There are charming towns, fresh seafood, and hardly any crowds along this “forgotten” Florida coastline

Long Beach in Panama City Beach, Florida, USA is known as the Emerald Coast in the Panhandle. Taken in January 2018. Photo and Caption: Darlene Stanley/Shutterstock.com

Tucked away on Florida’s Panhandle, the Forgotten Coast is a section of the Gulf coast that hasn’t seen the construction of tall hotels or shopping centers. There is a slow pace of life that makes it feel like Florida in the past, as well as a sort of quiet that is difficult to find in the modern world.

“It’s grace and grit,” says Emily Raffield, a local store owner who now resides in Apalachicola after growing up on St. Joseph Bay. “Imperfectly lovely.” It’s something you feel, not just something you go to. Raffield is co-author of the book Saints of Old Florida and the creator of BECASA, a lifestyle brand from Florida that captures the natural textures and colors of the coast.

According to Raffield, this serene, essentially unspoiled region of the Panhandle is more than just a destination; it’s a place you experience. It has a unique rhythm and culture and is “one of the last places in Florida that hasn’t been smoothed over or built up.”

This is our tour to the tranquil, stunning Forgotten Coast of Florida.

The Forgotten Coast: Where Is It?

Learn About the Beaches and Communities

Apalachicola, Alligator Point, Carrabelle, St. George Island, and Eastpoint are among the settlements on the Forgotten Coast that have a strong connection to the water’s rhythms and the coastal way of life. Franklin County is included, as are portions of Gulf and Wakulla counties, depending on who you ask.

Top Activities

Easy Beach Days

When visiting the Forgotten Coast, it’s more important to let go of the activities than to pack them in. At a dockside tavern, take your time and enjoy some fresh seafood and a refreshing drink. Explore the Big Bend Scenic Byway, stopping at pull-offs and main streets that catch your attention. Load up the car with beach gear and head to Alligator Point, Dog Island, Carrabelle, or St. George Island for the day.

Raffield believes that tourists have the false impression of the seaside because it is “too slow.” “If this reads as slow, then perhaps the world needs more slow,” she adds.

Step Out onto the Water

There’s more than just leisurely seafood dinners and beach days to keep you busy. Take a boat charter and go out on the water for a leisurely cruise or to eat dinner by yourself. During the short season, scalloping is another popular activity in the region.

Savor the Culture of the Area

Explore the origins and history of the Forgotten Coast by visiting its historic lighthouses and museums. Go on an Apalachicola Ghost Tour after dark.

Where to Get Food and Drink

Go to a Raw Bar

Should the Forgotten Coast possess a taste, it may be a strong horseradish-infused cocktail sauce accompanied by a crab or briney bivalve. There are many raw bars and seafood grills, such as Hole in the Wall, Up the Creek Raw Bar, Indian Pass Raw Bar, Half Shell Dockside, and Apalachicola Seafood Grill.

Savor the Local Catch

According to Raffield, you should not depart without indulging in the fresh catch, which includes snapper, redfish, and yellowfin grouper, whether it is grilled, fried, or stuffed. “It comes directly from our local waters,” she explains, adding that fried grouper throats, if you’re lucky enough to see them on the menu, are a local specialty. As the granddaughter of Captain Carl Raffield, a trailblazer in Florida’s fishing industry who sailed the Gulf as a teenager and went on to establish one of the biggest seafood companies in the Southeast, Raffield hails from a long and illustrious nautical family.

Where to Find Boutiques Along the Coast

Start at BECASA, Raffield’s store in downtown Apalachicola, which features items that capture the organic textures, natural coastal hues, and leisurely pace of the Forgotten Coast. Get braided throws, home items that look like they belong in an old Florida beach house, and a soft linen matching set. Tin Shed offers a variety of maritime antiques, including shells, diving helmets, and bells.

Traditional Memorabilia

According to Raffield, Indian Pass Raw Bar offers “some of the best old Florida t-shirts and souvenirs,” so if you’re looking for a souvenir T-shirt, go there. While you’re there, you might as well grab a dozen raw and a cool drink. Check out the local grocers and check for Tupelo Honey if you’re searching for a tasty memento.

Regional Art

For those who enjoy art, Side Street Art features four on-site coastal craftsmen, including a jeweler, and Live Oak Gallery features pieces influenced by Apalachicola nature.

Places to Stay

The Forgotten Coast’s quiet and soulful pace of life contributes to its allure, which is also evident in its locally owned lodging options, such as B&Bs and Old Florida Inns.

Historic Florida Bed & Breakfasts and Inns

The historic Gibson Inn in Apalachicola, which was founded in 1907, is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places and features a striking southern wraparound porch that is a distinctive shade of blue. Both residents and guests adore the Franklin Cafe and the Inn’s Parlour Bar.

Turtle Tower, a stilted house that can house up to eight people, three fully furnished cottages, and four rooms are all available at the Turtle Beach Inn in Port St. Joe. For a more local atmosphere, try the Blue Moon Inn in Apalachicola or the freshly renovated Port Inn in Port St. Joe. The historic Chapman House Garden Suites, which you can reserve on Airbnb, is what Raffield recommends.

Rentals by the Beach

A beachfront vacation rental might be more suitable for larger groups. These houses are usually composed of concrete blocks or raised on stilts. The coastal properties, which are frequently handed down through the generations, have the cozy, worn-in sense of a real family home. Try St. George Island’s Summer Salt Cottage.


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