The scoop: Known as Hog Island by early settlers, Dunedin's prime beachfront real estate has enjoyed a storied history, including some hurricane redesigns, one of which resulted in Caladesi Island. The place was renamed Honeymoon Isle in 1939 by an entrepreneurial New York developer who purchased the island for $30,000 and plunked 50 palm-thatched bungalows on it for honeymooners.
In 1972, after plans to develop the island with high rises, shopping centers and a golf resort fell through because of environmental concerns, the state purchased the island for $280-million and made it a place everyone can enjoy.
Why go? The best reason to go is the beach, of course, the closest one to Dunedin, Safety Harbor and Oldsmar, and of a more serene bent than Clearwater Beach. The many faces of Honeymoon Island have something for everyone, from broad swaths of sugar sand at the south end to the more rugged rocky shores of the northern end, along with hiking trails and great fishing. The island also is home to one of the few remaining stands of south Florida virgin slash pine.
Time stamp: We pulled into the main beach parking lot, near the south end of the island, about 4 p.m. Saturday. The parking lot was crowded but not full, and a lot of folks were leaving. Turns out this is a great time to go to the beach in the summer!
Field report: We had poked around toward the north end of the park first, at the farthest parking lot, and found the conditions way too rocky for comfortable walking or beach towel reclining. It was a good shelling area, though, and those more inclined to seclusion had staked out the smoothest areas and made themselves at home.
We didn't want to work that hard, so we headed back south and were rewarded with thinning crowds and a beautiful walk along a smooth sand shoreline with terrific views of the gulf and Clearwater. Sandy shoals made it possible to walk several dozen feet out into shallow water, perfect for families with small children. Just beyond the shoals, hip-deep drop-offs made for popular fishing areas, which kept fishing folks and beach folks nicely separated.
Well-spaced benches along the beach provide for reflective time to take in the great views.
Upon further review: This is just a great park and beach area. There are convenient restroom and shower facilities at both ends of the park, a dog beach, plenty of parking, nice trails and good fishing. Honeymoon Island also hosts the ferry landing to Caladesi Island.
Do it again? Honeymoon Island remains among our favorite Gulf Coast beaches.
