Favorite gulf coast spot?

[Ambrosia76]

Trying to plan a trip to the gulf of mexico,Hubby has never been and really wants to go.

We will be going mid Oct. We don't swim but love to fish and walk the beach.

Anyone have any suggestions as to good places to go, preferably Alabama/northern Florida area,as both are about 8 hours from here and I don't really want to drive further than that.


We will be camping, also I prefer more quiet out of the way places VS big touristy places.

[Gulf Coast Girl]

I just happen to live in NW Florida and can tell you it's a perfect vacation spot. We have sugar white sand beaches, small town feel and lots of good restaurants if you want to eat out.

I'll give you the rundown on some spots in my area, they all have beautiful beaches

Navarre - This is about 20 miles West of Destin so it's a little more out of the way and not as touristy. The Navarre Fishing Pier (longest on the Gulf) was just re-opened last year (after hurricane Ivan took it out in 2004). You can rent all your fishing gear right there at the pier if you don't want to bring your own. I think it's $6/day (not including gear) to fish from the pier but it's only $1 if you are not fishing (just walking.) Here are some links:
Navarre Pier Today

Pier Web Cam: Navarre Beach Pier Cam

Navarre Beach Campground: Navarre Beach Campground I hope you are "trailer" camping and not tent camping. The Fire Ants here are terrible.... I wouldn't be caught dead Tent Camping anywhere on the Florida Gulf Coast.


Destin - Known as "The Worlds Luckiest Fishing Village". This is more centrally located in the tourist area so you will run into more traffic. However, if you plan on going out for any deep sea fishing then Destin is the place because the harbor and pass into the Gulf is in Destin. Crab Island is a famous water spot where about 200 boaters anchor up every weekend (radio station is out there, food vendors, etc) and it's a big old party! You can rent a pontoon boat if you don't have your own. However, by October the Summer parties at Crab Island are over. Still, the charter fishing boats run out of the Destin harbor. I don' t know about camping there.... more of a "hotel" or "condo" city. More shopping and restaurants here too.

Couple of web cams of Destin: Destin Florida Web Cam - destincam.com - View the beautiful beaches of Florida's Emerald Coast!
Harbor / pass Cam: Destin Florida Web Cam Destin Pass Live!


Seaside - This is a quaint little town, the movie "The Truman Show" was filmed there. So if you remember the little sea side cottages... that's the place. I LOVE this town but I haven't stayed overnight. It's about 40 miles South East of Destin along the coast so it's about a 60 minute drive for me. I like to go for a day visit. You park your car and walk (or rent bikes) all around the town. Don't know about camping there but here's a link: Seaside, FL | More than a way of life, a way of living!


From reading your post, I'm thinking Navarre is the spot for you. If you wanted to visit Destin or even Seaside for a day, they are both easily in driving distance. Navarre is also going to be the most cost efficient. Destin and Seaside can be pricey.

I also hear Gulf Shores (Alabama) is a GREAT place to visit, but I haven't been there myself yet so I can't give you any info on it. I do know the 40th Annual Shrimp Festival is there in October 13-16. I hear that's a BLAST, so you may want to consider that. Get your reservations quick though.... it's a very popular event http://alagulfcoastchamber.com/pages/ShrimpFestival

I live about 5 miles from Navarre Beach so if you're in the area send me a PM. If I'm not traveling on business I'd be happy to show you guys around. Any other questions... just ask

[Ambrosia76]

Thank you Very much for the info. Unfortunately we are tent campers, I will just have to bring some ant spray to spray around the outside of the tent.

[Gulf Coast Girl]

Originally Posted by Ambrosia76

Thank you Very much for the info. Unfortunately we are tent campers, I will just have to bring some ant spray to spray around the outside of the tent.

LOL.... Fire Ants are their own special little breed of hell and won't respond to "normal" ant spray. Make sure you get spray that SPECIFICALLY says it will kill / deter Fire Ants. Just make sure when you make reservations you ask them about the Fire Ant situation there. Some areas have it under control while others don't

I think you will really love the Gulf Coast.... I know I do

[Ambrosia76]

I checked out that campground and I can stay at the best western for not much more than they charge for a tent camping site.

I was really looking for for state park campgrounds ,they charge under $30 a night. I found a nice one a ST. George I think it is.

[Matthias099]

One of our favorite spots is Walton Beach - Destin FL. Great spot to fish too.
Usually we go there once a year.

[MeAgain]

Siesta Key. Hands down. It has the world famous white sands of Crescent Beach It's got the artist circle area where you will find fine dining and spend more time gawking at Fararis and Bentlies than the 7 shades of blue gulf. Personally I prefer Siesta Key Village. It's more down to earth.

My 25th wedding anniversery is coming up and my husband said to me "I want to take you away. Where in the world would you like to go?"

I chose Siesta Key, FL. Again. Here is the link to the condo we are renting. We are taking the whole fam damily. If you take the week of June 16th - 23rd be prepared to duel lol

It just so happens that My husbands 50th is June 16th and my birthdy is June 23rd. It's going to be one big ass party week.

My photos suck but hey, it shows the beach and water.

I might mention that I live in Florida. With a choice of any place in the world, this is the spot I chose. This will be my 5th year. I've warned my husband that when we retire, he'd better be ready to buy me a condo there.

[WooD]

Originally Posted by Gulf Coast Girl

LOL.... Fire Ants are their own special little breed of hell and won't respond to "normal" ant spray. Make sure you get spray that SPECIFICALLY says it will kill / deter Fire Ants. Just make sure when you make reservations you ask them about the Fire Ant situation there. Some areas have it under control while others don't

I think you will really love the Gulf Coast.... I know I do

I learned about the dreaded fire ants the hard way when I moved to FL. I was renting an old house in the historic section that had a tile driveway.

Needed to change the oil on my bike, and saw there were ants coming up around the tiles, never thought nothing about it, so I just laid down to get to the drain hose. BAD mistake! They were all over me in a second. Good thing I didn't get arrested for indecent exposure, because I sure got out of my cloths fast.

I treat my yard with Amdro 3 times a year now.

Back on topic.................

My parents rented a boat around Destin back when I was a kid. The sand looked like snow, and the water was so clear, you could see the bottom till we got out into deeper water. Then about a half dozen dolphin swam along side us for miles.

[Gulf Coast Girl]

Originally Posted by Ambrosia76

I checked out that campground and I can stay at the best western for not much more than they charge for a tent camping site.

I was really looking for for state park campgrounds ,they charge under $30 a night. I found a nice one a ST. George I think it is.

St. George Island? It's a little further South .... in Apalachicola. Haven't been there myself but I've been just around the corner in Port St. Joe for scallop diving. I hear St. George Island is beautiful, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Originally Posted by WooD

I learned about the dreaded fire ants the hard way when I moved to FL.

Yeah.... nasty little f**kers for sure! I'm treat my yard 4 times a year; they are bad here.

Originally Posted by WooD

My parents rented a boat around Destin back when I was a kid. The sand looked like snow, and the water was so clear, you could see the bottom till we got out into deeper water. Then about a half dozen dolphin swam along side us for miles.

I have a boat and I'm always out on the water. It's common to see the dolphins.... but I still squeal with delight every time I see them. I just love the dolphins. I took this shot with my cell phone....

[WooD]

Originally Posted by Gulf Coast Girl

I have a boat and I'm always out on the water. It's common to see the dolphins.... but I still squeal with delight every time I see them. I just love the dolphins. I took this shot with my cell phone....

It's cool when they come up to check you out when your surfing too.