Adventurous Activities to Try When You Visit Gulf County Florida
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gulf County Florida. All opinions are 100% mine.
A fabulous Florida vacation without the big price tag and crowds. Couple that with a family friendly destination, lots of outdoor activities, and great weather year round, a visit to Gulf County Florida is a must.
Who can pass up a day on the Florida beaches? Especially on the Florida Gulf Coast. Keep reading for adventurous activities to try when you visit Gulf County Florida and enter our $50 Amex gift card giveaway.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for the $50 Amex gift card giveaway. Update: the contest has ended.
Adventurous Activities to Try When You Visit Gulf County Florida
Kayaking is one of the many adventures activities in Gulf County Florida
We usually choose a beach destination for family vacations. Because of a family emergency, we had to cancel our summer vacation. This would have been our last summer family vacation because The Big One, now that he's an adult I can use his real name, (Wyatt) is going to college. So where could we go that has great weather in the offseason?
Traveling in the off-season is an easy way to save money on travel. But saving money doesn't mean being cheap. It means finding the value.
And that's exactly what you'll find in Gulf County Florida. The prime season in Gulf County is September through May which means you can save money on your flight, hotel, rental car, and activities. Like the in California, Gulf County Florida is a family-friendly value-added destination
Gulf County Florida is one of those wonderful hidden gems that will surprise you. Who knew that it is one of five US counties with two time zones. Or that Port St. Joe was once a mill town.
Easy Access to Water
Got water?
Not only that but there are 244 miles of coast and 43 miles of shoreline beaches like Cape San Blas, Indian Pass, St. Joe Beach, and WindMark Beach. This means you have easy access to different bodies of water:
- The Gulf of Mexico
- St. Joseph Bay
- Indian Pass Lagoon
- The Gulf County Canal
- Intracoastal Waterway
- Apalachicola Bay and river basin
- Dead Lakes
- Chipola River
Gulf County Florida beaches are family friendly
Nothing says a relaxing vacation more than a Florida beach vacation. You can even bring your four-legged kid. All Gulf County beaches are pet-friendly (except St. Joseph Peninsula State park).
Nature-Based Activities
What SUP?
With all that water, there are many nature-based activities:
- Hiking
- Biking
- Kayaking
- Snorkeling
- Diving
- Paddleboarding
- Fishing
- Boating
- Ecotouring
I want to go kayaking, snorkeling, and paddleboarding in Gulf County Florida. It'll be different than paddleboarding in Hawaii. For sure.
Read: How to stand up paddle board
That's a great thing about outdoor activities. They're never the same experience. Even in the same place. You might see barracudas, marlins, and other fish snorkeling one day and nothing the next day.
Explore nature in Gulf County Florida.
Gulf County Florida's ecotourism is a big draw for Wyatt because he's majoring in Environmental Management.
Ecotourism in Gulf County Florida? Check!
Gulf County Adventure Guide
Have and plan your adventure with the Gulf County Adventure Guide
Intrigued? Want to learn more about Gulf County Florida? Plan your trip using the Adventure Guide.
The Gulf County Adventure Guide is so easy to use. Everything you'd want to know about Gulf County Florida is at your fingertips. Accessible anytime, anywhere, 24/7.
Perfect for when you can't sleep (or are kept up by your little one). Instead of fighting insomnia, search the Gulf County Adventure Guide to see all the fun, exciting adventures you can have in Gulf County Florida.
Gulf County Concierge Program
Free travel planning via the Gulf County Concierge Program. Yes, please!.
If you don't have time, use the Gulf County Concierge Program and let a GCFL Concierge plan a trip for you. For free.
Normally I spend hours researching and creating a detailed itinerary spreadsheet. But lately, I don't have the time. I love planning our trips. That's the fun and exciting part, finding the deals, seeking out the secret spots, etc. It's a time-consuming task, but one that I'm happy to do.
Letting someone else do the planning and legwork is wonderful. It takes less than 2 minutes to submit a request and you'll have a detailed response within hours.
I requested information on hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, food, and music. Here's what our GCFL Concierge, Kelli, suggested:
Hi Debra,
We have some great hiking trails here! There are many with a beautiful backdrop out at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. The St. Joseph Bay Buffer Preserve also has some fantastic natural trails.
