Be sure to check out our LINKS page for a comprehensive list of area information!
Traveling with Kids? Jeanni's Journeys has Kids Only trips! We haven't tried it, but it looks fun and we may next trip! They also have family fun adventures, guided tours and enviornmental camps in the summer!
Scalloping: Scallop season runs from July 1 to September 10 each year. If you can swim, float or walk-since you can go 2 miles or more in a foot or 2 of water, you can scallop. Scalloping is a perfect activity for families because scallops are found in shallow, grassy areas making them easy targets for kids!
What You’ll Need:
- FL Saltwater Fishing License. Not needed if you are not using mask and snorkel. The license is only $10 for a 3-day out of state license. You can purchase one by calling 1-888-FISH-FLORIDA or www.floridaconservation.org.
- Regulation Dive Flag (must be flying before anyone gets into the water, even if wading out from shore!) Snorkel Gear optional.
- Mesh Bag
- Boat (also option in the bay!)
One you have everything you need, get your boat, or wade into the water. Once you see a few scallops lying on top of the sea grasses, start collecting. Be sure to store the scallops on ice immediately after harvesting. This opens the shells and makes cleaning easier.
You are allowed 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell, or one pint of scallop meat per day. Depending on the number of people on board a vessel, they’re limited to a maximum of 10 gallons of whole scallops in the shell, or ½ gallon of beat on board a vessel at any time.
BE A RESPONSIBLE SCALLOPER…DON’T GO OVER THE LIMIT!
If you would like to book an organized Scallop Trip, contact Seahorse Water Safaris.
Crabbing!
Family Fun and Great Eating! How we do it at The Cape Escape.
What you will need:
- Fishing line, string or twine
- Chicken Necks (any part of the chicken really)
- Stick/pole or something to secure the line to
- A long handle net (not too long or it gets in the way)
- Bucket that will hold water and is deep enough the crabs can’t crawl out of. Deep cooler works too!
- A family ready to have some fun!
My kids look forward to crabbing each time we go to the beach almost as much as the beach itself! We stop at the Piggly Wiggly on the way through Port St. Joe and buy some chicken necks or wings and freeze them—we freeze them after each time and use them all week.
We have the bases of palm fronds that we use for sticks and have the string (about 25 ft) already tied to them and wrapped around the fat end of the palm branch because it means less wrapping!
Gather up your gear and a few drinks and snacks and pick your favorite spot! We like the end of Indian Pass so far, but have heard success stories from St. Joseph State Park, the surf in front of Barrier Dunes on a calm day, the Stump Hole on Cape San Blas (the skinny part of the Cape with the rock wall) and the last Bridge before you get to Indian Pass Raw Bar (don’t get in water here—alligators are a possibility).
Throw your line out about 15 feet and wait a few minutes! When you pull the line a little and feel some extra weight—he’s there! Pull him in slowly and have a net waiting! Scoop him up and put it into your bucket of water!
When you get home—only cook the live ones. All you do is drop them into boiling water with Old Bay Seasoning and wait for it to boil again. They’ll turn pink—a lot like cooking shrimp! Dump them out and dinner is ready!
For your convenience there is a large crab pot, crab “crackers” and “pickers” available at The Cape Escape I and II!
Horseback Riding: You can actually ride on the beach in Cape San Blas! Imagine riding on the beach at sunset—it’s breathtaking (very romantic and the kids love it too!!) There are several companies and they bring the horses to Salinas park, about 1 mile past the C30 junction on the Cape.
Broke-A-Toes
Hoofprints in the Sand
Biking:
An 8 mile bay side bike trail is now open along Cape San Blas Road! It runs from Salinas Park to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park! You will also find 20 miles of binke lanes between Panama City and Port St. Joe on Highways 98 and C-30. It's a great area to bike as the roads are flat and smooth!
