THE FORGOTTEN COAST: 5 Serene Florida Beach Towns You Need On Your Radar

Port St Joe FL travel guide

Y’all know by now how much we love the Florida coast. Since our hometown was only an hour and a half from the panhandle, the coast was always our home away from home. 30A has been exploding with tourism over the last decade, and as much as we love the liveliness of the area, today we are excited to spotlight a lesser known area just a bit further down the beach: The Forgotten Coast.

If you’re not familiar with The Forgotten Coast, it’s a stretch of gorgeous coastal beach towns that share the same sugary, white sand of 30A – simply without the crowds. Apalachicola, Mexico Beach, St. George Island, Port St. Joe, and Cape San Blas are five lesser known beach towns that you need on your radar, so keep reading to discover more!

Unlike 30A, the beaches aren’t built up and hidden behind homes and infrastructure, so you can enjoy the peaceful and stunning views of the turquoise waters and untouched beaches everywhere you turn. This panhandle paradise is known for its relaxed attitude, local charm, fishing, diving, amazing seafood and more. While Hurricane Michael took a serious toll on these charming coastal towns, the area has been rebuilding and restoring its local favorites – and now is the perfect time to discover what makes this destination so incredibly special!

The Forgotten Coast is unlike any other destination on the panhandle, and we know you’ll fall in love with the small-town charm! You won’t find any chain restaurants around here, but we know you’ll love discovering all of the local dives! While hotels are few and far between, we’ve included the best local inns and you’ll find plenty of wonderful rentals with Airbnb too!

How To Get To The Forgotten Coast:

Unless you’re flying private directly into Apalachicola, the easiest way to get here is to rent a car from the Panama City Beach airport (1.5 hours) or Tallahassee (1.5 hours). Whether you plan to stay overnight or simply want a day trip to explore on your nearby vacation, venturing to Apalachicola will not disappoint!

APALACHICOLA

Discover Apalachicola: a charming fishing town with an Old Florida feel packed with history, art galleries, hip breweries, and charming boutiques. Apalachicola is one of the largest cities along The Forgotten Coast, making it the perfect destination for a low-key getaway or romantic escape with a loved one. This unspoiled paradise is quite the contrast from the glitz and glamour of 30A, and there’s nothing quite like the old Southern vibe of the historic downtown and serene coastline lined with shrimp and oyster boats. Known as the Oyster Capital of the World, Apalachicola is the perfect Florida destination to relax, unwind, and enjoy the views with a cold brew in hand. Keep reading to learn more about Apalachicola and tips for planning your next getaway!

Click here to read our full Apalachicola travel guide

Where To Eat In Apalachicola:

-Owl Cafe – grab a table on the rooftop and enjoy the views

-Up the Creek Raw Bar

-Hole in the Wall Seafood

-The Franklin – at the Gibson Inn

-Olde Time Soda Fountain

What To Do In Apalachicola:

-Discover the history of Apalachicola at Cape St George Lighthouse and Museum, Orman House, Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, Raney House Museum, and so much more

-Grab a beer at Oyster City Brewing Co.

-Cozy up at The Parlor Bar at The Gibson Inn for craft cocktails and long neck beers

-Check out the local art galleries and antique markets

-Book a sunset cruise or full moon dinner cruise with the Apalachicola Maritime Museum (for additional cruise and tour options, click here)

-Explore the Apalachicola Historic District to tour over 900 historic homes and buildings dating back to the 1830s

-Charter a boat for a local fishing tour or local estuary tour

-Enjoy live music at the Apalachicola Ice Company

-Plan a beach day on St. George Island

-Book at tee time at St. James Bay Golf Club

Where To Stay In Apalachicola:

-The Gibson Inn – Our number one pick for a boutique hotel for your stay would be The Gibson Inn. This trendy hotel embraces it’s Florida vibes with dark, modern interiors, coastal palm wallpaper, and unexpected Louis Vuitton chests serving as coffee tables. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a sunset cocktail on the outdoor porches and truly unwind!

-Coombs Inn – For those who love a historic stay, look no further than the historic Coombs Inn.

-The Consulate – With only four suites available, this historic getaway is one to book ahead and perfect for a romantic getaway

-Water Street Hotel and Marina – one of the newest hotels in Apalachicola, the Water Street Hotel and Marina is the perfect spot to post up on your vacay.

