Best Dock - Cape San Blas

What's To Do @ the Cape?

 

Parks

There are two public parks on the Cape at Salinas Park and Cape Palms Park.Salinas Park is close to the end of the Cape San Blas Road.  There is a picnic area and public restrooms at this park and also a handicap accessible boardwalk.Cape Palms Park is past the Trading Post on the Cape Road. There are restrooms, showers, charcoal grills, picnic tables, a playground and plenty of parking at this park.

Bike Path

There is a new bicycle path on the bayside of the Cape San Blas Road beginning just north of Scallop Cove to the St. Joseph State Park entrance.

St. Joseph’s State Park

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park is located at the north end of the peninsula. There are approximately 2,500 acres of wildlife refuge and wilderness with 10 miles of beach and bay. There is also a boat ramp, boat basin, RV camp, tent sites and cabins. For more information or to make cabin reservations, call St. Joseph Peninsula State Park 850-227-1327.

Pet Friendly Beaches

Dogs are allowed on the beaches but must be leashed at all times. You are required to pick up after your dog.  There are trash cans at each of the public beach access points. Pets are not allowed in the camping areas, beaches, or in wilderness areas and may be restricted in other designated areas of the State Park. Service animals are allowed in all areas of the park.

Beach Guidelines

Sea oats and sea grasses are protected. It is illegal to remove them from any beach and you should avoid walking on them. In many areas of the Cape, it is also illegal to walk across the dunes. Please use dune walkovers and public beach accesses.Please remember to take your trash with you when you leave the beach. Do not leave any glass containers, soiled diapers, beer cans or food wrappings.Do not take any “Live” shells from the beach. Also, do not take live sand dollars, starfish or sea horses. If you pick up a sand dollar or starfish and you see the tiny hairs (tentacles) moving,Jellyfish and Portuguese men of war wash up on the beach and can still leave a nasty sting. Do not pick them up or let your children or pet get too close to them. If you do get a sting, pour bleach on the sting immediately or purchase a Sting spray from one of the beach stores.

Beach Fires, Beach Lights

Fires are allowed on the beaches providing there is no ban in effect at the time. However, fires are not allowed inside the State Park. Make sure the fire is completely extinguished before you leave for the night and cover the site with sand. Do not light a beach fire close to a marked sea turtle nest as young turtles will hatch and wander towards the light coming from the fire.From May 1 through October 31 is Turtle Season on the Cape beaches. You will need to switch off any outdoor lights facing the beach as they will attract nesting and hatching turtles.

Turtle Nests

Please do not use loungers, chairs or picnic tables or allow pets and children close to a marked nest. Dogs can hear hatchlings and will dig them up. Turtle nests are strictly off-limits.Marked nests will have corner stakes and yellow tape around them and will be covered with a piece of heavy wire.  They are protected by Federal law and anyone interfering with the nest, the adults or the hatchlings will be prosecuted.

Driving on the Beach

You must purchase a Beach Driving Permit to be able to drive on Gulf beaches. They can be purchase from the Tax Collector's Office and cost $15 per year for Gulf County residents or property owners or $150 per year for non-residents or non-property owners. Night driving on the beaches is prohibited.When driving on the beach keep to a slow speed and watch for children and pets.

Boat Ramps

Boat ramps are located at the following places:

• Indian Pass boat ramp at the end of the Indian Pass Road gives access to the Gulf, Apalachicola Bay and St. Vincent Island.

• St. Joseph Peninsula State Park boat ramp is inside the State Park and gives access to both the bay and the Gulf.

• Port St. Joe boat ramp allows quick access to St. Joe Bay.

• Highland View boat ramp gives access to St. Joe Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway.

 

Taken from www.capesanblas.com