Florida - Caladesi Island
“The Island Secret is Out,” say the brochures advertising Caladesi Island, a Florida State Park in Dunedin Beach (just north of Clearwater Beach). Caladesi is where “The Real Florida” exists -- preserved in order to appear as the island did when the first Europeans arrived.
The Spanish expeditions of Narvaez and DeSoto went up the Florida Gulf of Mexico coast from Tampa Bay in the 1520’s and 30’s. The diseases brought by the explorers wiped out the Tocobaga Indians that lived in the area and the islands have remained for the most part uninhabited.
Until the hurricane of 1921, Caladesi Island was one with Honeymoon Island. These 2 islands now form Florida State Parks that are unspoiled with beautiful beaches. These low-lying islands run parallel to the coast and are separated from the mainland by shallow saltwater sounds of bays. If you are very careful and check about the tides, you could walk from Clearwater Beach to Caladesi. Boaters also have to check for the tides. Many people have pulled in their boats too close to the island, then the tide goes out and they are stuck for hours.
To get to the small boat that takes you to Caladesi, take the Dunedin Beach Causeway (off Alt 19). The breezes and warm waters are popular with windsurfers, boaters, and fishermen. Pelicans sit on posts and power lines and the herons stroll around -- just waiting for a morsel from the fishermen -- flounder, snook, redfish, trout, snapper, tarpon, etc.
Once you are on Caledesi you will find 5 km of white sandy beach, tree shaded picnic areas, concession service, shaded pavilions, a 5 km nature trail through the centre of the island, modern bath houses with showers and washrooms, boardwalks connecting main areas, a children’s play area, and no cars or congestion.
Here you can get away from the hustle and bustle of tourisy Florida. You can find all kinds of sea shells, and birdwatching is also a favourite pasttime. If you look real close you might spot a Toronto Blue Jay trying his luck at catching a fish -- the Toronto baseball team winters in Dunedin.
Neighboring island, Honeymoon, can be driven to and also has picnic areas, nature trails and a beautiful beach. You can see one of the few remaining south Florida virgin slash pine stands along the island’s northern loop nature trail. These trees are the nesting sites for the osprey, a relative of the eagle. Also on the island are cabbage palms, mangroves, sea grass beds, salt marshes, tidal flats and sand dunes. There are over 200 species of plants and trees (including the Florida holly) and a wide variety of shore birds. The sunrises and sunsets are spectacular as seen from the islands. Many people stay ‘til the sun goes down to watch the glowing red sun sink into the warm Gulf waters.