–Apalachicola House Boat Rentals – For a unique stay, rent one of these colorful houseboats – the names are equally as adorable as their vibrant exterior!

MEXICO BEACH

Out of all of The Forgotten Coast destinations, Mexico Beach was hit the hardest by Hurricane Michael but many favorites have already been rebuilt and new local hot spots are popping up! With the small-town charm of Mexico Beach, it’s no surprise the locals refer to Mexico Beach as the “Mayberry on the Water.” With 5 miles of white sand shores and only one stoplight, this coastal town is a hidden gem along the Florida panhandle. If you’re looking for a charming destination to enjoy some serious R&R, Mexico Beach is a serene and beautiful getaway.

Where To Eat In Mexico Beach:

–Killer Seafood – a local favorite for lunch & dinner – be sure to try the amazing fish tacos

-Caribbean Coffee – stop by for breakfast and lunch

-Mango Marley’s – perfect for burgers and Watermelon Margaritas, the restaurant’s specialty cocktail

-Shell Shack – grab some fresh seafood while you stock up on beach essentials and souvenirs

Unfortunately the local favorite, Toucan’s, was blown away during the hurricane, but rumor has it that the restaurant may be rebuilding! In the meantime, stop by LongBill’s in Cape San Blas, which is owned and operated by the same team!

What To Do In Mexico Beach:

-Book a fishing or boating trip at the Mexico Beach Marina

-Explore the local boutiques and art galleries

-Paddle down the rivers, canals, lakes, and bays to explore the local wildlife

-Interested in trying something new? Mexico Beach is a popular destination for bird watching and draws nature lovers in from all over!

-If you like to scuba dive like me (fun fact: Blair and I have Nitrox, Open Water, and Advanced licenses), Mexico Beach is the perfect place to go diving. Check out one of the historic shipwreck dives like the Empire Mica and The Lumber Ship Vamar

Where To Stay In Mexico Beach:

–The Red Crab Retreat at The Driftwood Inn

-El Governor Resort – reopening at the end of 2021

PORT ST. JOE

This small fishing village is known as the small town with a big heart. Once lined with casinos and a hot spot for fishermen looking for a good time, Port St Joe is now a charming and walkable small coastal town and an ideal getaway for travelers looking for a peaceful, tranquil getaway.

Where To Eat In Port St. Joe:

–Pepper’s – perfect spot for a margarita and Mexican food

-No Name Cafe – shop while you dine

-Joe Mama’s Wood Fired Pizza

-Provisions

-Indian Pass Raw Bar

-Shell Shack

-Crazy Beach Pizza

-For live music and drinks, check out: The Haughty Heron and Lookout Lounge

What To Do In Port St. Joe:

-Stroll and shop down Reid Avenue

-Attend the Port St. Joe Scallop, Music and Arts Festival in September

-Enjoy horseback riding on the beach with Rockin M Ranch

-Book a fishing trip or charter a boat at the Port St Joe Marina

-Visit the St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

-Book a tee time at the St. James Bay Golf Club

Where To Stay In Port St. Joe:

-The Port Inn & Cottages

-The Turtle Beach Inn

ST. GEORGE ISLAND

This serene barrier island is a short distance off the Florida coast, perfect for fishing, hiking and biking, and a relaxing getaway perfect for families. The island is less than 30 miles long and perfect for exploring by golf cart!

Where To Eat On St. George Island:

–Blue Parrot Oceanfront Cafe

-Aunt Ebby’s Ice Cream

-Harry A’s – perfect for trivia, fishing, and live music

What To Do On St. George Island:

-Go to the top of the lighthouse for the best views

-Explore St. George Island State Park – perfect spot for a picnic, kayak, or evening cookout

-Take a sunset dolphin cruise

-Rent a golf cart and leave the car parked at home to enjoy the coastal fresh air during your stay

-Hire a fishing charter

-Book an art class at Art of Glass Gallery

-Take a yoga, spin, or barre class at Saltwater Wellness

-Stop by Seaside Cotton for afternoon shopping

Where To Stay On St. George Island:

–St. George Inn

CAPE SAN BLAS

Cape San Blas is 17-mile peninsula extending off of Port St. Joe between St. Joseph Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Here you’ll find a laidback lifestyle and quiet beaches perfect for a weekend of seclusion and relaxation. With local restaurants, endless water activities, and gorgeous beaches, it’s the best place to vacation to enjoy a serene weekend with the family.