Possibly my favorite state park. 385 acres of land (with 2,400 acres submerged underwater), 4 miles of beach, a 3 mile hiking trail . It is the most visited state park in Florida with over one million visitors per year.
About 100 years ago, Honeymoon Island and neighboring Caladesi Island (another majestic, unspoiled FL island) were one bigger island known as Hog Island, due to the hogs.
But the 1921 hurricane cut the island in half, creating Hurricane Pass between the two modern day islands.
Honeymoon Island was long ago inhabited by the Tocobago tribe and I have heard rumors that their undisturbed burial mounds are still on the island at undisclosed locations. Just rumors, though. I have no way to confirm this.
In the 1930s, business man, Clinton Washburn, purchased the island and marketed it as a paradise for honeymooners. He built 50 thatched huts on the island and changed the island’s name to Honeymoon Island. The island was pushed in Life magazine and also in newsreels.
The honeymooners first arrived on May 8, 1940 and, in total, 164 couples visited the island before the outbreak of WWII, after which the bungalows soon fell into disrepair.
The island was purchased in the 1960s by a developer, who planned to increase the island’s size to 3,000 acres and to build 4,500 residential units along waterfront canals. The dredging operation did not go well and when the developer’s permit expired the State of Florida did not renew it, partly due to the work of environmentalists.
Florida purchased most of the island in 1974 and bought up the rest of the island soon after. On December 7, 1981, Honeymoon Island State Park was created.
Part of the reason that I love this park so much is because it is easy to do with my children (but I have been going well before all my children were born–my first visit was probably over 10 years ago). The parking lot is right next to the beach and the swim areas of North Beach are protected by rock walls, so there isn’t any undertow in those swimming areas (not that I’ve experienced at least) and it is pretty shallow and the waves are mild.
There is also a playground, a beautiful hiking trail (mosquitoes are very bad certain times of year), and nesting bald eagles. You can also fish and paddle. A ferry can take you across Hurricane Pass to Caladesi Island if you would like to check that out too.
Further Information
Location: 1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin FL 34698
Admission: $8.00 per vehicle
Hours: 8:00am – Sundown, 365 days a year
Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland
Phone: 727-241-6106
Doing it on the cheap…
$8 isn’t bad for entry. If you go to state parks frequently you should consider the annual pass which is $60 for individuals and $120 for families.
