Caladesi Island

Virgin slash pine forest on Caladesi Island

After a brief ferryboat ride winding through mangrove islands along Dunedin Sound, you arrive at the Caladesi Island State Park dock. Most visitors pile out and head straight down the boardwalk for the beach, but being an inquisitive hiker, you’d like to see the rest of the island first.

Walk up the boardwalk and around the back of the concession stand, following the boardwalk into the beach scrub with its scattered cabbage palms. Just before you reach the “Along the Waterfront” kiosk at a T intersection of boardwalks, look for the “Island Trail” sign. Turn left. The trail meanders into the coastal scrub. At 0.2 mile, there is a trail guide box on the left. When you cross the jeep trail with the “Shortcut to Beach” sign at 0.6 mile, continue straight across.

After a mile of hiking, you reach a sign with a hiker symbol. Bear right, and turn left to follow the Hammock Loop. Walk softly along this cathedral of pines, one of Central Florida’s last remaining strands of virgin slash pine. Veering down to the left, you catch sight of the glimmering waters of Dunedin Pass. Enjoy a moment along the shore.