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Is it worth missing a good day at home to search and destroy?
Think long and hard before checking out this stretch of beaches past Shell Island, essentially the Florida Gulf Coast's last frontier. There are few surfers in the area, and little is known about some parts. A good example is a spot just east of Shell Island, Crooked Island Pass, which looks like it would be a great natural pass on a map. However, there are only two ways to get there: a 25-minute boat ride from Panama City, or getting a day permit from Tyndal Air Force Base. Plus, local fishermen say it's loaded with sharks.
Fortunately, there are other options. Further east is a small fishing and tourist village called Mexico Beach, another fishing community with a nasty-smelling paper plant, Port St. Joe, plus St. George and Dog islands. These areas are part of the "Forgotten Coast." Fishing and the tourism support the economy, and it's clearly one of the most beautiful, unspoiled areas of Florida. The building boom is yet to come and property values are still low -- an acre on the Gulf in Carrabelle can be had for $65,000.
To get there from the west, take Highway 98 east past Panama City and follow the signs. Coming from the East Coast, take I-10 west to Tallahassee and south on Highway 319 to Highway 98, then left toward Mexico Beach, Cape San Blas and St. George Island.
Traveling east down Highway 98, about 40 minutes past Panama City Beach, is Mexico Beach, a small fishing town with an inlet and a pier. Go over the bridge where the marina is at the inlet, and, about a mile down, look for a convenience store and turn right. The old wooden pier is at the end of the road. The Pier is the main surf spot and gets very good after cold fronts and hurricanes. The swell has to be large enough to get past Crooked Island Pass, but both sides of the pier break, as do the beaches east of the pier. Plan for very hollow and powerful right tubes.
-- Dave R.
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light outgoing
W, S
head-high to 6 feet
NE
4
sand
beginner to expert
fishing rod, shortboard, longboard
fall, winter
park at pier
none
none
5
1
pier
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The Beach Cafe (850-648-8883) is popular among the locals for offering cheap, good food. Try the Fish House (850-648-8950) or Toucan's (850-648-8207) for a finer meal.
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Gulf View Motel (850-648-5101) and Sandman Motel (850-648-8244) are both $45 a night in the off-season, or try camping at St. George Island State Park which is only $12 for a waterfront site. There's one motel on St. George Island, and it's very expensive. The only other option is rental homes, which are equally pricey. A map and more info are available online.
Or try
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You've got two choices: do the romantic thing, or go fishing. If none of that works, grab a good, domestic canned beer at one of the cinder-block-based, fried-seafood joints. More info is available online.
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You get nothing and like it. Come prepared.
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