Best things to do in Dunedin

With 6 km (4 mi) of white sand beach along the Gulf of Mexico, Honeymoon Island State Park offers a wealth of opportunities for exploring Florida's barrier islands. Rich in biological diversity, the park is home to many rare and threatened Florida organisms like the slash pine, armadillo, and tortoise. As you wander the park's trails through mangrove forests and across tidal flats, keep your eyes out for ospreys and other coastal birds. Be sure to bring your swim trunks to enjoy the clear, warm, shallow waters. You can access the island's treasures via a causeway from the mainland; it provides visitors with a concession stand and gift shop.

Caladesi Island State Park is one of the rare, completely natural Florida's islands in the Gulf and has a great beach. Accessible by boat or ferry, the park features a nature trail as well as picnic tables, pavilions, and a playground. You'll find a snack bar and a gift shop on-site. Hike the 5 km (3 mi) of trails and watch for birds feeding around the shallow waters. With a bit of luck, you may see turtles and tortoises. You can try kayaking through mangroves and in the bay.

Visit Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks, one of the world's leading natural sponge markets. Since 1890, the sponge harvesting industry had been developing in this small seaside resort. Divers from Greece were brought to the United States, and they would use diving equipment to collect these aquatic animals and prepare them for sale. At the beginning of the 20th century, the resort became known as the Sponge Capital of the World. Today, you can learn about the sponge harvesting industry at the site, hear about its history, and buy sponges to use for bathing, decorating, and cleaning.

See Florida's animal species in their natural habitat at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. After reaching the visitor center, you can take a scenic boat ride to the center of the park, or opt for a shorter tram ride. The park is dedicated to the preservation of local wildlife, including a variety of birds and smaller animals, as well as bears, deer, otters, alligators, and crocodiles. It is also the center of the renowned manatee preservation program, and these gentle giants are the park’s star residents. See the manatees up close thanks to the underwater observatory. On warm days, you can pet and feed the manatees, but on cold days they stay submerged to preserve their heat.

Meet manatees and other creatures calling Crystal River their residence on a guided tour, conducted by informative and helpful guides who can take you to places where you can swim and interact with the marine life. Next to these and other marine species--such as dolphins and sea turtles--you may catch a glimpse of pelicans, great blue herons, and more wading birds. Don't forget to bring swimsuits and towels on board--snorkel gear, life jackets, and swim "noodles" are available on the boat. Most tours cater to small groups of maximum six people and last between two and four hours. Children are welcome to come along under parental supervision.

The Dunedin Fine Arts Center (DFAC) hosts exhibitions, festivals, classes, and workshop space in Dunedin, Florida. The centar was temporary closed due to COVID-19 pandemic and was re-opened on June 1, 2020.

Explore the wildlife of Florida's Nature Coast on a kayaking or canoeing tour around Crystal River, the only place in the country where you can interact with manatees in their natural environment. You can opt for a self-guided or a guided tour (which usually include paddling lessons and in-water photographer)--shuttle service and equipment are included in the offer either way. Most trips last a couple of hours.

Philippe Park is a Pinellas County park located in Safety Harbor, Florida. The park is named after Count Odet Philippe, who is credited with introducing grapefruit to Florida. It is situated on 122acre that was once part of Philippe's plantation. Philippe was the county's first non-native settler, arriving in 1842. Philippe is buried in the park but the exact location is undetermined.
A Tocobaga Indian mound that is situated in the park is a National Historic Landmark known as the Safety Harbor Site.
The temple mound is one of the last remnants of the Tocobaga on the Pinellas Peninsula. Records indicate that Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, the founder of St. Augustine, Florida, visited the site in 1566 to help broker a truce between the Tocobaga and the Calusa to the south. During the visit Pedro Menéndez founded a Spanish outpost nearby, but by 1567 it was reported to have been wiped out by the Tocobaga. Eventually the temple mound was deserted. The Tocobaga succumbed to European diseases, and many were forced into slavery working in the Caribbean.