Gulf beaches with their miles of gently rolling surf, bay beaches with nature and privacy, beaches you can drive to and beaches you'll need a boat to enjoy. Each one is different. Have a look, and find your perfect beach.
Our Visit Florida website now has an online tool called the Florida Beach Finder to help you find a Florida beach that's the right fit for you. www.visitflorida.com
Wakulla Springs State Park is home to one of the largest, deepest freshwater springs in the world. In addition to swimming, and jumping off the high tower, you can hike, take a boat tours.
Mashes Sand Beach in Wakulla County has beach, shallow bay water, amenities. 850-926-1848, www.wakullacountychamber.com
Shell Point Beach has coarse, sandy beach, sailing, wind surfing, boat rentals, and it's close to St. Marks!. 850-926-1848 www.wakullacountychamber.com
Dog Island Beach: This beach requires boat access and then a hike. The beach is beautiful, private, and has no amemities. If you want it, bring it with you. And, pack it out!!
The public beach on St. George Island is easy to find. Once you cross over the bridge and get to the island stop sign, turn right and then left into the island parking. . There are bath house facilities, pavilions, etc. This beach slopes, and there are no lifeguards on duty. The beach slopes and there are no lifeguards on duty.
Unit Four Beach is on the bay side of the island at E. 6th Street and an interesting walk for nature lovers. Parking is minimal, with no facilities. It is a great place for birding. The beach is lined with shallow oyster bars. It connects to some of the most productive shallow water oyster bars in the Gulf. Wear foot coverings during your walk, and bring your binocculars.
St. George Island State Park beach is located at the far east end of the island. It was ranked in the Top 10 by Dr. Beach. It is nine miles in length, and is the longest beach front state park in Florida. There are two large beach use areas with lots of parking, and all kinds of amenities. The sand is soft, white,and the surf is gentle, and the softly-sloping bottom makes for easy enjoyment for all ages. The ranger station at the entrance will provide you with maps, directions, etc.
And, last, but not least of the St. George Island beaches is the East End Fishing Beach. It is a special use area of the park, and is located through a locked gate, that you get permission to enter at the main gate. It is a five mile drive to the east end of the island, and a parking area. This beach is for fishing only. the deep currents that run through East Pass, which separates St. George Island from Dog Island, bring bait and bait eaters in big schools.
Onto Alligator Point and the beach that is off US Hwy 98, on Alligator Point Road. It is a long white-sand beach. There are no public facilities and public access is limited to a few areas with minimal parking. It is a long beach with soft sand, and truly private!
Carrabelle Beach is an easily-accessed white-sand beach west of Carrabelle on Hwy. 98 Plenty of parking, outdoor showers, facilities are available. The bottom of the slopes, and the surf is generally calm. The beach is protected by Dog Island from heavy winds and seas. It is a long, curing beach with plenty of space to find your own space.
Old Carrabelle Beach is an excellent stretch of soft sand. Access is just west of the Carrabelle Bridge on Gulf Beach Road. There is no designated parking space, and no facilities. The beach is very close to acres of grass beds, which means the fishing is superb. If you really like sunsets and sunrises, this is the beach for you.
Bald Point State Park can be reached off US Hwy 98, onto Alligator Point Road, and then follow the signs. The state park beach is perfect for nature lovers. Because of the flow of nutrient rich waters flowing down the Ochlockonee River, this particular beach has a different look and feel. The water can look muddy, but it supports a great deal of marine life. Birders will enjoy this park and beach. Wear foot coverings for walking off the beaches onto oyster shells. Don't forget your binoculars.
Tahiti Beach got its name because its remarkable beauty reminds folks of a South Sea paradise..This beach is on the eastern-most end of St. Vincent Islandand is accessible only by a boat. Sometimes strong currents in West Point roil the water, and pound the surf. As a result, this beach isn't recommended for swimming. It is good for shellings, worshipping the sun, and a nice hike.
Beacon Hill Community Park: A small, public beach with roadside parking. Has picnic tables, facilities, a playground, baseball fields, a boardwalk to Hwy. 98 with dedicated beach access and a walking track. US 98 in Port St. Joe, Gulf County Chamber of commerce, 850-227-1223
Cape San Blas/St. Joseph Peninsula State Park: With 10 miles of white sugar sand, this park has one of the top-rated beaches in the US. High dunes, and sand pine scrub are part of the landscape. A boaat ramp is at Eagle Harbor on the bay side. Camping is permitted. cabins, and/or primitive campsites are available. cape San Blas is on the south end of St. Joseph Peninsula. On US 98, heading west from Apalachicola, turn left on C-30A, then turn left on C-30E and travel to park. 850-227-1327
Taylor County Beaches:
Head out of town on US 27 (Apalachee Pkwy) and you'll find Deckle Beach which has not only swimming, but boating, fishing, scalloping, etc. Keaton Beach is a pretty coarse, sandy beach with facilities. Steinhatchee and the Econfina Rivers area have not only beaches for swimming, but lots of boating and fishing. Frank Pate Park: Also has a public boat ramp, facilities, picnic tables. On St. Joe Bay at the corner of 98 and Fifth St. in Port St. Joe. Gulf County, Chamber of Commerce 850-227-1223
Grayton Beach State Recreation Area: Consistently ranked among the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the US. Western Lake is a salt marsh ecosystem. Nature trails, overnight stays include cabins and a full service campground. Located south of US 98 about halfway between Panama City Beach and Destin. Take county roa south of US 98, turn left at the stop sign on 30A, about a half-mile east of the intersection of County road 30A and CR 283. Entrance is on the right.
Henderson Beach State Park has 208 acres available for lots of activities including swimming, surf fishing, camping, trails.
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park: Has 356 acres, located east of Nicevill, about 6 miles north of Destin. Has almost a mile of shoreline on rocky Bayou Aquatic Preserve. Camping is available. There is no designated swimming because of the occasional presence of alligators and other aquatic wildlife. 850- 833-9144
Keaton Beach: In addition to a beautiful beach, there is a 700 ft. long fishing pier. Campgrounds, trails, boat ramps, are available. Taylor County Chamber of Commerce 850-584-5366 www.keatonbeach.org
Mexico Beach: West of Port St. Joe, includes a pier, boardwalks to the beach, and beachside parks. Facilities available. Community Development Council, 850-648-8196
