tony made the trip to Caladesi island and back so much fun! They were obviously concerned about safety, and informative about Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island. Well worth the money whether you are going to hunt for shells, to just get away from the big crowds at Clearwater beach, or just to relax and absorb the sun.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written April 28, 2023
  • SJC67A
    Effingham, United Kingdom103 contributions
    Beautiful Island Visit
    Amazing island retreat. The ferry across is fun and a great trip in its own right. Beautiful natural beach with good facilities on the island. We did a 1 hour kayak tour through the mangroves and along the coast that we brilliant.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written May 20, 2023
  • Melissa H
    Gainesville, Florida38 contributions
    Total Relaxation
    Beautiful experience, favorite beach in Florida! Not a place to go if your in a hurry or have other plans- it’s for total relaxation! Nature is wonderful, turtles eating, all types of birds, flowers blooming! White sandy beach and crystal clear water! So many sea shells of all shapes and sizes!
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written June 4, 2023
  • DTP1952
    Jefferson City, Tennessee118 contributions
    Should do at least once.
    First warning - bring bug spray. Waiting area for the ferry sits over back waters and was buzzing with mosquitoes; we all got chewed up. The ferry ride was very enjoyable. Saw one dolphin. The walk from the marina to the beach is about 5 minutes. It's mostly boardwalk which makes it easier. Second warning - the walk into the water has lots of shells; you may want to wear water shoes. You can take your own chairs and umbrellas but not a beach wagon to haul them in. Two chairs and an umbrella are available to rent for $35, no cash. You are limited to four hours on the island. We found that to be plenty of time. All in all glad we did this.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written June 13, 2023
  • Jessica C
    4 contributions
    It’s worth it
    Pay the ferry and take the trip!! Beautiful white sand beaches and tons of shells. We went from 11a-3p and that was plenty long to swim and find sea shells. We also saw many crabs, small sting rays, dolphins and birds. It’s worth the extra trip!
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written August 11, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
1,384 reviews
Excellent
997
Very good
264
Average
84
Poor
30
Terrible
9

Lori F
Martinsburg, WV15 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Family
This was the highlight of our trip. I wanted to find fighting conchs and did, a lot of them and turbans too. The boat out was great.
Written November 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

meathbutterfly
Dublin, Ireland44 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Couples
Excellent day trip Highly recommend if you bringing tourist friends Am from Ireland and was great to see natural environment Beach, Mangroves and huge variety of sea shells Got to see a baby armadillo Beach not packed which was lovely Very relaxing There is a ferry to bring you over from Honeymoon Island at cost $18 and we got to see Manatee and dolphins Our captain Ron and his 2nd Mate Keith were Excell Great sense of humor Can hire 2sunchairs & umbrella $35 plus tax You can bring your own
Written November 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

nathaliasouzabh
King of Prussia, PA761 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Couples
The ferry ticket is $18 per person. It’s quick to get there, 15ish minutes. On our way there we saw a dolphin. The ferry sailor was really nice!
The beach was almost empty. White and soft sand and the water clear and cold. Really good to relax.
A lot of shells in the shore.
There are some chairs and umbrellas (I think you have to pay $35 for them)
There are bathrooms, gift shop (with beer, water, soda, snacks).
Written October 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Moira J
Haverfordwest, UK37 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Couples
For the cost of tickets to an aquarium plus parking. We got to sit and watch the wildlife in its natural environment.

We hired deck chairs and spent a few hours just relaxing. Went for a dip in the warm water.

It truly is a little bit of paradise.

There’s a cafe and small shop by the ferry drop off. With ferries running every half hour until 4.30 pm.

If you visit honeymoon island then it’s worth the cost of the ferry $18 each to go to Caladesi.

You won’t regret it.
Written October 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jessica C
4 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Family
Pay the ferry and take the trip!! Beautiful white sand beaches and tons of shells. We went from 11a-3p and that was plenty long to swim and find sea shells. We also saw many crabs, small sting rays, dolphins and birds. It’s worth the extra trip!
Written August 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jim N
Cary, NC194 contributions
Jun. 2023
smooth operation, incredible amenities in honeymoon and caladesi islands. Very nice, Florida knows how to do beaches!
Written August 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TinaE31
Rineyville, KY18 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Couples
This park may want to do something about its employees attitudes. We were so disgusted with them that we left and didn’t take the ferry over. First of all, the lady at the pay gate was totally rude. We paid with a $20 bill and she asked if we had anything smaller. We told her no, sorry and she got visibly upset. We then asked her where we catch the ferry as we’d never been there before. She rudely said, “second left” and forcefully threw her arm out the window with our change. Ok, first strike but maybe she was having a bad day. Then we get to the window for the ferry tickets and there was a lady in front of us. She told the man in the booth that she didn’t know how this works as it was their first time. She asked if she picks the times that she wants to go or what. The man rudely said “no I pick them for you.” Then he told her if she left now she would come back at 3:30 in the afternoon, she asked him if she could come back any earlier and then he was extremely rude and said “did I say you could come back earlier?” She turned around and looked at me with this look on her face and then said, “rude.” So then I went up to the window and I asked him if there’s anything over there like to get something to drink or anything and he was very rude and said “yeah there’s a whole concession stand over there get a flyer.” By then I was just done. We turned around and just left. We were looking forward to this and these two people just completely ruined it for us.
Written July 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Connector662333
Holiday, FL1 contribution
Jun. 2023 • Family
Caladesi water from what I have seen in photos look like blue Caribbean water. The water is not blue as the photos show. I call the color of water
as Dirty Jersey!
Written June 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DTP1952
Jefferson City, TN118 contributions
Jun. 2023 • Family
First warning - bring bug spray. Waiting area for the ferry sits over back waters and was buzzing with mosquitoes; we all got chewed up. The ferry ride was very enjoyable. Saw one dolphin. The walk from the marina to the beach is about 5 minutes. It's mostly boardwalk which makes it easier. Second warning - the walk into the water has lots of shells; you may want to wear water shoes. You can take your own chairs and umbrellas but not a beach wagon to haul them in. Two chairs and an umbrella are available to rent for $35, no cash. You are limited to four hours on the island. We found that to be plenty of time. All in all glad we did this.
Written June 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mimimingo
Florida271 contributions
Jun. 2023 • Friends
We've been coming to Caladesi Island for a couple of years since moving to the area. We always have a wonderful few hours enjoying the soft sand and beautiful water. Family always requests going there. Today on our visit, after we loaded our beach buggy with chairs, coolers, umbrellas, etc, we got to the building to purchase ferry tickets, and were abruptly told wagons or beach buggies aren't allowed on the ferry. We tried to ask why, since we have in the past years, and were rudely told, "It's been a new rule since the first of the year." At 70+ years of age, it's quite a chore carrying everything to the ferry and then to the beach. BE AWARE, NO USE OF WAGONS OR BEACH BUGGIES! The captains and first mates operating the ferries are absolutely the best guys who definitely enjoy their job.
Written June 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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CALADESI ISLAND STATE PARK - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Caladesi Island State Park

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