Where to Paddle / Paddling Dunedin Causeway, Honeymoon Island & Caladesi
Paddling Dunedin Causeway, Honeymoon Island & Caladesi
Free causeway launches, clear water, and island state parks on one of the prettiest stretches of the Pinellas coast.
Access & parking
The Dunedin Causeway runs from mainland Dunedin to Honeymoon Island State Park, with free roadside parking and water access along the way. Honeymoon Island charges a state park entry fee. Caladesi Island is reachable only by boat, ferry from Honeymoon Island, or a paddle across the sound.
Launching
The causeway itself is the easiest launch: pull off, park, and walk your board a few steps to the water on either side. The water is shallow and protected. Paddling to Caladesi across St. Joseph Sound is roughly 3 miles of open water — a committing crossing for experienced paddlers only, in calm weather.
Beginner suitability
The causeway shallows are excellent for beginners on calm days. The Caladesi crossing is not a beginner trip: boat traffic, wind fetch across open water, and no easy bailout points.
Facilities
Honeymoon Island State Park has restrooms, concessions, a nature trail, and a dog beach. The causeway has no facilities — plan accordingly.
Safety & restrictions
Wind picks up across the sound by afternoon; morning paddles are calmer. Watch for boats in marked channels. State park rules apply on Honeymoon and Caladesi — verify fees, hours, and permitted areas on the Florida State Parks site before your trip.
Nearby alternatives
The protected water inside the causeway; Clearwater's Intracoastal to the south; the Dunedin Marina waterfront for a short urban paddle.
Official information
Rules, hours, fees, and closures change. Always verify with the official source before you go:
This guide was last verified on 2026-09-06. We do not guarantee this location is open or conditions are safe on any particular day.
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