All about the Inlet Beach, Florida

How far is Inlet Beach from PCB?
- 13.92 miles between Inlet Beach and Panama City Beach are in the southeast direction. You can also travel 15 miles (24.14 km) by car following the US-98 route. If you drive non-stop, Inlet Beach and Panama City Beach will be 21 minutes apart.

Looking for a place to relax and soak up some sun on your Florida vacation? Check out Inlet Beach, located just a few minutes away from Panama City Beach.

This lovely beach town is known for its peaceful atmosphere and stunning views.

So grab your sunscreen and book a stay at one of Inlet Beach’s many charming resorts! You won’t regret it.

For beach lovers, Inlet Beach is the perfect destination!

Nestled between Rosemary Beach and Carillon Beach, this charming little town offers the largest public beach access in South Walton.

It’s a quiet residential area, but you can easily walk to nearby Rosemary Beach and Panama City Beach. This charming coastal community offers great shopping, dining, and entertainment at Twin Palms.

Are you interested to know the interesting facts about inlet beach Florida?

Great! I am going to talk about it in detail. So read this inlet beach guide till the end to get a deep insight.

Is Inlet Beach FL Nice?

Inlet Beach, Florida is a small, quaint beach village that lies in South Walton County. It has pristine white beaches, a National Register-listed state park, and incredible Gulf views. The town is also a great place to relax and unwind.

The town is bordered by a thirteen-acre stretch of protected dunes.

The homes here are reminiscent of traditional Florida cottages and many are built on stilts.

The area was once known as Soldiers Beach and got its name from World War II veterans who bought land through the government homestead program.

The dunes are incredibly high and often soar high into the sky. Locals often take long strolls over the dunes and enjoy the natural beauty.

Inlet Beach Florida High Sand Dunes — Photo Credit: Author Famartin

The town is also home to several parks. For instance, you can visit Rick Stelzer Park, a public beach area with natural dunes.

This area feels like a secluded beach but is still close to shops and restaurants. It also offers picnic areas, restrooms, and park benches.

If you’re in the mood for some shopping, Inlet Beach has a vibrant 30 Avenue shopping plaza. Here you can find boutique shops and other treasures.

There are also a variety of restaurants and cafés offering delectable cuisine from around the world.

You can even find a coffee shop or beauty lounge here.

The area is located in the state of Florida. It was originally part of Walton County. It was once mistaken for Destin.

In addition, Scenic 30A was not officially designated as a scenic route. The other coastal villages were Santa Rosa Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, and Watercolor. These towns are now well-planned and family-friendly.

The South Walton area includes sixteen coastal towns. These are connected by Highway 98 and Country Road 30a.

Each town has its own character and offers a variety of amenities.

For example, some of the beach rentals offer a secluded beach and have a handicap-accessible ramp.

These amenities make the area popular for families with children and couples of all ages. Bachelorette parties are extremely popular here.

Inlet Beach was once a vacation retreat for employees of a textile company.

It was operated from 1945 to 1987, and after the company closed, the area was ceded to the Florida State Parks Department.

The town’s beaches are beautiful and have a diverse landscape. The history of the town and its inhabitants goes back for centuries.

Is Inlet Beach a Private Beach?

No, inlet beach is not a private beach; it provides the best beach access to Walton County public beaches. There is one Lake Powell access point in Inlet Beach and five public access points in Mexico.

At the end of South Orange Street, you can find the access point to the largest public beach.

Exclusively, this beautiful beach offers regional access, including seasonal lifeguards, clean rooms, beach flag conditions, ADA accessible, and 2a, 2b, and 2c provide generous parking. Inlet beach is one of the famous places in South Walton (Florida) to host a bonfire party.

The name Inlet Beach comes from Phillips Inlet, a rare coastal dune, which protects the shoreline from high tides and surfers.

The surrounding 13 acres of protected land are an outdoor lover’s playground.

So you can visit there and spend quality time with your loved ones.

Is Inlet Beach the same as Rosemary Beach?

Both spots are closer to each other. The distance is about 0.65 miles from Inlet Beach to Rosemary and one mile by car from Walton Rose Lane route.

