Port St. Joe, Florida – The Forgotten Coast
Fishing, hunting, picnicking, kayaking, horseback riding, taking a tour through the Dead Lakes while bird watching or looking for alligators, are just some of the many outdoor activities offered in this coastal community. Searching for seashells, building sandcastles, and sunbathing are other favorite pastimes to enjoy along their pristine beaches. And, with a town this size (with just three traffic lights!), you will quickly become recognizable to the local folks and feel much like a regular, just as Norm did at Cheers. 😉
Fishing at the Dead Lakes
Gatoring
Picnicking at Honeyville Park
Horseback riding is a great way to visit the beaches
Our tour guide through the Dead Lakes – Matt Godwin
Searching for seashells along The Forgotten Coast
This quaint town has a long and interesting history and has been through some difficult times in the past, losing some of their primary industries, such as the paper mill and shipbuilding, however, Port St. Joe is designing their future rather than letting it happen serendipitously. The town sees itself as a vacation and retirement community for those looking for a pristine environment that is affordable, quiet, and filled with sunshine and friendly neighbors.
Former shipbuilding port on the Intracoastal Waterway
Sister ship to the Andrea Gayle, which went down in the Perfect Storm
Shrimping is a major industry for this part of the coast
Cypress Grove at Dead Lakes
Interesting trees at Dead Lakes
Osprey nest at Dead Lakes
Both young and old are moving in to revitalize the local businesses, improve the quality of life, and service the growing number of residents and visitors. One of these businesses is bin 4eleven, an upscale coffee house (which also serves a light breakfast and lunch), on Reid Avenue, what was at one time the official “Main Street” of Port St. Joe.
Reid Avenue
We enjoyed lunch at Provisions
Bicycling is a great way to tour The Forgotten Coast
Kamen Woolery, one of the co-owners of bin 4eleven, left the big city, opting for a quieter life in Port St. Joe with his fiancé and went into business with his mother on this new venture. He had the vision for a unique business concept for the town that he hopes will thrive as more people learn about and visit Port St. Joe. It’s the new generation of business people, like Kamen, that can make a real difference in growing the town.
Life is laid back on The Forgotten Coast
en Plein Air takes place every May on The Forgotten Coast
Artists at work
Our accommodations at WindMark Beach
This is my kind of vacation getaway!! Gorgeous photos and a great post!
Thank you, Amee. Port St. Joe would be a great vacation spot for your family. 🙂
Great article on the Forgotten Coast with fabulous photos…thanks
Thank you, Becky. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
If I may, there is one correction that should be made. The lighthouse that is referenced and pictured above is the Cape San Blas lighthouse, which was recently moved, over the objections of many Cape San Blas residents, to Port St Joe.
Hi Karen,
Now that you mention it, I remember hearing about that during our tour, so I made the change to the caption under the picture.
Thank you,
Gwen