If you’re looking for a breathtaking vacation destination, look no further than Alligator Point, Florida. This stunning area offers white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and plenty of opportunities to spot alligators in their natural habitat.
Plus, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy, from fishing and kayaking to exploring the local shops and restaurants.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or an action-packed adventure, Alligator Point is the perfect place to vacation.
Alligator Point, FL is a pristine beachfront paradise located in Franklin County’s easternmost corner. This rustic beach town, which is sparsely populated, spans eight miles of unsplit shoreline along a short beach peninsula.
It’s like a relic from the golden age of Florida’s shore. Alligator Point is home to some of Florida’s most beautiful beaches, as well as world-class fishing and wildlife viewing.
1. Things to do in Alligator Point, Florida
Locals refer to this coastal village as simply “The Point” since it is located between the Gulf of Mexico and Alligator Harbor, a clam-harvesting estuary.
This beautiful coastal community is ideal for beachgoers looking for peace and quiet.
Relaxation, contemplation, and superb stargazing are all possible due to the lack of noise and harsh lights. There are lots of things to do in Alligator Point, even if it is a peaceful hideaway.
Alligator Point offers a wide range of activities for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, from biking, hiking, and canoeing to birdwatching, kayaking, and swimming.
⦁ Calming Vacation Rentals
On both the gulf and bay sides of the peninsula, Alligator Point offers a variety of vacation rental possibilities. From coastal vacation homes to modest cottages, there is something for everyone. Pets are welcome in many of the vacation rentals in Alligator Point.
⦁ Terrific fishing
Alligator Point is well-known for its inshore and offshore fishing. Alligator Harbor Aquatic Preserve, the community’s protected bay, is 14,366 acres in size. This vast water sanctuary is a nursery for a variety of game fish, including grouper, snapper, cobia, tarpon, and redfish. In addition to fishing excursions, Alligator Point has a full-service marina.
On the bayside, there are two boat ramps and various public access places along the beach. At Alligator Point, you may cast a rod from the beach, a kayak, or a boat and be sure to hook into something.
Alligator Point is filled with wildlife from beginning to finish, including sea oat-covered sand dunes, pristine marsh habitats, freshwater rivers, and dense pine woods.
Bald Point State Park, a 5,000-acre protected wildlife refuge, is on one side of the Point. This thriving park is well-known throughout the country as a bi-annual stopover for migrating birds and butterflies.
The Park is home to a variety of full-time animal residents throughout the year, including black bears, white-tailed deer, coyotes, bobcats, and a variety of regional birds.
Picnic pavilions, bathrooms, and a fishing dock are available at Bald Point State Park. Beaches, bicycling, birding, canoeing, fishing, hiking, kayaking, swimming, and, of course, observing the numerous wildlife are all available to park visitors.
St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, Florida’s oldest, was founded in 1931 to provide a wintering home for migrating birds.
If you want to enjoy uncrowded beaches, fabulous fishing, and wildlife viewing, Alligator Point Florida is the place for you.
2. Alligator Point Beaches:
This sliver of a beach peninsula offers eight miles of tranquil beaches and world-class fishing. On Alligator Point, Florida, there are two main beaches, various public access sites along the beach, and two boat ramps on the bayside.
⦁ Alligator Point Beach
This beach is located on Franklin County’s far eastern edge. Take Alligator Point Road off of US Highway 98 and follow it around to the right. This is a vast stretch of white sand beach that many residents would prefer to remain undiscovered.
But it’s just too lovely to be buried. Spring, summer, and fall bring Trout, Redfish, Pompano, and even Tarpon runs to this beach, which is well-known in the area.
There are no public facilities, and access to the public is confined to a few sites with limited parking. Alligator Point Beach is a great place to visit if you want a lengthy beach with soft sand and beautiful scenery.
⦁ Bald Point State Park
Accessed off U.S. Highway 98 onto Alligator Point Road, you then follow the signage. This beach in a state park is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts.
There is a cost to enter, however, there are restrooms and convenient parking. This beach has its distinct individuality due to the passage of nutrient-rich waters down the Ochlockonee River.
The water can appear dirty depending on the flow and up-river rainfall, but it supports a lot of life. Fish and birds flock to oyster beds in shallow water. The variety of beach birds and wading species will appeal to birders in particular.
If you’re going off the sand beaches on jagged oyster shells, you’ll probably want to bring some hard-soled footwear. Bald Point has two Apalachee Bay beaches where you can swim, sunbathe, and fish.
3. What is the water like at Alligator point?
In the summer, Alligator Point water is greenish to brown in color with about two to four feet of visibility. With Bald Point State Park on the Ochlockonee Bayside and a conservancy holding many miles at the end of the point, the area is not overdeveloped.
Shopping, restaurants, and other activities will necessitate a drive.
There is virtually little wave movement and the water is fairly shallow. It’s ideal for wading or fishing from a kayak.
4. Is Alligator Point beach closed?
Because of the coronavirus outbreak, officials in Franklin and Wakulla counties had to make the difficult decision to close their beaches, while some people grumbled that they didn’t respond quickly enough.
All beaches and beach access locations, including boardwalks, walkways, and parking places, are covered by the Franklin County ban. Carrabelle Beach, Alligator Point, and St. George Island are all affected by the closure.
Homeowners and renters can still access the private beachfront property to the high-tide line, according to Franklin County officials, but the general public cannot.
The emergency ordinance, on the other hand, does not provide for such flexibility. It states that all public beaches are closed, from the water to the dune, vegetation, and construction line.
5. Alligators in Bald Point State Park
Bald Point State Park protects more than 4,800 acres of coastal wilderness dotted with freshwater ponds and tidal marshes where the Ochlocknee Bay meets the Apalachee Bay.
Tidal wetlands are an important breeding area for marine species and a rich food source for both land and sea birds.
The marsh is also a good source of food for alligators, and sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach at Bald Point from May to October each year. Bald Point’s diverse landscape is home to around 230 animal species and 360 plant types.
Throughout the park, seasonal wildly wildflowers can be seen blooming.
In Conclusion…
Alligator Point is a beautiful place to visit in Florida. The scenery is lovely, the weather is perfect, and the people are friendly. If you’re looking for a place to relax and enjoy nature, Alligator Point is the place for you.
