Where is Caladesi Island State Park? 5 things to know about visiting the secluded island
Did you know that Florida has a secluded island with gorgeous beaches that are only accessible by boat? And it was just ranked in the top five best beaches in the U.S. It also costs less than $10 for each boat that wants to park and enjoy the island.
Dr. Beach, whose real name is Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, is a professor in the Department of Earth & Environment at Florida International University and just released his 34th annual rankings list of the best public beaches in America on Thursday, May 23. And two Florida beaches ranked in Dr. Beach's top 10 public beaches for 2024.
Caladesi State Park, near Tampa on Florida’s southwest coast, would be only about a 10-minute drive from Palm Harbor, if it were accessible by car.
“The beach on Caladesi Island is one of the most stunning stretches of sand on the planet,” USA TODAY’s “10Best” wrote in 2022.
“At this secluded beach the sand seems whiter and the water more teal colored than anywhere else. Shell hunters will appreciate the pickings and nature lovers will find plenty of small critters to watch.”
Here are five things to know about visiting Caladesi Island State Park’s secluded beaches, how to visit if you don't have your own boat and where Caladesi Island ranked on Dr. Beach's 2024 list of the best public beaches in the U.S.
What is the best beach in Florida, according to Dr. Beach?
Caladesi Island State Park is the highest-ranking Florida beach of the two on Dr. Beach's list, taking fourth place nationally. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples was the second and last Florida beach to make this top 10 list.
"There are boardwalk trails, but my favorite is the kayak and canoe trails through the mangroves to see the large blue herons and other birds that frequent this wonderful natural area," Dr. Beach said in his rankings list.
Here are Dr. Beach's top 10 beaches in the U.S. for 2024:
Duke Kahanamoku Beach Oahu, Hawaii
Coopers Beach Southampton, New York
Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
Caladesi Island State Park Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida
Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples, Florida
Coast Guard Beach Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
Do you have to pay to go to Caladesi Island?
Yes, usually. Those who want to enjoy the beach at Caladesi Island State Park do have to pay a fee, but it only costs $6 per boat of up to eight people. It’s only $2 for each additional admission if you have more than eight people on your boat.
If you kayak there, entry is cheaper than the price for a boat full of people. Admission is only $2 per kayaker.
You can even pay your daily fee before you go, on the Florida State Parks’ website. The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year.
You don't have to pay to enter on Memorial Day weekend, though. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that all Florida state parks are free to enter for the holiday weekend.
Can you walk to Caladesi State Park?
No. Caladesi Island State Park is only accessible by boat. But you don’t have to own a boat to enjoy the island.
There’s a ferry to Caladesi that runs from the island above it, Honeymoon Island, which is also a state park. But, you’ll have to pay for admission to Honeymoon Island and the ferry ride.
Here are the admission prices for Honeymoon Island State Park:
$8 per vehicle (two to eight people).
$4 single-occupant vehicle.
$2 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
Here are the admission prices for the ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park to Caladesi Island State Park:
$18 per adult.
$9 for children ages 6 to 12.
Children 5 and younger ride free.
Is camping allowed on Caladesi Island?
Yes, you can camp in your boat at Caladesi Island.
It costs $24 per night, tax included, for reservable sites and a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee and a $7 nightly utility fee. You can make a camping reservation at Caladesi by calling the park at 800-326-3521.
Are dogs allowed on Caladesi Island State Park?
Pets are not allowed on the beaches at Caladesi Island State Park, according to park rules. But you can bring them to the island, as long as you keep them leashed and off of the beach.
“Where allowed, pets must be kept on a hand-held leash no longer than six feet and well-behaved at all times,” park rules say.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida's Caladesi Island is a Dr. Beach list favorite. What to know
