How To Spend A Day On Florida’s Beautiful Honeymoon Island

by Gail CliffordDec 11, 2021Florida, United States of America

How To Spend A Day On Florida’s Beautiful Honeymoon Island

Written By: Gail Clifford MD | Published By: Travel Awaits | December 11, 2021

https://www.travelawaits.com/2714372/honeymoon-island-florida-things-to-do/

Wooden footpath to the beach surrounded by palm trees. Honeymoon Island — MARGARET.WIKTOR / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Florida has 175 state parks. One of the most frequented is Honeymoon Island. While traveling through Florida, I seized the opportunity to spend a day there. A natural barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico’s coast, like Assateague Island on the Atlantic, Honeymoon Island features 4 miles of sandy beaches, nature trails, and wildlife ranging from gopher tortoises to bald eagles.

The name began when its owner-developer, Clinton Washburn, had lunch with the Life Magazine editor who thought it’d be a great place for a honeymoon. A contest was launched, and the name Honeymoon Island stuck. A newlywed couple won a two-week honeymoon and are immortalized in the Rotary Club Centennial Nature Center.

Honeymoon Island welcome sign. — GAIL CLIFFORD

To get there, you’ll drive to Dunedin, Florida, north of Clearwater on U.S. 19 to SR 586. Watch for the welcome sign in front of the Mobil gas station (before the McDonald’s) and fill up, to be safe, if you’re less than a half tank of gas. That’s the last gas station I saw before the island when I was there. You’ll cross the Dunedin Causeway and spot several areas to pull off to fish. There’s even a bustling restaurant. Just past a couple of apartment complexes, you’ll cross onto Honeymoon Island and stop at the ranger gate to pay the fee and gather your map.

I like it because there’s a great sense of calm and peace on the island. The sound of the wind, smell, and feel of the spray of the gulf’s waters against my skin, a vision of nature at its most rudimentary, feel of the sand beneath my feet, touch of the kayak paddle in my hand or bicycle seat, make for a great day and a great getaway. My parents told us that they had honeymooned in Clearwater, but I’d never thought to ask why. Now I wonder if two college students planning a wedding in the 1960s thought coming to Honeymoon Island would be a grand adventure.

Anyone who enjoys nature hikes by the water with picnic stations and full comfort restrooms should consider a visit. You can experience the beauty of Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coastline, see many types of wildlife that depend on these fragile ecosystems, and enjoy many recreational opportunities. Since I had an entire day on Honeymoon Island (there are no camping or overnight lodgings), I was able to stop and explore each section. Peak season is October through March.

Please remember the essentials when exploring any segment of the outdoors: sun protection, plenty of water, and insect repellent.

Pro Tip: Plan your day before you go. You’ll want time to take the ferry over to Caladesi Island State Park in the morning and be on the west side of Honeymoon Island for sunset. In between, from October through March you can attend guided beach walks or osprey trail walks.

Captain Smiley welcomes you to the Caladesi Island Ferry. — GAIL CLIFFORD

Caladesi Island State Park

Since the ferry landing is near the entrance, check out the times for the ferry, get photographed with Captain Smiley, and determine when you’d cross Hurricane Pass to get to an even more secluded island.

There are no roads to this island, you can only get there by boat. Once there, you’ll find mangroves and an abundance of sugar-white sand. Beyond the boat docks and ranger station, picnic shelters, and concession stand, you won’t find many buildings but what you do find is an extensive boardwalk and 3 miles of trails. Exploring from land, you have many opportunities to spot eagles, osprey, and even dolphins. Kayaks are available to explore the mangrove trails.

Deemed America’s Best Beach on occasion, you can spend hours here enjoying the glorious weather.

Beach Warning Flags, sign. — GAIL CLIFFORD

Be mindful of the water conditions based on the beach warning flags posted around the island. We had red and purple flag conditions when I was there, so no one got in the water past the ankles. It was still a glorious visit.

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