Caladesi Island State Park
Located in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caladesi Island State Park is one of the 175 state parks in Florida, United States. Situated on the Caladesi Island in the Pinellas County, the Caladesi Island State Park is considered a popular touristic attraction for its pristine beaches and variety of recreational activities. The Caladesi Island is located across the St. Joseph Sound in the western part of the city of Dunedin and to the north of Clearwater Beach. The island’s name corresponds to the Spanish term “cala”, which translates to cove, and was given by a Spanish ship’s captain in 1628.
This touristic hotspot is designated as an attractive getaway for nature lovers for its peaceful hiking trails and soft white beaches covered with pine trees. Although there are hiking trails and ranger stations on the island, overnight camping is only allowed to the boaters who dock at the bayside marina. Also, fireworks and hunting are banned to preserve the island's wildlife. Remarkably, the island remains untouched as hotels have not been built there yet.
Geographical History
Originally, the state park was part of a larger barrier island that was connected with Clearwater Beach. In 1921, the Tampa Bay hurricane tore through the barrier island, creating the Hurricane pass which divided it into two: Caladesi Island from the south, and Honeymoon Island from the north, both situated to the north of the Clearwater beach. In 1966, the Caladesi Island covering an area of 9.92 sq. km was designated a Florida State Park. The Clearwater Beach and Caladesi Island were separated from each other by the Dunedin pass from the south, which began to accumulate sand in the 1980s. Hurricane Elena in 1985 helped in filling the pass and made the island accessible by walking from Clearwater Beach. Thus, the Caladesi Island State Park is mainly accessible via ferries that depart from Honeymoon Island, or by walking northwards from Clearwater beach.
Climate
The tropical climate of the island is attributed to its location in the west of the city of Dunedin, Florida, where the temperature ranges from a record high of 39°C during July and a record low of -7°C during December. The island also experiences heavy precipitation from June to September.
Habitat
Caladesi Island State Park is home to various habitats. Offshore, Oysters and coral reefs can be observed during low tide. There are plenty of manatee beds, shoals, and turtle grasses that serve as homes for underwater creatures. Many recreational activities such as snorkeling, shelling, fishing, and swimming are available thanks to the park’s shark-free waters and clean dunes. The island's untouched beaches and unique biodiversity have attracted many tourists and locals who have never heard of it.
Behind the popular beaches of the park, dunes extend across the island. These dunes are home to various plant species, such as beach elders, sea oats, mangrove trees, and cabbage palms. Interestingly, the roots of these plants stabilize the dunes. Mangrove trees dominate most parts of the shoreline. The mangroves’ prop roots provide the juvenile crustaceans and fish with a place to hide from the larger predators.
