Kayaking is indeed a great activity to partake in. It allows you to get closer to nature, offering a unique perspective of the journey into the waters.
If you’re planning to visit Caladesi Island State Park, you may want to consider going there via kayak. Yes, it may be quite an effort. But trust us, it’s all worth it in the end.
What Caladesi Island State Park Has to Offer
Caladesi Island State Park is often considered a beach paradise, even ranking 7th on the best beach in America in 2021. It is one of the few untouched islands on the Gulf Coast and has beautiful beaches and breathtaking mangrove forests.
There are a lot of things you can do on Caladesi Island. On land, you can go hiking, take a scenic picnic, go bird watching, and eat your heart out at the restaurants and snack bars. Some people even decide to have their wedding on the island. And if you’re planning on bringing your fur babies, you can do so as the Caladesi Island State Park is a pet-friendly zone.
On the water, you can also do all sorts of things. Of course, you can enjoy swimming on the lovely white beaches of the island. You can also do some fishing if you’d like. Caladesi Island is also a great place for boating. And, of course, there’s nothing like paddling on a kayak around the island.
Kayak vs. Ferry
Caladesi Island State Park is only accessible by boat. Normally, people would take a ferry to get there. However, the roundtrip ferry ticket would cost $16, and you would also need to pay an $8 entrance fee to Honeymoon Island State Park to reach the ferry. If you take the ferry, you will arrive at the island in around 15 to 20 minutes. Upon arrival, you would then need to take a five-minute walk to get to the beach.
Another way to get to Caladesi Island is by paddling towards it. Many kayakers love to take this option as the hidden kayak trail is often quite sought after. Typically, you would start at Dunedin Causeway, where you can rent out some kayaks. From there, you move westward until you reach Caladesi Island’s northern tip. The trip may be longer, but trust us, it’s worth it.
The Caladesi Island Kayak Experience
While beginners are welcome to kayak once on the island, the kayak trip to the island is more for experienced kayakers. It will definitely take some effort, but paddling through the clear waters is an experience worth having. Many kayakers often spot different wildlife on their journey to the island. Sometimes, dolphins swim by, and when you get to the shallow waters, you can see hermit crabs, horseshoe crabs, and rays. And when you paddle along the mangrove forest, you can even spot some interesting birds flying by.
Final Thoughts
Caladesi Island State Park is definitely a beach paradise worth visiting. And if you’re up for the challenge, you can even get there via kayak. During your kayak trip, you can enjoy the beautiful views and wonderful wildlife of the area. And once you get on the island, there are tons of fun things you can do as well.
Enjoy a Caladesi Island kayaking trip Florida trip with the help of Nature Coast Eco Tours. We specialize in providing you with a more personal and un-commercialized experience. The tours and events we offer are perfect for people who want to explore the real Florida wilderness, view wildlife, take photographs, and learn about the area’s history and ecosystems. Book a tour now!
