Caladesi Island State Park is one of Florida’s last undeveloped barrier-island beaches—quiet, shell-strewn, and wonderfully natural.
It has repeatedly ranked near the top of Dr. Beach’s national list (No. 4 in 2024), and it feels worlds away even though it’s minutes from Clearwater and Dunedin.
The beach at Caladesi Island is about 3 miles long of pure white sand and crystal clear water.
Why Caladesi Island Belongs on Your Itinerary
There are thousands of islands in Florida. Not all of them are inhabitable or have beaches. Most inhabited beaches have been built out to the point of being crowded.
It is hard to find beaches with few people, in remote settings and on the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico (or America In 2025).
Caladesi Island State Park beach meets all the criteria of discovering a hidden beach gem that may be one of only a handful left in Florida.
Who needs to put a Caladesi Island day trip on their agenda?
- Recommended by Clearwater Beach visitors guide – Only 30 min. away, 12 miles to Ferry.
- Day trip from Tampa to Caladesi – 52 min., 30 miles.
- The Villages Day Trip – 2 Hours, 96 miles
- Orlando to Caladesi – 2 hours, 9 min. – 119 miles
- Sarasota to Caladesi – 1 hour, 30 min – 65 miles
Getting There (and What It Costs)
-
The Caladesi Island sign at the ferry docks and parking lot. Drive to Honeymoon Island State Park (Dunedin). Pay the gate fee $8 per vehicle (single-occupant $4; pedestrians/cyclists $2). Follow signs to the Caladesi Island Ferry dock.
- Take the Caladesi Island Ferry. Round-trip tickets are $20 adults (13+) and $10 ages 6–12 (5 and under free). Ferries run daily beginning at 10 a.m.; generally hourly off-season and every 30 minutes mid-Feb through Labor Day and on weekends. The crossing is 15–20 minutes. Your ticket allows a maximum stay of up to four hours (capacity and schedule dependent). Prices and times can change—always check the operator before you go.
- Alternate access: Private boaters can dock at the bayside marina; overnight on your boat is permitted with fees and registration.
Kayakers can paddle from Dunedin Causeway and explore the 3-mile mangrove trail.
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