Cruise to Caladesi island

[capt_nemo]

For Your Information

Talked to Caladesi Is. State Park Ranger today.

Although there are ONLY 6 Boat Slips that can be RESERVED there should be plenty of slips available on a "first come first served" basis for any and all who choose to attend.

Today, for example, with over 100 boat slips in the Marina there were only three (that's 3) boats there.

The Ranger said we would not have a problem overnighting there.


capt. nemo

[Billy]

Nemo,
Sorry if the above was confusing. I vaguely recall someone saying some of the Com-Pac'ers would want to camp in a tent and that is why Caladesi was just suggested as a meet up and then onto somewhere else. But, that was not me. If anyone is planning on sleeping in a tent, please speak up.

Otherwise, I think Caladesi would be the ideal base camp. And then we could make judgement calls the day of as to where to go and possible overnight.

As for the approach from the south....well......I've never came from the South. Always from the North and under the Honeymoon Island Drawbridge.

I did find this online though..........

Follow a compass heading of 212 degrees from the Dunedin Causeway Channel, which runs between Hurricane Pass and the Intercoastal Waterway. There is a brown Park sign affixed to Dunedin Causeway Channel Marker 14 that notes where to head toward Caladesi Island. There is also a Marker 14 on the Intercoastal Waterway, so don't confuse that marker with the one on Dunedin Causeway Channel.

Follow the compass heading of 212 degrees for approximately 1 mile. If you are over 3 foot draft, you may want to follow the ferry boats into marina. At the very least, make sure you approach at high tide and in daylight. Shoal draft vessels will have a much easier time navigating this stretch of water.

As you get closer to Caladesi Island, you will start to see channel markers identifying the approach into Caladesi Island. There is also signage adjacent to the channel makers that indicate an area restricted to power boaters. Just stay to the (narrow) channel, and you will be OK. Once the channel starts to enter the Caladesi Island area, it will continue to snake through an area of mangroves before finally reaching the marina.

here is the website I found it on...
https://activecaptain.com/quickLists/marina.php?name=Caladesi_Island_State_Park_Marina_Dunedin_FL&i=515211692

Just be sure and mind the tides....worse case, just get out and walk!

[capt_nemo]

Billy,

Thanks much for a very thorough answer to my question.

Hope to meet you at some point in time.

capt. nemo

[bob lamb]

Nemo said: Approaching Caladesi from the south in the ICW, where is the earliest possible SAFE turn to port (west) in order to reach the outer channel markers to Seven Mouth Creek leading to Caladesi Is. State Park Marina? Curious if it could take place before G "15".

There is a short cut when approaching from the south in the ICW.  It is at G "9".  The best time to take it is mid to high tide.  Head west and aim for a small group of posts/signs in the water about a half mile from the 9.  Keep them on your bow and the 9 on your stern.  The channel is not real wide so keep a good eye on both and also on your depth finder.  Those post/signs are at the Creek leading into Caladesi.  Take a left and make your way south into the marina.


Sea Ya!
Bob

[capt_nemo]

bob lamb,

I was looking at possibly cutting across westward earlier, somewhere between those spoil islands, especially since my Sun Cat only needs a heavy dew (14") to float herself. Depth Finder, ha ha. A lead line, depth stick, or naked eye are used aboard Sun Cat "Frisky".

Thanks much for the "local knowledge".

capt. nemo