Caladesi Island State Park beach conditions

An unspoiled island beach reached by ferry or boat.

Caladesi Island State Park is in Pinellas County, Florida, on the Gulf coast.

No bridge reaches Caladesi Island State Park, only a ferry from Honeymoon Island or a private boat, and the trip costs both a park entry fee and ferry fare. Pets stay off the boat and the beach, though service animals are welcome, and a concession stand covers the basics once you're ashore. Honeymoon Island Dog Beach is under two miles off, and Clearwater Beach under four miles south.

Today's flag, water temperature, surf, wind, UV and tide times for Caladesi Island State Park load on this page automatically. Conditions change through the day, so nothing on this page is a substitute for the flag flying when you arrive.

Know before you go

Amenity details are Coasti's own notes and can go out of date. Fees, lifeguard seasons and dog rules are set locally.

Beach flag colors

Flags run from green for low hazard to double red for water closed — see what each flag color means.

Where these readings come from

Tide predictions come from NOAA station Clearwater Beach (8726724).

Weather and marine forecasts come from the National Weather Service at St. Pete-Clearwater Intl (KPIE).

Red tide readings come from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission monitoring map.

Red tide at Caladesi Island State Park

Pinellas County, home to Caladesi Island State Park, lies within the middle stretch of the Gulf coast that draws the most red tide activity in the state. FWC's statewide map is never more than about eight days behind, since sampling runs on a rolling cycle. Some stretches of coast catch a bloom while others nearby see none of it. See today's statewide red tide status.

Common questions

Is Caladesi Island State Park safe for swimming today?

That depends on the flag and the surf, and both change through the day. Coasti shows the posted lifeguard flag when a current one exists, and estimates from surf, wind and rip-current risk when it does not. Today's answer for Caladesi Island State Park loads at the top of this page.

Does Caladesi Island State Park have lifeguards?

Caladesi Island State Park has no lifeguard station, so no official flag is posted here. Coasti estimates the flag from conditions instead.

Is there parking at Caladesi Island State Park?

Caladesi Island State Park has no dedicated beach parking. No road access; ferry from Honeymoon Island (park entry + ferry fare) or private boat. Fees and lot hours change, so check locally before you go.

Are dogs allowed at Caladesi Island State Park?

Dogs are not allowed on the beach at Caladesi Island State Park. Nearby rules vary, so check locally before you go.

Why is the sand at Caladesi Island State Park so white?

It is quartz rather than crushed shell or coral. Quartz reflects more light, so it looks whiter and stays noticeably cooler underfoot on a hot afternoon.

Nearby

More Pinellas County beaches · All beaches Coasti covers · Red tide status · What the flags mean