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Getting Families Outside, One Adventure at a Time

stand up paddle boarding

BEACH, FAMILY TRAVEL, FISH, WATER
Plan a Family Vacation in Gulf County, Florida
- August 23, 2022
It’s getting more and more challenging to find places to explore that aren’t overrun with crowds. Places where you can get away from the hustle and easily spend most of the day outside. We love discovering those incredible destinations that still offer solitude and wide open spaces for our kids to run wild (and sharing them with you, of course!). Today we are spotlighting Creative Team member Jen Barnes’ family vacation to Gulf County, Florida. The activities and the pace of life in Gulf County, Florida, are perfect for families who want a beautiful location, less crowds, wonderful weather, and plenty to keep busy or just relax. If you’re looking for a great off-season, hidden gem travel spot, take a family vacation to Gulf County, Florida! Let’s show you around!

*This post was sponsored by Visit Gulf County. All opinions expressed and all photos contained herein belong to the author.

Where is Gulf County, Florida?

Gulf County, Florida, is located in the panhandle of Florida on the Gulf of Mexico coastline. Situated just east of major tourist hotspots like Panama City Beach and Destin, Gulf County is a pristine slice of heaven. The nearest major airports to Gulf County are in Panama City Beach and Tallahassee. Both are about a two-hour drive from Gulf County. Destin is about 2.5 hours away by car.

Yes, Gulf County is a bit remote. And that’s the point! This area is surrounded by natural lands that are not developed. You won’t find spring break crowds here! You also won’t find malls, amusement parks, putt putt courses, or high-rise hotels. This section of the Gulf Coast is not overdeveloped, leaving plenty of natural beauty and space to explore. There are just enough restaurants and shops to give you options, but still remains quiet.

How’s the weather in Gulf County?

Gulf County’s weather is another reason to visit. Temperatures remain mild throughout the year, although they do experience seasons. It’s hot in the summer (as expected), but there’s usually a nice breeze on the coast, and scattered rain tends to cool the area off. In November, you can expect temperatures in the 60-degree range. When we visited in April, we had daytime temps in the low 80 degrees with bright sunshine.

Gulf County, Florida area and features

Over 244 miles of shoreline wind through Gulf County, ranging from clear waters and white sand beaches to tranquil inland passages. The largest city (and county seat) is Port St. Joe. Other areas are Cape San Blas, St. Joe Beach, and Indian Pass. Cape San Blas is a narrow stretch of land that extends out from Port St. Joe and curves around St. Joseph Bay. One of the least populated and richest ecosystems along the Florida Coastline is T.H. Sone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, which offers 1,900 acres of tranquil beaches and hiking along two nature trails.

Where to stay in Gulf County, Florida

Your best options for accommodations in Gulf County are the many vacation home rentals you can find out on Cape San Blas. When traveling with kids (of any age), we love staying in a home equipped with a full kitchen, laundry, and space to spread out.

We had an incredible stay in a gated neighborhood through Natural Retreats. The house was well-equipped in a beachfront neighborhood within walking distance of a gorgeous white sand beach. We loved having our own space to spread out, play games at night as a family, and prepare snacks and meals to take along for our days of adventure.

Natural Retreats also offers a rental delivery service for items such as beach chairs, umbrellas, wagons, skimboards, etc. What a joy to have these items available to rent, so you don’t have to lug them around and take up valuable packing space! Whether you are staying on the beach or near the beach, you will want some gear.

There are also a few hotels in Gulf County, Florida, available in the town of Port St. Joe and are an affordable option. There are also a host of well-rated campgrounds throughout the county. Many of the campgrounds offer full hookups for RVs, as well. When you are visiting nature’s playground, why not stay in nature?!

What to do on your family vacation in Gulf County, Florida

Gulf County beaches

The sugary white sand beaches of Gulf County are impeccable. You have quite a few spots to choose from along Cape San Blas to park your car or ride a bike from your rental home. We chose to drive so we could have all of our gear with us. We spent several hours at a time relaxing, playing beach games, and swimming in the ocean. Choose from dozens of beach access points. The 43 miles of shoreline really allows families to spread out.