7 Hills Bicycle Tour The Seven Hills to the Sea Bicycle Tour is a 283 mile loop around the "Panhandle". Each day you have one of Florida's beautiful state parks as your destination. These Parks are all equipped with campgrounds featuring all of the amenities, including showers!
Cruise Boat Charters:
Seahorse Water Safaris. Port St. Joe
Windcatcher Sailing Charters. Apalachicola. 850-653-3881
Parasailing: Available on the beach behind the El’ Governor Motel in Mexico Beach.
Jet Skiing: You are welcome to bring your own. There is a hose under The Cape Escape I and II to wash off the salt water when you are finished. If you aren’t lucky enough to own one, you can rent them behind Toucan’s in Mexico Beach.
Kayaking, Canoeing, Boating: St. Joseph Bay is an outstanding place for new or experience boaters alike since the waters are so calm! You may see redfish, mullet or schools of bait fish. In the deeper channels around Black's Island you may find bottle-nosed dolphin or sea turtles. You may also see horseshoe crab, blue crab, starfish, and live shells moving along the bay bottom! We're sorry to say that The Entrance has closed (sold their land!) but you can still rent a variety of boats at the following:
Check out Happy Ours (www.happyourskayak.com)
Happy Ours Kayak & Canoe Outpost is located directly on St. Joseph Bay and offers guided and unguided trips, and kayak sales. They specialize in guided eco-tours by a certified Florida Master Naturalist in Coastal Systems. Their guided snorkeling trips are fantastic as they introduce you to the underwater world and important habitat of saltwater bays. If you are a first-time scalloper, a guided snorkeling trip is a must to find out where and how to collect and clean these tasty morsels. Kayak fishing is the fastest growing segment of the kayaking sport and the lush grass beds of St. Joseph Bay is a haven for trout and redfish, while the sand flats attract flounder. Happy Ours is fully equipped with expert guides and fishing kayaks. Paddling instruction is offered free with all rentals, and delivery to other launch sites is available by request. Stop by and say hello to Dan and Debbie and don’t forget to visit “Regent” and “Lizzie” and “Flopsy” at their petting zoo!
- Seashorse Water Safaris - Rents kayaks, Pontoon Boats, Runabouts and does a variety of trips.
- Scallop Cove
- Broke-A-Toe - Outdoor adventures, eco-tours, charter fishing, horseback riding, canoe rentals. For horseback riding, call 850-899-RIDE, for fishing call 850-899-REEL.
Snorkeling: St. Joe Bay and the Gulf both offer great snorkeling! If you don’t have your own equipment you can buy or rent what you need at Scallop Cove or The Trading Post both on Cape San Blas! You can walk straight out from the shore or take a boat out in the ocean or the bay! Diver Down flags are provided in both condo's!
You can book a snorkel trip, among other things, with Seahorse Water Safaris.
Diving: Our kid’s are too young to get certified, but we can’t wait! John and I enjoy diving when we have a chance, but haven’t made it on one of our Cape trips yet! There are several options for dive charters:
- Seahorse Water Safaris They also rent equipment and boats!
- Half Mad Charters (e-mail: mexbchdive@aol.com) (850-819-4112).
- Captain Louis Roux (850-653-9087).
Golf --see our comprehensive Golf Page for details and more courses from Panama City to Tallahassee:
St. Joe Bay Country Club offers an 18-hole championship golf course located along the beautiful St. Joseph Bay. Visitors are welcome. 850-227-1751.
St. James Bay Country Club is an 18 hole, resort-style course. 850-697-9606.
Wildwood Country Club - 18-hole, PAR 72 course at 3870 Coastal Hwy in Crawfordville. 850-926-4653.
Putt n Fuss Fun Park: If your "short people" feel the need to play putt putt, try Putt n Fuss in Eastpoint!
Fishing: There is wonderful fishing in the area—from the shore, from a boat, in the ocean or bay or one of the fresh water ponds in Barrier Dunes! The waters of the Apalachicola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico from Carrabelle to Mexico Beach are know to be among the richest in marine life in the world due to the nutrients carried down on the Flint, Chattahoochee, Oclocknee, St. Marks and Apalachicola Rivers! What can you catch?
