A visit to Cape San Blas, the once unknown and secluded natural habitat to dozens of earth's most interesting creatures, is like going back in time. Although with the passage of time, change has certainly come, but the saying, "the more things change, the more they stay the same" certainly applies to this one-of-a-kind vacation hideaway. Locals and visitors alike embrace change but hold tight to the concept of preservation and protection of all things pristine and perfect about our Cape. To continue to enjoy the land's bountiful treasures much like the hunter-gatherers of our early ancestors, lovers of Cape San Blas are as overly protective of this natural wonder as any devoted parent. As you drive along the wooded and sparsely populated area of C-30 and make that sharp right turn onto Cape San Blas road, it is crystal clear why the Cape, as it is affectionately known, is so well protected and highly coveted.
If you have dreamed of the perfect vacation, once you have experienced a real "Cape San Blas" stay, your idea of the perfect beach, the perfect setting, the perfect vacation will never be the same. Visitors from all over the world come and fall in love with the sheer beauty of the Cape's natural surroundings. Where else can you wake up each morning with a freshly brewed cup of coffee and face the most spectacular sunrise to the east? Or as you wind down for the day while sitting on the deck with a chilled beverage of choice, can you catch the glory of the sun burnt rays of oranges, lavenders, and pinks as the sun gently settles down for the night on the Gulf of Mexico. Speaking of coffee and beverage, make sure you stock up on all your supplies before coming because once you get out on the Cape, you certainly won't want to waste a minute of your time returning to the "real" world.
This narrow stretch of land, shaped much like that boney, bent finger your grandmother often pointed your way, holds the proud distinction of splitting the mighty Gulf of Mexico from the placid, calm waters of St. Joseph Bay. The amazing little diamond in the rough narrowly separates two very different shorelines and waters and yet easily bridges these different environs, making it possible for visitors to quickly enjoy both with little effort. Whether you make the slight crossing by boat, foot, or wheels, you can pull in your morning catch and be eating it for supper while sitting around the bonfire that boiled it up just right that very same night. Although short in length and narrow in width, Cape San Blas provides a wealth of fun and exciting activities; an endless supply of the freshest of seafood; and the sounds, smells, and views of one of the world's most beautiful creations. So step back in time and enjoy with us a memorable vacation that you won't soon forget.
And while you are at it, leave all your cares and woes behind, and spend your day like so many hundreds before you. Discover for yourself why this beautiful beach was named #1 in 2002 by Dr. Beach himself. Spend your time wiling away the day hunting that perfectly formed pearly shell; or collecting that uniquely water-worn piece of drift wood; or dipping down and hauling up those bubbling bodies of deliciously sweet bay scallops; or chasing and successfully scooping up a snarling and pinching blue-shelled crab; or trying your luck at casting your net just so as to swoop up those feverishly twisting and turning bodies of the scrumptious made-for-frying gulf mullet. All of these fun filled adventures and much, much more are just getting you started at what lies ahead for the doing while visiting the Cape. So remember, if you are going to experience a true Old Florida style vacation along the Forgotten Gulf Coast, you better get busy and get up and get going. On the other hand, if relaxing is what you have in mind, set up the chair, the chest, and umbrella, and spend the perfect day being serenaded into a deep sleep by the orchestra of sounds played exclusively for you by the gulls and the waves and foliage around you.
Though nature supplies abundant activities, there are a myriad of complimentary offerings as well. Some of our Cape visitors already know much about the rich history of this little peninsula, while others leave amazed by all they have learned about our colorful past. If you are new to our area, try to squeeze in some time to investigate our early Native Americans and their remnants of middens of shells hidden away by the passing of time. Move on to the Spanish Explorers who permanently stamped their place in our history by inscribing the very names we hold dear. Check out the new "Sleeping Beauty" gift shop, and climb up to the very top of the newly refurbished Cape San Blas lighthouse now once again beaconing visitors to come, to come. If you're really lucky, you can catch a full moon and climb so high you can witness a 360° view of the most amazing, spectacular panorama of what is fast becoming the crown jewel of the gulf coast. And oh by the way, don't forget to step back in time with a visit to the old Confederate Salt Works which once used gulf waters provide much needed salt. Inhabitants down through the ages were much like people of today...they relied on the bountiful treasures nature freely supplied. Just as an oyster presents that perfect pearl to the fortunate one seeking its succulent, salt taste, you will find here in abundance all around you, those same free rewards if you simply reach out and take hold.
As you lay out your choice of activities each day, plan wisely for there is much to do for every member of the family. From young and old and all those in between, from furry four legged family to balding octogenarians, there is something just right for each and everyone. Everything revolves around the untouched, natural wonders of the waters and beaches of the St. Joseph Bay to the right and the Gulf of Mexico to the left. As you begin your 13 mile trip until you arrive at the tip of point, you are in for an environmental treat of a lifetime. If you don't have all the appropriate gear, don't worry. You'll find plenty of stops along the way to purchase or rent your necessities. You may even find a friendly neighbor who will gladly share. Our locals love to watch the look of sheer joy on the face of a child who catches his first fish or nabs his first crab. They also get a special thrill in educating our visitors about our endangered nesting turtles and the sad fate of the majority of hatchlings. I bet they gladly offer to bait and set a hook for an eager angler who is off in pursuit of that first "big one". They might even share the best time to set sail for some fantastic king fishing or the secret location of a favorite scallop filled, grassy flatbed. Whether you discover the secret wonders of our "Old Florida" way of life on your own or you blend into a party of deep sea fishermen, when you leave the Forgotten Coast, none of your magical Cape San Blas memories will ever truly be forgotten.
So pack up the kids, pen up the pets, buckle in the grans, and come on down. Unpack, suit up, and get busy. Wiggle your toes in the most sparkling quartz-white sand and splash face-first into our shimmering turquoise blue waters - your choice of course - the Gulf or the Bay. Launch your canoe, slip into your kayak, hoist your sails, or crank that Evinrude...just get out there and become one with nature. Leave your cell phones...they don't work too well anyway...forget about the city and take in the glorious, unspoiled beauty of our natural paradise.
There are so many things to do its hard to mention them all, but we don't want to miss out on several specialty items. For the true outdoorsmen, spend time in our world-famous St. Joseph State Park. You can bike it or hike it, you can boat or swim round it, but one thing's for sure, when you reach the end, there's nothing else like it. And for the experienced only, take a diving plunge to the deep ocean floor, and through lenses of goggles, check out the Empire Mica, that coy sunken siren who continues to call out to those brave enough to seek her.
There's so much to do, let's check off our list. Did we mention wind surfing, parasailing, and snorkeling; also bird watching, dog walking and beach driving? You must take home a digital file of all you explored. Did you click on and store images of dolphins or sharks and fish of all species? How about the crabs in blue or white, or fiddler and sand, or perhaps horseshoe; sunsets and sunrises and waves of all sizes; the flora and fauna and scallops and shells of all shapes; the birds and the deer and possibly a bear. The list goes on and on; you can't possibly complete it. You'll just have to come back and accomplish each task, before you can say you have seen all of San Blas. Just one more thing before you go, take a last leisurely stroll just to soak in the sights and gaze at a myriad of nature all around you. Remember though, the only "feet" that can touch those amazingly high dunes, are those of beach creatures and our fine feathered friends.