Thus, inlet and rosemary beach are just 2 minutes away, on a non-stop drive. It is the fastest direction between both Florida’s beautiful beaches. Moreover, they are in the same time zone (CDT).

Inlet beach is sugar-soft and a great place to swim.

It’s also close to the 800-acre Powell Lake, which is perfect for paddle-boarding and kayaking. You can also go fishing or bird watching along the lake.

You’ll find both saltwater and freshwater species in this lake.

Rosemary Beach is a popular family-friendly town with many activities. The town offers fine dining, upscale boutiques, and a Sunday farmer’s market.

There’s also a beautiful beachfront park, where you can relax and enjoy the scenery.

Rosemary Beach is the perfect place to relax and unwind.

The Rosemary Beach Farmers Market offers fresh, local produce and food. You can also take your picnic to Camp Helen State Park, a large coastal lake.

You can also visit the local art gallery Blue Giraffe to admire local artwork and browse a bookstore.

This beachfront house offers an abundance of amenities, including a fully-equipped kitchen, an outdoor table, and a gas grill.

You can even watch the sunsets from the balcony!

This rental is a wonderful place for families to relax with each other and explore the area.

Both Rosemary Beach and Inlet Beach have their unique characteristics.

Rosemary Beach is more upscale and has a slower pace. The boardwalk and community pools are beautiful, and there are a number of parks along the shoreline.

The town is around thirty minutes from Panama City, so it’s perfect for relaxing with the family. There are a number of quality resorts here.

Is Inlet Beach the same as Rose-Mary Beach?
Are they in the same time zone?

If so, where’s the best way to get there?

Rose-Mary is only a couple of minutes away from Inlet Beach, so you can easily reach it by car.

It’s also a great choice if you’re visiting the area during spring break.

Is Inlet Beach, Florida crowded?

Undoubtfully, Inlet beach is a beautiful place. But recently, the beach has been very crowded and too much crowded. So if you decide to go a little further down the beach, you can rent a place in Inlet Beach, on the way to Orient Beach, or any other place. It’s amazing.

Moreover, to get out of a crowded place, you need to reside in a peaceful location.

Because residing in a crowded place for a long time is not good for your health.

On common days, these places are not crowded. Inlet Beach provides an old Florida setting close to the 30a and rosemary beach.

There is also a lovely place for kids, which is referred to as Park Place.

Does Inlet Beach have clear water?

When it comes to water quality, the Gulf Coast beaches are considered safe.

However, there are a few things that should be taken into consideration. If you’re a swimmer, clear water can be a big factor in the enjoyment of your day.

It is especially important to remember to watch out for sand traps during high tide.

Water clarity depends on several factors, including wave action, wind, and rain runoff. Florida is known for its crystal clear waters and emerald hue.

The time of year also matters. Spring and fall tend to have clearer water than the other seasons. During these seasons, the winds are less intense and the sea is smooth.

Clear water is more likely to be available on the Gulf Coast than on the west coast of Florida.

For example, beaches in South Walton, from Destin, FL to Panama City, FL, are known for their clearest water.

However, they aren’t always emerald, and sometimes there’s a strong storm that stirs up murky depths. However, when the storms pass, the clear water will return.

The most exciting things to do at Inlet Beach

Inlet Beach is the best place for rest and relaxation. But you can do a lot of the most amazing things to make your trip more memorable.

Inlet beach is located in the state park in Bay County, Florida. It is the easternmost beach in South Walton County and is named after Phillips Inlet.

The beach offers various activities for visitors of all ages.

You can enjoy a relaxing swim or go on a family trip with the kids.

Shipwreck Island Waterpark

While you’re visiting Inlet beach, don’t forget to head to the Shipwreck Island Waterpark. This aquatic oasis is a family favorite, offering exciting water slides and a lazy river.

It also has kiddie pools and a toddler area. You can purchase a day pass or a season pass for the entire park.

The Shipwreck Island Waterpark is an aquatic playground with a tropical theme. The twenty-acre park features a variety of rides, including a rapid drop slide and enclosed twisting tubes.

Guests three and younger get free admission, while older guests pay half price for admission.

Stand-up Paddle Boarding

If you’re looking for a fun activity on the beach, stand-up paddle boarding at Inlet beach is a great option.

