Considered to be one of Florida's best-kept secrets, the Forgotten Coast is known to celebrate serene coastal living and old Florida. Many of Florida's most stunning white sandy beaches are located in this quiet undeveloped coastal stretch that extends into the Gulf of Mexico between Panama City Beach and the Big Bend of Florida. The area and its many coastal towns and miniature cities are a paradise for nature lovers, as well as beach enthusiasts as outdoor activities and water sports are among the most popular inclusive ventures. The vast stretches of unspoiled beaches, barrier islands, and peninsulas in the area band together to create beachfront recreation on both the bay and Gulf sides. Various Forgotten Coastal towns including Mexico Beach, Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, St. George Island, Carrabelle, and Apalachicola feature beachfront communities.
Guide to Forgotten Coastal Florida Beaches
What This Article Covers
This guide is all about the beaches of the Forgotten Coast, including access points, the beaches themselves, wildlife, activities, and anything else related to being on the beach for a day. From vacationing, moving to, or investing in real estate in the area, you will have just the right amount of knowledge under your belt.
Cultural Feel of Forgotten Coastal Beaches
Considered a unique gem to the area of Florida, the Forgotten Coast features an array of small-town beaches full of friendly locals and stunning scenery of shorelines. The cultural feel one can find when visiting the Forgotten Coast is one encompassed by peaceful communities with people proud of their local endeavors and small-town culture. In this article, you will come to find that beach life is peaceful, offering fishing, shelling, and relaxation in the sun.
Beaches on the Forgotten Coast
Mexico Beach
Less accessible than its neighboring Panama City Beach, Mexico Beach is hailed as the "unforgettable coast" as it is part of the Forgotten Coast of Florida. Mexico Beach lies 45 minutes southeast of any major roadway, truly tucked away amongst white sand and miles of warm ocean waves. This beach is far less crowded as a whole, paired with a quaint small town. Due to its location down south, the beach was left open to nature and its more devastating elements, hit hard in 2018 by Hurricane Michael. Since the storm, the coastal town has been under construction, though the rebuild is flourishing.
Sand, Water, and Beachfront Activities in Mexico Beach
The fine white sand you will find yourself drawn to when visiting Mexico Beach is made up of fine granules of quartz from the Appalachian Mountains. This quartz sand is far softer than other types of sand and can be found all along the Gulf beaches. A wonderful feature of Mexico Beach is the easy access locals and visitors are given to the beach, including a 5-mile stretch of beachfront parking to get you down to the water faster!
Community and Culture
Small businesses make up much of the small town of Mexico Beach, providing an authentic small fishing village feel. Big hotels, businesses, and chains are not present in Mexico Beach, making this area feel as untouched as the rest of the Forgotten Coast. The community as a whole is strong, surviving natural disasters and pulling through as a whole through local community support.
Port St. Joe
Despite its stunning beaches, and the addition of the Cape San Blas Lighthouse in 2014, the town of Port St. Joe is not considered a beach town. Heralding as the beating heart of the Forgotten Coast, Port St. Joe is the remaining oldest town in the area with the addition of a beautiful downtown steeped in rich history. The area is however becoming more of a tourist destination, especially with the addition of the lighthouse in the downtown area surrounded by local shops and restaurants. The lighthouse that now calls Port St. Joe was moved from Cape San Blas, sitting next to an inlet to the marina. This waterfront does not directly front the Gulf water, instead, it faces the bay.
Windmark Beach
A planned community in Port St. Joe south of Mexico Beach, Windmark Beach has two access points to the beach and a paved Beachwalk trail. You can also find a paved biking trail accompanied by a hiking trail at Windmark Beach that runs parallel to the beach itself. Sitting on the Gulf of Mexico near the opening of St. Joseph Bay, you will find that the waters are calmer, and the beach has soft white sands found all along the Gulf in a picturesque natural setting.
Sand, Water, and Beachfront Activities in Port St. Joe
Tucked in St. Joseph's Bay, the beaches found at Port St. Joe are smaller in comparison to sister beaches found along the Gulf of Mexico. Mostly Bayfront, they are not considered beachy by any means, especially the closer to the waterfront you get. However, the beach areas located along the lighthouse park and the Windmark Beach communities offer nicer beaches with calm waters and feather-soft sands. It is important to keep in mind that the closer you are to Bay water, the more dark and brackish the water will appear. Fishing and boating are the top contending activities to do in the area, as well as hiking and exploring the lighthouse area. The historic downtown also offers local shopping and restaurants.
