Adjacent to Grayton Beach State Park this is definitely of the most beautiful beaches you can find in Florida that are close to Louisiana. Many agree it is the best beach in the Gulf, actually. It is a small historic beach village halfway between Destin and Panama City. The place is rarely crowded.
White powdery sand, amazing views - the beach is perfect for any kind of visitor. Kayakers, hikers, photographers, nature enthusiasts love this place. The wildlife is stunning, we saw stingrays, hawks, and eagles. Definitely a family place - no loud music or skinny bikinis.
There's a nice hiking trail and a picnic area.
The accomodations are reasonably priced. Beach cabins (reservations required MONTHS ahead!) are simple but have everything one might need, including nice screened porches with rocking chairs. Bring your own pillows, because the ones we had were too thin. Also bring things like soap, detergents and extra towels. If you need anything - there's a local store available nearby.
You can bring your dog to the beach but she must wear a tag and stay leashed. Timeframes also apply, for more information on dog restrictions please visit the official FAQ of Grayton Beach.
Grayton Beach is somewhat crowded during high season so arrive early. The entrance fee is $5. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards and park rangers. However, lifeguards aren't always on duty, so note that.
What we loved
- Turtle reef - about 750 feet out from the coast
- Friendly rangers
- Gorgeous white sand
- Camping
Driving Time
- 1 hour 40 minutes from Pensacola, FL
- 2 hours 20 minutes from Mobile, AL
- 3 hours 5 minutes from Montgomery, AL
Hotels and rentals
If you're considering staying for one or even a few nights, there are plenty of options available near the beach. Chose your preferred accomodation type and your favourite room provider:
- Nearby rentals from VRBO.
- Nearby rooms and properties from Booking.com.
Beaches nearby
Additionally, there's a number of beaches near Grayton Beach which you can visit:
- Blue Mountain Beach (2 miles)
- Santa Rosa Beach (4 miles)
- Topsail Beach State Preserve (7 miles)
- Alys Beach (9 miles)
- Miramar Beach (Destin) (14 miles)