Top Things to Do Near St. James Bay Golf & Pickleball Resort

While you could spend your entire vacation enjoying everything that St. James Bay Golf & Pickleball Resort has to offer (and we certainly wouldn’t blame you!) just beyond the resort lies one of Florida's most beautiful and unspoiled destinations: The Forgotten Coast. From sugar-white beaches and scenic boat rides to historic lighthouses, quaint downtowns, and hidden natural gems, Florida’s Forgotten Coast is full of places worth discovering. Here are a few of our favorite things to do during your stay.

Just a short 15-minute drive from the resort, and you’ll find yourself at one of the most gorgeous white-sand beaches on The Forgotten Coast. Carrabelle Beach’s curving, sugar-white sandy shoreline, calm waters, and covered picnic tables offer the perfect place to enjoy a day at the beach. Pack a picnic, grab your favorite beach read, and get ready for a relaxing afternoon. 

Protected by Dog Island, the gentle waters at Carrabelle Beach are perfect for snorkeling, while families with young children can enjoy swimming without worrying about the rough surf or crashing waves. And don't be surprised if dolphins make an appearance during your beach day. They're often spotted close to shore, hunting mullet in the surf for a front-row wildlife show. You’ll also likely spot blue herons and pelicans along with countless other shore birds, making Carrabelle Beach a nature lovers’ paradise.

Shopping? Beaches? Trails? Historic sites? St. George Island has it all. Only 30 minutes south of the resort, this island is a great day trip. Start the day perusing the countless charming boutiques, offering unique gifts, art galleries, jewelry, and beachwear. Next, enjoy a bit of history with a close-up look at Cape St. George Light, a historic lighthouse sitting at the center of the island. 

Head to the eastern end of the island and you’ll enjoy nine miles of undeveloped shoreline, gorgeous dunes, a bay forest, and salt marshes at St. George Island State Park. The park offers easy trails along with boardwalks and observation platforms, making it a great outing for nature-lovers and families. 

St. George Island is also a favorite for anglers. Whether you rent a boat or just throw your line off the shore, you’re sure to reel in a catch. These waters are brimming with sheepshead, speckled trout, flounder, whiting, redfish and tripletail. If you’re fishing in the Gulf, you’ll find snapper, grouper, amberjack, sea bass, mackerel, mahi-mahi, cobia, and sharks!

Stretching across 22 miles of pristine, uncrowded beaches, St. George Island invites you to slow down and stick your toes in the sand. With no high-rises to interrupt the view, you'll enjoy spectacular sunsets, and if you visit in early summer, you might even catch the incredible sight of loggerhead sea turtles making their way ashore to nest.

Built in 1895 and restored in 2007, this unique iron skeleton lighthouse is worth a stop. The Crooked River Lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, offering a glimpse into the past of The Forgotten Coast. Stop in the Keeper's House Museum to learn more about the area’s maritime history and how the lighthouse operated. And if you’re up for climbing 128 steps up the 103-foot lighthouse, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the coast!

One of the best places to experience Florida’s untouched natural beauty is Tate’s Hell State Forest. Tucked between the Apalachicola and Ochlocknee Rivers, this forest is a sprawling 202,000 acres, offering beautiful trails and countless wildlife encounters. 

One of the area's most popular hikes, the High Bluff Coastal Hiking Trail winds six miles through a scenic forest dotted with educational exhibits. Along the way, you'll encounter one of the trail's most fascinating sights: 150-year-old dwarf cypress trees that, despite their age, stand just 15 feet tall. 

Before heading out on your hike, you’ll also want to pack a pair of binoculars. You’re sure to spot countless creatures, including bald eagles, Florida black bears, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and gopher tortoises.

Known for its fishing and coastal adventures, Carrabelle is the perfect place to spend a day on the water. C-Quarters Marina handles charters and rentals and is a great place to pick up your bait, ice, and beverages before heading out on the water. 

Get out on the water by renting a boat for the day, or sit back and let a local captain show you around. From dolphin cruises and shelling excursions to fishing trips and breathtaking sunset cruises, there's really no better way to experience the Forgotten Coast.

For history buffs, a stop at the Carrabelle History Museum is a must. Learn the history of Carrabelle and Dog Island, including stories of the original peoples, logging, turpentine, shipping, bootlegging, fishing, and war. You’ll also want to spend some time exploring their fascinating exhibits about the Shipwrecks of Dog Island, Carrabelle’s Heroes & Notables, and the story of Tate’s Hell Swamp. 

Carrabelle is also home to Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum, where the remarkable story of the amphibious soldiers who trained in Carrabelle and Franklin County comes to life. Through personal artifacts donated by veterans, including uniforms, mess kits, photographs, and keepsakes, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the more than 250,000 servicemen who trained and served here before heading overseas. You’ll also be able to get an up-close look at military vehicles and boats used during WWII, making this a memorable visit for all ages.

Carrabelle’s famous World’s Smallest Police Station is also worth a visit. It’ll be a short visit… but a fun one and a great photo op. The World’s Smallest Police Station, which is actually a phone booth, is at the corner of CR67 on US 98 and has a humorous backstory of why it came into being. Essentially, back in 1963, citizens were using the police phone to make unauthorized long-distance calls, and in an attempt to prevent this, they created the phone booth. The original police phone booth is on display at the Chamber Office. 

Both charming downtowns offer unique boutique stores where you’re sure to find the perfect gift or the perfect souvenir for yourself. Stop by Marine St. Mercantile in Carrabelle and bring home some coastal charm with beautiful artwork and home décor, unique jewelry pieces, clothing and accessories, collectibles, and handcrafted gifts. Another must-stop for finding a one-of-a-kind treasure is Pirate Girl’s Treasures. Peruse a unique collection of Forgotten Coast artwork, coastal décor, furniture, beach-inspired souvenirs, and local gifts that make the perfect keepsake from your vacation.

Heading to Apalachicola's historic downtown feels like stepping back in time. Spend the afternoon exploring more than 20 art galleries, antique stores, boutiques, and specialty shops before admiring the town's remarkably preserved architecture. Once a thriving port in the 1800s, Apalachicola still showcases its rich heritage through more than 900 historic buildings and picturesque streets.

So, while our championship golf course and countless amenities may bring you to St. James Bay Resort, the beaches, charming coastal towns, and unforgettable adventures just beyond our doorstep are sure to have you planning your next visit before this one is even over!

Ready to experience The Forgotten Coast for yourself? Book your stay at St. James Bay Golf & Pickleball Resort at stjamesbay.com.