Honeymoon Island State Park

This barrier island is famous for its 4 miles of picturesque beaches and attracts 1 million beachgoers and wildlife watchers annually. The park protects other important wildlife habitats including coastal strand, flatwoods, maritime hammock, seagrass beds, tidal flats and mangroves. As you approach the park, watch the causeway waterfront for shorebirds, then continue to follow the entrance road to the large parking area at the end. Here you can access the Osprey Trail, which is probably the best place in the world to see this species nesting. This trail is also good for migratory songbirds like warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and Indigo and Painted Buntings. The Pelican Trail, which winds along Pelican Cove, as well as the park’s beaches, offer excellent birding opportunities; two observation decks provide good viewing at low tide. Watch for herons, egrets and migratory shorebirds like American Oystercatcher and Least Tern. Snowy Plover and Wilson’s Plover nest on the beach; please respect closed nesting areas. Major rarities such as Bar-tailed Godwit, Long-billed Murrelet, Elegant Tern, Northern Wheatear, Townsend’s Solitaire, Varied Thrush, Mourning Warbler, and Green-tailed Towhee are all on the park’s checklist. Bicycles and kayaks are available for rent in the park, and beach wheelchairs are available upon request. Guided ranger walks are offered several days a week November through February, and the Rotary Centennial Nature Center has indoor activities for kids; call for details.