Honeymoon Island
You’ll fall in love with
Honeymoon Island. A quick drive over the Dunedin Causeway, north of Clearwater,
brings visitors to the beautiful beaches and Gulf of Mexico waters of this
Florida state park. On the Osprey Trail you can get a rare look at a Florida
virgin slash pine stand. Honeymoon Island is friendly to critters,
offering a dog beach that is a half-mile hike off the main road. A ferry
shuttles beachgoers to nearby Caladesi Island, recently voted America's Best
Beach. Honeymoon Island – it isn't just for lovers.
Lay of the Land: A natural
barrier island, this state park boasts four miles of sandy beaches, nature
trails, and abundant wildlife. Don't be surprised to see an endangered gopher
tortoise walking across your path or hear the call of an osprey---or the bark
of Fido, who may explore the dog beach. The Pinellas Trail has a spur that runs
the length of the Dunedin Causeway right to the park entrance. All pets are
required to be on a six-foot handheld leash.
Little Known Facts: Honeymoon
Island got its name from a Life Magazine contest for newlyweds in 1939; couples
won a two-week honeymoon stay on the island. Photos of these love birds can be
viewed at The Rotary Club Centennial Nature Center. In 2007 Honeymoon Island
was Florida's most visited state park.
Why You Should Go: Beaches,
nature and accessibility. In addition to being a great destination, it's also
the launching point to Caladesi Island State Park America's #1 Beach for 2008.
* Please note there is an admission fee.
A short drive from Tampa,
beautiful Honeymoon Island offers visitors an escape from the bustle of city
life.
One of Florida’s best-loved state
parks, Honeymoon Island has more than four miles of beach to explore along
with a three-mile trail through one of the last remaining virgin slash pine
forests.
When looking skyward, eagles,
osprey and great horned owls can be seen, while ground animals include gopher
tortoises, raccoons and armadillos.
A trip to the Rotary Centennial
Nature Center helps visitors learn about the park’s history and natural
resources. Find out how Honeymoon Island received its name!
Swimming, fishing, shelling,
hiking and bicycling are all popular activities that make Honeymoon Island
State Park an ideal getaway.
The park is also the ferry
terminal for access to another unspoiled state park, Caladesi Island.
ACTIVITIES ALONG THE SHORE AT HONEYMOON
There are approximately four miles of beaches to be enjoyed at Honeymoon Island State Park. A favorite spot for pet owners is the southern portion of beach which contains the park’s Pet Beach. Here your pet can enjoy a dip in the clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Your pet must stay on a six- foot hand-held leash at all times while in the park and we do ask that you clean-up after your pet.
The beach also offers excellent
fishing. Anglers regularly catch spotted sea trout, mackerel, snook and many
other species of saltwater game fish. The shelling at Honeymoon Island is
exceptional and many visitors spend their day at the beach hunched over looking
for that elusive treasure.
Although frequented by over one
million visitors each year, the more energetic can find some peace and solitude
by walking the two-and-a-half-mile sand spit. Park at the northern most parking
lot, hit the beach and head north. The sand spit has grown during the past
forty years from a few sand bars to over two miles of the most pristine beach
you can find anywhere in Florida.
Honeymoon
Island Weather
Weather November to March
Probably the best and most
pleasant time to visit the Island is from November through to March when the
temperature and humidity are a lot lower and more certainly a you’ll enjoy your
trip to the island far more than other times of the year.
Weather April
April is by far the driest month.
Not too many people on holidays during this time but good to know for weekend
trippers.
Weather June to September
These are the wettest months of
the year. Incredibly the island has an average of 7 inches of rainfall per
month during these few months. Be sure to have an umbrella and raincoat but
also bring your sunscreen!
Worst time to visit to Honeymoon Island
Besides the obvious
considerations over the weather on Honeymoon island, try to avoid coming to the
island in late summer/fall. The mosquitoes are at their max numbers and nearly
unbearable. The last thing you want is for your sweet blood or that of your
young kids to be sampled by gazillions of mozzies.
What to pack for your trip to Honeymoon Island
·
Sunscreen (even in the
winter months)
·
Rain gear or an umbrella
just because it almost always rains!
·
Always bring plenty of
drinking water and a picnic lunch as you cannot purchase food on the island
·
Bring binoculars if you
are bird watching
·
Insect repellent or long
sleeves
A Super Quick History of Honeymoon Island
Prior to The
Tampa Bay hurricane of 1921, (also known as the 1921 Tarpon Springs
hurricane) Honeymoon Island and nearby Caladesi Island were one large island
known as Hog Island. The hurricane split the island in half and the waterway
between the two has since been called Hurricane Pass.
