Cape San Blas - Barrier Dunes?

[luvavacation]

We have always wanted to do a beach vacation with our dog, and this summer, we are going to do it! And it looks like we will be vacationing at Cape San Blas, in the Barrier Dunes area!

I picked this area because it looks to be very dog friendly but also quiet. However, that is all I know about the area. Oh, and that there are no grocery stores, so we have to buy food in Port St. Joe. That's all I know!

Has anyone been there? Is the Barrier Dunes area a good place to be? It appears to be at the end of the Cape San Blas area, near a forest preserve (or wait, is it a sand preserve? I forgot what is was called ). Either way, will this area be a nice, quiet area where we can romp safely with our German Shepherd? Is there a problem with waves or undertow in this area, or is there a place I can find out about this?

Are the beaches as clean as the pictures show? Or will we find lots of broken beer bottles?

What about the shelling? I saw some pictures that make it look almost like Sanibel! Is that more on the area of Cape San Blas near the mainland, or is it more on the upper portion where the Barrier Dunes area is?

And if anyone has any tips on things to do or see, I would be thrilled to hear them! Like I said, we know nothing about this area, and have never been anywhere near the Florida Panhandle, so it is all new to us!

 

[okeydokey]

The area at the end is the state park. I have camped there before and it is beautiful. The area is very quiet and because it juts out a bit, you can catch a beautiful sunset from the beach.

The beaches are super clean, no glass, but not much shelling either. The waves are usually light, but there can be an undertow. Not to scare you too much, but there was a shark attack in the area a year or two ago.

I have no idea if dogs are allowed or not on the beach. I know that walking on the actual dunes is prohibited.

We had dinner in Port St. Joe one night. I wish I could remember the name of the restaurant because it was really good. It was a big white building. Just looked it up. I think it was the Sunset Coastal Grill.

 

[luvavacation]

Thanks okeydokey!

From what I have been told, dogs are allowed on the beach in Cape San Blas, but not in the state park. All I know is that I can not wait to play with my dog on the beach, but we humans may walk to the state park when the dog is tired out and taking a mid-day nap.

I will make a note of your restaurant recommendation. This is my vacation, too, and I just don't wish to cook every meal, you know?

Hmm, no good shelling? Well I suppose that is good for my dog, since walking on all the shells would probably have hurt her paws. Hopefully the hot sand won't be too much of a bother, otherwise I will be walking with a bucket of water splashing in front of her so her pads don't get burnt! Now that would be a sight!

The shark sighting is not something I enjoy knowing about, but oceans are frightening to me already (I prefer swimming pools). My husband has already been told that the dog is not to be taken out from shore, because I don't want her drifting away or being eaten by a shark. My husband, he is a grown man, he can do what he wants on his own. My puppy must be protected! Perhaps I should look and see if there is some sort of a floating leash that I can attach to my dog and hold on to if she goes in the water. Or maybe I just shouldn't worry about it.

And thanks for confirming the beautiful sunset - I have seen pictures, but now I know it is true. Can't wait to sit on the beach with my dog and family watching the sunset!

 

[JimR24]

We vacationed at Cape San Blas 2 years ago and LOVED it. We looked at Barrier Dunes but found another house right off the beach. We loved the fact that there are no major hotels there. There isn't much to do but spend time with your family. We BBQ'ed just about every night. I saw a ton of dogs on the beach every morning and through out the day. I have lived on the west coast of Florida the past 15 years and only one other place compared in sunsets and that is Marco Island.

We have been trying to get back to the Cape for a vacation but my daughters softball schedule keeps getting in the way. If you drop me a note with your email address I will shot you some pictures.

 

[mamajo]

There is good shelling in certain spots along the beach all along the coast. We have been going there over 20 years now. I love that area so much I want to retire there. It's 30 miles to PSJ so that's a haul but we don't eat out when we go there. We just relax and eat fruit and quick meals. Ahhhh. I absolutely love to snorkel and I do that morning, noon and night in the St Joe Bay across the street from where you're at. My favorite spot is just inside the state park.
It's like being in the caribbean!!
Enjoy!

 

[luvavacation]

JimR24 - thanks for the picture offer! While I love a beautiful sunrise, too, at least I don't have to get up early to see a sunset!

Mamajo (or anyone else), I have questions, and I hope you check back to answer them!

1. You mentioned fruit and quick meals. Do you buy your food in Port St. Joe? Are there any little places we can walk to from Barrier Dunes for ice cream and such? I read that dogs are welcome outside of eating establishments, but I can't seem to find where the eating establishments are. We have been to the Outer Banks of NC, and really enjoyed walking for some ice cream, and in Sanibel we loved going for fish at a little place on the main road. Or is the main road just a thru-fare with places to stay?

2. Snorkeling, while not for me (since I doubt the area you mentioned has a net around it to protect me as Castaway Cay does), it is enjoyable for my husband and children. Do you just walk to the bay and go snorkel? Or are there particular areas that are marked for snorkeling? And do you just do the same at the state park?

3. If you drive into Port St. Joe, is it 30 miles of really slow going, with lots of pedestrian walkways and stop signs? I live out where farm roads are fast and deserted, so 30 miles is nothing, but going 5 miles in Sanibel takes forever. Can you tell I like to know and plan for everything?

