Honeymoon Island State Park: A Moonlit Gem on the East Coast
By Angelina Campbell – Guest Adventurist
Located just north of the bustling St. Petersburg, is the shores of Honeymoon Island: a state park on Dunedin, Florida’s coast with a unique history spanning influence from tourism, war, coastal erosion, and nature preservation.
Love-Struck Beginnings
Honeymoon Island was once inhabited by the Tocobaga Native American tribe, but its romance-inspiring name is from Clinton Washburn, a businessman who came to the island in the late 1930s. He believed its sandy shores would make a good place for honeymoons and thus built 50 cottages for newly wedded couples. The island was open to guests by May 8th, 1940, however, as World War II loomed, the island began to see usage for military support.
Later in the 1960s, others attempted to expand the island for residential use. But as dredging efforts failed, actions by environmentalists prevented further attempts at damaging the island’s ecosystem. Eventually, the state of Florida would purchase parts of the island between the mid to late-1970s with Honeymoon Island later opening as a state park on December 7th, 1981.
At the Beach
Honeymoon Island’s beaches stretch along the eastern coast where you’ll find your usual seagulls, black skimmers, and plovers, but there are also small shells scattered along its sandy shores!
“This is our favorite beach in Florida and we go multiple times whenever we visit my dad. It is clean, not too busy, and chock-full of shells!” Kendra H., from Tripadvisor adds, “We have a great time looking for augers, conchs, colorful scallops, and whatever else we can find.”
Meaning visitors are able to find their own piece of Florida’s natural treasures! During my own visit with a friend, I walked along the island’s main beach heading north to where Oasis Beach lies. I found a few of my own shells to take home but make sure there are no critters still inside before keeping them!
Besides shelling, guests are free to enjoy the usual beach activities! From swimming to relaxing with a book in hand… And at the southern end of the island, there’s a designated beach for pets! Though please note that they must be kept on a 6ft leash at all times.
Additionally, please adhere to any Warning Flag Signs regarding the beaches’ water conditions. Alcohol is also prohibited in all areas of the park except for ones sold at the island’s cafe and in designated areas for events.
Land to Sea, Sea to Land
Whether in the waters or on land, Honeymoon Island offers ways to enjoy both on-land activities and the ocean waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Visitors are able to kayak or surf along the island’s shores or to the nearby Caladesi Island.
Bicyclists can also take advantage of the paved trails around the island. A nearby company, Wheel Fun, offers rental mutli-passenger surreys and beach cruisers with prices vary per hour or by intended period of usage. More details can be found on their website: Wheel Fun Rentals.
Deeper into the island, you can also find a playground alongside shaded pavilions with tables for picnics.
Hiking and Wildlife-Viewing
Starting from where the playground and pavilions are located, Honeymoon Island boasts a 2.5 mile-long path for hiking referred to as the Osprey Trail. There, visitors can see one of Florida’s last slash-pine forests and have a chance of spotting local fauna!
My friend and I found a gopher tortoise along the path, but there are also armadillos, spoonbills, great blue herons, or snakes, such as the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, within the park. And true to their hiking trail’s name, an osprey nest sits in a tree just above a fork between the Osprey Trail and another hiking trail! We were lucky to catch one flying overhead before seeing it land in its nest.
And it wouldn’t be an island without some coastal hallmarks.
“There’s so much wildlife you can see there, like dolphins, fish… and occasionally manatees,” says Lilian Brown, a local resident who often visits the park.
But there are also loggerhead sea turtles and green sea turtles who have made the island a home for their nests. The park takes great consideration for these flippered friends and warns visitors to always drive slowly.
Stephanie C. points out: “On the way in, we saw several turtles crossing the road—there are even special crossings for them, so be sure to slow down and watch out. It’s a perfect blend of natural beauty and seaside relaxation,” review from Tripadvisor.
Nature Center and Exhibits
Closer to the entrance, and open from 9am to 5 pm on Wednesdays through Sundays, is the Rotary Centennial Nature Center. More of Honeymoon Island’s history and details on the local fauna can be found there!
And along the Osprey Trail, there are a plethora of interpretive exhibits of the fauna and conservation efforts of the park from owl nesting to prescribed fires.
Ferry to Caladesi Island
A century ago, Honeymoon Island used to be part of a larger known island called Hog Island. But after the Hurricane of 1921, it was split into two: Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island.
However, visitors are still able to visit Caladesi Island via kayaks or using the Honeymoon Island ferry which is $6 per boat.
Amenities
There are a number of different amenities at the park for visitors’ convenience including restrooms, parking, and boardwalks with showers along them. At the main beach, the Cafe Honeymoon also serves burgers, sandwiches, fountain drinks, and other tasty foods and snacks for hungry guests!
The park has also taken consideration for accessibility with ramps leading up to its cafe and restrooms while also providing beach wheelchairs at the ranger station! Service dogs are also welcomed.
Back to its Roots
While Honeymoon Island is not the honeymoon-getaway it used to be, many couples have had their wedding ceremonies hosted on the island’s shores!
Other events aside from weddings can also be hosted on Honeymoon Island! For more details, you can visit their website, Romantic Honeymoon Island, or contact Cafe Honeymoon directly at 727-260-5503!
Local Importance
Barrier Island Protection
Honeymoon Island’s ecological significance spans beyond its biodiversity. As a barrier island, it doesn’t just serve as a home for local fauna; it protects coastal communities.
Formed and shaped by waves and weather patterns, barrier islands are deposits of sand and sediment that run parallel to coastlines and host important ecosystems like marshes and estuaries for fish and birds. They play a significant role in absorbing the energy from strong waves, hurricanes, and other weather-related conditions which mitigates flooding caused by storms. Human activity, like damming and dredging, can damage the islands.
Cultural Relevance
But the island is also important to local communities at a personal level. Palm Harbor resident, Lilian Brown, shares: “I’ve been going there since before I can remember. My parents live about 10-15 minutes away, and I go with my friends all the time… It has become a meeting place of sorts. They host many different events that range anywhere from baptisms to weddings to marathons.”
She also reiterates the importance of the park’s conservation efforts: “The park does an amazing job at educating both tourists and locals with the nature center and the rangers. They are very dedicated to preserving the natural environment in that area…”
Planning Your Visit
Honeymoon Island State Park is located on #1 Causeway Blvd. Dunedin, FL 34698.
I went to the island with my friend on a Wednesday evening while the sun was slowly setting. The park is open from 8am till sundown, but they are open to letting visitors stay and watch the sunset for a small fee in addition to standard park admission.
Admission fees for park entry are based on vehicle and occupancy:
$8 per vehicle (limited to 8 people per vehicle) with $2 per extra passenger
$4 single-occupant vehicles
$2 pedestrians (includes bicyclists or passengers with a holder of an Annual Individual Entrance Pass)
$4 per vehicle for sunset viewing, sales start one hour prior to park closing
For any further details on the island’s amenities and experiences, feel free to visit its page on the Florida State Parks’ website: Honeymoon Island State Park
This is a beautiful, quaint island. It’s quiet, not too crowded, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves the beach but feels hesitant about going to more bustling places like St. Petersburg or Miami. A little “oasis” or hidden gem as one would call it.
Angelina Campbell is a Live Wildly Guest Adventurist and a student at the University of South Florida.
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