You can easily rent a paddle board and start paddling in no time. Not only is it a great way to get exercise, but you’ll also get to see some incredible sights.

Besides stand-up paddle boarding, the region is also home to other fun activities, like kayaking and Atlantic Ocean cruises.

You’ll also find a variety of wildlife to view.

Paddle boards can vary in size, from nine to twelve feet. They’re similar to surfboards, but with a wider body and one to three fins. Paddle boards are also paddled by dipping a paddle into the water from a standing position.

The resulting waves allow you to explore miles of water on the Outer Banks.

While paddle boarding at Inlet beach, you may want to check out “New Inlet” south of Bonner Bridge.

Located near a small public parking area, this site is bordered by the abandoned original bridge skirting the Pamlico Sound. Originally, this area served as the main inlet between Hatteras and Bodie Islands. However, it was cut through during a storm in 1922 and now borders Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Fishing

The jetties of Sebastian Inlet are lined with high-powered sportfishing boats, providing an easy, comfortable ride out to sea. These boats come equipped with onboard amenities and high-quality fishing gear.

They also have local knowledge of local fishing waters. You can also fish from shore on foot.

The waters surrounding the inlet are shallow and offer many types of fish, including:

Cobia

Snapper
Grouper
False Albacore

and Shark species

As you head south, you’ll find a more diverse lineup of fish. Striped bass, cobia, king mackerel, and fluke are all common catches in this area.

As the tide moves south, fish tend to concentrate on certain points of structure to ambush baitfish. A combination of structure and baits can make for explosive fishing.

While the surf is still tough, big tarpon and redfish are likely to be lurking outside the inlet.

As long as water temperatures remain stable, this is one of the best times to fish for these fish.

Once the water temperature drops, larger schools of pompano will begin to congregate in these areas.

Anglers should wear protective gear while fishing, particularly while using fishing sticks. Using heavy sticks or big baits can be dangerous.

Be mindful of other boaters and rogue waves when dropping bait.

Also, be sure to keep your drifts short and keep your footing while casting.

Camp Helen State Park

You can take advantage of Florida’s beautiful weather and see the Emerald Coast by visiting Camp Helen State Park. It has a secluded beach spot where you arrive after a short hike.

But, the more interesting thing, is there is also a center for visitors where the friendly staff is present to provide you with more information about the state park’s local ecosystem, history, and much more.

You can find some crabs and brads by walking on the beach or collecting seashells.

The beach is generally less busy than other nearby beaches, making it walkable through the sand. It is best to spend one or two hours away from crowded attractions.

Nightlife and attractions

At night, numerous visitors go to the near Panama City Beach or Rosary Beach for shopping, attractions, and restaurants.

And this is more exciting than all of South Walton County’s beaches are a short distance apart, which eventually makes everything easier, especially when you book your apartment or room.

It looks like you have nothing to do except carry your bathing suit.

Visit St. Andrews, State Park

Just three miles away from Panama City Beach, this State Park is a destination that prominent some of the amazing features offered in the area.

With more than 1,200 acres of secluded land, one point at St. Andrews State Park assures to be as inspiring as it is impressive.

Tourists from far and wide travel here to soak up the sun and admire the incredible sandbanks that dot the area.

Bird lovers will find the park is home to a range of migratory and incredible local birds that can be spotted all over the year.

30th avenue

30th avenue is famous for shopping. There are many charming boutiques and delightful beach shops to vacate in the 30A area; however, the avenue has to obtain a Gold Star for amazing restaurants, great shopping, and much more.

For instance, If you ‘have food cravings, they have a market for everything from pizza, burgers, and ice cream to seafood, great food, and coffee as well.

You can stop at the sparkling seas for some beautiful beach chic home decor or one of the many retail centers on 30th Avenue.

Visit Ripley’s Believe it or not

When you’re ready for some inner fun or if the outdoor weather is rainy, this place can prevent you from spoiling your day, and then you can go to believe it or not! It is located at 9907 Front Beach Road.

Inside the interesting place, you will find a family fun-stop full of weird things that make you inquire about the laws of physics.

From hand-to-hand shows to those who are able to retreat and reflect, this museum is one that will entertain adults and children alike! As a supplementary bonus.