Caladesi Island Ferry Tickets & Information — Attraction in Palm Harbor

First time using the ferry and it was a great experience!! All the staff was very friendly and interactive. The older gentleman manning the boat were taking wise cracks at each other which had the passengers laughing. We had captain Ron and another gentleman and they were so kind. We played a little bit of trivia on the ride, got some great tips and suggestions and were informed on areas we passed and certain wildlife that was in the area. On the ferry ride back they even made an extra effort to spot some dolphins for the passengers. The island itself was wonderful which I will review separately. We can’t forget about the lovely lady that was working the ticket counter either! Very nice, friendly and offered helpful information!! The absolute only downfall was that it was our first time and we did not realize that there are certain times to take the ferry back to the mainland. Depending on when you go over, they stamp a return time on your ticket. If you want to go back before that time you have to wait until the people with that time are loaded first, then see if there is room for you. It wasn’t a huge inconvenience, we just weren’t told about that and there were people around us that were frustrated with that and I feel like if a bit more of information was given there would have been a lot more people that weren’t frustrated. But over all it was a great experience!! If you plan on bringing bags, umbrellas, coolers etc you can. I would recommend a beach wagon though as space is limited...

Yes, Caladesi Island is gorgeous, but not worth dealing with the rudeness of the ferry crew. Upon purchasing tickets, they state you can leave the island whenever the ferry is loading up, my family found this to be false in the worse way. After waiting 30 minutes with a tired 3 and 7 year old, the ferry left full, no fault of anyone, just too many people. So we stood first in line, eager to get back. Ferry arrives and the staff orders first to board based on departure times on your ticket (news to us). We move out of the way to let the first boarding on, when the staff member looks at us and laughs "Better get to the back in order to get in line". We explained we had been first in line since the last ferry, this is when he started yelling. Argument ensues until our family was forced out of line in front of everyone. It's now been 1.5 hours waiting to get to the mainland. We finally board when the same situation we just experienced happened to another couple behind us, luckily the group vouched for them to get aboard. Another woman was crying from waiting so long her that her pets needed feeding, and needed to get back. The staff member yelled at her "Have you even looked at your ticket!?, Yea, well what does it say?, it says 6PM!!". STAY AWAY PLEASE. Don't put your family in this situation. Never, ever again will we be visiting Caladesi Island via means...

I have been fishing the creeks and backwaters of Caladesi Island for years. Unfortunately, this "Ferry" service thinks they own the island. Nope, they operate a private business in which they lease facility from the State of FL. Pilots ignoring "NO WAKE" zones. Pilots ignoring "MANATEE ZONES" and coming through the channel WAY overpowered. While crossing the channel yesterday afternoon I was harassed by the "Ferry" pilot and his deckhand for fishing. Told me that fishing is not allowed. Incredibly rude and condescending. Came in so overpowered that I barely had time to get across in the "NO WAKE" area. Deckhand being dramatic and flailing his arms all over the place and screaming at me, all the while creating so much wake that even the birds perched on the mangroves got knocked off and had to fly away. News Flash guys, Caladesi is a FL State Park. You lease facility. You are subject to the rules. I pay the same state taxes you do, all the while living and peacefully enjoying. I will continue fishing here. If you hate driving tourists on a 10 minute cattle train between the islands, find a new job.

On the way back out while the "Ferry" was loaded up like a can of sardines, while in the same spot as before, Pilot and Deckhand said...