Florida Panhandle Trip

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Asking for some opinions, which may be hard for such a shy group!

I am wanting to plan a few days with my Venture 23 in the area of the Florida Panhandle. It will be short and sweet...I cannot (venture !) too far afield from my Doc in SC. I'm getting regular infusions.

So my son and I will trailer down and the shortest driving distance seems to be @ Destin Fla.

We wont have much of an agenda just easy cruising. Snorkeling and beach visits.

So please tell me what you have experienced in this area? And don't be shy.

Greg
 
What time of year? The water temperature is 66* now, and that is petty consistent Nov thru mid April. By May it is 77* and goes up to the high 80's, before cooling in November. I would not snorkel until May, -and for the most part snorkeling in our part of Florida is not particularly rewarding. (Please understand, I have been snorkeling and diving for over 75 years and have been to some of the best dive sites in the World. What I find "uninteresting, might be great for a novice.). The peninsula where you might anchor near Destin. is" controlled by Air Force as part of their "range" Along the Fort Walton area to the West. To the East, t he ICW goes inland, and no beach access. Around Destin the "go to spot" is "Crab Island-"-very crowded during the summer months. This is a shallow part of the bay with sand bottom. I am only familiar with anchorages at Joe's Bayou (and ramp), and then up inland in the Bayous which are not good diving and colder water in the winter.

I think of Destin as being a sport fisher/dive boat harbor, with night life and restaurants along the water front. One of my friends brought his 56 foot power cruiser down from Pickwick Lake for the winter. They drive down 2 x a month and spend a few days. You can anchor a number of places in Destin bay. But not a place I would swim. No beach access, but dinghy to restaurants is possible.

The best areas in my opinion are Apalachicola to St. George Island/Carabelle Some restrictions to beaches along this area. or Santa Rosa Sound to Orange Beach, pretty much where I live.

Starting in Santa Rosa Sound there are a number of fairly well protected anchorages, with good beach access. Pensacola Beach, Quiet water Beach, and Little Sabine are commercial but pleasant and one can anchor there. (watch the chart carefully for shoaling) The Fort Pickens area does have some snorkeling, but for overnighting I suggest going across Pensacola Pass to Fort McCree, where there is basin very well protected by a dredged Island and the National Sea Shore--excellent beach access. All along the Big Lagoon area, is National Seashore, and very few people. Next Is Perdido Key, then a few good anchorages until Ono Island, Alabama's Perdido Pass, Cotton Bayou, Robertson's beach etc. We live on Perdido Bay--which has some interesting anchorages, then the ICW cuts thru to Mobile Bay with no beach access. The sand or mud bottom along these areas have sea grass. The Wharf at Orange Beach has restaurants, as well as "home port" marina where Lulu's is run by Jimmy Buffett's sister. There are anchorages in some of the bayous near there.

The bridge between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze/Pensacola Beach, was destroyed by Hurricane Sally, and we don't know when it will be repaired--so launching there is probably not a good plan.

In Pensacola I would launch at Pensacola Marine Shipyard Complex--I believe $5 in and out, and a secure parking with patrols. There are free ramps, and I am not aware of any issues in the Pensacola area.

There are also a number of rivers in this area which can be explored.

To get an overview of the area go to Active Captain. Some will be dated but basically generally accurate. If you have any questions I have probably visited that area or anchorage in the 27 years we have lived in this area.
 
Greg,

It’s a beautiful area, and the Gulf Islands National Seashore is a national treasure.

However, the Chattahoochee is a very big bay, and every 7-10 days there will be a 2-3 day period with the remnants of an Artic blast and Small Craft Advisories (even down into the Keys sometimes!) this time of year.
Agree with Bob, when are you coming? is important.

‘Snorkeling’ is something we never do until the water temp is at least 80 degrees, and it’s only 65 degrees there today. Even Canadians DO NOT snorkel in that.

https://www.seatemperature.org/north-am ... destin.htm

As much as I love to rec’d the Panhandle to cruisers, if you only have “a few days” at this time of year, I would advise you to look at other options.

One would be to trailer down to Deland, FL and launch at Ed Stone ramp (see the Hontoon CBG thread for pics and much info). That would be only 468 miles rather than 452 from Pendleton, but you’d be GUARANTEED to be on a calm, safe, ‘Old Florida’ river in any weather. It’s quite a relief compared to the Destin craziness. Likely warmer, and definitely less windy. Still no snorkelling, let the alligators do that. Many marinas to choose from. Take binocs to see the Manatee restriction zone signs.

You could be very lucky and have a great time in Destin, which may be the most touristy hokey crowded over-hyped boating destination in the US.

Best,
John
 
A comment on John's recommendation of the St. John's--agree it is one of my favorite places in Florida. There are some warm springs where you can swim. There is a pool area delineated at DeLeon Springs State Park. The anchorage at Silver Glen Springs is one of these very clear places with swimmable water year around. Snorkeling there could be fun. It is shallow. People do swim at Salt Springs. However a warning--Marie got a very serious infection, most likely at Salt Springs--and it required over a month of a pic line and IV antibiotics 3 x a day!! Expensive swim!!
 
Hello all-FYI half of the shipyard’s docks were badly damaged by sally-the launch is still closed because the damaged boats are on the hard and blocking access to it. I spoke to someone at the shipyard and they said it would reopen sometime in Spring. Mahogany Mills launch is open and still free of charge but I don’t think that you can park there overnight.
Looking forward to seeing y’all at Hontoon.
 
