Caladesi Island

Caladesi Island is just 100 yards South of Honeymoon Island. Hurricane Pass separates the two. This trip paradoxically can be either difficult or easy. The tidal flow through Hurricane Pass is strong and a paddler must cross a marked channel with a heavy amount of boat traffic. The best place to launch from is from the Dunedin Causeway. You can park almost in the water to unload your craft from the gently sloping beach. The tidal range is not great here, but note carefully the high tide line. The causeway itself is an interesting place where you may meet people from all over the world and see a variety of watercraft. There is a rental operation that rents kayaks and sailboats. While canoes are generally a rarity in salt water, I have seen a few here. With careful attention to waves and wind, the safety level is favorable to even those fresh water craft. Once you launch from the causeway, it is easy going to the point where you cross the channel. To cross safely, paddle to one of the green channel markers and cross the channel quickly by heading to the red marker. The axiom "red right returning" is a easy way to remember how the markers are set up. Crossing a channel by paddle is like crossing a busy highway on foot, look carefully both ways. No boat has brakes, and the larger ones are not as maneuverable, however, the larger boats will probably have a more competent person at the helm. The ones to worry about are the smaller powerboats who may be going fast with an inexperienced person at the helm. I live aboard a large sailboat in a marina. The boneheads who bang into our docked vessels are usually in mid sized power boats: weekend boaters with limited competence. The channel is only one hundred and fifty feet wide however, and can be crossed safely and quickly if you time your crossing carefully. Once across the channel, you will soon get into a marked no-motor zone. The water will be shallow and clear here and you may see fish and stingrays underneath your vessel. The closest part of Caladesi is an inviting sandy spit of land. Be forewarned that the tidal current around this point can be surprisingly strong. It lessens in intensity the further you are from the point. At this point in the journey, you have the option of going out through the pass to the most excellent beaches on the Gulf side of Caladesi, or doing the nature trip on the inland side of the island. Going to the Gulf side requires the paddler to know the tidal times and the wind direction and speed. Paddling either way through the pass can be difficult against the tidal flow. Planning the trip to take advantage of the tide will make it far easier on your group. I had to tow a girlfriend back through the pass when she couldn't handle paddling against the strong tidal flow. Keep in mind the strength, stamina, and experience of others in your group. The inland side is definitely easier, and more of a nature trip through calm waters. Fishing is good on the inland side of the island. A snorkeling trip to the inland side of the island was unsatisfactory. While I haven't tried snorkeling on the gulf side, I doubt there would be much to see. Overall, if you keep in mind the caveats previously mentioned, a trip to Caladesi can be quite enjoyable.

Returning To Dunedin Causeway