Known as a little slice of Florida paradise, without much tourism traffic, Cape San Blas is a great destination for family vacations. The destination is only a 20-minute drive from Port St. Joe and offers plenty of seclusion. Clear water, white sand beaches and tranquil inland passages are enticing for visitors to explore. There’s so many of things to do in Cape San Blas with kids and you’re sure to find an adventure they’ll remember forever.
Cape San Blas is part of Gulf County, Florida. They’re known for beautiful beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. The area is only 200 miles from Atlanta, 315 miles from Birmingham and 500 from Nashville. With direct flights and short drive times, it’s a desirable part of Florida to visit with kids.
My trip to Cape San Blas introduced me to a part of Florida that goes against the grain. It’s laid back, serene, and swept me away with gorgeous sunsets. It’s the type of destination that you fall in love with and keep coming back to year after year. Plus, the year round great weather means there’s always plenty of recreational fun.
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Best Things To Do In Cape San Blas With Kids
Cape San Blas is actually a narrow stretch of land that extends out from Port St. Joe and curves around the bay. It has a very relaxed, casual vibe, that’s perfect for families. Walk along the beaches, bike the pathways to nearby shopping and dining, or drive around the area without worry of traffic. From sun up to sun down, you can fill your family’s vacation itinerary.
1. T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
Offering 1,900 acres of tranquil beaches and hiking, St. Joseph Peninsula State Park is an attraction that’ll fit any vacation budget, whether you’re purchasing a day pass or taking advantage of the park’s lodging options.
Guests love to hike along the two nature trails and catch the sunset. The park is also home to plenty of wildlife, including 3 different species of sea turtles. The park is known for fishing (with a boat ramp), family swimming on the Gulf or bay, and shelling.
If you decide to take advantage of the park’s lodging, reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. The park has primitive camping, RV camping, and cabins. The cabins overlook the bay and sleep up to 8 guests. I was blown away by their value for families and the budget-friendly price tag (starting at $100 USD per night) that accompanies the bay views. You really can’t beat that!
2. Indian Pass Beach
Cape San Blas is known for being dog-friendly. If you’re looking for a great beach to take the kids and dog, check out Indian Pass. You’ll experience the true beauty of old Florida. Indian Pass offers a treasure trove of wildlife, with untouched surroundings, that will bring your family closer to nature. There’s huge white sand dunes, lush native foliage and plenty of birds for your dog to chase along the beach.
On one side there’s white sand beaches and gorgeous uninterrupted views and on the other side, you’ll see colorful historic homes without any high rises in sight. Indian Pass also has a boat launch to take advantage of if you want to spend the day on the water. If you don’t have your own boast, consider renting a pet-friendly boat for the day. It’s an amazing way to experience Indian Pass.
3. St. Vincent Island
Located at the tip of the peninsula, St. Vincent Island is a national wildlife refuge. It’s a 12,300 acre undeveloped barrier island with a variety of beautiful habitat, numerous trails and 9 miles of empty beaches. The island’s primitive shores are a great place to take kid who are looking for animals. Look out for deer, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
There are trails for hiking and biking, but I love the idea of a St. Vincent fishing charter that’s family-friendly. Local fishing experts will help you secure some great catches and they’ll show you the area’s wildlife. A day trip is perfect with kids! Bring plenty of water and anything else you’ll need for the day. There’s just one public restroom available. You’ll love that there’s no sign of development, it’s just you and nature.
4. Wewahitchka (Or Wewa)
A bit inland from Cape San Blas, Wewahitchka is about a 45-minute drive from the beach areas and offers completely different scenery than the beach. The area has waterways through “dead lakes” with tree stumps that stand in the water. Contrary to the name, the stumps are filled with wildlife. Keep an eye out for turtles, snakes, and alligators in the water. On the shoreline, you may see foxes, raccoons, white-tailed deer, and beavers. They live amongst the longleaf pine, magnolia, tupelos and bald cypress trees. Take a charted tour, on the water, to really see the beauty of the Dead Lake up close.
The area of Wewahitchka is also famous for tupelo honey. It is harvested from White Tupelo Gum trees and many of the trees you see standing in the Dead Lakes are Tupelos. Wewahitchka is the home of one of Florida’s largest beekeeping operations, where beekeepers have harvested the famous Tupelo Honey from the area.
