Honeymoon Island is a 385-acre barrier island state park connected to the mainland by a causeway from Dunedin, about 15 minutes north of Clearwater Beach. The park has four miles of beaches on its western shore, three miles of nature trails through one of the last remaining stands of virgin slash pine forest in South Florida, and a bird observation area where ospreys nest in large numbers from January through May.
The main beach on the Gulf side is wide and family-friendly, with calm, shallow water and fine sand dotted with shells. The southern tip, known as the dog beach, is one of the few in the area that allows pets. Honeymoon Island is also the departure point for the ferry to Caladesi Island State Park. Entry costs $8 per vehicle, and the park can fill to capacity on busy weekends — arrive early. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available near the ferry dock.