BEACHES VisitSPC.com/Beaches Honeymoon Island VisitSPC.com/Honeymoon • Magnificent views, lush mangroves and a surprising array of wildlife compete for your attention at Honeymoon Island State Park . Hike or bike through one of the last remaining virgin slash pine forests. Look up — you might see bald eagles and osprey soaring above. As you navigate the island’s nature trails, watch for great horned owls lurking in the shadows or gopher turtles crossing your path. On the north shore, Pelican Cove provides a spellbindingly peaceful hangout for hundreds of shorebirds. Relax with a book on Oasis Beach , or keep the kids entertained at a playground nestled in a palm tree grove. Don’t worry if you’ve forgotten the picnic basket. Cafe Honeymoon and the South Beach Pavilion Cafe feed hungry beachgoers on the island’s southside. A few barks away, dogs romp and swim with their humans at the Pet Beach . Fun trivia fact: Honey-moon Island got its name from a Life Magazine contest for newlyweds in 1939. You can see photos of the winning lovebirds at the island’s Rotary Centennial Nature Center . Caladesi Island VisitSPC.com/Caladesi • Escape (for real) to Caladesi Island State Park . The perennial Dr. Beach winner can only be accessed by boat (*see exception below) and is well worth the extra time and effort. Its lush canopies, wildflower-dotted meadows and 4 miles of glistening shore might tempt you never to return to the mainland. For a transcendent experience, row the crystal-clear waters of the Mangrove Trail . You can rent a kayak from the island’s café . Venture into the brush on a 3-mile loop that winds to the early 19th-century Scharrer Homestead Ruins . Or, stretch out on the island’s pristine beach. Camping is not allowed on the island, but boaters can dock overnight; a reservation is required. The Caladesi Island Ferry docks at Honeymoon Island if you need a way there. *Locals tip: There’s a remote land bridge if you’re willing to take a long walk from North Clearwater Beach; just make sure you pay the park’s admission fee after arrival. 26 AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
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