Caladesi Island Regulars' Thread

[eshasek]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]As I have increased my time on the water over the past few months in the Tampa Bay area, my family and I have started to become regulars at Caladesi Island Marina. I have noticed many fellow Sea Ray owners there regularly and thought there was a chance we could get a good thread going on the the marina, conditions over time, stories, the island in general, and maybe even share some wildlife pictures.
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2008 "America's Best Beaches" Winner: Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[/FONT]http://goflorida.about.com/od/beache1/a/beach_top2008.htm
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[/FONT] Some Details:
By boat, from Channel Marker #14, just west of the Dunedin Causeway, take an approximate 212 degree heading for approximately one mile. Follow the channel markers into the Caladesi Island State Park Marina.


The 108-slip marina at Caladesi Island State Park is equipped with water and electric hookups. Docking fees are $5.00 per day or $20.00 for overnight camping. Reservations for overnight boat camping may be made through ReserveAmerica.com up to eleven months in advance.

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To get the thread started:
Sunday 3/28/2010: My trip out to the Island today was cut short by an approaching thunder storm. As I approached the harbor more than 30 overnight boats were leaving ahead of the storm. I heard that there were more than 50 overnight boats after the beautiful weather we had yesterday, but the marina was almost empty by 11am today. The kids still had a good time shelling for an hour or so, and we were lucky enough to observe a Bald Eagle fishing near the approach channel. Although not the best weather, we still had a nice short visit and were smart enough to get out of Dodge before the off shore storm was a threat.

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[tobnpr]

Nice narrative, except for the fact that Caladesi no longer reserves slips- haven't for years now.

I sure wish they did; we'd go a lot more often. There's only around a half-dozen slips (inlcuding the ends of the three t-docks) that we can fit in with our 14 foot beam. Most if not all of them disappear by late Friday afternoon. So, heading down on a Saturday morning isn't an option for us during "peak" season, we try to get there early Friday morning. Better yet, during the summer when the kids are outta school we go during the week...far less crowded. Although I must say, there's some interesting times to be had overnight on the weekends there!

If you're from Tampa, do you trailer? That's a long run from TB.

Maybe we should post a thread in the SE section and have a get-together there now that we're warming up a bit. Although... I was out yesterday and the FF said the water temp is still 50 degrees!

Edit: The BIGGGGG drawback you're about to find out about as we get warmer...the BUGZZZZ....

If you're going to be outside the cabin from a couple of hours before sunset and after, bring every citronella candle and bug coil you can find (for the mosquitoes) and an economy size can of OFF for the no-see-ums. Funny to watch the newcomers do the "Caladesi shuffle" when they didn't bring bug spray...you'd think you just handed them a million bucks when you pass over the "OFF".

 

[mawyatt]

We should be heading out after I get my electronics update finished. This is taking way longer and more $ than envisioned...but it's a boat so that is expected!! Like tobnpr we have a wide beam and can't dock except on the most southern slips. Hope to see you there someday soon.

 

[eshasek]

Actually I was talking to the park ranger today as I was checking in to slip #64 and she said, "Wait, that one is taken. Did it have a reserved sign on it? We have the 'Audry Gail' coming in this afternoon." We were leaving after 2 hours so it wasn't an issue, but the point is that they must be taking reservations somehow. Maybe "Reserve America" is now longer doing it, but I am sure they told me this past Fall that I could reserve ahead. It would sure be worth a call up there. The number is on the sign posted below.

Thanks for the reminder on the bug spray, I have been fishing and exploring the Florida mangroves for 25 years and have learned the bug spray lesson the hard way several times over. I could see how you wouldn't think you would need it, but now that you say it I know those surrounding salt marshes are a great bug breading ground.
To answer your questions; I am on a trailer with my 260 DA, and with my 8'6" beam I can take any space in there and haven't had an issue just turning up so far. I have made it in the inter-coastal from Clearwater Hwy 60 bridge to John's pass then down to Madeira beach pass in a reasonable amount of time. If it is calm in the gulf you could do it faster on the outside. It would be worth the trip for an overnight.

I would be interested in showing up to a family friendly Sea Ray meet up in the South East. We have been thinking of doing an Egmont tour as it starts to warm up. I also want to do a weekend at Anna Maria if I can find a good marina for the overnight. I am not sure I am ready to spend a night on the hook with the family yet. And in the true summer I will need the AC on to sleep for sure.