Caladesi Island State Park

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1 Causeway Boulevard
Dunedin, Florida 34698
(727) 469-5918
floridastateparks.org/caladesiisland/default.cfm

Caladesi Island State Park is accessible by boat or a brisk walk from Clearwater Bch. Seven Mouth Creek leads visiting mariners through mangroves into the center of the island, where a 100-slip marina is nestled, providing access to one of Florida's last remaining natural barrier-island beaches. Public docking is available by a flat fee per vessel up to 8 people, and additional charge per person. Electricity and water are available for cabin cruisers. From the marina visitor center surrounded by cactus and wiregrass salt flats, trails lead visitors through an unspoiled palm hammock and dune system to miles of unraked beaches. Live shelling is prohibited.

Caladesi Island is bordered on the north by Hurricane Pass, and on the south by Big Pass (also called Dunedin Pass). The channel at Big Pass was officially closed to navigation in the 1980s by shoaling. Sand deposited by continuous winter/summer cycles of longshore currents has capped-off Big Pass forming a pleasant lagoon accessible to visitors.

Certain areas are off-limits, designated as bird sanctuaries, at the northern and southern ends of the beach. Pets are not permitted in sanctuary areas, or on the beach. Basically, pets are limited to the marina yard, and must remain on a leash of 6' or less at all times.

Entrance is granted from the northeast into the center of the island by a 5-foot deep marked channel. However, visitors should be mindful of the fragile seagrass habitat surrounding either side of the entrance.

The scars which remain on the east side of the island are former mosquito ditches, dug when the island was slated for development. Falling mangrove debris prevented tidal flushing of the ditches complicating the problem. Some have been filled, while others have been cleared and maintained as nursery habitat for juvenile fish.
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Coordinates:   28°1'47"N   82°49'13"W

Comments

  • It is possible to walk to Caladesi State Park from clearwater Beach ever since Big Pass closed up years ago. It's very beautiful, white sand, Manatee swimming by at times of teh year, and very quiet with few people.
  • Voted second place in 2007 by Dr Beach. http://www.drbeach.org/drbeach/top_ten_beaches/caladesi_island.htm
  • I love it here. I volunteered for the beach clean up day, and there wasn't much. It is the most beautiful place in the continental US. (doesn't include Hawaii!) lol
This article was last modified 9 months ago