There aren’t too many places in Florida that seem like they are still waiting to be discovered. However, my favorite part about living in the state is that I can still be surprised when it comes to restaurants, hidden gems, and secret secluded islands. Take Caladesi Island as a perfect example of what I mean. Only accessible by boat, Caladesi Island is still a rare natural wonder in Florida that you have to see for yourself to believe it’s real.

Caladesi Island is one of the last remaining untouched islands on the Gulf Coast and is only accessible by boat.
Getty Images Anita Denunzio/ iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection
But it’s easy to see why this incredible natural wonder is worth the effort to explore.
Flickr Pinellas County
Don’t worry if you don’t have your own personal watercraft, you can still visit via the Caladesi Connection ferry service.
Some guests even take to paddling their way to the island, winding through the water trails to enjoy various wildlife.
Getty Images Anita Denunzio/ iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection

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Once you get to the island, you’ll have sprawling shorelines, incredible old-growth slash pines, and much more at your disposal.
Flickr jcsullivan24
Caladesi Island State Park is the place to get away from it all, spending a few hours enjoying the splendor and solitude.
Flickr rcgtrrz
Stroll along the pristine beaches, digging your toes into the white, sugary sand. This barrier island is known for having both sand and clear water that rival the Caribbean.
Anyone with a private vessel can dock and sleep overnight at the nearby marina floating docks.
Flickr Jonathan C Wheeler
Make sure you stick around to catch a sunset, too. You know what they say about the sunsets on the Gulf side of Florida, right? They’re out-of-this-world.
Pets are allowed on the island, just not on the beach. There are bathroom facilities and outdoor showers on the island, too.
Google Maps

Have you ever visited Caladesi Island State Park before? What did you think about the crystal-clear blue water? Tell us all about it in the comments section! You can also visit the Caladesi Island State Park website for more information about planning a visit as well as hitching a ride on the ferry.

If you look at the map, Caladesi Island is right next to Dunedin, Florida, a charming small town that deserves to be explored. See for yourself why Dunedin, Florida is the perfect vacation getaway, even for residents!

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Caladesi Island, Dunedin, FL 33767, USA