Off the beaches in the Gulf: Grouper (year round); Marlin (June to November; Crevalle (April to October); Dolphin (May to September); Swordfish (year round).
In the Gulf and Bay: Pompano (March to October; Redfish (July to March); Flounder ( March to October); Tarpon (May to August) and Silver Trout, Speckled Trout, Sheephead, Red Snapper, Blue Fish, Amber Jack, and Drum all year round.
If you would like a fishing guide, there are quite a few to choose from! Here are just a few places you can try:
- Capt. Randy Craft Never skunked in 18 years!" Most comfortable, fun and productive charter within 200 miles!" "Courteous, professional crew who's only aim is to see to your success!" Call toll free: (800)897-7106.
- Book Me A Charter Join us for a fun filled day on the water! Do you prefer Inshore fishing in the Apalachicola or Port St. Joe Bay, or Offshore fishing in the Gulf of Mexico? Local and Native to the area, this is our backyard. We offer both full and half day charters. We are a family friendly guide service.. Give us a call 850-653-2622 we would love to hear from you.
- Fishing Port St. Joe with Captain Gary Goodrich Fishing, sightseeing, ecotours and boating makes Port St Joe top on the list for a "real Florida" vacation. Call Captain Gary Goodrich at 850-229-3474.
- Premier Sportfishing Adventures
Shopping:
Apalachicola:
- Apalachicola Antique Mall- 118 Market Street, Apalachicola, 850-653-3894. Antiques, collectibles and funky vintage Florida!
- Avenue E- 15 Avenue E, Apalachicola, 850-653-1411. Unique home furnishings and antiques.
- Betsy's Downtown. 67 Commerce St., Apalach. 850-653-1290. A unity bookstore.
- Betsy's Sunflower. 14 Avenue D. Apalach. 850-653-9144. Kitchen, Garden and Gormet.
- Chez Funk- 88 Market Street, Apalachicola. 850-653-3885. Antiques, gifts and painted furniture.
- Smokehouse Antiques- 16 Ave. E, Apalach. 850-653-3550. Antiques, art, photography, fountains, ironwork.
- The Chestnut Tree- 79 Market Street, Apalach. 850-653-2084.
- Taylors- 10 Avenue D, Apalach. 850-653-9133. Antiques, collectibles and funky vintage Florida.
- Tin Shed Nauticals- 170 Water Street, Apalachicola. 850-653-3635.
Mexico Beach:
- LadyFish. 2802 Hwy 98, Unit B. 850-648-4847. Women's boutique specializing in unique, fun and preppy clothing, jewelry and shoes.
- Two Gulls at the Beach. 2802 Hwy. 98. 648-1122. Souvenirs, t-shirts, ladies and mens resortwear and shoes.
- Beachwalk - Beach & Giftware. 13252 Highway 98. 850-648-4200. Fine gifts and clothing.
- Driftwood Inn Gifts. 1701 Hwy. 98. 850-648-5126. T-Shirts, and gift items.
- Gulf Food and Gifts. 900-A Hwy. 98. 850-648-5129. Souvenir, beach beach wear and accessory needs.
- Prickly Pears Gourmet Gallery. 101 S. 36st St.. 850-648-1115. Gourmet Food, art, chocolate, cheeses, kithenware and cooking classes.
- The Shell Shack. Hwy 98. 850-648-8256. Great shell jewelry and accessories plus a seafood market.
MISCELLANEOUS RECREATION:
Apalachicola Estuary Tours. 301 Market Street, Apalachicola. 850-653-8687. River Cruises.
Island Air Tours: 8 airport Road, Apalachicola. 850-653-2222. Air tours and scenic flights.
Windcatcher Sailing Charters. Apalachicola. 850-653-3881
Advertising:
Thanks to the Gulf County Tourism Development Council for several of these pictures.
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