Honeymoon Island State Park Pet Beach — Restaurant in Dunedin

Let’s get a couple of things out of the way. This is not Clearwater Beach, it is a state nature preserve. It is not pristine Sandy beaches. There is seaweed on the shore and it has that smell, there are wild animals (we saw snakes and tortoises and in the water we saw manta rays and fish and a pod of dolphins). The water is not crystal clear. However if you are here then you are likely here for the dog friendly area.

So the entrance fee was 8 dollars. There is a short drive to the dog friendly area. There are 2 entry paths. We took the one closer to the snack area. It was about 350-400 meters to walk to the beach area. There was a muddy area to walk around. This was due to the heavy rains that have been occurring over the last week (some of the roads were even covered). There were some bugs but not bad enough to need bug spray.

Once we got to the beach there was lots of room. No one was close enough to be an issue. There are signs posted on the entry way and we were told at the main office that the dog needs to be on a leash at all times. So we had a 10 meter lead that we used. Our dog didn’t even get close enough to even be involved with any other dog. When you get in the water there is a slight deep area (About 1.2 meters) and then a couple of different sand bars (about 20 cm). We spent 3 hours here. It was a good time.

When we left there is a good fresh water area with a foot activated pedal. We actually gave our dog a bath with biodegradable shampoo.

Overall we would go back.

The reason for 3 stars is Lack of clear water, seaweed, draconian leash rules.

My one pet peeve (no pun intended) is stupid people who don’t clean up their pets waste. There is a special hell reserved...

If I could leave a 3.5 it would be more accurate. It has been a few years from my last visit. Took the entire family this time.

The beach is great itself. Our dog and the kids loved it. I’d say everyone with dogs were good except you get the occasional grumpy pitbull owner that acts like everyone else’s dog should be on a leash because their dog doesn’t like other dogs. Luckily, I didn’t have to experience that this visit but I saw it happening to another family.

Aaaaaaaanyways back to the park. The parking area has a dirt side lot or the main parking on asphalt. Both have wash stations for your dog. Pointless at the dirt parking lot because you’re still going to track dirt into your car because you have to walk back through dirt to your car.

Now for the bad, really really really bad part. Getting back to the beach is a journey a long, hot, muddy, strenuous journey which involves mosquitos, mud, dog poo, slippery limestone, and zero shade from the brutal sun. I literally felt how the Donner family felt while crossing the Oregon Trail. It’s about a 10 minute hike and when we went there was mud that you could not walk through with shoes/sandals on or go around it. There was a crossing at the end I had to ford across in waste high water while carrying 4 beach chairs and floating the cooler across. Thank goodness my cooler had wheels because it had to get dragged through the mud and sand. All while it’s 93 degrees and 90% humidity, no shade, hearing whining kids and wife having to trudge through the mud, and getting bit my mosquitos.

It’s a nice beach if you can make it to the beach. Not sure I’d ever go again after...

Love taking my Chow Chow here! It's leash enforced and makes it safe for any dog to go and enjoy themselves. This is pretty rare as much of us are kept from such enjoyments because of irresponsible owners and those who prefer not having their dog on a lead. I've had only a few issues with people who feel like they are entitled and just let their dogs run loose anyway, but the park rangers are quick to deal with any issue and reprimand those who don't follow the rules. It's most often people who lack the understanding and don't grasp the concept of why there is a lead enforced rule. I've been going here for years and have only seen a few bad eggs: people who will yell and pitch a fit about following the rules and those who are warned once and still decide they don't feel like listening once the rangers leave the beach. Again, give the park a ring and let them know.

There are a few people who will constantly complain about the leash rule (I'm sure there are loads of people who made comments about it below) but honestly, there are other beaches to go to and so few that allow ALL dogs to meet up and enjoy the beach so it's a very greatly appreciated rule for those of us with dogs that are preferential to who they feel like hanging around AND for service dogs and K9s.

Again, follow the rules. The beach is not yours. In Florida we love our beaches and they are for everyone...