Honeymoon Island State Park
Encyclopedia
Honeymoon Island State Park is a Florida State Park
located on Honeymoon Island, a barrier island
across St. Joseph's Sound from Palm Harbor
, Ozona
, and Crystal Beach
. The park is 385 acres (1.6 km²) in land area with 2400 acres (10 km²) submerged and 4 miles (6 km) of beach
. It lies at the western end of Causeway Boulevard, which becomes Curlew Road
east of Alternate US 19
. The address is 1 Causeway Blvd.
According to the Florida Park Service, Honeymoon Island was introduced to the American public in the early 1940s through newsreels and magazines. The advertisements promised undiscovered pleasures for newlyweds. According to the Dunedin Museum, located in Dunedin on the mainland which lays claim to both Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island, Honeymoon Island was formerly known as Hog Island. In the early 1940s, honeymoon-type huts were built on the island for vacationing, and the name was changed. Many of the popular cast members of the Wizard of Oz (1939), including the "Lollipop Guild" midgets (dwarfs) vacationed in these facilities to help to publicize their availability. World War II began and the thatched huts fell into disuse. The structures were torn down as the island was turned into a state park. However, the name stuck. A causeway leading to the island was constructed in 1964.
One of the island's services, that of a ferry to Caladesi Island, is only for convenience to those in the Honeymoon Island area to reach Caladesi Island across Hurricane Pass. Caladesi Island is easily accessible by walking from Clearwater Beach, Fla. as it has been for decades, and is only separated by a "welcome sign" from the south.
The Northern section of Honeymoon island has also been a favorite (un-official)spot for nudists since the early 1970's.
, mangroves and several threatened
and endangered species
. Osprey
and various species of tern
, plover
and wading birds reside on the island or stop during spring & fall bird migration
.
In the Fall of 2008, a pair of Bald Eagles made a nest on Osprey Trail in the park. Visitors must stay back 300 feet from the nest, but it is well marked and easily observed with binoculars.
Mosquitos are quite prevalent in the picnic areas and trails away from the beach, and can quickly inflict dozens of bites on uncovered, unprotected skin. These bites can cause severe itching for several days and leave blemishes after the scabs heal. Signs near the entrance warn of this possibility. Mosquitos can also be a nuisance in the shower and bathroom facilities.
, hiking
and sunbathing. Amenities include picnic
pavilion
s, bathhouse
s, a park concession
, nature trails, bird observation areas, a pet beach and a ferry
to Caladesi Island State Park
.
The beaches range from sandy to rocky. Some areas may have water puddles that emit a stench in certain months, but this does not deter swimmers from accessing the beaches.
Florida State Parks
The Florida State Parks encompass the majority of the lands that fall under the authority of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. There are 160 such entities, including nature reserves, recreation areas, and historic sites, which can be found in every corner of the state...
located on Honeymoon Island, a barrier island
Barrier island
Barrier islands, a coastal landform and a type of barrier system, are relatively narrow strips of sand that parallel the mainland coast. They usually occur in chains, consisting of anything from a few islands to more than a dozen...
across St. Joseph's Sound from Palm Harbor
Palm Harbor, Florida
Palm Harbor is a census-designated place and an unincorporated community in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 59,248.-Culture:...
, Ozona
Ozona, Florida
Ozona is an unincorporated community in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. Ozona is north of downtown Dunedin. Ozona has a post office with ZIP code 34660....
, and Crystal Beach
Crystal Beach, Florida
Crystal Beach is an unincorporated community in the Palm Harbor census-designated place of Pinellas County, Florida, United States.The United States Postal Service operates the Crystal Beach Post Office at 420 Crystal Beach Avenue. Residents of Crystal Beach do not have home mail delivery; they...
. The park is 385 acres (1.6 km²) in land area with 2400 acres (10 km²) submerged and 4 miles (6 km) of beach
Beach
A beach is a geological landform along the shoreline of an ocean, sea, lake or river. It usually consists of loose particles which are often composed of rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles or cobblestones...
. It lies at the western end of Causeway Boulevard, which becomes Curlew Road
State Road 586 (Florida)
A five-mile-long east–west street serving northern Pinellas County, State Road 586 currently extends from an intersection with Bayshore Boulevard in Dunedin eastward to an intersection with Tampa Road in Oldsmar...
east of Alternate US 19
U.S. Route 19 Alternate (St. Petersburg, Florida)
Alternate U.S. Route 19 is the former section of U.S. Route 19 from St. Petersburg, Florida to Holiday.Beginning at the intersection of 4th Street N Alternate U.S. Route 19 is the former section of U.S. Route 19 from St. Petersburg, Florida to Holiday.Beginning at the intersection of 4th Street N...
