Honeymoon Island is a rocky beach with a view across Hurricane Pass to Caladesi. Once connected, the islands were separated after a 1921 storm.
This state park is a favorite spot for the residents of Dunedin and Pinellas County. Parking lots and first-rate concessions draw crowds of sun worshippers and shell hunters.
Take a Kayak Tour
With approximately four miles of beaches and 2.5 miles of trails, Honeymoon Island State Park is a popular destination for hikers, bikers, beachgoers, swimmers, and nature enthusiasts. The park is named for its role as a honeymoon destination for winners of Life magazine’s newlywed contest in the early 1900s and it remains a popular spot for couples to spend their special day.
When planning a visit to Honeymoon Island, be sure to check the weather and swimming conditions before heading out for an adventure. The park is open year-round, but the best time to go may depend on what you’re looking for in your vacation. While Florida is warm all year round, spring and fall offer milder temperatures and more chances to spot wildlife on the beach and the trails.
Kayaks are available for rent at the South Beach Park concession on Honeymoon Island or you can bring your own. Be sure to consult the kayak guidelines and regulations posted on the park bulletin boards and review them with the on-island National Park Service staff once you reach the islands.
If you’d rather explore the park on two wheels, there are bicycles, tandem bikes, and multi-passenger beach surreys to rent at the Honeymoon Island State Park store and café. There are also a few trails to explore including the Osprey Trail, which loops through the slash pine forests and offers scenic views of St. Joseph Sound. The North End Beach is a favorite spot for shelling and walking, so be sure to pay attention to the swim warning flags.
The Nature Center on the mainland is a great place to learn more about the natural history of Honeymoon Island and neighboring Caladesi Island. You can get a stamp for your Real Florida Passport here and learn more about local wildlife, like the endangered gopher tortoise, and native plants in Florida. The center also has a garden of heirloom and historic plants. It’s worth a stop on any visit to the park.
Visit the Nature Center
Whether you’re looking to kick back and relax or get active, Honeymoon Island State Park is the perfect place for newlyweds. With miles of pristine white beaches and one of the world’s last virgin slash pine forests, the park is a nature-lover’s dream. Visitors can explore the 2.5-mile Osprey Trail, look for birds like osprey, pelicans, and roseate spoonbills, or observe ground animals like gopher tortoises and raccoons. The park’s Rotary Centennial Nature Center also helps visitors learn more about the natural and human history of Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island.
If you want to take a break from the beach, there are plenty of picnic areas with tables and grills, as well as a cafe. You can even book a kayak tour of the area, or if you’re feeling adventurous, try launching your boat across Hurricane Pass and heading to Caladesi Island. Just remember to check the tides, and winds and let someone know your plans!
Once a giant hog farm, this sun-dappled stretch of sand north of Clearwater was named Honeymoon Island in the 1940s when a Life magazine ad offered a week’s stay here for newlyweds who won the magazine’s newlywed contest. Today, the state park protects 22 acres of sandy strand and is a popular destination for vacationers, locals, and birdwatchers.
Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, shelling, and walking the trails on Honeymoon Island. The rocky beaches on the northern end of the park are a great spot for shelling, while the beaches further south offer soft white sand and panoramic views of Tampa Bay.
The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset daily. There’s a fee to enter the park per vehicle, and parking capacity is often reached during peak season. Once you’re inside, be sure to stop by the Osprey Trail kiosk to pay the entrance fee for your vehicle and receive a map of the trails on the island.
The park offers disability parking spaces, ADA-compliant restrooms, free beach wheelchairs, and paved paths to the beaches and nature center. The park's cafe and picnic area are also wheelchair accessible. Additionally, when planning your trip, keep an eye out for any available Qatar Airways Promotional Code to save on your travel expenses.
Explore the Beaches
There are miles of beaches to explore at Honeymoon Island State Park. Each beach has its character and each will appeal to different visitors. There is Main Beach, a wide beach that has the classic Florida feel with white sand. Then there is North Beach, a more narrow beach with shells and driftwood to find. And for those visiting with pets, there is a pet-friendly beach as well.
If you are looking for a little hiking, the beach area of the park also has some wonderful nature trails. These trails run along the beautiful virgin slash pine forest of the park and you can take in the scenery as you hike along the paths. If you are lucky, you might even see some wildlife! I have seen multiple rattlesnakes while walking around and I've even spotted gopher tortoises and armadillos while at the park!
The beaches at Honeymoon Island State Park are also beautiful, no matter the season. They are clean and are a perfect place to soak up the sun. The dunes on the beach are a great feature and help preserve the beach when storm surges occur. They also allow for easier access when the tide comes in and out. If you are going to Honeymoon Island during the winter, you'll likely have less crowds as many people head to warmer climates.
Beachgoers can expect to see lots of seabirds and marine life as well! The beaches are home to osprey, oystercatchers, pelicans, snowy plovers, herons, and terns.
Snorkeling is a fun activity for visitors to the beach as well. The west side of the beach has a patch reef that is fairly shallow and offers some great snorkeling opportunities. You can even sometimes see manatees swimming in the nearby waters!
Be sure to bring water when you go to the beaches and keep in mind that no alcohol is allowed at Florida State parks. However, if you want to enjoy alcohol at the beach, there are restaurants nearby where you can get a beer or glass of wine.
Explore the Trails
Located less than an hour from Tampa in Dunedin, Honeymoon Island is a barrier island and state park with miles of beautiful beaches and lots of nature trails. Its name was inspired by a LIFE magazine contest in 1939 for newlyweds, but it’s also a popular vacation spot for families and nature lovers. The park is also known for its birding. Throughout the year, you can see eagles and great horned owls along the beaches and on the nature trails.
The most prominent feature of Honeymoon Island is the mile-long looping nature trail that cuts through one of the last untouched virgin slash pine forests in Florida. It offers a chance to get away from the crowds at the beach and get some peace as you hike past swaying palm trees and mangrove swamps. Depending on when you visit, the trails may be covered in lush greenery or dry and brown from a recent prescribed burn. The best time to hike the trails is in the early morning or evening when temperatures are cooler and there are usually fewer people around.
After hiking the trail, head to the main beach, which is wide and white with the same fine-grained sand as all of the other beaches in Pinellas County. There are plenty of well-tended parking lots and restrooms, and the beach is dog-friendly. If you prefer a more remote experience, head to North Beach and walk along the sand spit that leads out into the Gulf of Mexico.
Aside from the beach and nature trails, Honeymoon Island has several other amenities to enjoy. The park has a picnic area and playground, as well as a grilling pavilion. It’s possible to rent kayaks and boats here, and you can also take a guided manatee tour.
The park charges an admission fee, which you can pay online or at the entrance station. There are also food and drink concessions on the property, but be sure to bring water and sunscreen as it's a hot day in Pinellas County! You'll want to arrive early in the day as well so that you can secure a good parking spot. Additionally, when planning your trip, consider looking for a Travel Promo Code to save on your travel expenses and make the most of your visit.
Conclusion
Honeymoon Island is a truly beautiful destination that offers a wide range of activities and experiences. Whether you're looking to relax on the beach, explore the local wildlife, or simply enjoy some time with your loved ones, there's something for everyone on this stunning island. So if you're looking for a romantic and unforgettable honeymoon, be sure to consider Honeymoon Island as your destination of choice.
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