On the central gulf coast, (where the Central and Eastern Time Zones meet at St. Joe Beach), two hours southwest of Tallahassee and just an hour east of Panama City Beach, Gulf County, Florida, is known for its laid back, low-rise lifestyle. There are no tall buildings along the shoreline here. Giant neon lights are nowhere to be found. There are only three stoplights in the whole county. And that’s what’s perfect about it.
Couples looking for a quintessential beach getaway will find it here. From any point in the county, a body of water is less than five minutes away. And with 244 miles of shoreline in the county, there are plenty of access points for visitors. Whether paddling or fishing, shelling or scalloping, snorkeling or diving, there is a place to enjoy it.
With its convenient bay accesses, the central hub of Port St. Joe is popular both for both shore and water activities. There are parks and walking trails nearby and Frank Pate Park makes launching a boat or joining a fishing charter easy. Exploring the clear, shallow waters on a snorkeling or shelling adventure or enjoying an amazing sunset are popular activities all year long. St. Joe Beach is a little strip of heaven. This laid-back beach community includes Windmark Beach and has abundant on-the-beach lodging rentals and convenient beach accesses, where visitors enjoy pet-friendly white sand beaches.
On the St. Joseph peninsula Cape San Blas is filled with low-rise vacation rental homes, white sandy beaches and beautiful, clear waters. It is also home to T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. Indian Pass beaches are a prime location for camping, horseback riding and shore fishing. Take a day trip across the bay to St. Vincent Island Wildlife Refuge (accessible only by private boat or ferry service) or bask in the glow of a beach bonfire after sunset. Inland is Wewahitchka, with its Dead Lakes, freshwater rivers and variety of options for camping. This is also the epicenter for the harvest of the famous Tupelo Honey, a sweet treat loved by locals and guests alike.
Stay in the beachfront B&B Inn or fully equipped cottages at the coveted and quaint Turtle Beach Inn, located in Indian Pass. Check-in at one of the cozy Port Cottages in Port St Joe, directly across from St. Joseph Bay and the perfect location to stroll around downtown Port St. Joe. Or enjoy accommodations overlooking picturesque St. Joseph Bay and across the street from the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico at the Cape San Blas Inn on Cape San Blas. For the ultimate “private island getaway,” Black’s Island is a seven-acre semi-tropical island set in the sparkling waters of St Joseph Bay, just a 10 minute ride from the mainland by boat, seaplane or helicopter. This lush retreat of 26 private luxury cottages includes observation decks, an oceanfront pool, central ecolodge, secluded beaches and the use of on-site watercraft.
Sunset dining In the heart of Port St. Joe, enjoy a colorful sunset dinner at Quatro Locos Tacos and Cantina overlooking the St. Joseph Bay Lighthouse. Step into the cozy, intimate atmosphere of Provisions Restaurant or T.I.G.F (This is Garden Food) in downtown PSJ. Watch the sunset on the patio at The View at St. Joe Bay in Windmark Beach. The White Marlin Restaurant & Oysterette is the area’s newest elevated coastal dining experience with stunning sunset views, tranquil boat-watching, and photo-worthy landscapes. Afterward, Light Up Your Night Beach Bonfires provides a romantic sunset fire on several beaches and offers a variety of splurge-worthy bonfire packages.
For the ultimate intimate dinner, book a 5-star dining experience in your own beach home with a personal Chef from Your Table! Your Chef!. Schedule a romantic, customized sunset horseback ride on the beach through Broke-a-toe Horseback Riding. Take your relationship to new heights and perhaps pop the question at the top of the Cape San Blas Lighthouse overlooking St. Joseph Bay. www.VisitGulf.com
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