Ask a local where they go to escape the crowds and you will hear the same two names: Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island. These neighboring barrier islands sit just north of Clearwater Beach, and together they make the easiest, most rewarding day trip you can take on this stretch of coast.
One is a drive-up state park with miles of unspoiled shoreline. The other is reachable only by ferry or boat and regularly lands on lists of the best beaches in America. Do them both in one day and you will see the Gulf Coast the way it looked a century ago.
Base yourself close by: our vacation rental properties in Clearwater Beach and Dunedin put both islands within an easy morning drive.
Honeymoon Island State Park
Cross the Dunedin Causeway and you arrive at Honeymoon Island, a real Florida state park with four miles of beach, a shaded nature trail through one of the last virgin slash pine forests in the region, and resident ospreys, owls, and gopher tortoises.
There is a small per-vehicle entrance fee, a beachfront café, and, a rarity around here, a designated dog beach at the southern tip. Traveling with your pup? Pair it with our pet-friendly guide to Clearwater Beach and our pet-friendly rentals
Caladesi Island: The Beach That Wins Awards
From the marina inside Honeymoon Island, a short ferry ride crosses to Caladesi Island State Park. No cars, no buildings on the beach, just three miles of white quartz sand, calm clear water, and some of the best shelling in the region.
Kayakers can also paddle over from the Dunedin Causeway through mangrove tunnels, one of the prettiest short paddles in Florida, with a good chance of dolphins along the way. Our guide to Clearwater Beach dolphin tours covers more ways to meet them.
How to Plan the Day
- Go early. The Honeymoon Island lot and the ferry queue both fill by late morning in season.
- Ferry logistics. Boats run regularly through the day; note your return time, as the last boat leaves before sunset.
- Pack in, pack out. Caladesi has limited concessions, so bring water, snacks, and reef-safe sunscreen.
- Bring a shell bag. Post-storm mornings on Caladesi are legendary for finds.
- Finish in Dunedin. The causeway drops you minutes from downtown Dunedin’s craft breweries and waterfront restaurants, a perfect dinner stop.
The Wildlife Is Half the Trip
These two parks protect some of the last undeveloped barrier island habitat on this coast, and it shows. Ospreys nest in the slash pines along Honeymoon Island’s Osprey Trail, and in winter you may spot a great horned owl staring back from a pine snag. Gopher tortoises graze the trail edges at a dignified pace, armadillos rustle through the palmettos, and shorebirds work the tide line in flocks.
On the water side, dolphins patrol the channel between the islands nearly every day, and the seagrass flats hide manatees in the warmer months. Kayakers through the mangrove tunnels see the most: herons stalking the shallows, rays gliding under the hull, and mullet exploding out of the water ahead of the bow.
From May through October, both islands are also active sea turtle nesting beaches. Give any marked nest a wide berth, and if you visit at dawn you may see fresh tracks from the night before.
When to Go
- Spring (March to May): the sweet spot. Warm, dry, and the water clears to its Caribbean best.
- Summer: arrive early for parking and plan around the classic mid-afternoon thunderstorm. The sea breeze makes the islands cooler than the mainland.
- Fall: quietest season, warm Gulf water into November, and the best shelling after storms pass offshore.
- Winter: cooler and breezy but gloriously empty; birders consider it the best season of all.
Caladesi & Honeymoon Island FAQ
Can you walk to Caladesi Island?
Technically yes, from the north end of Clearwater Beach at low tide, sand accretion has connected the islands in recent years, and locals hike up the shoreline. It is a long, exposed walk with no facilities along the way, so most visitors still take the ferry, and you should check current conditions locally before attempting it.
How long is the ferry ride?
About twenty minutes each way from the Honeymoon Island marina, and the crossing itself doubles as a mini dolphin cruise more often than not.
Which island is better with kids?
Honeymoon Island for convenience: drive-up access, restrooms, a café, and gentle water. Caladesi for the adventure of the boat ride and the wilder beach. With a full day, do Honeymoon in the morning and ferry to Caladesi after lunch.
Worth a Full Day of Your Trip?
Absolutely. Clearwater Beach gives you the energy, the restaurants, and Pier 60’s nightly show, and the islands give you the wild, quiet Florida that made this coast famous in the first place. The contrast is exactly why we recommend both.
Plan it into your week with the free trip planner and browse our Gulf beach properties to put the causeway within fifteen minutes of your front door.