Many sandy beaches and resort towns are easily accessible as day trips from Tallahassee, providing visitors with opportunities to swim, boat, fish and enjoy an array of other water sports. There are many great activities in Tallahassee.
Cape San Blas
Cape San Blas is one of the best day-trip vacation spots near Tallahassee, located along the St. Joseph Peninsula approximately 10 miles from the town of Port St. Joe. The cape, which was formerly used as a Confederate Saltworks facility during the American Civil War, is home to Dr. Beach's best beach of 2002, located within the beautiful T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. Miles of pristine white sands attract swimmers, snorkelers, and sunbathers throughout the year, with expansive stretches of high sand dunes and pine scrub for kayakers and canoers to observe from the water.
Fishing, hiking, cycling, and birdwatching are also common activities at Cape San Blas, which is home to more than 240 native and migratory bird species. Historic attractions include the Cape San Blas Lighthouse, constructed in 1883. Pet-friendly vacation rentals are available for overnight stay, and a number of family-operated restaurants serve up some of the area's best fresh seafood dishes.
8899 Cape San Blas Rd, Port St Joe, FL 32456, Phone: 850-227-1327, Map
Carrabelle Beach
Carrabelle Beach is a delightful white sand beach located directly west of the city of Carrabelle, which is easily accessible from Tallahassee via U.S. Highway 98. The beach is a popular family-friendly summer spot due to its shielding from strong gulf currents by the barrier island Dog Island, creating calm water conditions for young ones to wade and swim safely.
Though the beach's center portion can get quite crowded during the summer months, ample space is usually found along its outer portions even at peak times. Beachgoers can spot dolphins and shorebirds from the beach's shores throughout the year, with large populations of migratory birds frequenting the beach during the spring and autumn months. Picnic shelters with barbecue grills are available for visitor day use, along with restroom facilities and outdoor showers. Nearby, the Crooked River Lighthouse and Museum preserves the area's maritime history, while Old Carrabelle Beach offers spectacular romantic sunrise and sunset views and prime fishing conditions. Map
Grayton Beach State Park
Grayton Beach State Park is a lovely Florida state park spanning 2,200 acres, located near the unincorporated community of Grayton Beach, approximately two and a half hours from Tallahassee's city center. The park, which was opened to the public in 1968, is one of the state's most popular park facilities, preserving the state's second-largest coastal dune lake, Western Lake. Some of the United States' most pristine beachfront areas offer crystal-white sands, clear turquoise waters, and excellent opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. Kayaking, canoeing, and boating are popular throughout the warmer months, offering unparalleled views of salt marsh and sea oat dune habitats on the shore. Visitors can also enjoy hiking and wildlife watching opportunities in the park's interior, with overnight cabin rentals available at the park's second unit, located one mile west of the main unit.
357 Main Park Rd, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, Phone: 850-267-8300, Map
Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is a charming beachfront town in Bay County, located approximately two and a half hours east of Tallahassee on the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico waterfront. The popular resort area claims to be home to the "World's Most Beautiful Beaches," offering more than 27 miles of stunning white sand beaches throughout its greater urban area.
Calm, clear waters make for excellent swimming conditions, with opportunities offered throughout the year for water sports such as parasailing, boating, and diving. Canoeing, fishing, and biking are popular at the protected nature reserve St. Andrews State Park, while ecotourism opportunities abound at the 185-acre Camp Helen State Park. Within the town center, tourists can dine at nightlife institutions such as Schooner's Last Local Beach Club or shop at the eclectic Pier Park open-air retail complex, which is home to attractions such as an IMAX theater and an XD Darkride Experience. Map
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is one of the United States' oldest wildlife refuges, originally established in 1931 as a protected wintering ground habitat for migratory bird species. It spans more than 68,000 acres throughout Taylor, Jefferson, and Wakulla Counties, home to lovely saltwater marsh, tidal creek, and estuary habitats along seven of the state's northern river systems. Over 43 miles of beautiful Gulf of Mexico beachfront are offered throughout the refuge, with access ramps for kayakers and boaters and designated areas for freshwater and saltwater fishing. Miles of hiking and biking trails span the refuge, including a trail along a former railroad corridor that connects to the nearby town of St. Marks. Visitors can observe a wide range of native and migratory bird species or trek to the St. Marks Lighthouse, Florida's second-oldest historic lighthouse. The park's visitor center is also home to a bookstore, education building, and activities organized by the refuge's active photography club.
PO Box 368, St. Marks, FL 32355, Phone: 850-925-6121, Map
Dog Island
A jewel of Tallahassee, Dog Island is a beloved barrier island that is frequented for its beautifully kept white sand beaches. Home to 1,842 acres of beach, Dog Island is roughly 6 and a half miles long, and nearly a mile wide. It is an ideal beach-picnic location, a fantastic recreational boating hub, and is also fabulous for shelling, crabbing, and even shore fishing. Though the island is mostly composed of vacation homes and rentals, there is also a small community of full-time residents that make the community welcoming and vibrant. For first-time visitors, the best way to enjoy the island is by boat or airplane. For a convenient stay, book a vacation rental if possible as there are generally no tourist amenities on the island.
Franklin County, Tallahassee, Florida
Keaton Beach
One of the best ways to describe Keaton Beach has got to be, “a diamond in the rough”. Situated on Florida’s Gulf of Mexico, Keaton Beach remains largely untouched by developments and private entities. As such, it is dotted with natural beach flora and isn’t what would typically come to mind when one thinks of Florida’s beaches. Even still it’s a fantastic beach to visit and spend a day at with its stunning sunset, mild weather, and sandy beachfront.
Keaton Beach serves as the primary public beach of Taylor County and is also home to a local pier as well as Hodges Park, a local children’s play area.
Taylor County, Tallahassee, Florida, Map
Bald Point State Park Near Tallahassee, FL
Bald Point State Park is the closest beach to downtown Tallahassee, located at Alligator Point on the Ochlockonee River near U.S. Highway 98. The state park is a popular wildlife watching area, home to a wide variety of wading and shorebird species, including bald eagles and other migrating raptor species.
Two public-access swimming beaches are offered along Apalachee Bay, which are popular spots for kayaking, canoeing, and windsurfing throughout the summer months. The park is also a top spot for fishing in the Tallahassee area, offering a fishing dock and area for shoreline fishing. Nature trails meander through the park's 4,065 picturesque acres of natural habitat, with picnic areas available for relaxing and observing the scenery.
146 Box Cut Rd, Alligator Point, FL 32346, Phone: 850-349-9146, Map