A business-man by the name of
Clinton Washburn purchased the island in the 1930s and had the vision to turn
it into a getaway destination for Newlyweds and so Honeymoon Island was born.
He built in the region of 50 holiday cottages and publicized to the American
public in the early 1940s through the newsreels and magazines. The
advertisements promised undiscovered pleasures for newlyweds. Once WWII began
for the Americans, and so too it marked the end of the beginning of the decline
of the thatched cottages. They fell into disuse and slowly the elements took
their tole on the structures.
In the 1960s a developer planned
to build a residential area on the island but this plan went no further when
his permit to construct was not renewed by the state of Florida.
Thankfully for all, birds
included, the state purchased all the land over time and on December 7th 1981,
Honeymoon Island State Park was created.
Honeymoon island Hotels
Honeymoon Island State Park is a
gorgeous spot to visit, but couples cannot stay there. They'll have to
book a room at a hotel in a nearby location, like Clearwater Beach, and plan on
paying a daily entrance fee of $8.
Is there a bathroom in Honeymoon Island?
There is a Limitless playground
located in the picnic area on the north end of the island. Restroom
facilities may be periodically closed for cleaning and availability may be
limited. Several are ADA accessible. Showers for rinsing off are located near
the boardwalks leading out to the main beach areas.
Honeymoon island Dog beach
Have a fun filled day with your
dog in the water at the Honeymoon Island State Park dog beach. It's located
on the southern side of the park, and is a wide-open doggie playground. The
water is shallow, so dogs can walk in the water, and really cool off on a hot
day.
Dogs are not permitted on the
beach. There is a dedicated dog beach at Honeymoon Island State Park. Dogs (on
a maximum 6-foot leash) are only permitted on the Pinellas Trail. The Dunedin
Causeway is also a popular place for fishing.
GEOLOGY OF HONEYMOON ISLAND
Honeymoon Island came to be in
1921 when a hurricane created a channel between what is now Honeymoon and
Caladesi Islands. The barrier island was originally intended for commercial
development but was later designated as a Florida state park. The landscape of
the island differs greatly between the north and south shores. The northern
shore has remained relatively undisturbed, while the south was significantly
altered in 1969. The southern shore was filled with 1.5 million cubic
yards of limestone pebbles, rocks and quartz sand which was dredged from about
2000 feet offshore. The filled area of the beach actually put the shoreline at
about seven feet above sea level, but since then the waters on the shore have
carried away much of the fill, leaving a shoreline of hardened limestone rocks.
These rocks, while not considered aesthetically appealing or good for
recreation it created a unique landscape that is unlike any other beach in the
area. It also serves as a testament of how human influence can affect natural
areas. The fascinating geology of the island extends beyond its limestone
shore. Underneath Honeymoon Island is the Hawthorn formation. This consists of
clay, marl, sand and limestone and dates back to a time when the earth was
undergoing dramatic climate transitions. The island itself is between 4,800 to
7,000 years old, with much of the surface area being influenced by rising sea
levels. Because it is a barrier island, the land is easily shaped by the forces
around it. Humans will mostly likely see this area continue to change over
hundreds of years.
DUNES OF HONEYMOON ISLAND
The dunes both help preserve the beach as well as provide habitat for a variety of different plant species. Many plants rely on beach dunes for survival. These plants face the harsh reality of living so close to the ocean – exposed to wind and sea spray, they find little nutrients in the sandy soil. Yet a variety of plants, including sea oats, sea rockets, and beach elder, grow and spread their roots in the dunes. These roots in turn help keep the dune stable, holding the sand in place and allowing the dunes to accumulate more.
The dunes are also important for
the preservation of the beach. Storms can cause large waves to crash into the
shore, causing tons of sand to wash back out to sea. Beach dunes can play a
vital role in keeping the beach from being totally washed away: Because they
store so much sand, some of it eventually makes its way back to the beach,
replenishing the sand and keeping the beach intact.
Though they can look large and
imposing, beach dunes are very fragile: Walking or driving on them can harm the
dune plants that keep them stable, eventually leading to the dune crumbling
away. Always follow posted signs and remember to steer clear of the dunes, so that
they and the beaches can continue to wow visitors for years to come!
