The 7 Best Things To Do In Cape San Blas, Florida

For beach lovers looking to steer clear of crowds, Florida's Forgotten Coast is a welcome reprieve. With 200 miles of coastline encompassing five islands, 99 historic sites, and some of the most charming beachside communities you'll find anywhere, there are dozens of reasons to keep this "forgotten" stretch of Gulf Coast shoreline front of mind. Cape San Blas, located on the opening end of a 17-mile-long peninsula that curls around St. Joseph Bay, is definitely one of them.

The under-the-radar vacation destination 59 miles southeast of Panama City offers miles of pristine white-sand beaches that are as suited to a romantic couple's getaway as they are to a large family reunion. With uncrowded beaches lining both St. Joseph Bay and the Gulf, visitors get to choose their own adventure. Any time of year is a great time to visit, but during spring and fall you'll experience warm weather and fewer people. Wade in the gentle bay waters or body surf in the ocean's salty spray—how you spend your sun-filled vacation days is entirely up to you. If you're ready to add Cape San Blas to the top of your "must-visit" list, here's everything you need to know to start planning the coastal vacation of your dreams.

How To Get There

One of the best things about Cape San Blas is that you'll feel like you're on a remote island in the middle of the Caribbean, but no planes, trains, or boats are required to get there. Just head straight down Highway 98 or Scenic 30A until the two become one. Once you hit Port St. Joe, you're just a 15-minute drive to the edge of St. Joseph Peninsula, also known as Cape San Blas.

First impressions might make a traveler feel like the beaches could be private, but Cape San Blas is fully open for public play. As you traverse the northern part of the cape, however, it does become more secluded. Take note of the private properties that occupy the coast, as beach access becomes limited the farther north you go.

What To Do

Hit The Beaches

You won't be disappointed with the list of activities Cape San Blas's beaches offer. From kayaking, fishing, and standup paddleboarding to horseback riding or simply lounging in the sand, your day can be as action-packed or relaxed as you please.

Stroll The Boardwalks

Take the Serenity Trail at Salinas Park Bayside. The boardwalk there has views of St. Joseph Bay where you can catch picture-perfect sunsets sunsets. You can also explore the area on two-wheels via the paved Loggerhead bike trail that runs 8.7 miles along the cape.

visitgulf.com, 280 Cape San Blas Road, Port St. Joe, FL 32456

Find Turtle Nests At A State Park

At the end of the peninsula is the T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, a 1,900-acre wilderness preserve that stretches 20 miles into the Gulf and acts as a sanctuary for hundreds of species of wildlife. Between May and October, also known as turtle hatching season, visitors can join volunteers on sunrise walks of the beach in search of turtle nests.

St. Joseph State Park is currently open to day-use visitors, with camping sites and cabins for overnight stays. Popular park activities include boating, paddling, shelling, swimming, and birding. In fact, the park is documented as the most productive shorebird nesting beach on the Panhandle.

floridastateparks.org, 8899 Cape San Blas Road, Port St. Joe, FL 32456

Go Horseback Riding On The Beach

Enjoy a serene afternoon on the beach via horseback. Broke-a-Toe offers one-hour beach rides throughout the year, as well as private rides for a romantic outing.

brokeatoe.com, 240 Cape San Blas Road, Port St Joe, FL 32456

Where To Eat

Pick Up Groceries

If you're staying at a beach house, you'll soon discover Duren's Piggly Wiggly in Port St. Joe is the biggest grocery store nearby. If you'd rather stay on the peninsula, you can stop at the Cape Tradin' Post for the basics, like bread, meats, produce, deli sandwiches, and beer. You can also pick up flip flops, sundresses, and gear for your tackle box.

durenspigglywiggly.com, 125 W Highway 98, Port Saint Joe, FL 32456
capetradingpost.com, 4975 Cape San Blas Road, Port Saint Joe, FL 32456

Order Low Country Boil

In Cape San Blas, there are several worthy backdrops for making those memories around the dinner table. With rows of outdoor picnic tables and a humble seafood shack exterior, Skully's Low Country Boil certainly fits the area's laid-back vibes. Choose between three menu options: fresh Gulf shrimp, Southern-style gumbo, or a low country boil with peel-and-eat Gulf shrimp, red potatoes, sausage, and corn on the cob—then prepare to be wowed. You know it's real when you can order your boil by the cooler-full to split with a crowd.

facebook.com, 5544 Cape San Blas Road, Port St. Joe, FL 32456

Stop At The Smokehouse

If you have a healthy appetite, the Smokehouse in Cape San Blas will satisfy your cravings for brisket, ribs, fried shrimp, wings, and more. And if you've got a big crew, you can order family packs for 10, 20, and beyond. Just make sure to give them some notice.

capesmokehouse.com, 980 Cape San Blas Road, Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, FL 32456

Then Grab An Ice Cream Cone

Because no beach vacation is complete without a round (or two) of after-dinner ice cream, Cape San Blas has Cone Heads 8020. But cones and sundaes are just the tip of the iceberg at this longstanding restaurant. The menu is expansive, offering everything from raw and baked oysters to fresh burgers, seafood baskets, salads, and even steamed crab legs. For an adults-only treat, Cone Heads also has a full liquor bar, plus wine and beer (including the house 30E draft).

coneheadseightytwenty.com, 8020 Cape San Blas Road, Port St. Joe, FL 32456

Where To Stay

You won't find imposing rows of high-rise condos or hotel chains in Cape San Blas, and that's part of why we love the charming beach town so much. Instead, reserve one of the cape's many beachfront vacation homes, which range in size from single-family homes to larger rentals that sleep up to 16 and host their own private heated pools.

If you're looking for a single room, book a few days at the Cape San Blas Inn. The bed and breakfast has been around since 1999 and overlooks the St. Joseph Bay with the Gulf's glittering waters just across the street. You'll start each morning with a hearty homecooked breakfast—providing plenty of fuel for when you take the inn's complimentary bikes, canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards for a spin.

capesanblasinn.com, 4950 Cape San Blas Road, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456