What’s nice about Cape San Blas is what it’s lacking. It has no high-rise condos, no amusement parks, no pollution, no noise and very few people. If you want to enjoy a relaxing break in a place filled with simple pleasures and natural beauty, Cape San Blas is just the place to escape to.
Cape San Blas is on the elbow of the strangely shaped 17-mile long peninsula opposite Port St Joe on the Florida panhandle. It creates the calm waters of St Joseph Bay, and at the very tip of the spit of land is St Joseph Peninsula State Park.
History of Cape San Blas, Florida
Cape San Blas was once an important saltworks, being strategically located in the Gulf of Mexico. This business came to a sudden end when a group of Union soldiers came ashore and destroyed the saltworks in 1862.
Cape San Blas is now on its fourth lighthouse. The first was built in 1847 to warn ships of the dangerous shoals that run out from the cape but it collapsed in a gale. A second lighthouse was commissioned, this time built of brick at a cost of $12,000. It was completed in November 1855 and 9 months later was destroyed by a hurricane. Lighthouse number three was erected in its place in 1858, costing $20,000. It was damaged in 1862 during the Civil War and later sea erosion took its toll. In 1883 the present lighthouse was constructed. It has an enclosed staircase to the lantern which is 101 feet above sea level.
Present Day Cape San Blas
Cape San Blas was named America’s #1 beach in 2002 for its natural beauty and when you visit you will understand why. The beaches at Cape San Blas and neighbouring Indian Pass are idyllic with playful surf and white sands scattered with sea shells. The restless sea throws up giant cockles, angel wings, lightning whelks and olive shells that are just begging to be picked up and carried home. The beach is dog-friendly too.
The clear emerald Gulf waters are home to dolphins and some of the best sport fishing in the world. On the north side of the narrow peninsula is St Joseph Bay with calmer waters and more great fishing. Wade out from the shore around Eagle Harbor and you can scoop up scallops by the bucketful. Take them home and steam them for a delicious tasty meal.
Things to Do in Cape San Blas
Visitors can hit the Peddle Loggerhead Run Bike Trail and ride to Cone Heads then sit and enjoy the rewards of an ice cream. There are a few beach shops and places to eat in the area and restaurants and a theater in Port St Joe.
If you dream of horseback riding along a tropical beach, Cape San Blas will make your dreams come true! Alternatively you can kayak, take a sailboat out on the bay or book yourself on a snorkeling and diving eco-excursion. Walk along the edge of the waves, spot fiddler crabs, play volleyball with friends or watch the sunset from a swing on the porch. You will definitely want to capture each moment on camera.
This informative book offers details of 20 best beaches and coastal cities in Florida
It is also available to download as an ebook:
20 Best Florida Beaches and Coastal Cities