Take the kids to Smiley Honey to learn more about harvesting local tupelo honey, taste the apiaries honey products and take home a souvenir.
5. Take An Eco-Tour of St. Joseph Bay
Embark on a family adventure with Fighting Conch Kayak Rentals to discover the fascinating eco system in St. Joseph Bay, in a kayak. Visitors depart from Point South Marina and navigate, with an experienced guide, across the scenic St. Joseph Bay. The water is clear enough to see the marine life and shallow enough that kids can feel comfortable kayaking. I’m not an experienced kayaker, but I really enjoyed this tour and felt comfortable since you can see the bottom of the bay. It’s easy to step out of your kayak as well, if you see marine life that you’d like to investigate.
It’s an unforgettable excursion and the tranquil bay is great for families. Fighting Conch regularly hosts families on their tours and accommodates kids who may need a shortened tour. They’ll help you customize a tour experience that works for your family.
If you’re looking for a more relaxing way to explore the bay, check out the eco-tours from Salty Fish Excursions. Instead of kayaking, you’ll hop onboard a charted boat with a captain that knows the bay. They offer two-hour tours, all-inclusive beach picnic outings, and sunset cruises. The boat seats up to six people and it’s a great way to explore the bay without the effort of kayaking.
6. Take The Kids Fishing
Gulf Country is famous for fishing! Take either a guided fishing trip or set out on your own to grab a catch. You can fish inshore, offshore or in the freshwater areas. Local guides assist with what lures and bait to use. Plus, they’re great for instructing kids who are still learning. Most of the anglers and charter companies provide rental fishing equipment too, so you don’t even need to bring your own. Check out the Gulf County fishing guide to find the best charters for your family.
7. Check Out The Local Parks & The TimeZone Chair
Salinas Park Bayside and Salinas Park Gulfside are two park areas with great playground areas for kids. There’s also a play area at T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park if you want to combine beach time with play time.
Veterans Memorial Park, in the Beacon Hill neighborhood area, is a great park for picnicking. The park includes a beautiful amphitheater honoring the armed forces, playgrounds, beach access, pavilions, a large dog park, and pickleball courts. The centerpiece of the park is the Honor Walk. It’s a large, lighted American Flag atop a flag pole 70 feet in height with a gorgeous memorial below along with pavers memorializing local Veterans.
Nearby the Veterans Memorial Park is the TimeZone Chair. One of the many unique things to know about Gulf County is that it sits between Eastern and Central timezones. Head to the TimeZone Chair for photos of your family standing between the two timezones!
8. Family Horseback Riding
Experience the beach in a truly unique way, on horseback with Rockin’ M Ranch! Saddle up, with a guide, and book a private horseback riding tour at either sunrise or sunset. It’s serene, a great photo opportunity, and a gentle ride that kids can do. The comfortable walking pace makes it easy to enjoy the views. Each tour lasts about an hour and helmets are provided, if you request one. The horses are so majestic and it was one of my favorite things to do in Cape San Blas. The photos you’ll capture make the perfect souvenir.
9. Constitution Convention Museum State Park
If you need a rainy day activity, take in some local history at the Constitution Convention Museum State Park with the kids. It’s located nearby in Port St. Joe. Children under the age of 5 are free and it’s $2 per person for normal museum admission. The museum shares the history of Florida’s first constitution. See why the city was selected over Tallahassee for this monumental event.
10. Climb Cape The Cape San Blas Lighthouse
Built over 130 years ago, the Cape San Blas Lighthouse acts as a beacon to guide vessels into shore. It can be seen over 10 miles away. The structure was actually moved to be protected from Mother Nature and it’s open to the public for tours. Guests can climb to the top for a panoramic view of this spectacular attraction. Note that climbers must be at least 44” tall and open back sandals cannot be worn.
11. Florida Coastal Conservancy
Located a little ways from Cape San Blas, in Port St. Joe, the Floria Coastal Conservancy is your place to go if the kids love sea turtles. During nesting season, volunteers scan the local beaches for sea turtle nests to ensure that they’re protected from disruption. Families can observe turtles being rehabilitated for the wild, adopt a nest and walk along the shores with a turtle expert!
Plan Your Gulf County, Florida Vacation: