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Port St. Joe, Florida · Family Activities

Port St. Joe With Kids: Turtles, Lighthouses and Paddleboards

Port St. Joe is one of Florida's best-kept secrets, a slow-paced, nature-rich coastal gem perfect for families. From sea turtle encounters and lighthouse climbs to kayaking, scalloping, and pristine state parks, the Forgotten Coast delivers big adventures without the big crowds.

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Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center, Port St. Joe, FL1

Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center

1001 10th St, Port St. Joe, FL 32456, Open Sun-Thu · 11:30 AM, 4:30 PM · Free Admission

One of Port St. Joe's most magical stops, the Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center lets your family get up close with live sea turtles being rehabilitated right here on the Gulf Coast. Run by the Florida Coastal Conservancy, the center is dedicated to rescuing and releasing injured loggerhead, green, and Kemp's ridley sea turtles, and you get a front-row seat to the whole process. Kids are absolutely captivated, and the staff are passionate educators who make every visit feel personal. Best of all, admission is free (donations welcome), making it one of the most memorable and affordable family experiences on the entire Forgotten Coast.

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Pristine white sand beach at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Port St. Joe FL2

T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

8899 Cape San Blas Rd, Port St. Joe, FL 32456 (850) 227-1327

Consistently ranked one of Florida's most beautiful state parks, SJPSP stretches across 2,516 pristine acres at the tip of Cape San Blas, miles of powder-white beach, crystal-clear bay water, and zero crowds. Swim, snorkel, fish, hike the nature trails, and from July through September, the whole family can wade into the shallow seagrass flats to hand-pick bay scallops right off the bottom. Overnight in waterfront camping sites or cozy bay-view cabins for the full, unforgettable Forgotten Coast experience.

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Where You'll Sleep

Make Ellie's Crab Shack Home Base

White sand three minutes from the front door, sunsets off the deck, and the dog gets a vacation too.

Halloween Week and Thanksgiving, Sorted

Happening Near Port St. Joe Right Now

From Oct 15October 15 to 18

Blast on the Bay Songwriters Festival

Port St. Joe and Indian Pass · About 20 minutes from Ellie's Crab Shack · Adults, kids welcome by day

Forty-plus Nashville songwriters playing their own hits, unplugged, in bars and on porches around town. The Sunday finale at the Indian Pass Raw Bar is a Forgotten Coast rite of passage.

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From Nov 6November 6 and 7

Florida Seafood Festival

Battery Park, Apalachicola · About 40 minutes from Ellie's Crab Shack, worth the drive · All ages

Florida's oldest maritime festival, now in its 63rd year, with oyster shucking contests, blue crab races, a parade and the Blessing of the Fleet. Apalachicola oysters are back this year.

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From Nov 20Late November to mid December, free (the center posts exact dates each year)

Forgotten Coast Festival of Trees

The Joe Center for the Arts, Port St. Joe · About 20 minutes from Ellie's Crab Shack · All ages

Local businesses decorate dozens of trees and the town votes for a favorite, with story time, crafts and Mr. and Mrs. Claus on the schedule. A sweet hour in town between beach days.

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See everything on around Port St. Joe this season

Cape San Blas Lighthouse at George Core Park, Port St. Joe, FL3

George Core Park & Cape San Blas Lighthouse

150 Captain Fred's Pl, Port St. Joe, FL 32456

Downtown Port St. Joe's beautiful bayfront park is anchored by the historic Cape San Blas Lighthouse, and yes, you can climb all 131 steps for sweeping views of St. Joseph Bay that will stop the whole family in their tracks. The park's calm, ultra-shallow bay waters stretch hundreds of feet from shore, making it one of the most unique spots on the Gulf for kids to wade, splash, and hunt for shells with no boat required. Stroll the Bay Walk trail, rent a kayak right from the beach, and explore the lighthouse keeper's quarters, free parking, open space, and that iconic lighthouse make this the beating heart of Port St. Joe.

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Kayaking on the crystal-clear waters off Cape San Blas, Port St. Joe, FL4

Barefoot Kayak & Paddle Board Rentals

Cape San Blas, FL 32456

The waters off Cape San Blas are some of the clearest and calmest in all of Florida, and Barefoot Kayak makes it effortless for any family to get out on them. Rent a kayak, paddleboard, or canoe and glide over the seagrass beds of St. Joseph Bay, where rays, sea turtles, and dolphins often swim just beneath the surface. No experience needed, and their convenient beach delivery means you spend more time exploring the water and less time hauling gear, a perfect Forgotten Coast afternoon for all ages.

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Fishing and scalloping charter on St. Joseph Bay, Port St. Joe, FL5

Shallow Seas Charters

129 Hunter Cir, Port Saint Joe, FL 32456 (850) 247-0799

From June through September, St. Joseph Bay hosts one of the most uniquely Floridian family experiences on the Gulf, scallop season. Shallow Seas Charters runs guided scalloping trips where your crew wades into crystal-clear seagrass flats, snorkels around, and hand-picks bay scallops right off the bottom, part treasure hunt, part snorkeling adventure, and part fresh seafood dinner. Outside of scallop season, Captain Bobby runs inshore fishing trips for trout, redfish, and flounder, with local knowledge and family-first energy that makes every trip feel personal.

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Want the full write-up with more photos? Read it on visitportstjoeflorida.com.

More Port St. Joe Guides

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Cape San Blas white sand beach with emerald Gulf waters, Port St. Joe Florida Beaches Cape San Blas Beaches: Where to Put the Chairs Down Cape San Blas · St. Joseph Peninsula State Park · Port St. Joe Beach and more The White Marlin and Oysterette in Port St. Joe, FL Restaurants Where to Eat in Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas The White Marlin and Oysterette · Krazyfish Grille · Joe Mama's Wood Fired Kitchen and more Scalloping in St. Joseph Bay with Bayou Boat Rentals On the Water Boats, Scallops and Kayaks on St. Joseph Bay Bayou Boat Rentals · AquaBear Adventures · Lady J Charters and more

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