Port Saint Joe is home to some of the most naturally beautiful beaches in the world. “The Forgotten Coast” portion of the popular 30-A coastline is a magical place with sparkling emerald and sapphire waters flowing atop soft white sand. These incredible beaches are seemingly untouched and free from over development allowing the natural beauty to truly impress.
Our Family's Quick List of the BEST Beaches in #PortSaintJoe
1. Saint Joe Beach
Just a few minutes West of Downtown Port Saint Joe, you’ll find the most accommodating beaches stretching for miles along Hwy 98/30A. This is an easy location to take the whole family for an awesome day at the beach! Parking is usually pretty easy and free, visitors can parallel park alongside the road, just steps away from the soft powdery beaches and gorgeous water! There are also a few overflow parking lots along the way as well as several restaurants to grab a bite of fresh seafood!
St. Joe Beach neighbors Mexico Beach and where the two meet, you’ll find the official start of the Central Time Zone! So, be sure to add time traveling to your list of things to do here!
2. T.H. Stone Memorial
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
Head to the Cape (Cape San Blas) early to secure your spot on one of the most coveted beaches and boat launches in the state. Parking is limited and they fill up quickly during peak season and holidays. Be sure to bring a card or cash to pay the small entry fee – it’s totally worth it!
Here, you’ll be able to simultaneously enjoy beaches on both sides of the cape; the Gulf Coast Ocean side and St. Josephs Bay side. The park also offers daily boat rentals, has a small convenience store onsite, and public restrooms.
The Gulf side is super dreamy and a classic beauty where you’ll hear the sound of the waves crashing against the sand, the smell of the ocean, and the feeling of the cool beach breeze on a hot sunny day!
The Bay side’s water is calmer and usually boasts crystal clear water! It’s perfect to explore the aquatic wildlife for the more adventurous visitors from the shore or while swimming in the bay! We love the pink sea urchins, sea turtles, dolphins, stingrays and more! It’s also a great location for kayaking, paddle boarding, or sunbathing.
3. Windmark Beach
Located just a few miles West of Downtown Port Saint Joe, you’ll find the public beaches of Windmark Beach! Windmark is a fabulous development that includes a residential district, restaurants, a general store, and a few other boutique shops. One of the best features of Windmark beach is the manicured trail and boardwalk system for walking or bicycling. It’s very common to see dolphins, eagles, and other Florida wildlife on this tail! Parking is free and they have many beach access points.
Our family tradition is to ride our bikes from The Luckie Mermaid Beach House, our short-term rental in Barefoot Cottages, to the first Windmark Beach access point (only about .4 miles). We ride the entire length of the bike path and upon return stop to get ice cream at the Windmark Boardwalk. Then, we just relax and play on the beach. What a perfect day!
4. The Stump Hole
A local favorite known for its palm trees and hidden gems! The Stump Hole is an amazing beach day spot! You can drive on the beach (with proper permitting of course, see GulfCounty.com for more info), go fishing, take a sunset walk, find all sizes of seashells, fly kites, or just relax. It’s located at the North side of Cape San Blas and very easy to get too as you approach Cape San Blas. Parking is free here too but may be limited during peak season. Look for the jumbo boulders to mark the spot!
Looking for The Donna Kay? This is also the place where locals and visitors alike would seek to find the mysterious Donna Kay shipwreck. The Donna Kay was beached for several years after Hurricane Michael in 2018 and has recently been removed from the beach and returned back to its rightful owner as of 2022. You can still walk and drive along the path for gorgeous views and a little adventure.
5. Tip of The Cape
One of the most exclusive and tranquil beaches in the Florida panhandle, the Tip of the Cape is accessible only by boat. Launch your boat from Port Saint Joe Marina or any of the neighboring boat launches and begin the 7 mile ride across Saint Joe Bay. Boat rentals are readily available from several local companies. This portion of the Cape is completely untouched and will surround you with stunning natural beauty. If you’re looking to feel like you have your own private island, this is the place for you!
This is so exclusive, we couldn’t provide a formal website for it. We've added a few extra photos taken on different days for you here. Enjoy!
We hope you found this quick list helpful! For more information on Port Saint Joe, our short term rental, and the surrounding area check out our website www.theluckiemermaid.com!
From our family to yours, we hope you have an amazing time in Port Saint Joe!
