The Best of Dunedin Florida! There is a sense of comfort, quaintness and charm in Dunedin. Dunedin, Florida offers some of the best dining in Tampa bay, world class major league baseball, art and culture, and even the #1 Beach in America, all with a touch of Southern charm.
Dunedin is home to Honeymoon Island, the #1 state park in the Florida. The Island boasts clear emerald green waters with powder like sandy beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. There are miles of nature trails through the island just waiting to be explored. Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island are a step back in time of old Florida beaches. Both islands are all natural and unspoiled by any development.
Dunedin Weather – When to Visit
The best time to visit Dunedin is between October and December. During these months, you’ll find low humidity, fewer tourists and many holiday events to experience. However, October and November technically fall within the Atlantic hurricane season, and even though they are not peak hurricane months, you should be aware of the possibility of a storm developing. July, August and September’s frequent rainstorms and January, February and March’s high volume of snowbirds (retirees and part-time residents from the northern U.S.) make summer and winter two seasons to avoid. If viewing wildlife is your main objective, consider visiting in April, May or June when migratory birds, stingrays and sea turtles are commonly spotted. While the area is different every season, Dunedin benefits from warm weather year-round.
Best Dunedin Area Beaches
Caladesi Island State Park
Caladesi Island is great for a range of activities from sunbathing to water sports activities like kayaking and surfing. Fishing is also popular in this area too. Caladesi Island is only accessible by boat, so you’ll need a private charter or the Caladesi Island Ferry. The park has amenities like camping facilities, picnic areas, and more, but there are no vendors, bars, or eateries.
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Honeymoon Island State Park
Honeymoon Island has plenty of fun activities including sunbathing, fishing, swimming, and shelling. There’s also a dog-friendly spot here, so if you want to bring a furry friend along for some fun in the sun, you can. The local wilderness can be a lot of fun to explore as well, with scenic hiking trails, and the island features a few rental shops and food vendors, offering all the amenities you need.
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Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach is famous for its exceptionally crystal clear waters and remarkably soft white sands. The beach is open all day long and equipped with all the amenities you could hope to find, including ample parking areas, clean restrooms, public showers, concessions, and more.
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St Pete Beach
St Pete Beach is easy to access from Dunedin and has a lot to offer. Gorgeous views, warm waters, and soft sands are found all around this beach, making it just right for swimming, sunbathing, and much more. The waves can also get pretty big a little way off the shore, so lots of surfers like to gather at this beach and test out their skills. Kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding are available too.
Best Dunedin Restaurants
Bon Appetit Over $30
This classy seafood restaurant not only serves fresh seafood, but also has a beautiful outdoor dining area where you can watch the boats pass by. Seafood is what Bon Appetit does best, so we have to recommend their lobster dishes! Menu Telephone: 727-733-2151 Web: Bon Appetit
Cafe Alfresco $11 – 30
Stop in to this diner style cafe for the best American items with International fusion influences. This is going to be your choice spot for an amazing brunch outdoors. Menu Telephone: 727-736-4299 Web: Cafe Alfresco
Lucky Lobster Company $11 – 30
The huge outdoor patio at Lucky Lobster is the best spot to enjoy a dinner with family or on a casual date. All of the seafood dishes at Lucky Lobster are amazing, using local fresh seafood of the area. Menu Telephone: 727-228-1222 Web: Lucky Lobster
The Black Pearl Restaurant Over $30
They have great service and take what they do VERY seriously. has 12 tables, reservations are not required but heavily recommended as we fill up weeks in advance. Menu Telephone: 727-734-3463 Web: The Black Pearl Restaurant
The Honu
The Honu is a Hawaiian inspired restaurant and tiki bar – serving up modern eats and strong drinks. Their outdoor bar is such a fun spot to grab drinks! Telephone: 727-333-7777 Web: The Honu
Best Dunedin Nightlife
Blur Nightclub
325 Main St, Dunedin Telephone: 727-736-0206 Web: Blur Nightclub
Dunedin Brewery
937 Douglas Ave, Dunedin Telephone: 727-736-0606 Web: Dunedin Brewery
Dunedin House Of Beer
927 Broadway, Dunedin Telephone: 727-216-6318 Web: Dunedin House of Beer
Norton’s Sports Bar & Grill
1824 Main St, Dunedin Telephone: 727-734-2053 Web: Norton’s Sports Bar & Grill
The Rusty Lyon
923 Broadway, Dunedin Telephone: 727-303-0750 Web: The Rusty Lyon
Hi Leahrae,
This is such a great overview of everything that Dunedin has to offer. I haven’t heard of Honeymoon Island, but after watching the video, it is definitely a place that I would love to visit. It looks so beautiful and serene.
I haven’t visited Florida since I was a child, a long time ago! My family would travel to Florida on March break, so you could imagine how busy it was. I appreciate how you mentioned the best times to visit Dundedin, I would definitely like to see some wildlife, so for me visiting in April or May sounds favourable.
Thanks for all of your details and information.
Jenny.
I’m glad you enjoyed Jenny! Sounds like another vacation to Florida is in order. Thanks for stopping by.
Hello,
This article has just made me love Dunedin, and I look forward to visiting Florida soon. The Dunedin area is very beautiful, and I can say that the beaches are not over exploited and still so serene. Who wouldn’t wish to have their wedding in such a heavenly place? Now that my sister is looking for the perfect wedding destination, I will share this article and let her look at these beautiful places. I have found this article as beautiful as the places it describes.
