This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gulf County Florida for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
Florida is more than just theme parks and thrill rides. There are many places where you can go, unwind, and reconnect with nature. Gulf County, Florida is one of those places. It’s a perfect destination for families looking for a beautiful destination where they can have fun outdoors.
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You’ll Love Gulf County, Florida
Located on Florida’s panhandle, Gulf County is situated on 244 miles of beautiful coastline. That provides easy access to water of all kinds; the Gulf of Mexico, the saltwater St. Joseph Bay, the Intracoastal Waterway, the brackish river basin, and the freshwater of the Dead Lakes. That coastline and water access provide for a wide range outdoor adventures like kayaking, fishing, hiking, biking, bird watching, snorkeling, diving, paddleboarding, ecotouring, and boating.
Unlike many travel destinations, the fun continues in Gulf County, FL well past the summer season. They say that their “Prime Season” is Mid August through Mid March. You can enjoy the area anytime of year. When you are ready to start planning your next family vacation to Gulf County, FL use these FREE resources.
- Gulf County Adventure Guide
- The Gulf County Concierge Program
Both websites will easily help you plan your adventure while feeling free, independent and right in the middle of where you want to be.
Enter to win a week-long getaway to Gulf County, FL at Never Have I Ever Contest
When I was searching the websites, I found a few activities our family would love to do on our next trip to the area.
Gulf County, FL Eco Tours
Whether you are looking to do a little fishing or learning more about the local wildlife, local businesses and residents are ready to share their home with you. Owner of About Fun Charter, Charlene Burke, is a local boat captain that holds both a Master’s degree in Marine Biology and a Green Guide certification. She used both to help visitors explore the wonders of the area. On an eco-tour, you may see Bald Eagles at the local bird sanctuary, schools of fish, or octopus in shallow waters. I love experiences like this because every place has it’s own unique sites and experiences. Because the area is nature based, you will NEVER have the same experience twice. So no matter how often you come, it will be a new adventure every time.
Scuba Diving
Some of the area’s best sites aren’t on land, but underwater. Area dive operators can gear you up to experience a variety of nearby dive sites including over 200 artificial reefs, shipwrecks, and natural sea grass beds. Several of Gulf County’s best diving sites are shallow, between 12-20 feet. Staying shallow gives you more dive time and better light for photography. As a certified diver, I love exploring the underwater world. The area’s visibility is great, water is warm, and the abundance of fish and reefs mean that there will always be plenty to see on every dive. If you aren’t SCUBA certified, area operators offer a Discover Scuba Program where you take classroom instruction and then go down to an actual historic shipwreck with a certified instructor.
Day at the Beach
Any day at the beach is a GREAT day. With 244 miles of coastline, you could explore a different beach everyday of your Gulf County trip. Imagine you and your family sitting on the sand, searching for seashells, building sand castles, taking a horseback ride, or just cruising up and down the coast with the wind in your hair. St. Joe’s Bay offers beautiful beaches, amazing sunsets, and 4 miles of outdoor trails to explore. The best kind of vacation is one you where you can sit back, relax, and make amazing memories. I can do that in Gulf County, FL year after year. There are activities that the whole family will enjoy. Best of all you can find those activities within 15 minutes of anywhere in Gulf County. Start planning your next trip today and begin your next family adventure in Gulf County, FL.
Enter to Win a $50 American Express Gift Card
Answer the following question the comments section.
Which of the adventures in the Adventure Guide would you/your family enjoy taking part in? Why?
Giveaway Rules: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
Prize: One winner, chosen at random from all eligible entries received, will receive a $50 AmEx gift card, and will be announced on or about 10 days after end of entry period. Entrants may enter within 21 days of this post going live (August 28, 2016). Must be a resident of one of the 48 contiguous United States (excl. PR, HI, AK) the age of majority in his or her jurisdiction at time of entry. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Sweepstakes is sponsored by Gulf County.
We’d love the Adventure off the Bean Path! We’ve been to Florida a few times, but mostly the “beaten path.” We liked it , and I’m wondering about all the places that are nice to see that you wouldn’t know about unless you have a trip like this!
The Eco Tours, it sounds so interesting!
We would love to go to the Port St. Joe Marina and would love to take a sunset cruise or go snorkeling through one of the guided tours. It would be a great adventure and lots of fun.
I have always wanted to learn how to paddleboard. It looks easy, but I bet it is not. I would love to spend a day with my son learning how to by Daly’s Watersports at the Bay.
My family loves everything about sea and horse. We would totally love paddleboarding in the Bay and horseback riding on the beach.
We love turtles, so the Turtle Treasure Hunt on Cape San Blas would be our first choice. Sounds like so much fun.
We’d like to take part in the turtle treasure hunt in Cape San Blas! That sounds like such a good, fun time for the whole family.
We would love to visit Cape San Blas and search for sea turtles. My four year old son would love to experience this. We both enjoy wildlife and this would be a great bonding experience.
I would love to try the horseback riding on the beach
I’m going to Florida for Spring Break next year so I loved reading the Adventure Guide!! The Adventure off the Beaten Path sounds so like me!! I love the fact that there’s a lake and that you can see all of the wildlife!
I’d really love to explore Joseph Bay. I’ve never been kayak fishing so I think that would be really cool. I love the idea of pedaling instead of paddling
I went to Gulf County last year with my friends and had an amazing time. We didn’t get to do any of the things on the Adventure Guide but the next time I go, I will definitely be trying the “Adventure Off the Beaten Path.”