Port St. Joe, Florida | History, Nature, and Coastal Living

Port St. Joe Florida

Port St. Joe, Florida is a laid-back coastal destination on Florida’s Forgotten Coast, offering travelers a perfect mix of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and small-town charm. This Port St. Joe travel guide highlights a community known for its quiet beaches, uncrowded shoreline, and welcoming atmosphere. Located along St. Joseph Bay and just minutes from Cape San Blas, Port St. Joe attracts visitors looking for an authentic Gulf Coast vacation without the crowds found in larger Florida beach towns.

Surrounded by white-sand beaches, calm bay waters, and protected natural areas, Port St. Joe is ideal for outdoor recreation year-round. Popular activities include kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, scalloping, fishing, and wildlife watching in and around St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. The area is also known for excellent inshore and offshore fishing, fresh local seafood, and access to nearby destinations like Indian Pass and Apalachicola. Whether you’re planning a family beach trip, fishing getaway, or relaxing coastal escape, Port St. Joe offers a peaceful and memorable Florida vacation experience. 

Beyond the water, Port St. Joe offers a walkable downtown with local shops, art galleries, restaurants, and historical sites that reflect the town’s coastal roots. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood, casual waterfront dining, and community events that showcase the area’s culture and creativity. As part of Florida’s Forgotten Coast, Port St. Joe delivers a peaceful, authentic beach vacation experience that invites travelers to slow down, explore nature, and return year after year.

Places to Stay

Port St. Joe Vacation Rentals

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Things To Do 

Explore “The Beaches”

“The Beaches” is the area known by locals that include St. Joe Beach and Windmark Beach. This area is just a 10-minute drive from Port St. Joe, and is an excellent getaway for those who want to lie down on the sugary white sand and swim in the blue water of the Gulf. 

Since St. Joe Beach and Windmark Beach are pet-friendly beach areas, have no fear of bringing your furry friends here. There are also biking and walking trails if you want to explore the shoreline and get some exercise. Relaxing on the beach and getting warmed by a bonfire is a romantic way to spend your night in Port St. Joe. Bring the gang or your family and sit around a bonfire and roast some marshmallows!

You can start the bonfire party just before sundown, so you have enough time to watch the spectacular sunset. Then, watch the majestic sunset and eat out at a local restaurant nearby. Indulge yourself in a delicious chowder, grilled fish, and a refreshing tropical drink. 

St Joe Beach

St. Joe Beach is a peaceful, pet-friendly coastal community located in Gulf County on Florida’s Panhandle, nestled between Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe. Known for its calm, shallow waters and soft white-sand beaches, the area offers a relaxed setting perfect for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and unwinding by the Gulf. With west-facing shorelines, St. Joe Beach is especially loved for its colorful sunset views that light up the evening sky.

A favorite getaway for locals and visitors alike, St. Joe Beach maintains a quiet, uncrowded atmosphere while still offering easy access to outdoor recreation. Several nearby boat ramps make it a popular destination for anglers, and many beach areas are pet friendly, allowing visitors to enjoy the shoreline with their four-legged companions. The community’s laid-back vibe makes it ideal for travelers looking to slow down and enjoy the natural beauty of the coast.

St. Joe Beach is just minutes from Port St. Joe, where visitors can explore local restaurants, seafood markets, and boutique shopping. For those interested in nature and wildlife, nearby Cape San Blas and St. Joseph Peninsula State Park provide kayaking and paddleboarding launch points, scenic trails, and opportunities to spot wildlife, including bald eagles. Together, these nearby attractions make St. Joe Beach a convenient and tranquil base for exploring Florida’s Forgotten Coast.

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

The beaches at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park near Port St. Joe, Florida are known for their pristine beauty, natural setting, and uncrowded shoreline. Stretching for miles along both the Gulf of Mexico and St. Joseph Bay, the park offers some of the most untouched beaches on Florida’s Forgotten Coast. Soft, sugar-white sand, clear emerald waters, and rolling dunes create a peaceful environment that feels far removed from busy commercial beach destinations.

On the Gulf side of the park, visitors will find wide-open beaches ideal for swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, and watching dolphins offshore. These beaches are especially popular for their natural scenery and dramatic sunsets, with minimal development allowing the coastline to remain wild and scenic. Shelling is common after storms, and the open shoreline provides plenty of space to spread out and relax.The bay side beaches offer a completely different but equally appealing experience. Calm, shallow waters make this area perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and family-friendly swimming. Seagrass beds support marine life such as fish, scallops, and rays, and birdwatchers often spot shorebirds along the shoreline.

