262 - The Forgotten Coast of Florida
The Forgotten Coast is one of Florida’s best-kept secrets! This stretch of coastline spans 130 miles through the counties of Bay, Gulf, Franklin and Wakulla, from Mexico Beach to St. Marks, Florida, encompassing the areas of Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, Indian Pass, Apalachicola, St. George Island, Eastpoint, Carrabelle, Dog Island and Lanark Village. It further extends to Franklin County in the east, to include St. Marks, Shell Point, Mashes Sands, Panacea and Alligator Point and St. Teresa. Coined in the early 1990s, the name “Florida’s Forgotten Coast” is a registered trademark of the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce.
There are different stories regarding the origin of the name Forgotten Coast; one account is that the name emerged after a tourism group forgot to mention the name in its publication, and in response, a group of local businessmen produced their very own map and brochure showcasing the region as the Forgotten Coast. Another story points to the idea that this region was “forgotten” at a time when much of North Florida's coastline was developed, featuring strip malls, high-rise hotels and resorts and tourist. Regardless, the Forgotten Coast is a blend of beautiful white sand beaches, pristine bays, an abundance of marine and wildlife, coastal marshlands, barrier islands, and great local cuisine.
Sixty percent of the land of the Forgotten Coast is made up of natural park reserves, and the region features two coastal environments that are worlds apart but equally captivating. Extending west of Cape San Blas, the coastal waters are crystal clear and the sandy beaches are whiter. The St. Joseph Peninsula has miles of exquisite white sandy beaches, remarkable dune formations, and pine forested wilderness interior. On the eastern side of Cape San Blas, the beautiful beaches are tan in color, beginning with Indian Pass and St. Vincent Island.
Notable places in the Forgotten Coast region includes, Mexico Beach, which is a beautiful stretch of white sandy beaches, that offer up opportunities for fishing and catching big blue crabs. While Apalachicola is without a beach, it is a great place for sightseeing and nature watching. The St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary for a number of endangered and threatened species, bald eagles nesting, and loggerhead sea turtles. St. George Island features a combination of sandy coves, salt marshes, and forests, along with undeveloped beaches and dunes. The Forgotten Coast is a place to create truly unforgettable memories.
All sizes are approximate.
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