VisitSPC.com/CaladesiIsland BEACHES Get away from it all, for real, at Caladesi Island State Park . Accessible only by boat, it’s where a lush green curtain of sabal palms, shrubs and live oaks parts to a pristine white shoreline and crystal-clear surf. CALADESI ISLAND STATE PAR K RECENT BUZZ: In 2024, Caladesi was named the No. 1 beach in Florida by Dr. Beach and the fourth overall in the U.S. WHERE TO PLAY: Kayak into mangrove tunnels on a 3-mile aquatic loop that winds to the early 19th-century Scharrer Homestead Ruins . Or, hike Caladesi’s interior trail to discover wildflower-sprinkled meadows. WHAT LOCALS KNOW: The easiest way to reach Caladesi Island is aboard the Caladesi Island Ferry from Honeymoon Island. Keep your eyes peeled along the way—you may spot dolphins, manatees, ospreys and other coastal wildlife before arriving at one of Florida’s most pristine beaches. VISITSPC.COM 29
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