Whether you prefer the open Gulf or the quiet bay, the beaches of St. Joseph Peninsula State Park provide a serene and authentic coastal experience that highlights the natural beauty of Port St. Joe and the surrounding Forgotten Coast.

Windmark Beach

The resort-style Windmark Beach community sits along the shores of scenic St. Joseph Bay and is thoughtfully designed to promote an active, healthy lifestyle. Residents and guests can take advantage of nature trails, boardwalks, and cart paths that invite walking, biking, and time outdoors, as well as a modern fitness center for year-round exercise. Homes are elevated to capture refreshing bay breezes and enhance the coastal living experience.

Windmark Beach also offers a variety of shared amenities, including a community swimming pool, Village Green, and an amphitheater that hosts gatherings and events. Easy beach walkover access leads to four miles of unspoiled St. Joseph Bay shoreline, providing plenty of space for relaxing, exploring, and enjoying the natural beauty of the coast.

Kayak or Paddleboard

It sure is a pleasurable activity to kayak or paddleboard out into the bay and take in the spectacular views. There are safe areas with shallow and clear waters in Port St. Joe to do this stuff. You can even bring your kids on a kayaking and paddleboarding adventure with less worry. 

Book a company in Port St. Joe for your kayaking and paddleboarding tour. You’ll be provided with a tour guide who will ensure your safety and tell you about the history of the town. After exploring the water, perhaps there’s energy and time left to go on a biking trip along the coast. 

Kayak Fishing Port St. Joe provides a guided fishing tour for people who want to catch fish in the town. The tour will be personalized for anglers of all skill levels, with the help of a professional guide who knows the place well. Once you book Kayak Fishing Port St. Joe, a fishing license is already on the package. You can catch flounder, red drum, tarpon, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, cobia, and crevalle jack on your fishing trip. 

Boating Adventure

A boating adventure is an excellent way to explore the bay in Port St. Joe. The best time to have a fun charter is during the summer season, when you can find many kinds of marine creatures on the trip. Chances are you can meet a pod of adorable dolphins along the way. 

There are secluded picnic spots in Port St. Joe that are accessible only by boat. You can arrange the charter company to take you to these picnic areas. You can also jump off the boat to snorkel or catch some scallops. 

Historic Downtown Port St. Joe

Historic downtown Port St. Joe offers a charming blend of small-town character, coastal heritage, and walkable streets that invite visitors to slow down and explore. Once the heart of a working paper mill town, downtown has evolved into a welcoming district filled with locally owned shops, restaurants, and gathering spaces. The area’s historic roots are still visible in its layout and architecture, reflecting Port St. Joe’s role as Florida’s original Constitution City and an important hub along the Gulf Coast.

Today, downtown Port St. Joe is a popular spot for dining, shopping, and community events. Visitors can browse antique stores, art galleries, and specialty boutiques, then enjoy fresh seafood or casual coastal cuisine at nearby restaurants. The downtown area frequently hosts festivals, live music, and seasonal events that bring locals and visitors together, adding to its friendly and inviting atmosphere.

Just a short walk away, the Port St. Joe Marina and waterfront provide scenic views of St. Joseph Bay and access to boating, fishing, and bayfront strolls. Whether you’re visiting for a day or staying longer, historic downtown Port St. Joe offers a relaxed way to experience the town’s culture, history, and coastal lifestyle in one convenient, easy-to-explore setting.

Constitution Convention Museum State Park

Port St. Joe, Florida, is known as the "Constitution City" because it hosted the convention where 56 delegates drafted Florida's first state constitution in 1838. This historic event, which paved the way for statehood, is commemorated at the Constitution Convention Museum State Park, featuring a replicated convention hall and exhibits on the town's history. 

Visitors can explore the museum on a self-guided tour that features artifacts recovered from the original settlement of St. Joseph, offering a glimpse into life during the early 19th century. A recreated convention hall brings history to life with life-size, audio-animated figures representing key delegates such as Robert Raymond Reid, William P. Duval, David Y. Levy, and Thomas L. Baltzell. These interactive exhibits recreate the debates and decision-making process behind Florida’s first constitution, providing an engaging and educational experience for visitors of all ages.

Visit the Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center

The Gulf County is a nestling place for sea turtles from May through October. The Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center helps protect these marine creatures and increase their numbers. 

When you’re in Port St. Joe, drop by the center to learn about sea turtles and how you can help in the preservation of their species. Join in volunteer activities to promote the stewardship of their marine and coastal habitats. 

Cape San Blas Lighthouse

The Cape San Blas Lighthouse is one of the most recognizable historic landmarks along Florida’s Forgotten Coast. Originally built in 1847 to guide ships through the shallow waters and dangerous shoals of the Gulf of Mexico, the lighthouse played an important role in maritime navigation for decades. Over the years, the structure was rebuilt and relocated multiple times due to storm damage and shoreline erosion. Today, the restored lighthouse stands near Port St. Joe as a symbol of the area’s rich coastal history and resilience.

