With so much to see, do and savor along Northwest Florida, no two visits to our little corner of paradise are alike, but whether you’re staying directly on 30A or just a stone’s throw from the area’s sugar-white beaches, our collection of award-winning hotels and resorts can help ensure you soak up the area’s very best.
To inspire your next stay – and plenty of play – we’ve rounded up 10 of the best 30A experiences* you won’t want to miss!
Kayaking & SUP
It’s not a secret that 30A locals love kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP)! Aside from being distinctly fun activities and mostly suitable for all ages, kayaking and SUP provide the chance to explore South Walton’s natural beauty from a unique vantage point. All guests staying at any of our St. Joe resort properties have access to rentals and guided tours from the WaterColor BoatHouse, managed by The BoatHouse Paddle Club.
For an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experience, book a glow-in-the-dark excursion with Glow Paddle 30A, or for the ultimate thrill, try soaring above the water aboard an electric hydrofoil also available through the BoatHouse.
Point Washington State Forest
Spanning over 15,000 acres, this preserved natural haven is home to 27 miles of 30A hiking and biking trails that wind through tranquil pine forests, rare coastal dune lakes and pristine wetlands. One of three Point Washington State Forest trailheads is located just steps from the front door of The Lodge 30A in Seagrove Beach. Hotel guests can take advantage of the Pedal & Explore Package, which includes complimentary YOLO bike rentals.
Gulf Seafood
The Gulf’s bounty is plentiful, allowing for fresh, seasonal seafood year-round. From grouper and snapper to mahi and swordfish, local seafood is the crown jewel on the menus of the best 30A restaurants, including Fish Out of Water, Havana Beach Bar & Grill, ANR and WaterColor Grill, to name just a few. Distinct and delicious, we think Gulf Coast seafood is the best food – and something tells us you will, too!
Golfing
With pristine and expansive greens, 30A is home to more than a dozen golf courses, several of which we’re proud to have in our portfolio of experiences. Guests staying at all St. Joe resort properties have access to the public Origins Golf Club, featuring a 10-hole par 3 layout. Guests staying at Watersound Inn and Camp Creek Inn receive privileged access to two award-winning private golf courses: Camp Creek, Shark’s Tooth and The Third. Camp Creek Inn also offers Golf club fittings or swing analysis year-round. Notably, guests staying at The Lodge 30A can opt into private golf and beach club access for a nominal fee.
Beach Bonfires & Crabbing
Close out your beach day with an expertly set-up bonfire on the sand, before or after sunset. Guests of WaterColor Inn and Watersound Inn can reserve two hours of bonfire fun for up to 30 guests, complete with beach chairs, bottled water and s’mores. Outdoor game packages and food-and-beverage amenities can also be added.
After the sun sets, join the locals on the sand in search of ghost crabs (named for their pale appearance). All you need is a flashlight to look for them up and down the shore, as they come out in the dozens in search of small prey in the sand.
Shopping
We think every getaway requires some retail therapy. From the merchants at the Rosemary Beach® Town Center and the WaterColor Town Center to the variety of shops at Greenway Station and along every 30A beach community in between, you’ll find yourself in great company!
The WaterColor Store and WaterColor Kids will have your entire family stepping out in the latest seasonal styles, including locally made accessories by Carrie Rhea Designs. You’ll also find plenty of coastal-inspired clothing and uniquely branded items at Watersound Beach Club’s Mercantile. Shopping for golf, tennis or pickleball gear? We’ve got you covered, too, at Camp Creek Inn’s on-site Golf Outfitter and Tennis & Pickleball Pro Shops. Be sure to take stock of our recommended Beach Bag Essentials, too!
Sunsets
Sunsets on 30A are simply unrivaled. Whether you choose to enjoy a fresh seafood dinner with cotton-candy skies as your backdrop, toast to the end of a day well spent with a cocktail in hand, or watch the sun hide into the Gulf while you dip in the pool, there are countless idyllic sunset spots to check off along this scenic stretch of Northwest Florida.
Pools
Whether the mood calls for dipping your feet, splish-splashing with the kiddos or going for a lap, pools are a’plenty in our neck of the woods. Your challenge will be making time to experience them all!
For starters, WaterColor Inn boasts the most pool access on 30A (10, to be exact!), including Camp WaterColor. In addition to an adults-only pool, guests of The Pearl Hotel have access to Rosemary Beach®’s four community pools. Meanwhile, guests of both Watersound Inn and Camp Creek Inn get access to two expansive zero-entry pools at the private Watersound Beach Club, an amenity to which guests of The Lodge 30A can also opt in (an on-site outdoor pool is also available). Guests of the newest luxury offering in our portfolio, Camp Creek Inn, also have access to a family pool with a waterslide and lazy river, an adults-only lap pool and a hot tub.
Beach Communities
South Walton’s 16 distinct beach communities offer a variety of experiences. Bike (or drive) along 30A to take in the sights and the architecture, dining, attractions, shopping and vibe that make each neighborhood uniquely their own – all against the same iconic backdrop of turquoise water and sugar-white sand.
Coastal Dune Lakes
These rare and spectacular natural wonders – shallow basins of fresh water – have been created over thousands of years, as wind redistributes sand just feet from the Gulf of Mexico. Aside from being beautiful, coastal dune lakes are distinctly rich, nutrient-filled ecosystems that provide an idyllic wildlife habitat.
South Walton is home to 15 of these rare coastal dune lakes, so seeing them up close and personal by canoeing, kayaking or paddleboarding is an absolute must. Kayaking adventure tours around Western Lake, the largest and most popular of these natural rarities, are also available and offer a great way to learn more about 30A’s distinct waterways. Seasonal rentals are available from the BoatHouse Paddle Club at the WaterColor BoatHouse. Guests of WaterColor Inn also have access to use of these rentals for one hour each day.
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For more details on each of our properties, including amenities, offers and more, click here. We look forward to welcoming you on your next visit to 30A!
*Resort amenities are not open to the public. Private beach and golf club access varies by property; terms and conditions apply.
Details included in this story were accurate at time of publication but are subject to change based on seasonal schedules, amenity and/or operational updates. For the most current information, please visit the respective property’s website.
