Located on a small peninsula in Gulf County, Florida, is Cape San Blas. It is located north of the Gulf of Mexico and enjoys some of the most beautiful beaches in the region.
Cape San Blas is a beautiful place to vacation. The rentals here are top-notch and the scenery is breathtaking.
You won’t be disappointed if you choose to stay in one of the Cape San Blas Florida vacation rentals.
Trust me, you’ll fall in love with this place just like I did.
But before we get too deep into its natural beauty, let’s talk a little about the historical context.
During the American Civil War, the Confederate side established a settlement on a salt mine to exploit it. The method used to extract the salt consisted of heating the seawater until it evaporated. The remainder was pure salt.
Be that as it may, the salt mine was at Cape San Blas, a strategic point for the war. It was only a matter of time before a Union ship attacked the settlement.
During the battle, the USS Kingfisher almost completely destroyed the salt works. From then on, industrial activities stopped, but the civilian population, which had arrived earlier, remained there.
In 1847, the first of the four Cape San Blas lighthouses were built.
Unfortunately, it would only last four years, because, on the night of August 23, 1851, a gale blew it down.
Congress allocated $ 12,000 (a large sum at that time) to build another lighthouse, this time of bricks. Its construction took three years, and the next day after it was completed, a hurricane struck the peninsula and wreaked havoc.
The third lighthouse was saved from being demolished in the Civil War because it remained out of service. But work resumed in July 1865.
Since the third lighthouse did not seem to last forever, due to corrosion in the structure, Congress decided to go ahead with the fourth.
The third lighthouse was torn down and one was built in its place, the structure of which would survive to this day. Those who visit Cape San Blas and see the lighthouse find it strangely nostalgic.
However, a trip to Cape San Blas is anything but nostalgic. America’s Best Beach (2002), located in St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, speaks for itself. And not just the one that took the title, but the miles of white, wide, fringed coastline.
1. Is Cape San Blas a beautiful beach?
But with so much sun, water and sand, you need a place to retreat to.
That’s why you can find rentals and hotels for any modality. There are also many activities to do with family or friends.
For example, there are boat rides, restaurants of all kinds, kayaks, scuba diving, etc.
2. Is Cape San Blas a private beach?
Most of the most paradisiacal beaches in the world have a problem. They lack privacy. The beaches of Cape San Blas, Florida are the exception.
Rest assured that when you step onto the sand, you’ll look sideways and see only a clear coastline stretching to the horizon, no crowds, no annoying shouting. With so much space, it’s hard to get too many people together, which is particularly helpful considering the current pandemic.
But there will be some who don’t mind the proximity of other people. There are some areas that we could call “more social” and where biosecurity protocols are also followed.
In short, Cape San Blas has beaches where there is practically no one. But it also has more crowded beaches and, it is worth mentioning, those preferred by the adventurous spirit of young people.
3. What is there to do in Cape San Blas Florida?
Cape San Blas offers tourists a wide variety of recreational activities. It is not only a town with beautiful beaches. It is also a place where there will always be something to do or have a new place to visit.
Here are some of the many things to do in Cape San Blas, FL:
- Visit Indian Pass Beach
Indian Pass is a beach south of Port St. Joe, just a couple of minutes from town. It is an idyllic place for sports fishing and certain water sports because there are always few people there.
So, if you want to spend a quiet day on the warm beach, this destination is a must on your itinerary. When you get hungry, you can eat fresh, locally caught oysters. But that’s your only dining option. Seafood is plentiful, especially in the fertile waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
From Indian Pass Beach you can hop on a ferry to the wildlife sanctuary on San Vicente Island.
Also Read: Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
- St. Vincent Island
Among the four barrier islands in the northern Gulf of Florida is St. Vincent Island, southeast of Cape San Blas. In A.D. 240, Appalachian tribes came to the island and settled there. Later, in 1633, Franciscan monks arrived as missionaries.
During the War of Independence, Great Britain used the island as a military base to invade the United States. But eventually, St. Vincent became a fishing and logging island.
Later, though, the wildlife sanctuary was established which you can visit in an afternoon with your family. Breathing such pure air as this place offers is a benefit hard to match.
- Horseback Riding
You have to dedicate one day of your trip to horseback riding. There are multiple businesses that offer this service in the cape, so you will have no problem finding one that suits you.
The sandy expanses of the peninsula are waiting to be explored, and what better way to do it than on the back of a horse?
4. Is Cape San Blas such a beautiful destination?
Cape San Blas is a full-fledged tropical paradise. The strip of land that makes it up has everything the traveler could wish for, from quiet beaches to accommodations of various categories.
The nature of the area is remarkable. The palm forests spread their shade on the clear sands and the breeze never stops blowing. The marine fauna is very striking, making it an ideal destination if you like to dive.
5. Is it possible to swim in Cabo de San Blas?
Absolutely, practically all the beaches of Cape San Blas are suitable for swimming. They are not too deep and the currents are not too strong.
However, as in any situation, it is necessary to be aware of safety alerts. Perhaps the weather at sea is not the best to go too deep. Or there may be a storm brewing. In this case, it is advisable to stay out of the water.
6. Is the water clear at Cape San Blas?
Let’s put it this way: never in your life have you ever seen such clear water. When the water is waist-deep, you will be able to see your feet perfectly on the bottom.
Of course, if you go far enough away, the water at the shore will take on a pure, azure blue hue. In deeper waters, it is common to find a darker blue. If you dive, you will discover coral reefs and kelp forests, home to an infinite variety of marine animals.
In Conclusion…
Cape San Blas is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing vacation. The beaches are absolutely beautiful and the people are friendly and welcoming.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a place to get away from it all.