Visitors to the Cape San Blas Lighthouse can climb the interior spiral staircase to the top for sweeping views of St. Joseph Bay, Cape San Blas, and the surrounding coastline. Interpretive displays share the story of the lighthouse keepers, early navigation, and the challenges faced along this stretch of coast. The lighthouse grounds also offer a pleasant stop for photos and a deeper appreciation of the maritime heritage that helped shape the Cape San Blas and Port St. Joe area.

Places to Eat

Port St. Joe, Florida offers a relaxed and flavorful dining scene that reflects the town’s coastal roots and small-town charm. Restaurants here focus heavily on fresh Gulf seafood, locally inspired dishes, and casual waterfront dining. From oyster bars and raw bars overlooking St. Joseph Bay to laid-back cafés and family-friendly grills, eating in Port St. Joe feels unhurried and authentic, making it easy to enjoy a great meal without the crowds found in larger beach destinations.

In addition to seafood favorites, Port St. Joe features a variety of dining options that include Southern comfort food, wood-fired pizza, Italian cuisine, and breakfast and brunch spots popular with both locals and visitors. Many restaurants emphasize fresh ingredients, generous portions, and friendly service, creating a welcoming atmosphere that fits the town’s easygoing coastal lifestyle. Whether you’re grabbing lunch after a beach day or settling in for a sunset dinner by the bay, Port St. Joe offers plenty of satisfying choices for every taste.

These spots showcase Port St. Joe’s fresh seafood, local flavors, and relaxed coastal dining scene, from casual cafes and pizza joints to waterfront restaurants and oyster bars.

Hunt's Oyster Bar

Local oyster bar, Hunt's serves fresh seafood served with bay views.

Shipwreck Raw Bar

Classic seafood spot with fresh Gulf catches and waterfront views. 

Uptown Raw Bar & Grill

Popular seafood restaurant with steamed, grilled, and raw options in a laid-back setting. 

Indian Pass Raw Bar

Iconic seafood destination near Port St. Joe known for oysters, shrimp, crab, and casual outdoor dining. 

The White Marlin and Oysterette

Upscale dining with fresh seafood, steak, and scenic views of St. Joseph Bay. 

Joe Mama's Wood Fired Kitchen

Highly-rated spot for wood-fired pizzas and classic comfort food.

Sisters’ Bistro

Cozy breakfast and brunch cafe with casual fare.

T.I.G.F (This Is Garden Food)

Fresh, garden-inspired meals and casual dining.

Richey's Roadhouse Grill

Highly-rated local favorite for hearty grills and comfort food.

Sand Dollar Cafe

Southern comfort breakfast, brunch, and lunch with locally sourced ingredients. 

Provisions

Casual American restaurant with diverse menu, cocktails, and outdoor seating.

Pomodoro Italian Grill and Bar

Italian dining with pasta, grills, and relaxed atmosphere. 

The Flying Harpoon

Bar with seafood, po’boys, and casual eats. 

History of Port St Joe

Port St Joe is located in Gulf County, within the panhandle of Florida along the Emerald Coast. Designated as the County Seat in 1965, it is the small town center for local area beaches such as Cape San Blas, St Joe Beach, Mexico Beach and Indian Pass. Located between Panama City and Apalachicola, the charming coastal city of Port St. Joe is a great place for exploring not only some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in Florida but also the history of Old St. Joseph. Setting on the shores of St. Joseph Bay, the old city of St. Joseph was for a time the largest in all of Florida. During the 1840s, the town of St Joseph disappeared almost without a trace exactly on the site of where Port St. Joe now stands.

Although there is much folk lore about its disappearance, the city was all but destroyed by a yellow fever epidemic and did suffer during a great hurricane. In the end, it was really the economic power of nearby Apalachicola that finally destroyed what remained of the old city. The two had been bitter rivals, but due to its location at the mouth of the river for which it was named, Apalachicola prevailed. Port St. Joe has revitalized itself from a fading industrial town to one of the newest and best planned vacation and residential areas on the Florida Gulf Coast.

Takeaway

As part of the area called the Forgotten Coast, there is much to see and experience for Nature-lovers in Port St. Joe. The pristine and quiet beach areas make this town an ultimate vacation destination. Visitors to Port St. Joe will enjoy water activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling. Several charter companies in this town offer access to the top inshore and offshore fishing in Gulf County. Plus, you can explore the food scene and the historical sites in Port St. Joe.

Map of Port St Joe Florida

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