It’s often described as a little slice of paradise. This beautiful portion of Northwest Florida’s gulf coast is paradise for those looking for a different way to enjoy the region’s gulf beaches, natural inland areas and outstanding seafood. It’s a place to bring the family and make memories. A place to disconnect and take on special adventures. And visitors are free to choose whether those include exploring the waterways, crushing the oyster-eating contest, winning family game night or finding the best afternoon nap spot.
Gulf County has always been home to seafarers and fishermen and the water is still at its heart. From anyplace in the county, a body of water is less than five minutes away. The Gulf of Mexico draws many, but the rivers, lakes, lagoons and creeks offer variety for all who love the water. Places like Dead Lakes, St. Joseph Bay and Indian Pass Lagoon are favorites. And with 244 miles of shoreline throughout 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 here.
Located 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 is filled with neighborhoods, each with its own personality, each filled with its own options for enjoying this diverse destination. Port St. Joe is a coastal town, with beach and bay access. It is popular both for its water activities and for its downtown shopping. This is also the site of the signing of the very first Florida Constitution. Cape San Blas, located on the St. Joseph peninsula, is filled with low-rise, single-family vacation rental homes on both the gulf and St. Joseph Bay, white sandy beaches and beautiful, clear waters. It is also home to T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. Indian Pass evokes “old Florida,” with its uncrowded beaches that are favorites for camping, horseback riding and shore fishing. It is also home to the oldest restaurant in the county, a local and visitor favorite. St. Joe Beach, is a small, laid-back beach community where visitors enjoy pet-friendly white sand beaches and amazing sunsets. 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.
Visitors love the low-rise, laidback lifestyle throughout Gulf County, where high-rises aren’t allowed and relaxation is encouraged. It is the perfect place to connect with family while disconnecting from the world, and to enjoy beautiful beaches and inland treasures. It’s a place to learn about sea turtles and shore birds, to take in the beauty of seashells and the succulence of shellfish and to make vacation memories that last forever.
Fast Facts
- By way of the Intracoastal Waterway, Gulf County is one of a small number of counties in the United States to be under two time zones, Eastern and Central in this case.
- There are only three stoplights in the whole county.
- In 2002, T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park was named America’s #1-Ranked Beach by Dr. Beach.
- Leashed pets are allowed on nearly every beach and you can enjoy miles of hiking and walking trails with your pets.
- In 1839, delegates from all counties of Florida came together in Port St. Joe known then as “Saint Joseph” to draft and sign the Florida Constitution.
- In 2014, the Cape San Blas Lighthouse was moved for preservation purposes from the Cape San Blas peninsula into Port St. Joe currently resides at George Core Park.
- Gulf County is one of the few unique Florida Panhandle areas where beekeepers gather the only pure tupelo honey on earth, harvested from the White Tupelo Gum trees reaching 50 to 75 feet in height and often standing in several feet of water in the Apalachicola River basin.
Annual Events
- Snowbird Appreciation Golf Tournament, February
- Winter St. Joseph Buffer Preserve Bay Day, February
- Salt Air Farmer’s Market, February-December
- Forgotten Coast en Plein Air, March
- Chili Cook-Off, March
- Breeze By The Bay 5K & 10K, March
- First Fridays, April-September
- Blues on Reid, April
- Bayou Bash Fishing Tournament, May
- Tupelo Honey Festival, May
- July 4th Celebration, July
- Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Festival, July
- MBARA Fishing Tournament, August
- T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park Appreciation Day, September
- Florida Scallop & Music Festival, September
- Blast on the Bay Songwriters Festival, October
- Ghost on the Coast, October
- Fall St. Joseph Buffer Preserve Bay Day, October
- Forgotten Coast Music Festival, October
- Christmas on the Coast, December
- Celebrate Twice NYE Celebration, December
For more information on these events, https://www.visitgulf.com/events/
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