Port St. Joe
Port St. Joe, FL
Port St. Joe's own bayfront beaches are calmer and more local than the Gulf-front sand out on Cape San Blas, a small fishing town with a working shrimp fleet and a laid back main street a short walk from the water. It's the practical base for exploring the whole peninsula, from St. Joseph Peninsula State Park to Cape San Blas, without paying resort town prices.
The working town character and dog-friendly policy make it a practical, welcoming base for the area, though the beaches themselves are calmer and less scenic than the Gulf-front sand out on the peninsula.
How we score beachesLeashed dogs are welcome on Port St. Joe's beaches, a friendlier policy than the state park's restrictions out on the peninsula. Salinas Park is a good, easy dog-friendly stop if you want calm water without driving all the way out to the cape.
Parking is free and rarely fills except during events.
Beach accesses around town are short, flat walks from street parking. The bayfront character means calmer, shallower water than the Gulf side of the peninsula.
Leashed dogs are welcome on Port St. Joe's town beaches, including Salinas Park, a friendlier policy than the state park out on the peninsula.
Spring and fall bring the mildest weather for exploring the town and the water. Summer's heat and hurricane season, June through November, are the main things to plan around.
More Gulf Coast beaches
Siesta Key Beach
Siesta Key, FL · Gulf Coast
Fine quartz sand that stays cool underfoot even in summer, sloping gently into calm Gulf water, and consistently rated among the best family beaches in the country.
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater, FL · Gulf Coast
A lively Gulf-front strip with a fishing pier, a nightly sunset celebration at Pier 60, and calm, shallow water that makes it an easy family favorite.
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach, FL · Gulf Coast
Sugar-white sand within the Gulf Islands National Seashore, with dunes protected from development and water clear enough for snorkeling near the jetties.