Crystal Beach

Honeymoon Island State Park sits at the end of the Dunedin causeway (SR 586). It is a Florida state park with an entrance fee, a pet beach, nature trails, and a ferry to Caladesi Island. The Gulf beach faces west; the bay side is calmer and better for kayaks. Come early on weekends; the parking lots fill. Read more...

Caladesi Island State Park is the undeveloped barrier island next to Honeymoon Island. Most visitors take the ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin; there is no bridge and no cars. The Gulf beach faces west, with a kayak trail on the bay side. Bring what you need; services are limited to the ferry landing area. Read more...

Anclote River Park in Holiday is a Pinellas County park on the Anclote River, not an open-Gulf beach. It has a boat ramp, picnic shelters, restrooms, and a small sandy river shoreline. People use it to launch toward Anclote Key. Swim in the Gulf at Honeymoon Island or the barrier-island towns to the south. Read more...

Anclote Key Preserve State Park is a boat-only barrier island off Tarpon Springs. There is no bridge and no cars. The island has a lighthouse, primitive camping, and an undeveloped Gulf beach. Launch from Anclote River Park or a Tarpon Springs marina, and bring all water and shade; services on the key are none. Read more...

Clearwater Beach sits at the end of the causeway in Clearwater, Florida, with Pier 60 as the landmark. The pier has sunset festivals, a playground, and fishing. South of the pier is the wider tourist beach; north is a bit quieter toward Sand Key. Parking is the hard part. Expect paid lots and garages near Pier 60 and along Mandalay Avenue, plus beach-meter spots that fill early on weekends. If the causeway lots are full, Read more...

Sand Key Park is the Pinellas County park at the south end of Clearwater Beach / Sand Key, across the Clearwater Pass bridge from Pier 60. It has a paid parking lot, restrooms, picnic shelters, and a wide Gulf beach that is less crowded than the Pier 60 strip. A short nature trail sits behind the dunes. Read more...