Caladesi Island State Park sits just off the coast of Dunedin, tucked between Honeymoon Island to the north and Clearwater Beach to the south. There are no bridges to it, no roads through it, and no condos on it — which is precisely why it keeps landing on national best-beach lists. Getting there takes a little planning, but the logistics are simpler than they look once you know the system.
Step One: Get to Honeymoon Island
The ferry's home dock is inside Honeymoon Island State Park, reached by driving the Dunedin Causeway to 1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin, FL 34698. Before you ever board a boat, you pay the Honeymoon Island entrance fee: $8 per vehicle carrying up to eight people, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, and $2 per person for anyone arriving by foot or bicycle. The Florida State Parks Annual Pass covers this gate charge, so passholders walk through free — but note that the pass does not cover the ferry fare itself. Honeymoon Island is open from 8 a.m. until sundown every day of the year, giving you a comfortable window to arrive, park, and get in line before the first departure. Always confirm current fees at the gate, as Florida State Parks fees are subject to change.
The Ferry: Schedule, Fares & Rules
The Caladesi Island Ferry — operated as a private concessionaire, not directly by Florida State Parks — runs every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas, weather permitting. The first boat leaves at 10 a.m. During the busy season (mid-February through Labor Day) and on all weekends, departures run every 30 minutes. The rest of the year, boats leave once per hour. The crossing takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes across St. Joseph Sound. There are two ferry boats working the route, and on peak days they fill up fast — arriving early is the single best thing you can do to guarantee a spot on your preferred departure.
Round-trip fares are currently $20 for adults (ages 13 and up), $10 for children ages 6–12, and free for children 5 and under. Active duty and retired military can ask about the discount available for their entire party with a valid ID. Tickets are sold only in person at the ferry ticket booth inside Honeymoon Island — there is no online purchase option, so plan accordingly. Once you board, your ticket is time-stamped: you get a maximum four-hour window on the island, with your required return time printed right on the stub. Keep that ticket — you'll need it to board the return boat. Prices and schedules are subject to change, so check caladesiferry.org before you go.
A few access rules worth knowing before you pack: beach carts and wagons are no longer permitted on the ferry for safety reasons, though strollers, walkers, and wheelchairs are still welcome. Beach chairs, umbrellas, and coolers are fine as long as you can carry them aboard yourself. Pets are not allowed on the ferry or on the beach — dogs brought by private boat may use designated areas of the park only, on a leash of no more than six feet.
What You'll Find on the Island
The ferry drops you at the bayside marina, steps from Cafe Caladesi, a small gift shop, restrooms, and outdoor showers. From the marina, a boardwalk leads out to the Gulf-side beach. Beach wheelchair rentals are available at no charge. You can also rent a beach cabana (two chairs and an umbrella) or a kayak on-site to explore the three-mile mangrove paddling trail on the island's eastern side. Note: as of mid-2026, the marina is still recovering from Hurricane Helene — power and water at the docks are not yet restored, overnight boat camping remains suspended, and food service at the cafe may be limited on some days. The beach itself is fully open, and ferry service is running on its regular schedule. Check the Florida State Parks website (floridastateparks.org) for the latest marina status before a boating visit.
Alternatives to the Ferry
Paddling is the most popular ferry alternative. Kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals are available from vendors along the Dunedin Causeway, and the paddle to Caladesi takes under an hour in calm conditions. You'll cross an active boating channel, so stay alert to boat traffic. Paddlers arriving at the island pay a $2-per-person entry fee rather than the ferry fare. If you bring your own private boat, marina day-use entry is currently $6 per vessel for up to eight people, though the marina's 10-vessel day-use cap remains in place during the ongoing recovery — first come, first served.
The one fee-free option is walking. Caladesi is connected to Clearwater Beach by a sandy land bridge accessible at low tide, and the walk north from Clearwater is roughly three miles — plan on about 90 minutes each way at a steady pace. It's a beautiful stretch of undeveloped coastline, but start early, bring plenty of water, and watch the tide tables carefully. A high-SPF reef-safe sunscreen and a cooling towel will make a difference on that exposed walk.
Practical Takeaway
For most visitors, the ferry is the right call — it's reliable, scenic, and takes the guesswork out of timing. Aim to arrive at Honeymoon Island by 9 a.m. on busy spring and summer weekends. Catch the earliest ferry you can, use the full four hours wisely (the shelling at the island's northern tip alone is worth a long walk), and keep an eye on your return-time stamp. The two-fee structure — park entry plus ferry — surprises some first-timers, but the math works out to a genuinely affordable day at one of the Gulf Coast's last truly wild beaches.