Do not miss T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park! With boat ramps, spots for snorkeling, bathroom facilities, and picnic areas, you can spend an entire day enjoying the beach! These are truly the best family beaches on the Gulf coast if you want to have quiet family days together. We had the best afternoon playing games as a family.

Gulf Coast fishing

Gulf County, Florida is an angler’s paradise. Not only can you indulge in gulf coast deep sea fishing, but you can also find incredible in-shore fishing areas in St. Joseph Bay. Florida saltwater fishing is everywhere in this area, and if you just want to try beach fishing from your family spot, that’s great too. We noticed lots of solo fly fishing when the tides were low at sunset. It was a beautiful sight.

Our family enjoyed a full morning out in St. Joseph Bay doing some in-shore fishing with Captain Pete of Bounty Bay PSJ Charters. Pete provided everything we needed, including fishing rods, reels, and bait. He asked us what kind of experience we wanted and took such great care of us. Because we were only in town for part of a week, we decided we just wanted to have fun and do catch and release. However, if you want to catch to eat, he will make sure he gets you to those spots where you can catch enough for dinner! My daughter had never fished before, so Pete took his time showing her the ropes, and soon enough, she was catching fish like crazy. It was a perfect family morning.

Paddling in Gulf County

If you see a theme here, you’re not wrong. Everything about Gulf County is about getting out on the water. And how could you not? All of the magical moments happen on the water. The colors, salt, and sun just draw you out. We had the most fun with Happy Ours Kayak and Bike Outpost. We spent several hours out on the water with kayaks and SUPs, paddling around St. Joseph Bay, marveling at the manta rays and turtles, and just enjoying each other. The shallow see-through water was bliss, perfect for kids so they can splash around safely while paddling.

You can also rent bikes to ride along the Loggerhead Trail all the way up and down Cape San Blas. My kids were getting a bit angry, so we skipped the bikes, but wished we had gotten up earlier to enjoy them. Such is life with teenagers! Happy Ours will provide all the gear you need, and you can even have bikes delivered to where you are staying!

Where to eat in Gulf County, Florida

Gulf County has a little bit of everything in terms of restaurants, so we tried it all! Favorite dinner spots included Indian Pass Raw Bar for a fun and fabulous raw bar experience. The food was outstanding, but don’t miss out on the outdoor lawn games and live music scene. We also loved Longbill’s after a full day at the state park. They offer delicious fried pickles and a good mix of seafood and American dishes. For an evening in the town of Port St. Joe, make your way to Quatro Locos Mexican restaurant for outdoor dining. Afterward enjoy a walk to the Port St. Joe lighthouse and an unforgettable sunset.

We did lunch on the fly because we were so busy enjoying our time outdoors. In Port St. Joe, check out Joe Mama’s Wood Fire Pizza for a hearty salad or pizza. Out on Cape San Blas make a quick stop in Scallop Cove Store for a bite from the grill and stock up on other snacks and souvenirs. We enjoyed our burgers and hot dogs at a picnic area at Cape Palms Park, right near the beach access.

For a big breakfast before setting off for a morning of fishing, we filled up at the Sand Dollar Cafe for a traditional breakfast served in a cafeteria-style buffet. We enjoyed our breakfast outside while we planned our day. Another fun option that is CASH ONLY is Weber’s Donuts on Cape San Blas. Be warned — they will run out of donuts, so plan to arrive early.

Snacks and treats are always a must while on vacation. If you are in town, keep your eyes peeled for Shoobie’s Ice Cream Truck or Sugar Shack. If you are out on Cape San Blas, you can always stop into The Cape Trading Post.

