From Orlando, take I-4 west to I-275; south to SR-60 west. Cross Courtney Campbell Causeway and turn right on U.S. 19 N.; Turn left on SR-586. Follow SR-586, crossing Dunedin Causeway, to Honeymoon Island State Park for Caladesi ferry.
From Bradenton: take I-75 north to I-275; north to Roosevelt Ave. exit. Stay right on SR-686 west when SR-688 forks to left. Right on McMullen Booth Road to cross over the Bayside Bridge. Left on SR-586). Follow SR-586, crossing Dunedin Causeway, to Honeymoon Island State Park for Caladesi ferry.
The ferry service to Caladesi leaves from Honeymoon Island hourly beginning at 10 a.m.
Isolation and natural beauty: These are the two key components that make Caladesi Island State Park such a spectacular getaway.
Accessible only by private boat or by ferry from nearby Honeymoon Island State Park, Caladesi Island State Park boasts four miles of white sand beaches, perfect for sunbathing, swimming and shelling. Caladesi is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands on Florida's Gulf Coast. The park began welcoming visitors in the early 1970s and now sees more than 200,000 guests each year. The island itself was created when a hurricane separated it from Hog Island (now Honeymoon Island) in 1921.
Favorite park activities include:
- Boating - Caladesi Island's bayside 108-slip marina features water and electric hookups for overnight stays.
- Canoeing/Kayaking - A three-mile, mangrove-shaded paddling trail lets visitors explore the island's natural serenity. The trail explores the island's mangrove forest where red, black and white mangroves, along with buttonwood, may be found. Kayak rentals are available.
- Fishing - Fishing is allowed in designated areas. Catches of flounder, snook, trout, redfish, snapper, whiting and sheepshead are common. A Florida fishing license may be required.
- Nature Trails - Hike through coastal strand and maritime hammocks, watching for ospreys flying overhead and gopher tortoises burrowing along a three-mile trail. The trail meanders through undisturbed pine flatwoods, a rarity on one of Florida's barrier islands.
- Wildlife Viewing - Observant visitors may see a variety of birds, including American oystercatchers, black skimmers, royal and least terns, great blue herons, snowy egrets, roseate spoonbills and snowy, Wilson’s and piping lovers. Loggerhead and green sea turtles often make their nests on the beach, while gopher tortoises and snakes are common in the coastal strand habitat.
Caladesi Island also offers a picnic area and a children's playground with swings, slides and climbing bars. There is a snack bar and gift shop on the island.