Cape San Blas is the perfect drive-do destination on the Florida Panhandle. Whether you're coming from Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, or beyond, Cape San Blas is easy to get to, and you'll feel worlds away. Skip the airports and hop in the car to some see us instead, for a safe and relaxing Florida vacation.
Where Is Cape San Blas?
Cape San Blas and Indian Pass sit along the Florida Panhandle near the St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve and the Apalachicola National Forest. The Cape San Blas area is about an hour from Panama City Beach and a little over two hours from Tallahassee. Some nearby towns you can explore include Port St. Joe and Apalachicola.
Flying To Cape San Blas
There are three airports near Cape San Blas, including the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City, the Marianna Municipal Airport, and the Tallahassee International Airport. Tallahassee airport is the largest of the three and offers the most inbound and outbound flights from all over the world.
From the Marianna Municipal Airport, you’ll take FL-71 South to 30A South all the way until Cape San Blas and Indian Pass. This scenic drive is about 2 hours.
From the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, you’ll take US-98 South to 30A. Without traffic this drive will take you about an hour and 45 minutes.
The Tallahassee International Airport is just more than 2 hours to Cape San Blas and Indian Pass. You will take US-319 S all the way to 30A.
Driving To Cape San Blas
Cape San Blas and Indian Pass are right off of Scenic Highway 30A, with connections from FL-71 and US-98. Port St. Joe and Apalachicola are the closest major towns to the area.
From the North, Highway 71 or 231 provide the easiest access to the area. If you’re coming from the rest of the state of Florida, US-98 will bring you directly here.
This post contains affiliate links. This just
means if you click through and make a purchase, I may make small commission at no additional cost to you. We were first introduced to all the fun things to do in Cape San Blas by our dear Georgian friends who visit best Florida beaches several times a year. They know all the best beaches on 30A, and this lovely, quiet Florida cape soon became our family favorite beach. Just past Port St. Joe
going east along 30A along the Gulf of Mexico, Cape San Blas invites you to relax and play. Beautiful beach front rentals help you relax and enjoy the white sand beaches on the Gulf side or the quiet smooth waters perfect for exploring on the Bay side. This tip of this peninsula is crowned by St.
Joseph Peninsula State Park. Discover why you should add Cape San Blas, Florida to the best family beaches on the east coast. We visited during spring break or early summer four years in a row. PRO TIP: There are so many fantastic Cape San Blas vacation rentals just
within steps of the beach, either directly on the beach, or just one or two homes back.
Things to do Cape San Blas
Hit the beach for White sugar sands
Flip flops fly the second we hit the beaches of Cape San Blas in Florida.
Throw up your beach canopy and park the beach chairs near your cooler of beverages.
The kids take off, tackling the waves, big or small. Footballs, frisbees, and volleyballs sail on the uncrowded beach.
Kites soar on this Florida cape because there always seems to be a breeze! The sugar sand playground is so spacious, you almost feel as if you have it all to yourself at times.
Explore the bay side of Cape San Blas
The Bay side of Cape San Blas Florida is just as much fun as the Gulf Side, especially when you need a break from big waves.
Take the quick 5-minute drive to the end of the cape to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. Here lies America’s #1-Ranked Beach and America’s Best State Park. This park boasts 119 family camping sites and a 1,900 acre wilderness preserve.
PRO TIP: Due to ongoing hurricane recovery efforts and construction projects, St. Joseph Peninsula’s beach day use and boat ramp parking area will operate at a limited capacity. Check for updates here.
We love traveling with the multi-person inflatable paddleboard - the ISLE MEGALODON
Cape San Blas SUP
Take your own stand up paddle boards and water craft and head out on the ocean on a calmer day or head to the bay.
Isle inflatable paddle boards are the best inflatable SUP boards you can travel and paddle anywhere with.
Read our April 2022 review of the best inflatable paddle boards out there.
The Isle Pioneer is good for beginners and the super stable, massive Isle Megalodon SUP is great for 3-4 people.
PRO TIP: We’ve checked our inflatable paddle boards as luggage on airplanes many times.
At one point, you can stand on top of the Cape San Blas sand dunes for a gorgeous 360 degree view of the Gulf and the Bay.
Kayaks, paddle boards sailboats, snorkels, casting nets and buckets make exploring the Bay even better.
The shallow calm water provides hours of play and discovery for everyone. Conches, hermit crabs, horseshoe crabs, sea urchins and more abound. Be very careful when handling a live conch -- their barb could injure you!
Indian Pass Raw Bar
Just a short scenic drive from Cape San Blas in Florida is the local hot spot, Indian Pass Raw Bar. Food so good, we usually go twice.
Off-the-charts parmesan baked oysters, raw oysters, AND out-of-this-world stuffed shrimp, as well as kid-approved crab legs and steamed shrimp make this little joint the best seafood shack on the planet!
Live music or karaoke outside on the patio make the wait FUN FOR ALL AGES.
