Caledesi Island State Park, Voted #1 Beach

Think island and state park together, think protected and beautiful, with the only man-made additions being a snack shop, ranger station, playground, picnic areas, gift store, and marina. Caledesi Island beach has been voted the #1 beach in the U.S. in 2008.

Getting to Caledesi is by boat only. A Caledesi ferry is available for a low fee to get you across the water in 15 minutes. The ferry runs every hour from 10 am to sundown. Ferry passengers are allowed to stay for four hours. You can also take your own boat and dock it at the marina # 108 and register with the ranger. If you love to walk, you can actually walk from Clearwater to Caledesi Island, which is about an hour from Pier 60. There is electrical and water hookups for boats. Pets are not allowed on the ferry, have to be on a leash, and can only be in designated areas. Leave the alcohol somewhere else and focus on outdoor sports activities for the day, as you’ll be leaving at the end of the day due to no camping. Or you can sleep in your boat I suppose. Live shells, including sand dollars, are not to be taken. Otherwise, enjoy the shelling, kayaking, fishing, sunbathing, public picnic areas or rented picnic facilities, playground for the children if the beach is not enough. Kayak rentals are through the Café Caledesi.or a vendor near the beach. Check ahead of time regarding fishing licenses. This Gulf beach is 3 miles long with beautiful water, not deep for those with young children.

They say to bring a sweater and good shoes, but as I write this, it is a warm 78 degrees F at 11 am at the end of March, so think swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen also. Public showers and restrooms are available. A lifeguard is on duty from the end of May to beginning of September. Beach wheelchairs are available from the ranger. Beach chairs and umbrellas can be rented. Check ahead of time about whether you need to bring cash only or other forms of payment. It may be wise to bring your own cooler of drinks if you are watching your cash output, but the concession stand serves the normal type foods and are not too expensive.

Contacts: The ferry office is 727-734-1501. The park office for inquiries is 727-469-5918.

Directions from Tampa north: Take the I-75 south to I-275 south to Hillsborough Ave. exit. Go 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.

For further directions, hiking maps, kayak and marina maps, check their website.