Caladesi Island State Park
Caladesi Island State Park | |
---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
Location | Pinellas County, Florida, United States |
Nearest city | Dunedin, Florida |
Coordinates | 28°01′12″N 82°49′16″W / 28.02000°N 82.82111°W |
Visitors | 200,000 (in 2010) |
Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Caladesi Island State Park is a
It is accessible by passenger
Amenities include a three-mile nature trail, a marina, picnic pavilions, bathhouses, a park concession stand, and a beach.[1] In 2005, the Caladesi Island beach was listed as having the fourth-best beach in the country; in 2006 and 2007 the second-best; and in 2008 the best beach in the United States by Dr. Beach.[2][3][4][5]
Originally part of a larger barrier island, Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island were created in 1921 when a hurricane cut Hurricane Pass to divide the larger island into two parts.[3] Although Caladesi is still referred to as a separate island, Hurricane Elena filled in Dunedin Pass in 1985, making Caladesi Island accessible by walking northward from North Clearwater Beach.[6]
In the 1880s, homesteader Henry Scharrer and his daughter Myrtle lived on the island. Later in life, at the age of 87, Myrtle Scharrer Betz penned the book Yesteryear I Lived in Paradise, telling of her life on the barrier island.[1]
Recreational activities
The park affords such activities as
Concessions are also available.[1] The concession stand, Café Caladesi, features "casual style beach fare". Its hours vary according to park hours.
Climate
Climate data for Caladesi Island, Florida | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 89 (32) |
89 (32) |
95 (35) |
92 (33) |
97 (36) |
100 (38) |
102 (39) |
99 (37) |
97 (36) |
94 (34) |
92 (33) |
88 (31) |
102 (39) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 69 (21) |
72 (22) |
75 (24) |
80 (27) |
85 (29) |
89 (32) |
90 (32) |
90 (32) |
88 (31) |
82 (28) |
77 (25) |
71 (22) |
81 (27) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 50 (10) |
53 (12) |
57 (14) |
62 (17) |
68 (20) |
73 (23) |
75 (24) |
75 (24) |
72 (22) |
66 (19) |
59 (15) |
53 (12) |
64 (18) |
Record low °F (°C) | 19 (−7) |
23 (−5) |
31 (−1) |
37 (3) |
45 (7) |
51 (11) |
63 (17) |
64 (18) |
55 (13) |
42 (6) |
28 (−2) |
19 (−7) |
19 (−7) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.99 (76) |
3.05 (77) |
3.81 (97) |
2.37 (60) |
2.02 (51) |
6.69 (170) |
8.09 (205) |
8.32 (211) |
6.99 (178) |
3.31 (84) |
2.15 (55) |
2.95 (75) |
52.74 (1,339) |
Source: [7] |
Images
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Caladesi Park's boat marina, in the distance; the low shoreline trees are mangroves.
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Marina up close
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Marina, another view
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Kayaks near the concession stand, at the marina
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Park's small passenger ferry, docked
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Passenger ferry boat, in motion
References
- ^ a b c Caladesi Island State Park official site Archived 2012-06-17 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "DrBeach". Archived from the original on March 5, 2013. Retrieved June 25, 2006.
- ^ a b Florida's Caladesi Island named nation's best beach
- ^ Caladesi Island Tops List Of America's Best Beaches[permanent dead link]
- ^ Falling for the Beach, Washington Post
- ^ The Beach at Caladesi Island
- ^ "Intellicast | Weather Underground".