It takes a boat to reach top '08 beach

CALADESI ISLAND, Fla. — Kaylee Sturm sat in the low surf, the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico lapping around her.

The University of Tampa senior had never been to this barrier island north of Clearwater, but she and her mom were immediately impressed.

"I like that it's natural," Sturm said, adding that she preferred it to other Gulf Coast beaches. "The water's just more beautiful here."

It's an assessment that Stephen P. Leatherman would agree with. Leatherman, a Florida International University professor dubbed "Dr. Beach," picked Caladesi Island as the best beach in the 2008 ranking for his annual list, which was released recently. Caladesi beat out beaches in Hawaii, along the Eastern Seaboard and in California for this year's honor.

The runners-up on Leatherman's list of best beaches this year were Hanalei Beach, Hawaii; Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Fla.; Coopers Beach in Southampton, N.Y.; Coronado Beach in San Diego; Main Beach in East Hampton, N.Y.; Hamoa Beach, Hawaii; Cape Hatteras, N.C.; Cape Florida State Park near Miami; and Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, S.C.

Caladesi's somewhat remote location factored into Leatherman's rankings — and why Sturm and her mother, Cynde Jayden, were awed by it.

"It's an island getaway," said Leatherman, who has released his annual list since 1991. He noted that despite being in the densely populated Tampa Bay-area, many nearby residents have never visited Caladesi.

Most beachgoers reach the island by a 15-minute, $9 ferry ride. Visitors — unless they bring their own boat — are limited to four-hour stays at the beach, which is a state park.

While more remote than the tourist mainstays of Clearwater or Miami, Caladesi still boasts showers, restrooms, kayak and beach chair rentals, and a snack bar where burgers and beer are available.

Caladesi's fine, white quartz sand beach owes its creation to a 1921 hurricane, which separated it from nearby Honeymoon Island. Caladesi became a state park in 1968.

The waves are generally low on Caladesi, which Leatherman said adds to its family friendly atmosphere. He uses 50 criteria — including quality tests on water, sand and amenities — to make his assessments.

"It's not just about going out and kicking sand," Leatherman said.

But for tourists it is.

Jayden, 52, spent a recent weekday trying to get a tan before returning to her home near Pittsburgh. "I like that you can just see forever," she said. "There's no world out there."

Jake Wolf and Katie Pass, prospective dental school students from the Kansas City area, said they decided to spend part of their vacation at Caladesi because they figured it would be less crowded than other gulf beaches.

Comments