Why a family vacation in Gulf County, Florida is awesome

Ordinary magic happens in places like Gulf County. Your family will enjoy outdoor time together disconnecting and reconnecting in one of the U.S.A.’s most scenic coastal areas. Spend time together away from the grind of home life (and away from the hustle and bustle of touristy areas), while you feel right at home on vacation. Everything is so relaxed while on a family vacation in Gulf County, Florida. At the same time, you will be able to try new things together and get out on the water for some fun.

For us, this was such a vital time away to be together and recharge amidst a very busy season of regular life. Our trip to Gulf County was amazing and we highly recommend this area to any family looking for natural beauty and lots of space to let their child run wild.

For more info on all the amazing activities and accommodations in Gulf County, check out their website: http://www.visitgulf.com

Additional travel resources

For more inspiration on family travel, check out these posts and start planning your next getaway:
Would you take a family vacation to Gulf County, Florida?

About the author

Jen has been married to her original adventure partner, John, for 20 years. She is a mama to 3 teenagers who, although they have busy and independent lives, love to adventure in the outdoors when they can. Jen is a native of Chicago, but has lived in South Carolina for two decades and calls it home. She’s always planning the next adventure for herself or her friends, whether near or far. Hiking, kayaking, sailing with her family, or traveling the world is all about the experience and the journey. Her extroverted nature keeps her talking and smiling with anyone she meets along the way. She’s on a mission to show other busy families that traveling with teenagers is possible and fun!

You can find Jen online in the following locations:
Instagram: @gofamilyadventure
Website: Go Family Adventure
RWMC Posts: Jen Barnes
BEACH, HIKE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER
15 Water Activities for Kids & Ways to Get Active on the Water
- August 13, 2019
It may be back to school season, but there’s still LOTS of summer left! Temperatures have been soaring around most of the U.S. over the last couple of weeks. It’s only natural that many of us have been gravitating toward the water to catch a break from the heat! Today, we have the amazing Chelsea Furlong, photographer and mom of 2, here with 15 kid-friendly ways to get active on the water this summer! Not only will these water activities for kids keep them cool, but they’ll help with swimming skills, improve balance and coordination and wear them out! This post is sure to inspire you to get outside and into the water as soon as possible!

Get active on the water

Summertime is the BEST time to get active with your family and it’s extra fun when the activities involve water. With two very busy kids in our house, we’re out adventuring on the water almost every single day. We’re lucky to live in Virginia Beach where the weather is warm most of the year and the beach is nearby, but we’ve done lots of these water activities for kids on lakes and rivers all over the East Coast!

Benefits of spending time on the water

As my children continue to grow, our list of family activities to do on the water grows right along with them. Each summer we’re able to add a few more fun water activities to do together that we weren’t quite able to do the previous year. We love being able to create so many incredible memories with our children while also getting plenty of exercise! The more time we spend outside together, the happier we all are. And it doesn’t hurt that the kids are nice and tired when bedtime rolls around!

15 kid-friendly ways to get active on the water

Getting outside and active on the water doesn’t have to be hard. And it doesn’t have to be the same old thing again and again. There are so many ways to enjoy the outdoors and keep cool. Here are 15 different water activities for kids that will get your kids outside and active on the water this summer!

1. Stand up paddleboarding

Stand up paddleboarding has become one of our absolute favorite summertime water activities for kids. We started when our kids were young (ages of 4 and 6), so our kids are now great at paddleboarding alone or just sitting along for the ride. Stand up paddleboarding is a great full-body workout. While you’re balancing, your body is using your core, shoulders, arms, legs, and back. If you’ve done it before, you know that it’s even great for foot strength! You’d be surprised at how tired your feet will get from gripping the board to balance.

Our kids also love to play a game they call “Paddle Battle.” They stand on opposites sides of the board, facing each other, and rock the board from side to side to try to get the other person to fall off the board first! They can play this game for hours and never get sick of it! They enjoy climbing up onto the boards and jumping off of them as well. If you’re not comfortable heading out for a long paddle, your kids will have a blast simply playing around on the boards. They’ll come up with all sorts of fun games!

