This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gulf County Florida for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
I grew up in Alabama, so the beaches of Florida and the panhandle from Pensacola to Destin to Panama City were a favorite travel destination for my family. The fine white sand along the Gulf Coast makes for some of the most beautiful and cleanest beaches in the world.
But the area also has lots to offer family travelers beyond a day of sunbathing and sand castle building. Families should escape from the big beach cities and head for the respite of a different kind of Florida panhandle travel experience in some of the less trafficked areas of the coast.
Gulf County Florida Basics for Families
Gulf County Florida – along the eastern end of the Panhandle – offers a real such alternative Florida panhandle escape. The county has made a concerted effort not to overbuild, preserving its natural beauty and a quieter pace of life for locals and visitors alike. Best of all – there’s lots to do in Gulf County, especially for families like mine who love the outdoors, nature, and a few adventures with kids along the way.
Gulf County wants to encourage more families to #InGulf themselves in these kind of travel experiences. Just in time for spring break and summer vacation planning, Gulf County is running an Instagram contest for a chance to win a 7 night vacation in the area (check out the link for details, rules, and how to enter).
Gulf County revolves around water, particularly the interconnected waterways of the Gulf of Mexico, St. Joseph Bay, Indian Pass Lagoon, the Gulf County Canal, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Apalachicola Bay. The area also has two freshwater bodies of water: the Dead Lakes and the Chipola River. All this water means easy access to kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, diving, paddleboarding, ecotouring, boating and more.
In addition, the mild weather makes is an excellent travel destination year-round. Peak travel season in Gulf County is actually September to May – not necessarily the summer!
Gulf County Family Adventures & Activities
If you’re planning a family vacation to Gulf County, here are a few family-friendly activities to consider that my family is eyeing for our next trip. Best of all – Gulf County has a Concierge Program to help you decide for your vacation too. Simply fill out their form and get customized vacation planning advice at no charge.
Diving and Snorkeling
The warm gulf water makes for a pleasant experience for families who want to see sea life up close on a diving adventure. The area has quite a few artificial reefs rich in sea life for even more to see. My husband and are are SCUBA-certified, so adding a dive to our trips is usually a must-do. If we are bringing our 8 year old daughter along, snorkeling is great alternative we can all do together.
Paddleboarding
Ever since our family tried stand up paddleboarding together on a vacation last year, we are hooked! My kids are still too small to stand up on their own, but they love getting to ride along on dad’s paddleboard during the adventure. Gulf County’s calm waters offer a variety of peaceful paddleboard experiences for a cost that won’t break the bank for budget-conscious family travelers.
Hunt for Turtles
Gulf County is home to a large loggerhead turtle population, particularly around the Cape San Blas area. Nesting season runs from the spring to the fall and guides from the Florida Coastal Conservancy (an organization that works to protect nesting sites) can take families to view some of these nests in a responsible and eco-friendly way. I know my nature loving kiddos would love the chance to see turtles up close and personal on our next visit.
Gulf County #InGulf Instagram Contest
Have an Instagram account? It is easy to enter to win a vacation so you can try some of these activities yourself. Visit the Gulf County #InGulf contest page for all the details and rules on how you can enter to win a week-long getaway to Gulf County, Florida. It’s as simple as sharing a shot of the adventures you are engulfed in right now!
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Lisa Brown says
Our family would enjoy the Bay at St Joseph Peninsula State Park: lots of things to do – camping, fishing, beaches, picnic area, many more fun things ot do. Thanks for the chance.
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
Elena says
we would enjoy the Adventure Off the Beaten Path because it looks interesting and different
elena150980 at yahoo dot com
Mandy Blank says
I’d love to do the freshwater fishing. I just got into fishing this year and I’m addicted.
latanya t says
We would try the Discover Scuba because it something that we have always wanted to do
Mandy Barfield says
I had never heard of this part of the FL Panhandle. I want to do all they have to offer. If I had to pick just one, I’d pick the eco-adventure with a bio-expert. We educate our kiddos at home and I think this would make a great field trip. I love finding outdoor educational activities for us to do.
Elle says
We would love to go to the Port St. Joe Marina and would love to take a sunset cruise or go snorkeling through one of the guided tours. It would be a great adventure and lots of fun.
kraftmaking says
My family loves riding horse, horseback riding on the beach is great to enjoy.
Julie Bigboy says
My husband is an Off the Beaten path kind of guy, he and my big kids would love this!
Kristen says
I’d love to go snorkeling because it’s something I’ve always wanted to try.
Rosie says
We would love the Adventure Off the Beaten Path. I’ve been to Florida, but only on the well worn path! I’m amazed at all Florida has to offer, and only saw some things on the east coast, nothing on the Gulf coast. It is so pretty, and fun, too!
Karen says
Adventure off the beaten path – I know my little guys would love to find critters in St. Joseph Bay!
The Mousekatools Mom says
The Horseback riding on the beach looks amazing! We’d love that!
ellen beck says
For sure we would go for the horseback riding on the beach. The views would be wonderful, and at a walk you could take your time and see everything. I could also see flying along at a run and enjoying the freedom
Janice says
We would love to take part in the turtle treasure hunt in Cape San Blas! That sounds like such a good, fun time for the whole family.
Kristin Goodson says
We would love going to Cape San Blas and looking for sea turtles. My four year old son would love to experience that. We love wildlife and this would be a once in a lifetime experience.
Kim Henrichs says
We would love going off the beaten path and going on a Seahorse Water Safari!
Silvia says
The turtle hunting would probably be the most fun for us! How fun!
grandgiveaways says
Horseback riding on the beach would be amazing because we’ve never done something like that.
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
Livivua says
I would like the shark fishing. It sounds exciting and dangerous
Melissa says
I’d love to do the Eco-Adventure with a Bio-Expert – sounds like a good way to learn some things while having fun!
Geoff says
We’d really enjoy the Off the Beaten Path Adventure, so we could see interesting things while avoiding the crowds.
donna says
my kids and i would so love to try the horseback riding on the beach!
Julie says
I’m going to Florida for Spring Break next year so I loved reading the Adventure Guide!! The Adventure off the Beaten Path sounds so like me!! I love the fact that there’s a lake and that you can see all of the wildlife!
michael says
I’d really love to explore Joseph Bay. I’ve never been kayak fishing so I think that would be really cool. I love the idea of pedaling instead of paddling 🙂
linda says
I went to Gulf County last year with my friends and had an amazing time. We didn’t get to do any of the things on the Adventure Guide but the next time I go, I will definitely be trying the “Adventure Off the Beaten Path.”
cbythesea5@gmail.com says
I would love to go horseback riding on the beach with my husband. It sounds like something we would both enjoy.
showstopper474 says
My daughters love wildlife so they would love St. Joseph’s bay so that they could look at the sea turtles and dolphins!
showstopper474 at gmail dot com
Angela Saver says
My family would really enjoy an Eco-Adventure with a Bio-Expert because we love wildlife & would enjoy seeing wildlife, such as Dolphins, sea turtles, water birds, etc., & would enjoy learning more about them and the area! We would also love horseback riding on the beach because we love horses & it would be an awesome experience!
Andysavi.Mom@gmail.com