a Little Bit of Paradise

Whoever said there was no unspoiled beauty left in Florida has never been to Caladesi Island State Park. This diamond in the rough is one of the few remaining examples of a secluded island paradise. Four miles of undeveloped white sand beach and dunes line this island on the Gulf of Mexico, providing an ideal escape for sun worshippers and nature lovers.


In fact, Caladesi Island was voted number one in the Annual Top 10 Beaches ranking by coastal expert Dr. Stephen Leatherman, Director of Coastal Research at Florida International University.

In addition to its beautiful beaches, the island boasts acres of lush mangrove forests; one of the few tree species that survives in salt water. The mangrove are also increasing the size of the island as their immense root system traps soil and continue to spread. Explore this area on foot via the three miles of trails or by kayak trails that intertwine through the forest. The vegetation on Caladesi Island provides an ideal nesting place for the gopher tortoise, loggerhead and green sea turtles, and the occasional Eastern diamondback rattlesnake.

The beach at Caladesi is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Popular sightings include American oystercatchers, black skimmers, royal and least terns and snowy, Wilson's and piping plovers. On the bayside of the island watch for great blue herons, snowy egrets and roseate spoonbills. See if you can spot the osprey nests located atop barren pine snags.

By : v.k.-melhado