St Andrews state park is located in the middle of Florida. It is a great place to visit if you love hiking and also like to swim in a place where there are no waves; there are also lakes that are great for fishing. You can also camp at the park, as there are many places for you to set up a tent and enjoy nature.
The St Andrews State Park is a great place to visit if you are in Panama City Beach Florida. Many people come to the park every year to hike, cycle, and get a taste of the nature around them. The park is filled with marshes and mangrove trees that are alive with birds and wildlife.
The park is a perfect Florida family destination. It offers wide white-sand beaches, coral-reef-protected waters, and plenty of outdoor activities such as Beachcombing, swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and canoeing, fishing, and hiking. The first thing you might notice when visiting St Andrews State Park is the imposing structure jutting out into the Gulf of Mexico.
This is the St Andrews Lighthouse, erected in 1903 and still used today to warn ships in the area. But the real beauty of St Andrews State Park lies further inland, in the pristine forests and beaches that are open to the public year-round. In fact, the park was named one of the best places on the planet for stargazing.
Here are the Top Ten things you must do when visiting
1. Fishing in St Andrew’s State Park
St Andrew’s State Park is one of Panama City Florida’s most charming state parks. Nestled on the shores of the scenic St. Johns River, the Park is picturesque and offers visitors a chance to explore its many natural waters through various fishing exercises. St. Andrew’s is known for its variety of wildlife, including several species of fish.
Fishing in St Andrew’s State Park is a popular activity. Anglers come from around the world to catch game fish such as redfish, black drum, sharks, and tarpon. Anglers who enjoy ice fishing can also try their luck in the park’s nearly year-round ice fishing season.
2. Snorkeling tours at St Andrew’s State Park
Snorkeling trips are offered regularly at St Andrew’s State Park in Florida. This popular destination can be found on the northwest coast of Florida, only a short drive from the spectacular beaches of Panama City. The snorkeling tours at St Andrew’s State Park are a great way to venture out into the breathtakingly clear waters of St Andrew’s Bay.
The park is one of the last remaining undeveloped barrier islands in the state, and so visitors will be treated to a stunning seascape. The shallow waters are perfect for beginner and intermediate snorkelers, but there are also several wrecks located nearby for those who want to see some of the area’s more impressive marine life.
3. Camping at St Andrew’s State Park
The beaches around St. Andrews State Park are some of the most beautiful in the area and make for an idyllic setting for a seaside picnic. If you have a boat, you can even bring your meal to the water, but if you don’t there are several nearby locations where you can buy lunch and enjoy your meal al fresco.
However, if you’re not feeling that adventurous, just grab a six-pack from a nearby gas station and enjoy it while setting up your picnic tables under a nearby oak tree, or you could rent a kayak or canoe from one of the local tour agencies and enjoy a day out on the water.
4. Relish the white sand beaches
There are few better ways to enjoy the high-octane pace of northern Florida than taking a family vacation to St Andrew’s State Park. The park is located just an hour outside of the state’s capital, Tallahassee, and is a great destination for those who want to spend some time in Florida but don’t want to leave the beach behind.
Facing the Gulf of Mexico, the beaches at the Park has everything for the active family: perfect swimming and surfing, boating, fishing, canoeing, and miles of walking trails. The St Andrew’s State Park is a stunning park with over 30,000 acres of natural beauty. If you ever find yourself in this area, then you should relish the beauty of the beaches that surrounds the park.
5. Kayaking at St Andrew’s State Park
Kayaking is a great way to explore St Andrews State Park. It is the place to be for both nature lovers and thrill-seekers. You can paddle your kayak among mangrove tunnels and bird nesting islands, through snake-filled swamps, or past majestic sand dunes. You can glide over shallow waters to explore the shoreline or venture into the ocean to catch a glimpse of dolphins swimming in the distance.
This is a landscape to be experienced, one that you cannot find anywhere else.
6. St Andrew’s State Park Dolphin tours
For those who are interested in seeing dolphins but prefer to keep their feet on dry land, St Andrew’s State Park Dolphin tours are the perfect option for you. Unlike some of the other dolphin-watching tours, which tend to be quite costly, these tours are very affordable, and they do not cost a lot of money.
In addition, these tours are available year-round, which means that you can enjoy them any time of year. Luckily, there are plenty of other things to do in St Andrews, so if you do not see any dolphins on the tour, you can enjoy plenty of other wildlife or simply relax on the beach.
7. St Andrew’s State Park Boating cruise
As frequent visitors to St Andrews State Park might expect, there’s more to this beach-side resort town than the beach. In fact, the region is home to a number of interesting destinations that are worth exploring.
One of the best for visitors with limited time is the Parks Boating Cruise, which is highlighted by a narrated historical tour of St Andrews Bay.
8. Take a tour to Shell Island Panama City
Shell Island is the most popular destination in St Andrews State Park, and If you’re looking for adventure, you’ll find it on Shell Island. It’s a great day trip from St. Andrews State Park, and it’s a place that everyone should visit at least once. Almost every day, the ferry leaves from the park’s marina and takes tourists to the island.
The ferry ride is about 20 minutes and will bring you to the island on the south side. Shell Island is a perfect place to spend a day or a few nights. Make sure that you bring your camera because the beaches are packed with seashells. You’ll need to bring your own food and water, but there are a few snack bars there.
9. St Andrews State Park Scuba Diving
St Andrews State Park in Florida is a snorkeler’s and scuba diver’s paradise, with warm tropical waters, clear blue skies, and wrecks that date back to Civil War times. The park offers a range of diving opportunities for beginners and advanced divers. For the more experienced, there are wrecks that have been sunk purposely for divers to explore.
On one of these, the SS San Pedro, 75ft below the surface, divers can explore the ship’s passenger cabin, which is still full of artifacts.
10. St Andrews State Park Hiking
Visitors don’t often think of St. Andrews State Park when planning a Florida vacation. Those who know about the park rave about its beauty and natural wonders. It’s a great place to visit if you want to get away from the bustle of the city.
The park is full of wide-open spaces and hiking trails, providing a peaceful setting for an unforgettable hiking experience.
