Travel To Paradise Caladesi Island- America's # 1 Beach
One of the few remaining natural islands along Florida's GulfCoast, Caladesi Island State Park, is rated first among America's best beaches. You can expect a paradise at Caladesi Beach, an undiscovered gem on the west coast of Florida, set 26 miles west of Tampa, and 1 mile from Dunedin.
Originally part of a large barrier island, called Hog Island, Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island to its north was formed in 1921, when a hurricane created Hurricane Pass, splitting the larger island into two parts.
The history of the island goes back to when the island's original habitants where the Tocobago Indian Tribe. The Tocobago Indians used the island as a burial ground, creating 1.39 acres of shell mounds to bury their tribal members before the Spanish arrived in Florida in 1613. After the Tocobago Tribe left, the island had no habitants until 1897.
In 1628, a Spanish sea captain, named the island Caladesi, meaning "beautiful bayou."
Indeed, the island is still beautiful today, absolutely stunning, with unbelievable natural beauty. It wasn't until 1967 that Caladesi Island State Park became a state park. It is only accessible by boat. While this makes the island a bit exclusive, there's a ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park, which makes access to Caladesi Island available to everyone, allowing over 200,000 people to visit this state park each year.
It is no wonder that Caladesi Beach is America's #1 beach. There's three miles of beautiful white sand that glisten in Florida's sunshine, and the gentle waters of the Gulf of Mexico meet the sky in shades of aqua, turquoise, green and clear blue. It's a picture perfect beach.
At Caladesi Island, recreational opportunities are endless! A mangrove-covered kayak trail, winds from the marina to the St. Joseph Sound, and back. Kayaks are available for rental through the Cafe Caladesi. The nature trail is a great place to find Osprey in old pine snags, or even cross paths with a gopher tortoise. Remember to bring water and sunscreen! From the entrance of the park, two paved trails lead to the beach. It's a rather healthy walking distance from the park entrance to the beach, may I add.
There's a lovely picnic area located on Caladesi Island, near the beach, and between the two boardwalks. Also is also a large playground for children, located in the same area.
Originally part of a large barrier island, called Hog Island, Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island to its north was formed in 1921, when a hurricane created Hurricane Pass, splitting the larger island into two parts.
The history of the island goes back to when the island's original habitants where the Tocobago Indian Tribe. The Tocobago Indians used the island as a burial ground, creating 1.39 acres of shell mounds to bury their tribal members before the Spanish arrived in Florida in 1613. After the Tocobago Tribe left, the island had no habitants until 1897.
In 1628, a Spanish sea captain, named the island Caladesi, meaning "beautiful bayou."
Indeed, the island is still beautiful today, absolutely stunning, with unbelievable natural beauty. It wasn't until 1967 that Caladesi Island State Park became a state park. It is only accessible by boat. While this makes the island a bit exclusive, there's a ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park, which makes access to Caladesi Island available to everyone, allowing over 200,000 people to visit this state park each year.
It is no wonder that Caladesi Beach is America's #1 beach. There's three miles of beautiful white sand that glisten in Florida's sunshine, and the gentle waters of the Gulf of Mexico meet the sky in shades of aqua, turquoise, green and clear blue. It's a picture perfect beach.
At Caladesi Island, recreational opportunities are endless! A mangrove-covered kayak trail, winds from the marina to the St. Joseph Sound, and back. Kayaks are available for rental through the Cafe Caladesi. The nature trail is a great place to find Osprey in old pine snags, or even cross paths with a gopher tortoise. Remember to bring water and sunscreen! From the entrance of the park, two paved trails lead to the beach. It's a rather healthy walking distance from the park entrance to the beach, may I add.
There's a lovely picnic area located on Caladesi Island, near the beach, and between the two boardwalks. Also is also a large playground for children, located in the same area.
New Table of Contents
Yesteryear I lived in Paradise
Welcome to the fascinating history of America's best beach!
In 1897, an immigrant from Switzerland, Henry Scharrer came to America. He planned to investigate the differences of how cheese was made in Wisconsin, in comparison to how they made their cheese in Switzerland.
He traveled through North America and arrived in Florida, where he had plans to purchase a sailboat. His plan was to continue his travels, and sail as far as South America. While testing out a sailboat off the coast of the Tampa, Florida, Scharrer noticed a storm approaching, and pulled ashore on an Island, which is now called Caladesi.
After the storm passed, he was able to venture around the island, only to realize that he had found paradise! He loved the island so much, he decided that he would stay and make Caladesi Island his homestead.
