CLEARWATER, Fla.—Caladesi Island State Park, an offshore island near Clearwater, ranked number 7 for Dr. Beach's 2019 Top 10 Beaches.
Caladesi Island State Park is one of the few untouched islands along the Gulf Coast. Accessible only by boat, this completely natural island offers pristine beaches, kayak trips through the bayside mangrove forest and walks on nature trails to the historic Scharrer Homestead.
Enjoy fishing, paddling and boating on the island. There is a playground in the picnic area and pets are allowed in the park so long as they are not on the beach at any time and they must be on a leash.
The park is open from 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year. You can catch the ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park. It’s $14 for adults and $7 for kids 6-12 years old—kids 5 and under ride for free. Click here for a list of other fees.
Other beaches that made the list include Grayton Beach State Park in the Florida Panhandle (ranked number 3) and the number 1 beach on the list, Kailua Beach Park in Oahu, Hawaii.
The annual list is released by coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman (also known as Dr. Beach). He analyzes beaches across the country using 50 different criteria points, including water temperature, sand softness and park safety.
To see the rest of the list, click here.
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