4. I see you are from Michigan, Mamajo. Do you have any nice places to recommend stopping at on the way down? We will be driving from northern IL, I assume making the turn to the Panhandle in Nashville as opposed to going to Orlando from there, and we do enjoy interesting rest stops on the way. Nickajack Lake on the way to Orlando is one we really like, anything like that to the Panhandle? I have to make the long drive fun, too!

Thanks!

 

[Darth Boeder]

I do not know much about the area ut I saw you were concerned about your dog in the water. They do sell life jackets for dogs. We have them for ours since we boat a lot. They sell them at a lot of pet supply stores. I am sure you can find them online as well.

 

[Coastalre]

Cape San Blas is a beautiful beach with great sunsets and does not have the big box condos that have ruined so many other beaches in Florida.

Yes, it is dog friendly. Please just keep your dog under control and be sure to clean up after them. One of my dogs loves to swim and I only get concerned when he sees dolphins and swims out to them, so I call him in.

As for sharks there are sharks anywhere there is salt water. The only recorded shark attach that ever occurred here was back in 2005. Fishing and swimming in the same area can be dangerous. The young man who lost his leg was fishing in chest deep water and reportedly had his bait in his pocket which is exactly where the shark bite him.

Shelling - A lot of shells are gathered on our beaches and probably the best shelling area is near the Cape San Blas Lighthouse.

Ice Cream - Coneheads is located about 1/4 mile from Barrier Dunes and is a good place to grab ice cream or a hamburger. You can also grab ice cream at the Scallop Cove BP Station. The Cape Trading Post makes a very good pizza to go at a very reasonable price.

Restaurants - Not much on the Cape, but the Indian Pass Raw Bar is close by if you like oysters and shrimp. Port St. Joe is 20 minutes away, an easy drive with only two stop signs on the way and once you get to Port St. Joe only two red lights. Sunset Coastal Grill is a good place to eat, located right on the bay. Peppers is a very good place for Mexican food. There are several other good places to eat as well. And you might also visit Apalachicola about 35 minutes away and if you do, reward yourself by eating at the Owl Cafe.

Snorkeling - Probably best to go inside the state park to access the bay. The bay is very clear water and a great place to snorkel. You gather sand dollars on the sand bars.

If you have never been here before then I believe that you will be amazed at how beautiful this area is without the crowds. We look forward to seeing you at Cape San Blas.

 

[mamajo]

The snorkeling is easy access to the Bay via the Hammock trail just inside the State park boundary. There is a parking area on the right just past Coneheads. You park and then follow the trail into the hammock beach area. It's a good hike in to the beach, about 1/2 mile. The bugs can be bad so cover up heads and legs and arms. The spot is secluded and very nice. It's my favorite place to snorkel. I've found sea horses and pipe fish and all sorts of cool stuff there.
Be shure you have a flag as they are very strict about this in Fl. It keeps you safe too. I sure wouldn't worry about anything scary there. The bay is protected
and we've never run across anything dangerous -- not as likely as the Gulf.
Lots and sanddollars and starfish. We shop in St Joe before we hit the Cape.
The Piggly Wiggly. I live on Fruit and Cheeseits when I snorkel. We pack lunch in and plenty of water. Nothing better than getting out after a good snorkel to eat right on the beach, then go back in.
The drive out to the Cape is easy going. No traffic to speak of and scenic. It's just a good haul from the end to St Joe. Curvy road, so you shouldn't get up too high speed wise. And don't go off the road to the shoulder for anything as it's very sandy and you'll get sucked in and get stuck.
You're not going to have lots of people and there's really no restaurants out on the Cape. That's why I like it. I love the Bay and all the gentle creatures. There's nothing like suspending yourself while millions of silversides flash by you in waves. It's awesome!!

 

[luvavacation]

I just noticed I had more replies! I have been busy and haven't been on in awhile, so please forgive my rudeness in not thanking you earlier.

And I do thank you all for the wonderful information! I am printing out this thread and putting it in my vacation folder. I am so excited to explore Cape San Blas!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks Coastaire and Mamjo!

I am following this thread as well, as we will have a week at a condo near Destin this spring, and I would love to see the cape.

1. Can anyone estimate the driving time from Destin to Cape San Blas?

2. If we did want to snorkel, where might be a good access without hiking so far over to the bay? (I am assuming that we are talking about snorkeling the bay, not the ocean.) I think I will go look up and see what I can find on the Hammock Trail!

3. I am thinking that we will go up to the State Park....
Are the sand dunes and the beach even better up there?
I was assuming that we would go to the public access area there.
Would that be the best plan for a day-trip?

I am glad I found this thread!

Thanks!

 

[JimR24]

Just booked a 5 bdrm 5.5 bath house at the Cape last night. Beach front with a pool. July can't get here quick enough. Got to start stocking up on the Corona and limes!

 

[EeyoreEma]

Cape San Blas is lovely. We've been several times, but not for several years. It is quiet and relaxing. Our girls (both yorkies) really enjoyed the beach there. I don't remember any of the restaurants we ate at, but there were several good ones. Have a great time! I have a sudden desire to head down there now!