Escape the hustle and bustle at Caladesi Island State Park
The slight challenge of accessing Caladesi Island State Park is part of what keeps it isolated and makes it such a relaxing getaway. If you take the ferry, you’ll have four hours on the island, which is open year-round from 8 a.m. to sunset. Private boaters can also reserve a dock on the marina for an overnight stay. Kayaking there will allow you to continue on under the mangrove trees on the island’s peaceful, three-mile paddling trail. You can also rent kayaks or beach equipment from Cafe Caladesi near the marina.
A boardwalk leads down to the beach, where you can go shelling, swim or fish in designated areas, or watch for dolphins (which you might spot on the ferry ride, too). On nature trails like the Beach Loop, you can further enjoy hiking among cabbage palms and slash pine trees at Caladesi Island State Park.
Dunedin, your land bridge to the island ferry, is only about a 30-minute drive from Tampa International Airport. J.D. Power recently listed this as America’s best large airport for customer satisfaction for the second straight year. However, unlike the animals you’d see between roller coasters at Busch Gardens in Tampa, the ospreys, blue herons, and gopher tortoises of Caladesi Island State Park are at home in their natural habitat. If you’re ready to trade the packed theme parks for a secluded spot for a day, this could be Central Florida’s true island of adventure.