2. Kayaking

Another favorite water activity of ours is kayaking. Depending on the age/size of your kids, they can join you on a ride or paddle along in their own kayaks! Our kids have learned to kayak on adult-sized kayaks. However, there are wonderful kid-sized kayaks that you can use as well. You’ll be surprised how quickly children will learn how to use their paddles to navigate a kayak. And if they’re able to go a distance on their own (even in very shallow water where you’ll easily be able to walk to them if they need help), the pride on their faces from that sense of independence is absolutely priceless. It’s like learning to ride a bike for the first time!

3. Hiking or trail walking

Sometimes our favorite water activities for kids involve more than just water. Whether you’re near an ocean, lake, river, creek or stream, you should be able to find lots of great walking trails close to water to enjoy! Here on the coast, we have several boardwalks, as well as walking/hiking trails along the inlets. If you’re further inland, you can usually find great hiking trails in state parks or up the mountains beside rivers and waterfalls! If you have young children, it doesn’t even have to be a very long distance. Just a quick trail with water to toss some rocks into will thrill them!

4. Nature hunts

Along those same lines, nature hunts can be an amazing way to spend a few hours by the water! We often find ourselves out on a nature hunt during that rough late afternoon/early evening timeframe when it’s too early for bed, but the kids aren’t tired yet. You know what I’m talking about. That’s a perfect time to go out for a nature hunt if you have some water nearby. We’ll walk or ride bikes to the beach or inlet, and the boys will search for bugs, crabs, turtles, birds, snails, etc. They’re never disappointed.

Kids are so curious – they can find some kind of amazing treasure wherever they go. Even a new rock and a stick is enough to excite my kids. You can either come up with a specific list of items for the kids to search for, find a list online, or forget the list and just see what you happen to come across. No matter how you decide to do it, the exercise, fresh air, splashing, and nature treasures will always be a crowd-pleaser.

5. Pedal boating

Another great way to get active on the water is to cruise around on a pedal boat! I remember trying these out as a kid when we were on vacation at places like campgrounds with ponds or lakes. Sometimes local parks will have these for rent on the lakes. My kids are lucky because their grandmother happens to have one for them to play on at camp! And they love that thing!

Last year their legs were a little short so the adults ended up doing most of the pedaling. This year, however, both boys had both grown quite a bit and were able to reach the pedals on their own. Pedal boats are a surprisingly good leg workout and if you pedal around enough, you’ll likely feel it the next day! Our kids love cruising around where there’s lots of seaweed but still shallow enough for the sunlight to illuminate the creatures swimming below.

6.Yoga

While it may seem like a land activity (and it is), yoga can really be enjoyed anywhere, including on or near the water! You can do yoga on the beach, on docks at the lake, and even on a stand up paddleboard! We like to turn our paddleboard yoga session into a bit of a challenge. We’ll see who can get into certain poses without falling off the board or see who can hold specific poses the longest. There’s no shortage of laughter during that particular activity!

7. Skimboarding

Skimboarding is a fun outdoor summer water activity for kids that my boys have are just getting into this year! At the beginning of the summer, they saw some older guys using them at our beach and they didn’t stop talking about it until I finally broke down and got them a skimboard of their own. At 5 and 7, I wasn’t sure our kids would be old enough yet but they proved me wrong! They’ve had a ton of fun on that skimboard. It takes a lot of patience and coordination. Plus, it occupies them for hours.

8. Dock jumping

Those of you living the lake life will be very familiar with this one! This activity has been a people pleaser for decades and will never get old. My kids can spend an entire day doing this and never get sick of it. Jumping off, swimming back to the dock, and then climbing up the ladder over and over for hours. Such a great way to enjoy a warm day while also getting lots of exercise. Like most everything else in our lives right now, the boys turn this into a competition to see who can jump the highest, furthest, or do the best trick.

