This Dunedin island paradise used to house thatched bungalows for honeymooners. Today it's a fabulous spot for nature lovers. One of the area's best eco-highlights is the Rotary Centennial Nature Center at Honeymoon Island, it spotlights the flora and fauna of one of the most popular parks in the state.
Housed in a converted building that was once a bath house used as a backdrop in the feature film "The Punisher," the Rotary Centennial Nature Center has a number of exhibits and interactive displays designed to better acquaint guests with the barrier islands and their natural communities. Exhibits give visitors a better understanding of Honeymoon's ecosystem and the importance of preserving the island's beautiful, natural habitat.
One of the main exhibits at the Nature Center is a 17-foot-tall replica tree and osprey nest. A prominent bird species in Florida, ospreys have more than two dozen active nests on Honeymoon Island. Nature center exhibits also feature the long history of Honeymoon Island and its neighbor Caladesi Island, the preservation of St. Joseph Sound, island seasons, seasonal fires, seasonal colors, seasonal migrations, bird nesting and resting areas, turtle nesting, trees, fishing and a replica of a "Honeymoon Hut". The palm-thatched bungalows were used in newsreel and magazine advertising during the early 1940s, promising undiscovered pleasures for newlyweds visiting Honeymoon Island.
Poised at more than 14 feet above the ground, the Rotary Centennial Nature Center offers visitors spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico, St. Joseph's Sound, Caladesi Island, Clearwater Beach and Sand Key from the center's outdoor deck.
Honeymoon Island has been carefully preserved to protect its abundant wildlife, including several endangered species. The constantly evolving shores, and the adjacent sea grass beds, salt marshes and mangrove swamps, provide a unique habitat for a variety of little-noticed species. Visit the nature center, then head out for a beach hike. You're guaranteed to see sea life in a new light.
Honeymoon Island is known for its abundant wildlife, including bald eagles.
The goal of the Rotary Centennial Nature Center is to expose visitors to natural beauty while educating them about the concept of environmental ethics. In addition to center exhibits, guided nature tours are also available.
Honeymoon Island State Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. The Nature Center is located near the entrance to the park at the end of the Dunedin Causeway at the west end of State Road 586. Daily admission is $8 per car. The Nature Center and Honeymoon Island State Park serve as a gateway to Caladesi Island. Visitors can reach Caladesi Island via the Caladesi Connection Ferry.
