Caladesi Island State Park

Infobox_protected_area
name = Caladesi Island State Park
iucn_category = Ib

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caption =
locator_x = 225
locator_y = 155
location = Pinellas County, Florida, USA
nearest_city = Dunedin, Florida
lat_degrees = 28
lat_minutes = 01
lat_seconds = 12
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 82
long_minutes = 49
long_seconds = 16
long_direction = W
area =
established =
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Caladesi Island State Park is a Florida State Park located on Caladesi Island, across St. Joseph Sound from Dunedin, Florida and north of Clearwater Beach. It is reachable by boat and ferry from a dock on Honeymoon Island. Amenities include 3 miles of nature trail, a marina, picnic pavilions, bathhouses, a park concession and a beach. [http://www.floridastateparks.org/caladesiisland/default.cfm Caladesi Island State Park official site] ] Activities include fishing, shelling, kayaking, boating, hiking and nature studies. In 2005 it was listed as having the 4th best beach in the country, in 2006 and 2007 the 2nd best, and in 2008 the best beach in the United States. [http://www.DrBeach.org DrBeach] ] [http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/05/22/best.beaches.ap/index.html Florida's Caladesi Island named nation's best beach] ] [http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/may/23/me-floridas-sand-blast/?news-metro Caladesi Island Tops List Of America's Best Beaches] ] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/09/AR2005090900675_pf.html Falling for the Beach] , Washington Post]

Originally part of a large barrier island, Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island to the north were formed in 1921 when a hurricane created Hurricane Pass, splitting the larger island into two parts.Though still referred to as an island, Hurricane Elena filled Dunedin Pass in 1985, making Caladesi Island accessible by walking north from North Clearwater Beach. [http://www.sptimes.com/News/050500/Outdoors/The_Beach_at_Caladesi.shtml The Beach at Caladesi Island] ]

Recreational Activities

The park has such amenities as birding, boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking, kayaking, picnicking areas, snorkeling, swimming and wildlife viewing.
Concessions are also available.

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References