I’m not sure how many people choose to take a ferry to an island where the attraction is hunting seashells on the beach in the middle of a Florida summer, in a drought, with humidity raising the temperature by damn near 10 degrees. Oh yes, that would be me! And I have to tell you, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and brought home some pretty shells.
The ferry ride is short (15 minutes) and if there’s a breeze like there was the day I went, it’s lovely. The ferry is the only way to get to the island. By the way, you can’t take your car; it’s a people-only ferry.
There’s really nothing much to do on the island so if you’re looking for tourist shops and restaurants, this is not the place for you. But if you’re looking for a gorgeous beach and tons of seashells, you’ve found the right spot.
I was told there was a nature trail and envisioned a long walk through the middle of trees and plants (maybe a flower or two). If this was the nature trail, it led back to the building at the dock and there wasn’t much to see.
Not even a rattlesnake.
I asked inside the gift shop/concession stand if there was a longer trail somewhere that I missed but the two teenagers manning the place either didn’t know or didn’t want to chat with tourists. I was told I’d have to ask the park rangers.
I wasn’t that interested. I’d already spent time wandering up and down the beach gathering shells and enjoying the beautiful ocean. I wasn’t doing any more hiking. I had reached the point where a bottle of water sounded mighty good.
The main draws for Caladesi are swimming, sunbathing, kayaking/canoeing and/or seashell hunting. Visitors are not allowed on the island overnight (and who wants to camp near rattlesnakes anyway). Caladesi Island is a lovely destination for quiet leisure time, and I’ll definitely take my friends and relatives there when they come to visit.
- Catch the ferry at Honeymoon Island State Park, Dunedin, Florida- $18
- Boardwalks are wheelchair accessible and there are beach wheelchairs available at no cost if you ask at the ranger station
- Canoes/Kayaks are rentable
- Although the website says you can hike to the remains of the homestead of Henry Scharrer, a Swiss immigrant who lived on Caladesi from 1888-1934, I didn’t know anything about it when I went, nor did I see a path (or signage) to get there. I might add, the pictures online don’t look like it’s particularly worth the hike so maybe that’s just as well.
- You definitely need a visor and sunscreen
- The ferry boat captain told me the concession stand makes a mean cheeseburger. I wish I’d known that on my way over and not on the way back. Maybe next time.
- There are restrooms on the island (so don’t pee in the ocean!)
Lisa Browder 
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