Honeymoon Island - A Misnomer?
Written: Feb 06 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good for hiking, shelling, bird-watching!
Cons: Narrow and very rocky beaches!
The Bottom Line: To make the trip to Honeymoon Island worthwhile it should be combined with a visit to neighboring Caladesi Island. Both Are State Parks, but Caladesi is better!
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| whalewatcher's Full Review: Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area |
I'm not sure if my impression of Honeymoon Island would have been better if the temperature had not hovered in the low 50s. It was outright cold during our visit and the island was virtually deserted. Few Floridians go to the beach in the winter, but on this January day, even the tourists stayed away! Although it was bright and sunny, a cold wind swept over the island, not the balmy Florida breezes one would normally expect!.
We decided early in the day to drive from Clearwater to Honeymoon Island to do some shelling, a little hiking, and if time allowed take a boat ride from there to nearby Caladesi Island, another State Park.
Honeymoon Island can be reached via Causeway Boulevard from the town of Dunedin, just north of Clearwater. Once on the island, you'll first pass a residential area before reaching the entrance to the State Park, where you are required to pay admission. $4 per vehicle with up to 8 passengers, $2 if you are the sole occupant, and $1 if you are on foot or on a bicycle.
But first a little history. This barrier island was not always called Honeymoon Island, in fact, you'll be hard pressed to find any honeymooners here in this day and age. Early on, the Tocobagan Indian tribe called this their home, only to perish from diseases brought by Spanish explorers, pirates, and many other visitors in the 15 and 1600's. It took many more years before it was christened Sand Island, a name which would later change to Hog Island. Then, in the 1940's, and with the construction of numerous palm-thatched bungalows, it became Honeymoon Island.
But WW II took its toll, in fact, the island was recommissioned as a retreat for factory workers. It wasn't until the causeway was built in 1964, that developers became interested and began major construction.
In 1974, the Division of Parks and Recreation purchased what remained of the island, to preserve its precious flora and fauna.
Today, it is a popular place for swimming, fishing, and hiking. Although the beach is very rocky and might be disappointing to many, it is known for excellent shelling. We tried our luck, but recent storms had taken their toll, the beach was littered with seaweed, the water was still rough, and most shells which had washed ashore were badly broken. It's important to remember that if anything lives in the shell you are not allowed to keep it! The few good ones we found were occupied and were returned to the water.
Shoes are almost a must when walking along this beach, unless the soles of your feet are extremely tough. There is just no way to circumvent the many rocks and washed up coral. As much as I hate to say it, we found the beach on Honeymoon Island somewhat unappealing, and not particularly inviting for swimming or sunbathing. We just couldn't find a real nice stretch of sand.
The southern end of the beach is a bit wider. There are fewer shells here and this area is also considered the Pet Beach. Probably not a good place to spread your blanket either! Keep in mind that pets must be kept on a leash at all times, also on the walking trails.
Fisherman fancy Honeymoon Island. Only out of state residents are required to have a saltwater fishing license. There is information at the Ranger Station regarding what is in season, and what the limits and size requirements are. The most common fish caught here are sheepshead, flounder, snapper, and tarpon, among others.
Camping is not permitted in the State Park, but we saw several facilities for showering and changing, and there is ample parking. The Osprey walking trail starts at the end of the last parking lot, and winds through tall slash pine stands (watch for osprey nests on top of the tallest trees), then connects with the Pelican Cove trail. Both loop around and bring you back where you started. Along the way, you can observe many of the native plants, as well as a myriad of shore birds. There is a concession building for food and drink, you will see it on your left, about a quarter of a mile past the Ranger Station.
Honeymoon Island was once considerably larger in area, at least until 1921, when a hurricane tore the island in half, creating the sister island Caladesi, separated by a channel of water called Hurricane Pass. Also a Florida State Park, Caladesi can only be reached by small ferry from Honeymoon Island. The ferry dock is almost immediately to your left as you enter the park. On weekdays, departures are every hour during the winter, every half hour during the summer, on week-ends every half hour year-around. It's $7.50 for the round-trip, and make sure you catch the last ferry back, or you will be stuck on Caladesi to sleep under the stars!
Tune in for my next review on Caladesi Island State Park, and why a visit there makes the trip to Honeymoon Island worthwhile.
Recommended:
Yes
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Member: Claudia Testa
Location: Charles Town, West Virginia
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Travel fever is chronic. I hope no one finds a cure!
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