To All,

Thanks for the extensive and helpful information. I've been busy "adjusting " meds for the last little bit so just now getting to review messages.
My 40 year old son and I will trip together (I'll be the captain, he will do the work).

It is not so important what we get into, more just looking for a warm adventure for memories sake. We will probable want to break up the several days with a stay ashore at a better than average hotel and some good area sea food.

Again thanks for the tips.

Greg
 
just looking for a warm adventure for memories sake
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Hang off for a few weeks. It was 22* at 7AM this morning, 32* at 7PM tonight. It will be in the 20's tomorrow AM, but will higher later in the week. In other words if you want warm, wait a month or so.

Best sea food seller is Joe Pattis on Main Street in Pensacola. Best Oysters used to be in Apalachicola, but more recently their industry has been negatively impacted. I cannot answer for Destin--sure there are some good places there. Joe Patti has moved their Sea Food restaurant to Garden street, The fish house and the Atlas Oyster Company both in the Down town water front area on Barracks street are good.
For lunch we usually go the Oar House on Bayou Chico water front--dock for boats.
 
Tomorrow in Deland the predicted high is 85 degrees. Free safe rig parking (historically). Last year I left my brand new F250 diesel 4WD Lariat unlocked there for 3 days with the keys in plain sight on the console. You can make reservations for Hontoon Island State park marina with Reserveamerica.com (that’s the ONLY way to reserve a slip). Cancellations out 2 weeks are free, otherwise 1 nights dockage ($19). You can Boaterhome at state parks en route using Reserveamerica.com.

https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/2b ... bd7753bfbc

Today’s high in Fort Myers Beach will be 80. We’re enjoying it and the beach and the three heated pools (one adults only) at Pink Shell Resort and marina. Very nice room with retired military discount is $586 plus $39 resort fee, which is a bit rich for us. All south Florida resort areas are expensive in winter. As Gomer would say, “Surprise, surprise, surprise!”

For those looking for the best value in south Florida winter boating, we think it’s Calusa Island Marina in Goodland, just south of Marco Island and without the attitude. Reasonable trailer storage fee. Use your truck to go to Publix and the beaches. Decent ramp; favor higher tides in a TC255. It’s 90 miles north of Marathon with the same weather and saves 8 hours of driving (total) compared to Marathon. Call for a reservation, don’t use Dockwa.
Tigertail county park has a two hour beach walk, shelling and restrooms for $8/day parking.

http://calusaislandmarina.com/

Weather:

https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/9e ... f6648c040c

Hope this is helpful; best in your research and planning. PM me with any questions.

John
 
I think Destin is a great area for certain things. The Destin Harbor is great for pulling up to restaurants on the boat and eating.... Our favorite is Boshamps, we hit it every time we go by parking the boat (17' skiff) on their little beach just inside their dock. You can do this on larger boats as well and tie up to their dock (I've seen a 45'er come in for lunch one day).

As for snorkeling, there is some to be had but it can be hit or miss depending on the weather and tides. If you can catch it on a calm day with an incoming tide, you will have good visibility along the rocks in the pass.

I've swam with dolphins at the west jetty one day, but any of the three options can be good depending on the wing/wave direction.

Anchorages are easy to find. You can head west through the ICW and anchor around the spoil islands just south of Hulburt Field. I've camped there numerous times and when the tides have been right it can be absolutely beautiful there.... Also, you can wade in the shallows with a crab net and get yourself some blue crabs for dinner.

For launching I'd suggest Ross Marler Park. It is pretty nice and free overnight parking as long as you have a trailer attached. I've used it for multiday trips a handful of times.

Another area nearby is the Perdido Key/Orange beach area. Super nice and not to big of waters so if the weather is not favorable you don't worry so much. When the weather and tides are right snorkeling in the pass at the rocks can be really nice. One day I was swimming with a sea turtle for over an hour as he was waiting for thinking coming in on the tide....

Plenty of places to anchor and Flora Bama is a great stop during the day via boat... That's another place that I stop at every time I'm in the area. Just stopped in last week actually....

You can launch for free at Galvez Landing and leave your vehicle overnight. For more security for you vehicle you can pay a fee and launch at Big Lagoon State Park.

Panama City is another good spot ;)
 
You can launch for free at Galvez Landing and leave your vehicle overnight. For more security for you vehicle you can pay a fee and launch at Big Lagoon State Park.
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Some great information by TripSmith. However, Galvez has some very swift currents for larger boats. If it is ripping, when hauling out, dock the boat and line it around the end of the dock onto the trailer. Also Marie had to tie the aluminum trailer to the dock to keep it from being swept off the ramp at one time. We launch at the Lillian Ramp just South of the 98 Bridge from Pensacola to Lillian. It is a good ramp (can have sand), but no current. There is also a ramp at the end of Boggy Point on Cotton Bayou.

Big Lagoon suffered severe damage during Sally. However I just checked and the new ramp is open and the pier was not damaged. It can also have issues with currents--but I have not used it, although been there many times, as my friend was the concessioner at Big Lagoon. Although one would assume security in the park, my friend had a number of items (generators up to 8 KW, and the concession trailer broken into, Kayaks stolen at night). There is a camp ground, and the code is easily obtained for the gate, so thieves have taken advantage of that...
 
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