You are able to explore captivating Caladesi Island, through the eyes of a born storyteller. The writer, Myrtle Scharrer Betz, is Henry Scharrers' daughter, and was the only child ever born on Caladesi Island.
Myrtle Scharrer Betz's account of life while growing up on Caladesi Island is one of the richest portraits available of a time in Florida, when it really was a natural tropical paradise. Myrtle's tale, Yesteryear I Lived in Paradise, vividly captures the natural wonders, difficulties, discomforts, challenges, and joys of pioneer life on a barrier island in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. With wisdom, insight, and poetry, she crafts a story that is a national treasure.
In 1897, an immigrant from Switzerland, Henry Scharrer came to America. He planned to investigate the differences of how cheese was made in Wisconsin, in comparison to how they made their cheese in Switzerland.
He traveled through North America and arrived in Florida, where he had plans to purchase a sailboat. His plan was to continue his travels, and sail as far as South America. While testing out a sailboat off the coast of the Tampa, Florida, Scharrer noticed a storm approaching, and pulled ashore on an Island, which is now called Caladesi.
After the storm passed, he was able to venture around the island, only to realize that he had found paradise! He loved the island so much, he decided that he would stay and make Caladesi Island his homestead.
You are able to explore captivating Caladesi Island, through the eyes of a born storyteller. The writer, Myrtle Scharrer Betz, is Henry Scharrers' daughter, and was the only child ever born on Caladesi Island.
Myrtle Scharrer Betz's account of life while growing up on Caladesi Island is one of the richest portraits available of a time in Florida, when it really was a natural tropical paradise. Myrtle's tale, Yesteryear I Lived in Paradise, vividly captures the natural wonders, difficulties, discomforts, challenges, and joys of pioneer life on a barrier island in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. With wisdom, insight, and poetry, she crafts a story that is a national treasure.
Yesteryear I Lived in Paradise: The Story of Caladesi Island
Amazon Price: $20.00 (as of 11/08/2009)
Dr.Beach - Dr. Stephen Leatherman
Stephen P. Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach, is a geomorphologist. He has studied erosion and coastal storm damage for 20 years, and produced surveys for the US government.Dr. Beach evaluated all major public recreational beaches in the U.S., and America eagerly awaits his annual top 10 list. His latest project, under the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University is the National Healthy Beaches Campaign the campaign is dedicated to promoting balance between recreational use of our nation's beaches, while maintaining their environmental quality and safety.
Caladesi Island Beach was chosen as the best beach in America, for 2008. beating out beaches in Hawaii, the eastern seaboard and California for the honor.
Runners-up on Leatherman's list of best beaches this year, were Hanalei Beach, Hawaii; Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Fla; Coopers Beach in Southampton, N.Y; Coronado Beach in San Diego; Main Beach in East Hampton, N.Y; Hamoa Beach, Hawaii; Cape Hatteras, N.C; Cape Florida State Park near Miami; and Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, S.C.
Caladesi's somewhat remote location factored into Leatherman's rankings. "It's an island getaway," said Leatherman, who has released his annual list since 1991. He noted that despite being in the densely populated Tampa Bay area, many nearby residents have never visited Caladesi.
Most beach goers reach the island by a 15-minute, $9.00 ferry ride. Visitors, unless they bring their own boat , are limited to four-hour stays at the beach, which is also state park.
Leatherman uses 50 criteria - including quality tests on water, sand and amenities, to make his assessments.
Caladesi's fine, white quartz sand beach, owes its creation to a 1921 hurricane, which separated it from nearby Honeymoon Island. Caladesi Island became a state park in 1968.
The waves are generally low on Caladesi, which Leatherman said, adds to its family friendly atmosphere. He uses 50 criteria - including quality tests on water, sand and amenities - to make his assessments.
Caladesi wins America's Best Beach 2008
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Caladesi Beach- A Getaway Island
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"Enjoy the beauty of Yesteryear's Paradise Island today!"
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GHouse wrote...
Hi!! Just come to see your nice lens. I did my lens too. It's about my hotel in hua hin Thailand. Hua Hin is a charming town of clean white sandy beach. If you come to Thailand, please visit us.
Posted November 23, 2008
by Marjorie
Hello,
I've retired from the wonderful world of real estate. I just want to to share with you a little bit of paradise Caladesi Island State Park.... (more)
I've retired from the wonderful world of real estate. I just want to to share with you a little bit of paradise Caladesi Island State Park.... (more)
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