Port St . Joe
Nestled along the western shore of St . Joseph Bay on Florida ’ s Forgotten Coast lies the small but vibrant town of Port St . Joe . What makes it so vibrant ? Foremost , its people — but also its history .
This deep-water port town has a history stretching back some 180-plus years . Most recently , in October of 2018 , it was hit by Hurricane Michael . The community , however , has come back stronger than ever , with a Songwriters Festival , incredible restaurants , outfitters , and locals who are the most welcoming you ’ ll ever find . Simply put , Port St . Joe is a hidden gem waiting to be rediscovered .
Today , this town of 3,700 souls is a vacation destination unto itself . For guests staying on Cape San Blas , it ’ s the perfect day excursion . Just 12 miles or so from the Cape , it ’ s a scenic drive along the southern arm of the St . Joe Peninsula and the western shores of the Bay , making it an excellent getaway ..
What to see and do
St . Joseph ’ s Bay ranks as one of the best snorkeling venues on the Gulf Coast . What makes it so great ? The shallow , clear , and protected waters of the Bay — along with the fantastic and abundant beds of scallops that populate the seafloor . The shallow waters allow you to anchor your vessel as you and your party don your snorkeling gear and indulge in some scalloping — which is similar to an underwater Easter egg hunt for adults . Of course , the kids will love it too .
Don ’ t forget to look out for all the sea turtles and octopuses that call the Bay home . You ’ ll encounter a wide variety of sea life — everything from dolphins to seahorses . On calm days , the cloudless waters make for some luminous underwater photography .
Back on land and just to the west of downtown , you ’ ll find the Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center ( FCSTC ). This remarkable local organization promotes educational and conservational efforts to benefit the regional sea turtle population , highlighting the importance of the beach habitat
Welcome to Port St . Joe Travel Beach L i fe 25