Honeymoon
Island State Park - Dunedin, FL
Pictures and visitor info from a trip to
the pet beach on Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, Clearwater, Florida.
Park Entrance |
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Honeymoon
Island State Park has about 4 miles (6 km) of white sand beach that
was included twice in the list of America's top ten beaches
published annually by "Dr. Beach". This exceptional recreational area is located in the Tampa area near Clearwater at 1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698. To reach the park rangers by phone, call (727) 469-5942. Visitors are welcome at Honeymoon Island State Park from 8 AM until sundown every day of the year. The admission fee is $8 per vehicle (2-8 people), $4 for a single occupant vehicle, $2 for pedestrians or bicyclists and just $4 per vehicle one hour before sunset. I visited this park with a friend and his two large dogs since it's one of the few places in Pinellas County where pets are allowed on the beach. |
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Some of the most
popular recreational activities at Honeymoon Island State Park for the more
than seven hundred thousand visitors each year include swimming, sunbathing,
hiking on the nature trails, bird watching, fishing, snorkeling, shelling,
canoeing, kayaking, picnicking, surfing, holding wedding ceremonies,
wildlife viewing, and sailing.
It's easy to see why Honeymoon Island was Florida's most visited state park in 2007. |
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Rules & Regulations Sign |
Walking Path To Beach |
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The four miles of
white sandy beach on the island include the main beach area, the dog beach,
and the sand spit (or sandspit) beach.
A substantial portion of Honeymoon Island's 2800+ acre area is dominated by a virgin slash pine forest, mangrove swamps, and other native Floridian vegetation. |
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A few of the animal species that can be seen on the island include the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (see pictures below), Gopher Tortoise, horseshoe crab, sea turtles, shore birds, great horned owls, ospreys, | ||
Visitor amenities or services on Honeymoon Island include restrooms, picnic shelters, vending machines, a nature center, the Honeymoon Cafe, a small gift shop, a volleyball court, kayak rentals, raised barbeque grills, a playground, beach gear rentals, access to the Caladesi Island State Park ferry launch, and multilingual staff members. | ||
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Horseshoe Crab |
Calm Blue Waters |
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A little known fact about Honeymoon Island is that it's name came from a promotional contest for newlywed couples held by the original owner, a New York real estate developer named Clinton Washburn. He advertised the competition in a 1939 issue of LIFE magazine and the winners got to stay in a few of the fifty thatched bungalows that had been built on the beach. | ||
Pet Beach Area |
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Local fisherman flock to this park for the opportunity to catch snook, pompano fish, shark, trout, flounder, snapper, whiting, sheepshead, tarpon, and redfish. We saw nearly a dozen people wading out in the water with fishing poles during our brief visit. My friend recounted the story of a friendly yet mischievous local dog who enjoys snatching fish from fisherman once they're on the hook. | ||
Dog Beach |
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Gulf of Mexico |
Sailboats Sailing |
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Diamondback Rattlesnake |
Dunedin Causeway |
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For more of my related photo galleries, click on the following links: Downtown Tampa Driving Tour, University of Tampa, Hyde Park, Fort De Soto Park, Hillsborough River State Park, Jay B. Starkey Park, Lettuce Lake Park, Lowry Park Zoo, USF Botanical Gardens, Yuengling Brewery Tour, Bayshore Boulevard Driving Tour, Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Guavaween Festival, Discovery Cove - Orlando, UF Vs. USF Tampa Bulls, Gulf World Marine Park - Panama City Beach, Sante Fe River - High Springs, Panama City Beach - Bay County, Epcot Food & Wine Festival, St. Andrews State Park - Panama City, Halloween Horror Nights - Orlando, and Deland Skydiving, |
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