Community and Culture
Considered to have a welcoming spirit, the community of Port St. Joe is tight-knit, and you will come to find that seafood, history, and fishing make up much of Port St. Joe. Here, you will find locals with surnames that date back generations, with interesting stories to tell.
Cape San Blas
Considered to be the prize hidden jewel of the Forgotten Coast, Cape San Blas is hidden on a beautiful stretch of land extending its arm into the Gulf of Mexico. Here, a serene habitat is provided, as well as natural areas of beaches and bayside, alongside a community full of local Southern hospitality and charm. You can get a stunning view of the bay and dock that extends into the beautiful blue waters. You can relax in a natural environment, and dig your toes in the gorgeous soft white sands of the Cape's Gulf front coastline.
Sand, Water, and Beachfront Activities in Cape San Blas
The beach at Cape San Blas is unique in the way that it extends into the Gulf, offering soft mounds of sand, and a peaceful beachfront lined with oceanfront homes. The stretch of the peninsula is where you can find multiple access points with both a recreation park and the State Park that offers public access and facilities. There are a few beaches, such as the one located at the Jetty, that have shells you can find easily on the shoreline you can take back with you.
Culture and Community
Set far away from the mainstream life of large towns and cities, Cape San Blas is a small town that offers a friendly community. Located hours away from big shopping, there are only smaller local shops present on the cape. If you are seeking to get away from the busy life of city living and crowds of people, Cape San Blas offers relaxation in the forms of fishing, boating, biking, and hiking. Small local businesses are run by locals, offering tourists a taste of the experience of cape life.
St. George Island
Standing as a barrier island that stretches 22 miles with a stunning wide beachfront is what makes up St. George Island. Visitors are drawn to the pet-friendly beaches, with tons of water sports available as well as activities to partake in nature with hiking, boating, shelling, and simply playing in the surf.
St. George Island Public Beach
To enter the hub of the island, you pass over the bridge onto St. George where the central icon of the lighthouse can be seen erected on the island. You can access the public beach by a parking lot nearby, with more access to a picnic area to enjoy an afternoon lunch. Children can find a playground and basketball court nearby, as well as a park for their furry four-legged friends to accompany them. There are vacation rentals, and the only hotel, Buccaneer Inn, is directly in the main hub near both the lighthouse and local eateries in town.
Sand, Water, and Activities on St. George Island
If you are on the hunt for a beach vacation, St. George Island is the perfect spot to find an amazing beachfront for playing in the sand and soaking up the sun. You can enjoy various activities along the shoreline such as shelling and fishing. There are a few local businesses, eateries, and shops. Because the island is smaller, biking and hiking are wonderful methods of travel to explore the island. The beach at St. George Island is known to be the most renowned beach in the world. The combination of soft sand and warm waters of the Gulf offers an inviting coastline, perfect for long walks and tons of swimming and surfing.
Culture and Community
Because the beaches here are so popular, St. George Island is known for family and friend getaways. In this small town, you will find that Spring Break is big as the nightlife is directly linked to the beach. St. George Island is also very family orientated, offering a cozy friendly vacation on the beach.
Beaches Accessed by Boat Only
Dog Island
Known to be a secluded disconnected island only accessible by boat, ferry, or plane. Dog Island is a barrier island, which is a chain of sand or "island" along the coastline, separated by narrow tidal inlets. For those that seek a peaceful, silent environment and slow living, Dog Island is for those who seek this lifestyle. There are very few stores or facilities, so for amenities, traveling by boat or ferry to a larger part of the Forbidden Coast for a day of shopping.
St. Vincent Island
Only accessible by boat, St. Vincent Island is an underdeveloped barrier island, over 12,000+ acres large. It is a National Wildlife Refuge, with the island offering protected coastal land for wildlife. Here, the beaches, much of the wildlife, and the coastal land are untouched.
For more local information on the Forgotten Coast and the best beaches to visit, check out our website.
