Caledesi Island State Park, Voted Best Beach of 2008
Think island and state park together, think protected and beautiful, with the only man-made additions being a snack shop, ranger station, playground, picnic areas, gift store, and marina. Caledesi Island beach has been voted the #1 beach in the U.S. in 2008.
You can travel by ferry, private boat, or you can walk for about an hour from Clearwater to Caledesi Island, which is about an hour from Pier 60. Check out the rules for ferry passengers, as the four-hour stay on the island may have been extended. You can dock your own boat at marina #108 and register with the ranger. The ferry runs from 10 am to sundown.
There is electrical and water hookups for boats. Pets are not allowed on the ferry, have to be on a leash, and can only be in designated areas. Plan it as a day trip as youll be leaving at the end of the day due to no camping. Or you can sleep in your boat I suppose.
This lovely gulf beach if 3 miles long with shallow calm water. Enjoy shelling, though no live shells including sand dollars can be taken. There is fishing, sunbathing, picnic areas, playground, kayak rentals at the beach or through the Cafe Caledesi. Ask about fishing licenses.
You are recommended to bring a sweater and good walking shoes, but at the end of March as I write this, it is a beautiful 78 degrees farenheit at 11 am, so a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen would be just as useful. Washroom and shower facilities are available, as are beach chair and umbrella rentals. You can rent a wheelchair from the ranger. The lifeguard is available from the end of May until the beginning of September, though the signs do not indicate this. Enjoy the beauty of this natural beach setting as nature intended.