A bayside marina on the island contains 99 slips, and near the ferry landing are a concession stand, wooden bathhouses, shaded picnic areas, boardwalk nature trails and a playground. Boardwalks cross the island from the marina to the gulf, where the sand is as fluffy, white and fine as flour. With 3.5 miles of beach, it’s possible to find your own sandy strip to spend a perfect day at Caladesi Island State Park.

Take an unforgettable walk to the end of the island and back with only shorebirds for company. Solitude is easily found at Caladesi’s white sand coasts and emerald gulf waters, which regularly win high marks.

Recreation includes a two-mile sand spit along a roadless, gulf-facing beach, where you can walk your way to splendid isolation. There are hiking trails on the arm of the island, where you can bird watch and study the abundant plant life, including the dorminant Florida slash pine, the regal-looking sabal palm, the saw palmetto and over 200 other plant species.

Picnicking and play areas are found in the nicest setting. For unblemished nature and uninterrupted seclusion, Caladesi Island is just what you’re looking for.