. The address is 1 Causeway Blvd.
History
Honeymoon and neighboring Caladesi Island were originally part of a large barrier island that split in half during a major hurricane in 1921. The waterway between the islands is known as Hurricane Pass.According to the Florida Park Service, Honeymoon Island was introduced to the American public in the early 1940s through newsreels and magazines. The advertisements promised undiscovered pleasures for newlyweds. According to the Dunedin Museum, located in Dunedin on the mainland which lays claim to both Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island, Honeymoon Island was formerly known as Hog Island. In the early 1940s, honeymoon-type huts were built on the island for vacationing, and the name was changed. Many of the popular cast members of the Wizard of Oz (1939), including the "Lollipop Guild" midgets (dwarfs) vacationed in these facilities to help to publicize their availability. World War II began and the thatched huts fell into disuse. The structures were torn down as the island was turned into a state park. However, the name stuck. A causeway leading to the island was constructed in 1964.
One of the island's services, that of a ferry to Caladesi Island, is only for convenience to those in the Honeymoon Island area to reach Caladesi Island across Hurricane Pass. Caladesi Island is easily accessible by walking from Clearwater Beach, Fla. as it has been for decades, and is only separated by a "welcome sign" from the south.
The Northern section of Honeymoon island has also been a favorite (un-official)spot for nudists since the early 1970's.
Biology
The barrier island park is a refuge for a number of species of plants and animals including south Florida slash pinesSlash Pine
Pinus elliottii, commonly known as the Slash Pine, is a pine native to the southeastern United States, from southern South Carolina west to southeastern Louisiana, and south to the Florida Keys....
, mangroves and several threatened
Threatened species
Threatened species are any speciesg animals, plants, fungi, etc.) which are vulnerable to endangerment in the near future.The World Conservation Union is the foremost authority on threatened species, and treats threatened species not as a single category, but as a group of three categories,...
and endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
. Osprey
Osprey
The Osprey , sometimes known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than in length and across the wings...
and various species of tern
Tern
Terns are seabirds in the family Sternidae, previously considered a subfamily of the gull family Laridae . They form a lineage with the gulls and skimmers which in turn is related to skuas and auks...
, plover
Plover
Plovers are a widely distributed group of wading birds belonging to the subfamily Charadriinae. There are about 40 species in the subfamily, most of them called "plover" or "dotterel". The closely related lapwing subfamily, Vanellinae, comprises another 20-odd species.Plovers are found throughout...
and wading birds reside on the island or stop during spring & fall bird migration
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
.
In the Fall of 2008, a pair of Bald Eagles made a nest on Osprey Trail in the park. Visitors must stay back 300 feet from the nest, but it is well marked and easily observed with binoculars.
Mosquitos are quite prevalent in the picnic areas and trails away from the beach, and can quickly inflict dozens of bites on uncovered, unprotected skin. These bites can cause severe itching for several days and leave blemishes after the scabs heal. Signs near the entrance warn of this possibility. Mosquitos can also be a nuisance in the shower and bathroom facilities.
Recreational activities
Activities include birding, fishingFishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
and sunbathing. Amenities include picnic
Picnic
In contemporary usage, a picnic can be defined simply as a pleasure excursion at which a meal is eaten outdoors , ideally taking place in a beautiful landscape such as a park, beside a lake or with an interesting view and possibly at a public event such as before an open air theatre performance,...
pavilion
Pavilion (structure)
In architecture a pavilion has two main meanings.-Free-standing structure:Pavilion may refer to a free-standing structure sited a short distance from a main residence, whose architecture makes it an object of pleasure. Large or small, there is usually a connection with relaxation and pleasure in...
s, bathhouse
Public bathing
Public baths originated from a communal need for cleanliness. The term public may confuse some people, as some types of public baths are restricted depending on membership, gender, religious affiliation, or other reasons. As societies have changed, public baths have been replaced as private bathing...
s, a park concession
Concession stand
A concession stand , snack kiosk or snack bar is the term used to refer to a place where patrons can purchase snacks or food at a cinema, fair, stadium, or other entertainment venue. Some events or venues contract out the right to sell food to third parties...
, nature trails, bird observation areas, a pet beach and a ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
to Caladesi Island State Park
Caladesi Island State Park
Caladesi Island State Park is a Florida State Park located on Caladesi Island, across St. Joseph Sound from Dunedin, Florida and north of Clearwater Beach. Honeymoon Island and neighboring Caladesi Island were originally part of a large barrier island that split in half during a major hurricane in...
.
The beaches range from sandy to rocky. Some areas may have water puddles that emit a stench in certain months, but this does not deter swimmers from accessing the beaches.