Honeymoon Island State park is the go-to destination for Floridians.
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life for a holiday or just a weekend break, where better to go than Honeymoon Island.
It’s just a short drive from Tampa and certainly a green haven just outside of sprawling cityscapes.
If you want to know what the weather in Honeymoon Island is like in advance of your trip, keep reading for all you need to know and plan your trip.
Recommended placed to Stay:
Honemoon Island FL Weather
While the area of Florida enjoys a semi tropical climate, the island summertime climate is dominated by short but frequent thunderstorms when humidity is constantly close to 100%.
However, in spite of these thunderstorms, Honeymoon Island gets the most days of sunshine for the state of Florida with an average of 361 days of sunshine per year.
Weather November to March
Probably the best and most pleasant time to visit the Island is from November through to March when the temperature and humidity are a lot lower and you’ll enjoy your trip to the island far more than other times of the year.
Weather April
April is by far the driest month. Not too many people on holiday during this time but good to know for weekend trippers.
Weather June to September
These are the wettest months of the year.
Incredibly the island has an average of 7 inches of rainfall per month during these few months. Be sure to have an umbrella and raincoat but also bring your sunscreen! ?
The worst time to visit Honeymoon Island
Besides the obvious considerations over the weather on Honeymoon Island, try to avoid coming to the island in late summer/fall.
The mosquitoes are at their max numbers and nearly unbearable.
The last thing you want is for your sweet blood or that of your young kids to be sampled by gazillions of mozzies.
Activities and Birdwatching on Honeymoon Island
People go to Honeymoon Island for many reasons like:
- swimming
- fishing
- shelling in the shallows at low tide
- hiking
- and cycling
One of the main activities which draws tourists to the island is birdwatching.
The island is a haven for many species but top of the list is the Bald Eagle.
The eagle was reintroduced to the barrier island in 2009 and nests here from October through to May.
You can also find Ospreys and the fabulous Great Horned Owl.
What to pack for your trip to Honeymoon Island
- Sunscreen (even in the winter months)
- Rain gear or an umbrella just because it almost always rains!
- Always bring plenty of drinking water and a picnic lunch as you cannot purchase food on the island
- Bring binoculars if you are bird watching
- Insect repellent or long sleeves
The main resource for information is the Florida State Parks website. You will also find this very useful Honeymoon Island Brochure with map to review online before you travel.
You can book your entry tickets online before you leave home via the following links on the Florida State Parks Website
A Super Quick History of Honeymoon Island
Prior to The Tampa Bay hurricane of 1921, (also known as the 1921 Tarpon Springs hurricane) Honeymoon Island and nearby Caladesi Island were one large island known as Hog Island.
The hurricane split the island in half and the waterway between the two has since been called Hurricane Pass.
A business-man by the name of Clinton Washburn purchased the island in the 1930s and had the vision to turn it into a getaway destination for Newlyweds and so Honeymoon Island was born.
He built in the region of 50-holiday cottages and publicized to the American public in the early 1940s through the newsreels and magazines.
The advertisements promised undiscovered pleasures for newlyweds. Once WWII began for the Americans, and so too it marked the end of the beginning of the decline of the thatched cottages.
They fell into disuse and slowly the elements took their tole on the structures.
In the 1960s a developer planned to build a residential area on the island but this plan went no further when his permit to construct was not renewed by the state of Florida.
Thankfully for all, birds included, the state purchased all the land over time and on December 7th 1981, Honeymoon Island State Park was created.
Have you visited Honeymoon Island? Do share some photos or tips for travel there in our comments below. We’d love to hear from you.
Recommended reading:
- Fancy catching a Rocket Launch at Cape Canaveral? Read our guide to the Best places to watch a rocket launch at Cape Canaveral.
- Read our guide to the Best Part Beaches in Florida.