We have some great hiking trails here! There are many with a beautiful backdrop out at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. The St. Joseph Bay Buffer Preserve also has some fantastic natural trails.
We have beautiful waterways to kayak and paddle board in Gulf County. You can rent a kayak or go on a guided trip with Happy Ours out on St. Joseph Bay. You can also take a guided trip on the Dead Lakes with Off the Map Expeditions. Paddle boards are available from multiple outfitters as well, including Happy Ours.
St. Joseph Bay is the ideal spot to go snorkeling! You can wade out with your own gear or let the experts take you. Many of our charter captains will take you out or you can go on the Island Queen pontoon with Seahorse Water Safaris. They specialize in these trips and do a 'show and tell' at the end!
We have plenty of places to eat from Mexican, Italian, Southern Grub, and of course seafood. Whether you want a delicious one of a kind seafood dinner, oysters on the half-shell or po-boys it can all be found in Gulf County. Most of the restaurants have live music playing but if you're looking for a place to relax and watch the sun go down check out The Thirsty Goat or Haughty Heron.
If you are interested in learning more about these or Gulf County, please let me know or you can call the Welcome Center at (850) 229-7800 and ask for Kelli!
We've got a list of things to do, where to rent kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, restaurants to try, and helpful links. It only took a few minutes of my time and didn't cost a dime. How cool is that!
The GCFL concierges are similar to very good travel agents. The ones who take the time to create the perfect travel itinerary catering to your interests such as showing you all the things to do in Orlando besides theme parks. Because like Gulf Coast Florida, you can have great adventures in Orlando without going to Disneyworld or Universal Studios.
$50 Amex Gift Card Giveaway
Are you dreaming of an adventurous, relaxing beach vacation to Gulf County Florida? I know I am. Now that you've added Gulf County Florida to your bucket list, it's time for a little fun.
Enter our $50 Amex gift card giveaway.
Leave a comment telling me which of the adventures in the Adventure Guide would you/your family enjoy taking part in? And why? by 9 pm, Pacific Time on September 15, 2016.
One winner will be chosen at random on September 15, 2016. I'll announce the winner on or about September 24, 2016.
Conclusion
Looking for a value priced Florida vacation? Look to Gulf County Florida. With miles and miles of coastline, everywhere you go you're only 15 minutes from the water.
Gulf County Florida is family-friendly with a small town feel. The people are friendly and if you're not careful you'll end up making a friend or two.
Plus it's only one of a handful of US counties that are in two different time zones. Talk about time flying!
Didn't get to take a trip this year? No worries because Gulf County Florida's prime season is September through May. Which makes outdoor adventures like hiking, fishing, snorkeling, kayaking easy to do all year.
Plan your vacation using the Gulf County Adventure Guide. Or save time and use the Gulf Concierge Program have a GCFL Concierge take care of the details.
Remember to enter our $50 Amex gift card giveaway by telling me which of the adventures in the Adventure Guide would you/your family enjoy taking part in? And why?
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The Fine Print
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. 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. 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.
I love this part of Florida but haven't been in years. Thanks for bringing this to my attention!
I spent every Easter as a kid on the East coast of Florida, but we never did cool stuff like this, haha! I recently fell in love with kayaking and I would love to do it in Florida. This would be so much fun 🙂
I've never done Kayaking so with my family I would like to experience this adventure.
I've never done Kayaking so would like to experience the adventure on my next family trip.
i'd love to check out the eagles on st. joseph's bay
Looks like a great opportunty toto end up in a great place!
Florida has been in my mind for a long time!
I love horses and the beach so I would have to go with horseback riding on the beach!
We love destinations that lets you do a lot of activities without the hefty price tag. I'm sure my family will enjoy Florida.
I would love Adventure Off the Beaten Path. I've been to Florida a few times, but only on very well worn paths. I'm amazed at these pictures and descriptions, they sound like experiences we'd love to have, and so affordable!
I’ve never gone snorkeling before so that’s something that I definitely want to do along with the kayaking!
