Located on a sliver of land between St. Joseph Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Cape San Blas is a sandy Florida paradise ideal for a secluded beach vacation. Here, you can rent a beautiful beach home with a wood porch overlooking the gulf. Plus, many of the Cape’s rentals and beaches are pet-friendly so you can travel with your furry family members. Whether you’re combing for seashells, fishing in the surf or kayaking at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, booking a Cape San Blas vacation rental at one of these top places in the area is a recipe for relaxation.

1. Cape San Blas

Beach homes scattered along the few roads snaking through Cape San Blas create a true getaway for beach lovers of all ages. Want to enjoy a fresh seafood dinner? Try your hand at surf fishing for your catch of the day, or scoop up your fill of scallops during the open season from June through September. Have a memorable time collecting seashells in the morning and bring your treasures back to your vacation rental. In the evening, you can watch the sunset from the reclining chairs on your porch while keeping an eye out for dolphins.

2. St. Joseph Peninsula

A short distance north along Cape San Blas Road, you find the roads close to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park that boast beach rentals overlooking both the gulf and the bay. Head to the park to explore two nature trails amidst 1,900 acres of beachfront wilderness, and rent a canoe to wander the lush inlets while watching for gulls, pelicans, and other seabirds. You should also take some time to enjoy St. Joseph Bay with its crystal-clear water that’s just a few feet deep, perfect for bringing your little ones to swim or going for a family kayak excursion.

3. Port St. Joe

This beach town overlooking St. John Bay is perched on the mainland across from Cape San Blas. Take a charter out from the marina, indulge in fresh seafood from the shore-side restaurants, and explore Cape San Blas lighthouse, which stands just over 100 feet tall. You can also snorkel or set up your beach chairs on the white sand of the dune beach. For a relaxing evening, walk from your rental to the downtown area to explore boutiques, souvenir stores, and antique shops.

4. Port St. Joe South

The quiet residential streets of this tranquil neighborhood offer affordable vacation rentals while ensuring easy access to both Cape San Blas and the marinas and fish shacks of downtown Port St. Joe. When you’re not exploring nearby beaches, stroll to Constitution Convention Museum State Park to rest under shade of tall pines, and head to the shoreline to see the sunset from the grassy beaches.

5. Bay San Blas

Driving along County Road 30A, which leads just east of Cape San Blas along the bay, you find villas, beach-side homes and wood-sided cabins tucked away in the pine forest. Staying here places you just a short drive from Cape San Blas, and you have easy access to the water shuttles leading to Saint Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, an island wilderness with tours to spot dolphins, eagles, pelicans, and other wildlife.

6. Highland View

Just north of Port St. Joe, this tiny residential community lets you easily drive down to Port St. Joe and the cape while offering a shorefront atmosphere all its own. Head to the public boat ramp to get your craft in the water for a vacation of fishing and cruising the surf, or explore the town’s fisheries and marinas. You can also enjoy a picnic at Highland View Park or head to the shoreline to watch the flocks of seabirds.

7. Mexico Beach

Situated 22 miles north of the entrance to Cape San Blas, Mexico Beach is a haven of vacation houses overlooking wide, pristine beaches that are never too crowded. It also offers a fishing pier and countless seafood restaurants. Plus, a rental here is still within easy driving distance of beautiful Cape San Blas.

8. Apalachicola

This historic fishing town is situated 20 miles east of Cape San Blas along Apalachicola Bay, featuring inns, bed-and-breakfasts, turn-of-the-century houses and beachfront rental homes with character. Book a charter or try your luck off the docks for a fresh catch, and end your day with a plate of fresh seafood at one of the fish shacks.

9. St. George Island

This unique island destination is situated about 30 miles east of Cape San Blas, just past Apalachicola and accessible via a bridge highway. St. George Island is known for its resorts and multi-story beach homes that you may never want to leave. After enjoying a day trip to Cape Sand Blas to explore the wilderness or traverse the beach from horseback, return to your home away from home on this thin stretch of land. Here, you find clean beaches perfect for a swim, charter fishing, and untouched wilderness trails through pet-friendly St. George Island State Park.