CALADESI ISLAND One of Dr. Beach’s top picks: Caladesi Island was named Dr. Beach’s No. 2 spot in the U.S. in 2022, besting beaches in Hawaii and California. While there, spend ample time on Caladesi’s immaculate beach, collecting shells and relaxing by the shimmering shoreline. How to get there: Head to Honeymoon Island, where the Caladesi Island ferry docks. Or, rent a kayak from Sail Honeymoon on the Dunedin Causeway. Locals' tip: You can get there by foot across a remote land bridge at the uppermost reaches of North Clearwater Beach. Pay the park’s admission fee upon arrival. Rent a kayak: Row through a wondrous tunnel of interlocking mangrove branches. Lay of the land: A 3-mile nature trail takes you to the early 19th-century Scharrer Homestead Ruins. Saw palmettos and sabal palms co-mingle with majestic oaks along the route. Gather the gang for lunch at one of the picnic pavilions. Café Caladesi has reopened post-pandemic shutdown and serves food from 10:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. A floating campsite? Camping is not allowed on the island, but boaters can dock overnight; a reservation with the Florida State Parks office is required. VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM 29
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