Ultimate Guide to Caladesi Island

This guide contains everything you need to know + answers to all of your questions about visiting Caladesi Island State Park.

Caladesi Island is one of the Gulf Coast's last uninhabited islands in the Tampa Bay area. This isolated island features 4 miles of pristine white sandy beaches, a 3-mile mangrove-shaded kayak trail, and a peaceful nature path. It's truly an island paradise!

I've lived in Florida for 30 years and I just recently got to visit Caladesi Island State Park for the first time. I wish I had found it sooner! My family always visited Clearwater Beach because it's ranked as Florida's #1 beach. However, Caladesi is just as beautiful as Clearwater Beach with the extra perks of having fewer people and the beauty of an untouched island.

My husband and I kicked off the summer by visiting the Island and we had a wonderful time! We explored the entire island, went shelling, swam, and snorkeled in the crystal clear water, and we even got the surprise of a lifetime when two beautiful dolphins swam right by us!

While we were on the Island I made sure to find out everything that I could so I could share the most current and up-to-date information with you. This guide has the answers to all of your questions + tips for having the best experience while you're visiting the island. Click here to view the Caladesi Island State Park Florida map.

Caladesi State Park Guidelines

• Hours are 8 AM until sunset, 365 days a year.
• Pets are permitted in designated areas only and they must be kept on a leash that's no longer than 6 feet.
• Swimming, fishing, boating, and fires are allowed in designated areas only.
• Fireworks and hunting are prohibited.
• Alcoholic beverage consumption is allowed in designated areas only.
• If you need help accessing the beach, you can contact the ranger station and they will assist you.
• Caladesi Island Kayak rentals are available for $25 per person on the island.
• There is a picnic area, playground, restrooms, concession (Caladesi Cafe), and showers available on the island. See the pictures below. 

How Much Does It Cost to Enter?

There are multiple (free and paid) ways to get to the Island, but once you're there the State Park fee is only $2 per person to enter the state park.

How Do You Get To The Island?

You can get to the island by taking the Caladesi Island ferry, by private boat, by renting (or using your own) a SUP, jet ski, or kayak.

Where Do You Catch The Ferry To Caladesi Island?

You can catch the 20-minute ferry ride from Honeymoon Island State Park (starting at 10 AM) for $14 roundtrip per adult ($7 per child aged 6-12, kids 5 and under are free). You can save $1 off your ferry ticket (good for up to 6 people) by using this coupon. If you take the ferry, there is a 4-hour time limit on the island. 

Can You Stay On The Island Overnight?

No, you cannot go camping or stay overnight on the beach as there are no cabins or hotels on the island. However, boaters can dock overnight at the 108-slip marina as long as they register before sundown. The marina has electrical and water hookups for you to use.

What Should You Pack? 

Whether you are kayaking or taking the ferry to the Caladesi Island beach, I recommend that you pack light and only bring what you can carry easily. Fill a backpack or a beach bag with the following items:

• Water in Reusable Water Bottles - This is the best reusable water bottle I've ever used (see it in the picture above?), it keeps your drink so cold and I love the screw cap top. Please don't buy plastic water bottles, reduce your plastic use and purchase a reusable water bottle instead.
• Food - I packed PB&J sandwiches, apples, and a steel bento box full of nuts, Medjool dates, and crackers. If you bring any food that's in a package, please make sure to throw your trash away or recycle it and don't leave it behind on the beach.
• Paraben-free sunscreen - This is the best sunscreen and the only brand that I use. The Florida sun is very strong and you can burn quickly. Make sure you re-apply often and after swimming.
• Sun shirts - I never go to the beach or do any outdoor activity, like stand up paddleboarding on the Weeki Wachee River or swimming at Rainbow Springs, without wearing my sun shirt (this is the men's sun shirt and women's sun shirt that we're wearing in the pictures). It blocks the sun's harmful 50+ UV rays, it's moisture-wicking, and I never burn when I wear it.
• Water shoes - If you want to walk around and explore the island, wearing water shoes (these are the men's water shoes and women's water shoes that we have) will help your feet to grip the soft sand.
• Goggles + snorkel - There are lots of shells along the shore but there are even more to find underwater. You'll want to have goggles with you so you can find all the treasures!
• Hat - I recommend wearing a wide-brimmed hat to protect your scalp, face, and neck from the sun but even a ball cap is better than nothing.
• Beach towels - If you don't want to rent an umbrella and chairs then you must bring your own beach towels to sit on.
• Dry box - If you plan on kayaking, I recommend that you bring a dry box to keep your valuables (phone, keys, wallet) in just in case you end up in the water.
• Umbrella - The sun on the beach is so intense and it's much more enjoyable with shade. If you don't want to rent an umbrella for $30 then you should bring a lightweight beach umbrella (that will hold up to the wind) with you as we did.

Fun Activities To Do At Caladesi Island State Park 

The following activities are all fun family-friendly things that you can do while on the island!

1. Swimming - The water is very clear and perfect for swimming! Make sure to shuffle your feet to avoid stingrays and look for dolphins! One swam right up to us while we were swimming in the pass between Caladesi and Honeymoon Island!
2. Relax on the Beach - There is nothing more relaxing than stretching out in your beach chair under an umbrella while listening to the waves crash on the beach.
3. Snorkeling - Some of the best shells that we found were 8-10 ft from the shore. You'll need your snorkel and goggles to look for shells and fish!
4. Rent a Kayak or SUP - We saw lots of people on SUP or kayaking from the Dunedin Causeway and exploring the island. If you don't have your own, you can rent a kayak on the island.
5. Hike the Nature Trails - There is a beautiful nature trail that explores the middle of the island. If you plan to walk the trail, make sure to bring bug spray as there are lots of mosquitos on the trail. You will also see signs that warn you to watch out for rattlesnakes.
6. Fishing - A day's fishing (FL fishing license may be required) can yield catches of flounder, snook, trout, snapper, whiting, and sheepshead.
7. Have a Picnic Lunch - We packed a picnic lunch to enjoy after swimming. We used these reusable silicone bags to hold PB&J sandwiches and apples, as well as a steel bento box full of nuts and crackers.
8. Shelling - Caladesi Island shelling is a very popular activity to do because the island is well known for having beautiful shells (keep your eyes open for shark teeth too!). If you'd like to collect shells along the shore, make sure to pack a reusable bag to hold them. Remember, if you find a shell with something living inside, put it back where you found it. Live shelling is not allowed and that applies to sand dollars too.

Tips To Have The Best Day On The Island 

• Wear your bathing suit to the park so you can jump in the water as soon as you get there.
• Pack light! It's quite a walk from the ferry loading dock to the beach on the other side of the island.
• If you plan on taking the ferry from Honeymoon Island and you're active/retired military, bring your DD214 so you can get a discount on the ferry fare and so you can get into the state park for free.
• Try to visit on a weekday so you can experience the beach with even fewer tourists.
• If you don't want to shlep your own gear, you can rent chairs and an umbrella for $30 for four hours on the island.
• Pack enough snacks and water for the day or plan to get lunch at Caladesi Cafe.
• If you want to rent a kayak to explore the mangrove trails, it's more convenient to rent directly from the State Park so you don't have to paddle across Hurricane Pass first.

I hope that you have the best time during your visit to Caladesi Island State Park! If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email.

More Florida Adventure Posts You'll Love!