We alternate between using the life vests when I’m not in the water with them and no life vests when I’m right there to assist if they get too tired to swim back to the dock unassisted. This activity was probably the best activity we’ve done all summer to help them learn to swim better. They made massive improvements in their swimming abilities after just an hour of jumping without the life vests and swimming back to the ladder! And I was right there to catch them or lend a hand if they needed a little extra help.

9. Surfing

Surfing is something that’s only just now popped up on our radar as our boys are getting older. Now that they’re better swimmers and have a great sense of balance on our paddleboards, we’re ready to add surfing to our list of favorite water activities for kids! I grew up in the mountains so I’ve never tried surfing before, but since we live on the ocean it’s time to give it shot. If you live in a beach area or plan to vacation to one, you’ll likely have access to a few places that offer surfing camps for kids and private lessons. Since our youngest isn’t quite old enough for the surfing camps yet, we decided to do private lessons as a family! I have a feeling that surf boards will be on our kids’ wish lists in the near future!

10. Climbing

If you’re in the mountains rather than on the coast, I highly recommend taking some time to adventure near waterfalls! My kids are fascinated by waterfalls because we don’t live in an area where you can find them. Whenever we head to the mountains they insist on going out to find some! Usually, you can also find some great spots nearby to climb rocks! We stick to small falls with fairly easy-to-navigate rock areas, since we’re not well-trained in rock climbing yet. When we get hot and sweaty from our climbing, we just find a little pool without fast-moving water to plunk down in and cool off! Please be warned – there is no shortage of beautiful rocks to take home in places like this, so you’re pockets and backpacks will get heavy!

11. Canoeing or row boating

When it comes to being out on the water, you can really just assume that everyone will have a blast using any kind of boat. Kids love learning to paddle and are filled with pride when they’ve gained the skills to do it independently.

12. Go to a splash pad

For those of you who aren’t near nature-made splash areas, you can still have fun getting active in places like splash playgrounds or splash pads! More and more cities are building wonderful splash pads to run around in! These are especially great for families with babies and toddlers because you don’t have to worry about the water being too deep!

13. Go to a pool

Along those same lines, find a pool nearby! Both indoor and outdoor pools are a great way to spend some quality time with your family. My favorite thing about going to a pool is that I have to leave my phone behind! Once I jump in the water with the kids, they get some absolute undivided attention. It’s so refreshing and necessary!

14. Playing a sport

When you pack up your beach bag, add a soccer ball, football, or frisbee! Depending on where you’ll be and how many people will be there, you could also play volleyball or whiffle ball, too. Tossing a ball back and forth in the water is actually one of my very favorite things to do with my kids. We can keep cool by being waist-deep, connect with each other, and practice hand-eye coordination. You can purchase some fantastic frisbees and balls made specifically for water. We LOVE these. They soak up water and then splash it all over when you toss them. It’s tons of fun!

15. JUST PLAY!

My final suggestion is to just jump in and play anywhere there’s water! You can swim around, play on floats, use kickboards or boogie boards, or dive to the bottom to find treasures. Anything you do in the water together will be fun and your children will appreciate the quality time with you! You honestly don’t need to rent or purchase any of the fancy stuff I mentioned above to enjoy water activities with kids. Splash around with your family and make some summer memories that will last a lifetime!

What are some of your favorite ways to get active on the water?

Hi there, I’m Chelsea! I’m a photographer, mother of two busy boys, and sunshine and fresh air addict. We live in Virginia Beach and spend as much time outdoors as possible! We spend most of our time exploring the beach, inlets, and nature trails nearby. Our family loves biking, hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, building forts, and playing in the sand! During the warm months, you can find us enjoying the Chesapeake Bay almost every night until long after the sun goes down. We’re doing our best to reduce our carbon footprint and always try to leave every trail cleaner than it was when we arrived.

Personal Instagram: @dimples.and.the.blonde
Client work: @chelsea.lyn.photography
Website: dimplesandtheblonde.com