Top Tampa activities
Explore by category
Top Tampa landmarks
Top Tampa landmarks
Top Tampa landmark tickets
Nearby to Caladesi Island
Beyond Tampa
Tours in nearby places
Explore USA tours
Tours in similar places
Tampa trip ideas
A popular spot for sunseekers, Caladesi Island and its pristine beaches feel like an untouched edge of Florida. From swimming and shelling to fishing and paddling, there’s plenty to do at the state park. The 108-slip bayside marina allows offshore anchoring, while a discovery center features an open-air observation tower. You can also visit the ruins of the historic Henry Scharrer Homestead, which sits on the south end of the island.
The Caladesi Island Connection ferry to Honeymoon Island State Park offers round-trip rides for 4-hour visits to Caladesi Island. Many local boating, fishing, and kayaking tours include stops at Caladesi Island.
For optimal wildlife viewing, hike the 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) nature trail that winds into the remote interior.
Boaters can camp in the park for a small fee.
Rent a kayak to explore 3 miles of mangrove tunnels around the island.
The contemporary Cafe Caladesi serves up food and beverages every day of the week.
Caladesi Island is not accessible by car, but the nearby Honeymoon Island State Park is, and you can take a ferry between the two destinations. You can also access Caladesi Island from other towns on the Gulf Coast by taking a private boat or kayak, or by signing up for a guided tour.
Caladesi Island State Park is open every day of the year, from early in the morning until sunset. No matter the day, most people visit in the afternoons. Beat the heat and the crowds by arriving in the morning or visiting late to catch a remarkable sunset.
Caladesi Island deserves to be seen from as many vantage points as possible—after snorkeling the shoreline and hiking the interior, consider viewing it from above. Helicopter tours launching from Clearwater and other Gulf Coast towns offer serene views of Caladesi Island.