Honeymoon Island Experiences
Bicycling
Spend the day exploring beautiful
Honeymoon Island with Wheel Fun Rentals. We have pedal-powered fun for all
ages with our multi-passenger Surreys and beach cruisers. Ride to your heart’s
content on paved trails throughout the island.
Helmets are highly recommended
for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and
under.
Fishing
Surf and pass fishing can yield
catches of flounder, snook, trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead,
pompano, Spanish mackerel, cobia, ladyfish and tarpon.
All fishing within the park must
conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and
season.
A fishing license may
be required. More information is available at the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website, Fishing in Florida.
Hiking
Observe one of the few remaining
South Florida virgin slash pine stands along the Osprey Trail, which provides
visitors with 2.5 miles of walking.
Paddling
Kayaks can be rented through the
concession or, if you have your own, explore Pelican Cove, which lies between
the sand spit and nature trail.
Picnicking
A picnic area is located on the
northern end of the island. There are picnic tables, two covered pavilions,
restrooms and barbecue grills.
Consumption of alcoholic
beverages is prohibited, except at the restaurant in the park where alcohol is
sold. Alcohol is allowed during park-sanctioned events, within designated areas
only.
Surfing
Surfing is allowed in the park,
and it's usually pretty good on the north end by bathhouse 3.
Swimming
With approximately four miles of
shoreline, beach lovers will find a variety of activities with areas designated
for swimming on the main beach, a pet beach on the south end, and great
shelling and walking on the north end, which turns into a sand spit. Showers
are located near the boardwalks leading out to the main beach areas.
Beach flags.
Visitors to coastal parks are
reminded to pay close attention to the Warning Flag Signs posted at
welcome stations and on the beaches. These flags indicate the swimming
conditions at the beach:
·
Double red flags mean
absolutely no swimming because of high winds and undertow currents
·
Yellow flag means
swim with caution and stay close to shore
·
Green flag means that
the waters are safe
·
Purple flag means
that marine pests are present.
·
Please use caution!
Lifeguards are not provided.
Walking and Running
Walkers and runners enjoy the
park drive, the Osprey Trail and four miles of beach.
Weddings
Honeymoon Island used to be a
good honeymoon spot, and it's still perfect for a wedding.
Wildlife Viewing
Honeymoon Island is home to many
actively nesting birds, including osprey, oyster catchers, snowy plovers and least
terns. Roseate spoonbills, snowy egrets, great blue herons and many other
species are often observed feeding in the bay, beaches and estuaries
surrounding the park.
Gopher tortoises and armadillos can be found in the picnic area and along the nature trail.
Accessible Amenities
Honeymoon Island State Park is
committed to providing a variety of amenities accessible to all of our
visitors.
These amenities include:
·
Rotary Centennial Nature
Center
·
Elevated boardwalks to the
beach.
·
Beach wheelchairs are
available for free. Inquire at the ranger station.
·
Concession with food and
gift store.
·
Picnic facilities with
tables and grills.
·
Limitless playground at
picnic area.
·
Parking.
·
Restrooms.
·
Service animals are
welcome in all areas of Florida State Parks.
Beach
With approximately four miles of
shoreline, beach lovers will find a variety of activities with areas designated
for swimming on the main beach, a pet beach on the south end, and great
shelling and walking on the north end, which turns into a sand spit. Showers
are located near the boardwalks leading out to the main beach areas.
Nature Trail
Observe one of the few remaining
South Florida virgin slash pine stands along the Osprey Trail, which provides
visitors with 2.5 miles of walking.
Parking
Parking is available for the
beach, at the picnic area and at the Rotary Centennial Nature Center.
Pets
Dogs are allowed in designated
areas such as the pet beach on the southern tip of the island and on the nature
trail. Pets must be on a 6-foot hand-held leash at all times in these areas.
Pet owners must pick up after
their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles.
Service animals are allowed in
all areas of the park.
Picnic Pavilion
There are two covered picnic
pavilions and grills located next to the nature trail. These non-reservable
pavilions are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Playground
There is a Limitless playground
located in the picnic area on the north end of the island.
Restroom Facilities
Restroom facilities may be
periodically closed for cleaning and availability may be limited. Several
are ADA accessible.
Shower Station
Showers for rinsing off are
located near the boardwalks leading out to the main beach areas.
Have you visited Honeymoon Island? Do share some photos or tips for travel there in our comments below. We’d love to hear from you.