Thank you for sharing these fun destinations,
Sergej.
Honeymoon Island is a popular place for weddings and it would be a very beautiful place for your sister’s wedding. Please let me know if I can provide any additional information.
Wow, I’d never heard of Honeymoon Island or Dunedin, Florida hotels before, but I appreciate how you described them as being pristine and undisturbed by development. I’d like to visit Florida someday, and perhaps when travel restrictions are lessened, I’ll be able to do so. You’ve provided me with a fantastic selection of locations to stay and eat. It appears to be more affordable than I had anticipated.
Yes, here in the U.S. and especially in Florida things are open with no travel restrictions. I know there are a handful of countries that we are not accepting visitors from yet. Hope you get to visit Florida soon~!
I always like to read your presentations of destinations because you really take your time and describe in detail and provide all the necessary information we need to travel.
Dunedin is a fantastic location, and truly a paradise for newlyweds, and for all others too. I enjoyed watching the video with the drone footage.
And I can see myself spending one quality vacation in this location!
Friendly greeting,
Nina
I’d agree that it would be a great place for newlyweds. So serene and beautiful. It would make for a wonderful vacation! Thanks for visiting Nina.
Hi, I’ve just gone through this wonderful information you’ve share about this amazing Dunedin Florida Hotels. This is indeed one of the good places to pay a visit for holiday events. I’m glad that you’ve also given good advice on the best time to visit the place and also on everything we should expect to explore around the place. I like travelling and exploring so much and for this year, you’ve already given me a place to visit. Thanks for sharing and I’ll also be sharing too, to make others aware of these wonderful places in the world.
Great! Thank you so much for visiting my Dunedin Florida Hotels guide and for taking the time to leave comments and share with others 🙂
I am a person who loves the sea very much. 25 years ago I moved close to the sea for this reason. You have a very beautiful presentation of the Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands, which seem wonderful places. I would love to visit them after the madness of the pandemic. And you can find wonderful places to stay and eat. Thanks for the presentation.
You are very welcome Carmen. I am glad you enjoyed my Dunedin Florida Hotels guide. Thanks for stopping by.
After reading some of these articles, i just want to run outside when its sunny and jump about. Theyre certainly the sort of places that make you want to just go there. Or at least make you want to get outside and do things and go on holiday. I’d love to visit this place. It looks amazingly beautiful
It is amazingly beautiful! I live here and absolutely love it. But then I am a bit of a beach bum 🙂 Thanks for the visit to beach travel destinations.
This is a great website! It is all inclusive and I do not have to go anywhere else to research Dunedin Florida Hotels or any beach travel destinations close by. I used to travel to Florida was I was younger and would like to explore the area again. I’m sure it has changed quite a bit in the last 20 years. Thanks to your website, I’ll be able to plant a trip with ease.
Thanks for the post.
Nina
You are so welcome Nina, and I am glad you enjoyed your visit to my Dunedin Florida Hotels guide. Thanks for stopping by.
Oh wow, I have never heard of Honeymoon Island or Caladesi Island, but I really like your description that they are natural and unspoiled by development. I would love to visit Florida one day, maybe when travel restrictions are eased more, I can take a trip there. You have certainly given me a great choice of places to stay and where to eat. It does seem to be more affordable, than I somehow thought Florida would be.
Honeymoon and Caladesi Island are wonderful places. Uncrowded and peaceful. There are a lot of paddle boarders and kayakers in the waters around there, but they launch off of the Dunedin Causeway. It’s a wonderful area and Dunedin is very unique. You’d love it!
I would love to go to Florida and have a look one day, it reminds me a lot of where I live in Australia. The beaches look similar but it would be great to go and have a look at some beaches in a different part of the world.
It certainly looks like there is a lot to do and eat there as well, might have to stay a while. Great article, you have got me curious now.
Thanks so much Dave. Yes, the beaches here are great. I love living in Florida. I have relatives in Australia, but have yet to visit. I’m long overdue! I think what you’ll find is a different culture here, you’ll enjoy!
Leahrae,
I don’t think you’ve left out a single detail–I can see what my hotel looks like, check availability dates, compare prices with nearby hotels, know the menu for all local restaurants, and where to go for a day of boating or dolphin-watching. And! I could even bring my chocolate lab along to Honeymoon Beach! Yes! 😀
I’m impressed with the work and time you’ve put into creating beach travel destinations!
Thanks,
And see you again soon,
Tamara
Thanks so much Tamara, so glad you enjoyed your visit to beachtraveldestinations.com.
I would like to visit the Dunedin Historical Museum. It’s housed in a restored railway station. And I would also like to soak up the city’s Scottish heritage at Dunedin’s Celtic Shop.
I am a baseball fan. A friend went in spring and even enjoyed a Toronto Blue Jays training game. So there are plenty of cool things to do over there.
Yes there are plenty of cool things to do here 🙂 I live close to Dunedin (Clearwater Beach) and absolutely love it! Thanks for visiting my Dunedin Florida Hotels guide.
Dunedin Florida Hotels- a wonderful post which gives vivid description. I love that you offer the best beaches recommended and the best time to visit. The boat and helicopter tours look like something we would greatly enjoy, and the restaurants all look withing budget. Looks like a great beach destination for us. Thanks for all the great information.
You’re welcome Diana. I am glad you enjoyed learning about the great beach town of Dunedin. It is a very unique town with a great laid-back atmosphere. I know you and your family will enjoy.