Caladesi Island ~ Florida
Your imagination can get a vigorous work-out at Caladesi Island. While walking the three miles of undeveloped beaches, it's easy to get lost in time while wandering around the Island. The island's unspoiled beauty offers a glimpse of Florida the way it looked centuries ago. Once the sun sets, the island is inhabited only by a few boaters allowed to overnight at the small marina and sea turtles who nest on the beaches during summer nights.
It is one of the few undeveloped barrier islands left in the state and the 600-acre park is accessible only by boat. The beaches front the Gulf of Mexico and the bay side of Caladesi is a mangrove swamp, offering refuge for numerous wading birds and shorebirds. Much of the island's interior is a ridge of virgin pine flatwood and live oak hammocks. A self-guided nature trail winds through the island's interior. Park rangers are available to answer questions.
The Island has boardwalks, picnic shelters, bath houses, a ranger station and concession stand. The boardwalks provide access from the beaches to the bath houses and picnic areas while protecting the fragile dunes and sea oats.
Caladesi Island State Park is located three miles offshore from Dunedin, just north of Clearwater Beach. Transportation to the island is easily arranged through the Caladesi connection, a ferry service that operates from Honeymoon Island, Clearwater and connecting to Clearwater Beach. In addition to discovering Florida in its natural state, Caladesi offers excellent opportunities for swimming, fishing, shelling, boating and nature study. However, the island is open only during the day, from 8:00 a.m. until sunset.
Once the boat returns to the mainland, the island's silence is penetrated only by the periodic scream of ospreys soaring overhead. Several of these birds of prey nest on the island.
Hope you get the opportunity to visit this incredible beach one day.
Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!! 
14 comments:
Sounds and looks pretty heavenly Donna! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)
Just found your blog and wanted to say that we too are planning to retire and make that same trip next year. I look forward to seeing where you stop and what you see. Savannah is one of my "can't wait to see" places!
Oh my... what a spectacular place to visit! I definitely need to add it to a list!
Be very safe when you head out!
Looking forward to viewing your trip up the east coast and into Nova Scotia. We hope to take the same trip later this year. Love those white Florida beaches. Great photos!
I just posted a couple of images of an osprey...y'know I don't think I've ever seen 'em nesting before, so this was a treat. And your beach.........I can see why it's a favorite. Oh yes, mention of the coastal food on your upcoming trek along the USA/into Canada....you make me drool.
Caladesi is such a beautiful place. We spent many many days at nearby Anclote Key. Love the beautiful white sand.
You are making me want to move to FL right now instead of later! TM and I had never heard of Caladesi Island and will put it on ou 'bucket list' for future sight seeing. So peaceful looking...
You are making me want to move to FL right now instead of later! TM and I had never heard of Caladesi Island and will put it on ou 'bucket list' for future sight seeing. So peaceful looking...
6.5----nothing like a precise countdown. You must be getting anxious. Beautiful white sand!
woo hooo travel safe and don't get there ahead of me...we cancelled our Savannah stop...will explain that to you later...we're heading over to myrtle beach next week...currently at friends in Shelby NC....take care
What a beautiful place! As many years as I lived in Florida I don't believe I ever "knew" about this gorgeous place. Thanks for sharing and we will certainly put this on our "to see/experience list."
I KNOW you are getting excited!! Sounds like a fantastic 7 months have been planned!!
Spectacular photos of those beaches. Wow!
What a gorgeous place. Have fun on your big trip - it's almost here!
What a gorgeous beach. And I love the fact that it's not all developed. Have a wonderful trip north.
Post a Comment