Introduction
Honeymoon Island and Caladesi were once one big island. In 1921 a hurricane split them in half creating a waterway leading to the island. The waterway is known as Hurricane Pass. Visitors reach the island by walking across Hurricane Pass from Clearwater Beach in Florida, and then a bit further to the north to reach Honeymoon Island. You can visit on any day of the year between 8 am and sundown. If you don’t want to walk over you can take your car across for a small cost.
Where is Honeymoon Island?
Honeymoon Island is in Florida, and is a state park of 385 acres, across St Joseph’s Sound from Palm Harbor. It is in Pinellas County and the nearest city is Dunedin Florida. The location address is 1 Causeway Blvd. As it is a State Park you can’t stay there overnight, it is an important refuge for plants and animals and is Floridas biggest State Park.
How to Get to Honeymoon Island
To enter the park in a vehicle there is an entrance fee of $8 and for a single person $4. An annual pass is available for families who want to visit often.
Take the ferry for a charge of $14 per adult including the entrance fee to the park. If you are a tourist from another state or country, you will probably want to stay in Dunedin for easy access to Honeymoon Island. Dunedin is known for its beaches and pine forests and has a mild to warm climate nearly all year-round, and is one of the oldest towns on Florida’s West Coast. It is a safe place to visit and was selected as a top retirement destination, partly because it is a charming city and the weather does not get too cold, making it very appealing and accessible for tourists all year.
What to do on Honeymoon Island
There is plenty to do on your visit to Honeymoon Island, you can birdwatch, fish, hike, sunbake and swim. You can walk along the nature trails and view the birds from the bird observation areas. The beaches are sandy and some have chunks of coral, and it is a good idea to have some rubber footwear for wading around the rock pools. When you are walking on the nature trails watch out for Rattlesnakes, as they live there too, and if they hear you passing will emit a rattling sound, a vibration at the end of their tail. Many people go to see the birdlife, and the Osprey a large raptor is a sea hawk with a magnificent wingspan of around 180 cm. This is their natural environment, and they hunt for fish during the day, not at night. They actually dive into the water, catch the fish, and eat it whole. If you are a photographer, this will be an amazing opportunity for you to photograph the Osprey in its natural environment. The Osprey Trail is 2 miles long, and while you are on it you can see some, sea life as well as an eagle’s nest.
There is also a nature center on the island The Rotary Centennial Nature Center, with exhibition features showing both the natural and cultural history of both Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island. While you are in the Rotary Centennial Nature Center you will learn about the park’s history and natural resources. They will tell you how Honeymoon Island got its name from promising undiscovered pleasures for newlyweds back in 1940 when its name was changed and honeymoon huts were built. During the war, the huts stopped being used, and fell into disrepair, and are no longer there.
Take the South Beach Trail near the Caladesi Island Ferry and this walk will take you down to the beach, it is quite a long walk about 1.2 miles where you can stand in the water of the Gulf. A holiday on Honeymoon Island is very child-friendly and if you have older kids take them to a longer walk of 2.5 miles of sand on North Beach.
Food at Honeymoon Island
Honeymoon Island has two different areas Cafe Honeymoon and the South Beach Pavillion. If you are going to Cafe Honeymoon, you can have lunch and then hire a Kayak for an hour on the water, if you are lucky you may see a Dolphin Pod. Cafe Honeymoon is in a beautiful position, and the food is fine for a day out, with plenty of choice of cafe-style food. If you arrive in the morning you can sit outside and have breakfast, and even enjoy a veggie burger and a coffee in the fresh air. Near the ferry is another cafe Florida Beach Services offering casual beach fare. It also has a small gift shop which I’m sure you will want to visit.
Of course, when you visit, you do have the option of taking a picnic on the island with you, and if you have children this is a more flexible option allowing you to eat wherever you like. A picnic area is located on the north end of the island offering pavilions with tables, and a barbecue area. Just remember to pack away leftovers and don’t leave any litter behind. It will be hot while walking, so take plenty of water or grab a coca-cola.
Wildlife at Honeymoon Island
While you are walking around Honeymoon Island, you may see the following animals raccoons, armadillos, and gopher tortoises. Then walk along the shore in search of starfish and other marine invertebrates. If you are lucky enough to see the Bald Eagle nest, you can’t go too near, stay back 300 feet, and observe the nest through binoculars. If you are allergic to mosquitos they are prevalent, so make sure that you are well covered up so that you can’t be bitten by them. Throughout the island, you will find mangroves, common in this area of the world, and if you decide to hire a kayak for a day, you will be able to explore them and see the herons and wading birds that reside on the island in the complex eco-system.
When to Visit Honeymoon Island
In Florida, the whole year round is lovely, but if you are planning a beach visit or ocean swim, you will want to go now. Spring is gorgeous April, May, and June the first month of Summer are all perfect, as the water temperature rises to above 70 degrees, making it much more pleasant for a swim. However, if you are from a place where the snow is on the ground, it makes most of the year in Florida perfectly acceptable, and you may not even mind a late Autumn swim, as the water often stays warm, and the outside temperature will be perfect for that walk around the island. By December the days are getting really short, meaning that you will have less time on the island, but it is still good for walking. Over the winter months, most of us would choose not to swim, but the island’s wildlife will always be about. As there are fewer tourists, it gives you more opportunity to walk around the island unimpeded.
Summary
Honeymoon Island is a fabulous place to visit all-year-round, it’s fun, family-friendly and educational for all! After a long day at the Island, there’s nothing better than getting back to your own private oasis at the Eiko’ Beach House. With a heated pool, hot tub and direct access to the beach, it’s truly the top family vacation destination in Treasure Island, Florida!