Cape San Blas, Florida is one of the few remaining unspoiled gems that shines brightly in the necklace of beaches that stretches along the Florida coast. Unlike its more developed sister beaches in Panama City, Destin, and other Panhandle locations, the Cape is often called “The Forgotten Coast,” because while all the growth was occurring in other beach communities, the Cape remained pristine and virtually unchanged. A dogleg-shaped peninsula, Cape San Blas extends from the mainland in the area of Port St. Joe, Florida, a small community where the Florida constitution was written.
Leaving the mainland, the first section of the Cape runs from east to west. As you pass through the Cape San Blas Lighthouse Historic Area and a place known as Stump Hole, the landmass takes a turn and the remaining 15 or so miles run north to south. This part of the Cape is also sometimes known as St. Joseph Spit. At the northern tip of the Cape is St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, which includes more than 2,500 acres of beautiful, pristine beaches, majestic sand dunes, and wilderness areas. At the very tip of the Cape it is a popular place for people to go by boat for family shelling excursions and picnics.
As a Florida native, I am picky about my beaches. That’s why I had a “wait and see” attitude when my husband planned our first family vacation to the Cape San Blas area in 1997. As a Sarasota County native, for some reason I had never heard of Cape San Blas, Port St Joe. , or Gulf County, that “Forgotten Coast” moniker again. However, when we arrived I instantly fell in love with the area and knew I would return again and again. And that is exactly what we have done. My children have grown up spending their summers on the Cape and we spend as much time there as we can.
Why is the Cape so special? Once you enter Port St. Joe, you leave behind the hustle and bustle that is such a part of Florida today. In the peninsula there are many things that I will not do it Find: No high-rise buildings, no massive condo complexes, no towering hotels, no malls, no movie theaters, no traffic, no noise, and no crowds! What you will find are beautiful beaches, beautiful sunsets, pristine St. Joe Bay, the fabulous waters of the Gulf of Mexico, pelicans, dolphins, shelling and much more.
what’s there to do? On the Cape, reconnecting with your family and nature are number one activities. You might want to spend a week relaxing on the beach, reading books, fishing off the beach, getting a tan, collecting shells, or playing horseshoes. Many families do just that, saying even children find the Cape a great place to kick back and relax.
Plus the active guy? On the Cape, you can go horseback riding on the beach, kayak in the gulf or bay, learn how to scallop, head to shore for a day of catching grouper and red snapper, head to the St. Vincent on a water ferry, take a trip to Apalachicola to buy oysters, or head to Panama City for Shipwreck Island water park. This page with Cape San Blas information on local businesses and things to do will help you get started with boat rentals, where to eat, golf, fish and more.
If you are looking for a vacation spot where the only noise is the sound of the seagulls, the waves and the laughter of your children, the Cape may be for you.