I've actually been curious to explore that part of Florida as I prefer outdoor adventures over nightlife and have been able to see other areas of the state. I've recently gotten into SUP and love it! The gulf coast looks like it would be amazing for that! 🙂
I love Florida vacations. I live in Florida and like to venture out to different cities. Sunshine, water and the beautiful scenery.
Horseback riding on the beach would be so fun. Probably more than $50 but that gift card would help.
Adventurous Florida. Relaxing on the beach and having sand between my toes.
Thanks for giving our state such wonderful props! You've made want to get out there and explore my backyard more!
Gulf County really is gorgeous! I love the pictures too! There's so many things to do, you can hardly get bored there which is why it's definitely a great vacation option!
We're big hikers, so we'd enjoy hiking on the Bayview Trail, or either of the hikes recommended by your concierge.
I'd love to do an eco adventure tour. So much to see and do on the Gulf Coast!
We are planing to head on Gulf Country Florida and I think that would be really fun and exciting.
I have always wanted to see the sea turtles. Plus, I am sure that there is a ton of other fun things that I would be interested in doing while in the Gulf County, FL. I want to move to that area.
We would enjoy hiking in St. Joseph Peninsula State Park because we like to hike.
We would absolutely love to take another trip to Florida. We visited two years ago and it didn't go well--we all had a nasty stomach flu and really didn't get to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
We love the Florida Gulf Coast but have never heard of Gulf County! We will definitely have to check it out on our next time through the area. Florida is such a busy place that it is awesome when you can find somewhere that has that small town feel.
It looks the perfect spot for anyone that loves the outdoors like we do. Somewhere you can hike, kayak and never be too far from the water is good for me.
Florida has been on my to-visit list for ages. I just haven't found the time to get there. These photos look great and very tempting. Looks like just the spot to unwind and enjoy the sun and surf.
I'm that kind of person that can't be to far away from water, so this sounds like a great travel destination. And with so many things to do. Thanks for all the tips.
This sounds like a great vacation down in Florida. If I were going there I would ues the GCFL Concierge plan. We would love to go hiking and snorkeling which none of us has very been snorkeling before in the ocean. Thanks for sharing the giveaway and the awesome information.
We would love the guided trip on the Dead Lakes because we are adventurous and like expeditions
I know there is tons of fun in the Gulf. I really want to snorkel, it looks so cool but I can't swim. Don't judge me. LOL! - Yolonda
This place is so gorgeous! Thanks for hosting a giveaway, love Amex!
I am big on hiking, so I'd love to explore all those hiking trails! I feel like I haven't done a lot of those lately, and it's my favorite pet-friendly activity when I travel. Though my dog is always better at it than I am 😀
So sorry to hear about your cancelled family holiday! I'm glad you got to rekindle the adventure in Florida. I travel there frequently to see my parents and North Florida is amazing, with so many things to do without the oppressive temperatures 🙂
Sign me up for the SUP. Not only is a great workout, but it's a fun way to be on the water.
Gulf County looks like the ideal place to spend some quality time with your family. So many wonderful activities. I would be interested in trying kayaking as I have never done it before.
I adore the Gulf Coast! Can't wait to visit again!
The horse back riding looks so fun.
Our fav activity here is Kayaking - we were lucky enough to spot manatees and dolphins on our last couple of kayaking trips!
This really looks like a great value for price vacation! So many options for people who love water. I can't swim so I am always picky for activities that are safe and with a knowledgeable guide. And I can relate to the feeling mentioned that sometimes (for me very often) you want to go to a place where there are not many people and it is off the beaten path.
the kayaking looks like so much fun!
This is my sweet pup's first time at the beach! We are trying to get her in the water. We love to SUP together and we are planning on going to one of the state parks to play!
Hiking and Snorkeling would be my speed..no stand up paddle board for me!!! I like the concierge service also!!
I've never been to Florida but of course wanted to. Snorkeling is our thing. Paddle boarding looks so fun and I want to try that.
These photos make me so jealous that I am home working and not enjoying a vacation. Florida looks like a blast, I can't wait to go back.
We're announcing the winner a little early.
Congratulations to Ann. Her name was drawn as the winner of the $50 Amex gift card.