If you’re craving that classic Gulf Coast charm without the crowds, I really think you’ll fall for the beaches in Dunedin, Florida—just like I did. When I first explored the area, I was amazed at how peaceful it felt. I found soft sandy shores, calm Gulf waters, and the kind of natural beauty that invites you to slow down. You don’t have to go far—these spots are just minutes from downtown, but they feel like a true escape. Whether you’re up for a long walk along the shore or just want to stretch out under the sun, I’d say Dunedin is one of those places you’ll want to return to.
Highlights:
Best Beaches in Dunedin, Florida
Caladesi Island State Park: Castaway Calm
I arrived at Caladesi Island by ferry, which felt like a transition — not just across water, but into another mindset. The ride was breezy and salty, the kind that lifts your hair and your mood. When I stepped off onto the island, I didn’t see anyone else at first. Just sea oats bowing in the wind and a path of white sand that looked too perfect to be real.
The beach stretched quiet and wide, framed by dunes and driftwood. I walked until the sound of the ferry faded and sat beneath a crooked palm with a container of couscous salad — cucumber, dill, cherry tomatoes, and lemon. The lemon had mellowed in the sun, and each bite was cool and zesty, the kind of meal that makes you feel more alive, not more full. I thought, “If I lived here, I might forget what stress feels like.”
Caladesi Island State Park At a Glance
- Location: Accessible by ferry from Honeymoon Island or by kayak
- Best Time to Visit: Morning for solitude, late afternoon for glowing light
- Vibe: Untouched, peaceful, castaway-beautiful
- Facilities: Restrooms, picnic tables, concessions near ferry dock
- Food Nearby: Bring your own or grab a bite at Café Honeymoon before the ferry
Honeymoon Island State Park
Honeymoon Island was the kind of place that made me check my phone less and look around more. I arrived early, driving past scrubland dotted with palms and osprey nests. The beach was long, wild in parts, and full of tiny details: broken shells, footprints leading nowhere, a single pelican soaring low along the surf.
I found a quiet spot beyond the main beachgoers and laid out my towel on the coarse, sun-baked sand. I ate a tomato and basil sandwich packed in foil, the bread just a little soggy from the juice. It tasted exactly how summer should. "This is the kind of place that reminds you to breathe slower," I thought, brushing sand off my legs.
Honeymoon Island State Park At a Glance
- Location: End of the Dunedin Causeway
- Best Time to Visit: Morning or golden hour
- Vibe: Natural, restorative, wildlife-rich
- Facilities: Ample parking, restrooms, nature trails
- Food Nearby: Café Honeymoon at the entrance serves wraps, salads, and cold drinks
Clearwater Beach - 15 minutes from Dunedin
Clearwater Beach was all glitter and buzz — street performers, colorful umbrellas, laughter rising over waves. It was the opposite of the quiet beaches I’d been frequenting, and yet, I loved it in a different way. There was energy here, and the white quartz sand practically glowed in the sun.
I rented a lounger for the afternoon and watched people play volleyball, paddleboard, and try (and fail) to fly kites in the sea breeze. “This beach feels like a living postcard,” I thought, sipping from my water bottle. Later, I ducked into Frenchy’s for a grouper sandwich with tartar sauce and a pile of crispy hush puppies. The fish was tender and salty, the bread grilled just enough to crackle.
Clearwater Beach At a Glance
- Location: About 20 minutes south of Dunedin
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays or early morning to beat the crowds
- Vibe: Festive, crowded, ideal for people-watching
- Facilities: Everything from showers to souvenir shops
- Food Nearby: Frenchy’s, Palm Pavilion, and plenty more just steps from the sand
St Pete Beach
St. Pete Beach felt like vacation. I don’t mean just the physical place — though it was beautiful — but the way it made me feel like I’d finally exhaled. The beach was long and flat, with fine sand that barely stuck to my skin. People lounged under umbrellas, reading paperbacks or sleeping with hats over their faces. It was the opposite of flashy — no rush, no pressure to do anything at all.
I walked until my feet ached a little and ended up at a shaded bench near the dunes to eat a cold pasta salad with olives and feta. The breeze kept the flies away and made the plastic lid dance in the wind. “I could live like this,” I thought, spooning up bite after bite that tasted like salt, lemon, and simplicity.
St. Pete Beach At a Glance
- Location: South of Clearwater, about a 40-minute drive
- Best Time to Visit: Early evening for that deep pink sunset glow
- Vibe: Relaxed, unfussy, full of regulars
- Facilities: Restrooms, cabana rentals, water sports
- Food Nearby: Woody’s Waterfront, Paradise Grille, and more
Dunedin Causeway
Sometimes the best beach isn’t really a beach at all — it’s a causeway with a view. The Dunedin Causeway was where locals came to fish, launch kayaks, or just park and open their windows. I pulled over, rolled mine down, and let the salt air roll through. To my right was the shallow bay, and to my left, the path to Honeymoon Island stretching like a promise.
I sat on the hood of my car with a container of sliced mango and lime. The mango was sticky-sweet, the lime sharp enough to wake me up. “Not every beach has to be dramatic,” I thought. “Some are just a place to sit and feel like you live here.”
Dunedin Causeway At a Glance
- Location: Connecting Dunedin to Honeymoon Island
- Best Time to Visit: Sunset, when the sky turns watercolor
- Vibe: Casual, low-key, local favorite
- Facilities: Street parking, kayak launch areas, bike paths
- Food Nearby: Frenchy’s Outpost is right on the causeway with great fish tacos
Final Thoughts: Salt, Sun, and Something Like Peace
Dunedin’s beaches surprised me — not because they were flashy or perfectly curated, but because they gave me space to slow down. Each one offered something a little different, from castaway quiet to family buzz, and I loved them all for exactly what they were. Whether I was hiking to Caladesi or just eating mango on the Causeway, I felt rooted. Like maybe, for just a few days, I was living in the right rhythm. And that’s what a good beach town does — it lets you borrow its pace until you remember your own.