When you arrive, grab a tab sheet and a drink from the back wall coolers. Go outside and sign up for your turn on the karaoke mic.
Once seated inside, flag a waitress down once your table knows what you want to eat. It's ALL GOOD! The simple menu and the laid-back atmosphere makes you want to stay all night.
Cook your own fresh seafood
While we often visit Indian Pass Raw Bar more than once, we also love buying fresh-off-the-boat shrimp so we can have our own seafood feast back at the beach house.
St. Joe Shrimp at the Cape is a great place to buy fresh seafood.
CONEHEADS
Vacation = ice cream every day. Coneheads is our favorite laid back restaurant in Cape San Blas.
Stop here for a nice cold treat in the middle of a warm afternoon on the cape. They serve up a full menu here too, great for the whole family.
Catching critters
Crabbing at night on the gulf side is one of our favorite Cape San Blas things to do.
Add a fire and s'mores on the beach, and it’s perfect way to end your vacation day.
Grab your nets and buckets and chase those critters around to your hearts' content.
Bioluminescence in Cape San Blas Florida is amazing to witness— neon blue phytoplankton that lights up the rolling surf during a so-called red tide event. If you’re lucky to see it, it makes for an unforgettable night on the beach.
Speaking of night, you can you make a fire on the beach in Cape San Blas? You sure can!
Cape San Blas Vacation Rentals
Cape San Blas beach front rentals can get snatched up in a hurry, so your best bet is to plan ahead.
Although, you might be able to score a last-minute beach house rental, it may not have all the amenities you’re hoping for if you wait too long to make your reservation.
You won’t find much in the way of high rise condominiums or big hotels, which may be why this is one one of the best beaches in Florida
Find lots of beach front rentals on this Florida cape
You WILL find Cape San Blas beach front rentals just within steps of the beach, either directly on the beach, or just one or two homes back.
On the bay side of this Florida cape, Cape San Blas vacation rentals offer fantastic serene, nature filled views and maybe a boat dock.
PRO TIP: The five mile paved walking / biking trail is perfect for families and helps you explore the peninsula in a different way.
Cape San Blas Camping
Camping families: if you love to camp and explore Florida beaches on a budget, this Cape San Blas state park is perfect for you.
T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park is a Florida state park on the St. Joseph Peninsula at the end of the cape, typically ideal for family camping.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Effective May 21, 2021: The campground and the cabins are closed due to damage from Hurricane Michael in 2018. Please call the park office at 850-227-1327 for updates.
Short Day Trips from Cape San Blas
Not far from Cape San Blas, visit nearby Apalachicola for a day trip.
Along the way, get in touch with nature at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, located just northeast of the St. George Island Bridge in Eastpoint.
St. George Island in Florida is also a fantastic day trip for more beach time fun. If you have bikes, take them along so you can really explore the island.
Neso Tent Shade, size small. We say go for the Gigante!
Quick tips
Buy your groceries in Port St. Joe before you arrive to your Cape San Blas vacation rental. There are no main grocery stores on the peninsula, only small trading posts.
Bring bike, scooters, skate boards, and running shoes for the Loggerhead Run Bike Trail.
You can build fires on the beach! Only use local firewood; don't bring firewood from home.
Bring or buy a Neso Gigante beach canopy! You'll appreciate breaks from the sun and a cool place to take a nap or munch on lunch in the shade.
We also love the super portable, lightweight Eno Lounger SL Chairs (3.5 pounds each)for the beach. We use them all the time, for beaches, camping, and soccer games.
Bring your own paddleboards so you can use them every day from sunrise to sunset.
The massive, stable Isle Megalodon SUP is perfect for families. We’ve taken it out on the ocean over the breaker and it is so much fun. Don’t forget to strap your life jackets, to the board at least.
Read our April 2022 review of the best inflatable paddle boards out there.
Check out Weber's Little Donut Shop for fresh hot donuts and croissants. Get there early before they run out! Located in the Cape Trading Post.
How to pack everything for the beach
The big family road trip to the beach is coming up and you can't shake this one nagging question: "How in the heck are we going to fit everything for our trip to Cape San Blas in Florida?"
We've been there.
Your family's packing problems are solved with the StowAway MAX Hitch Cargo Box.
If you are a couple planning an outdoor adventure-filled road trip, add more trunk space without trading up for a bigger vehicle.
More Cape San Blas Things to do
Another fun thing to do near Cape San Blas is kayaking in St. Joseph Bay. Go on a guided eco-tour in a kayak with Happy Ours Kayak & Bike Outpost. Keep your eyes open for turtles as they come up for air. Some friendly turtles may even swim right up to your kayak to say hello.
Visit historic Appalachicolaor take your bikes to St. George's Island for the day for a change from the Cape.
Have you been to Cape San Blas Florida? Let us know! We’d love to hear from you.
We also loved a spring break vacation to Marathon in the middle Florida Keys. Snorkeling along Sombrero Reef as a family amazing and we found so much to do there too.
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