Indian Pass Is Florida’s Best-Kept Beach Secret—Here’s How to Spend a Weekend There

There’s nothing quite like strolling along the beach at sunset on Florida’s Gulf Coast. While there are many great beach towns along this stretch of coastline, there are a few that stand out above the rest. If you’re looking for a spot with laid-back, Old Florida vibes, Indian Pass is your spot.

Located in Florida’s Panhandle, this secluded place is close to Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas, giving you a chance to explore all of these communities when you visit. The last time I visited the panhandle, I made Indian Pass my home base, and I haven’t shut up about it since.

I’ve been a Florida resident for about 20 years, and I have to say—this is one of Florida’s best-kept secrets. Here are a few of my personal tips for planning the best weekend getaway in Indian Pass—one of the state’s most charming beach communities.  

The great thing about Indian Pass is that you’ll find many vacation rentals there. This offers a chance to really make yourself at home when you visit. If you’re bringing along the whole family or a group of friends, vacation homes by the beach are always a convenient choice. When I last visited Indian Pass, I stayed in one called SunScape and SeaScape. It was right on the beach, which gave us the opportunity to just walk right out and have our toes in the sand anytime we wanted. Sipping my morning coffee on the patio as I gazed out at the water didn’t hurt, either. 

This vacation home in Indian Pass actually has two rentals: a lower-level and upper-level option. Each has four bedrooms, which allowed my travel companions and I to have plenty of space and all have our own rooms. We also each had our own bathroom. We stayed in the one on the second floor and enjoyed the views that came with it. 

Although there are some great restaurants in the area, the home has everything you need to prepare your own meals as well. Before we went, one of the members of our group reached out to a company called Vacation Prep Squad and they stocked the pantry and refrigerator with all of our favorite things. That made it easier to jump right into vacation mode as soon as we arrived. Skipping an extra trip to the grocery store meant we had more time on the beach, which was definitely appreciated. 

To make packing a little easier, you can also reach out to San Flea Rentals ahead of time. You don’t have to worry about trying to make room for things like fishing rods, bikes, and beach toys. Those things can take up a lot of space in the car, and if you’re flying in, it’s even more difficult to haul that much stuff along. They can set you up with everything you need, though. San Flea delivered some beach chairs and coolers for our crew so we could enjoy some relaxing time sitting on the beach. They even set up some games. 

During your first day in town, check out Downtown Port St. Joe. This is a great addition to your itinerary, even if your vacation rental isn’t ready for you to check into when you arrive. Fuel up with a coffee at The Joe in Port St. Joe, and then take a walk through downtown and do some shopping. Reid Avenue is the main thoroughfare where you’ll find cute boutiques and local restaurants. 

You’ll also want to take a walk over to the Cape San Blas Lighthouse while you’re there. It is located in downtown Port St. Joe and you can climb to the top for some of the best waterfront views on Florida’s Gulf Coast. After you’ve worked up an appetite, plan to have an early dinner at The Italian Kitchen Supper Club. It isn’t a large place, so I suggest making reservations in advance. It ended up being my favorite restaurant in Port St. Joe and I recommend trying the Porcini Truffle Mushroom Ravioli—it is so good! Just make sure you save a little room so you can stop by Shoobie’s for dessert.

Pro Tip: Stop at The Port Fine Wine and Spirits before heading back to your vacation home and grab a bottle of wine. Glass isn’t allowed on the beach, but pour yourself a glass of vino in a reusable stainless steel cup and take an evening walk on the beach to watch the setting sun.  

I know it’s tempting to sleep in on vacation, but there’s also something very peaceful about waking up early and walking the beach at Indian Pass. On my morning walk, I passed more shorebirds than people. It was one of those places where you hear waves instead of traffic, and it was quite serene. 

While the coastal vibes at Indian Pass are nice, make time to visit Cape San Blas, too. It is the most talked-about beach in Florida right now, so you’ll want to plan some time to visit one of its best spots—T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. There you’ll find beautiful beaches where you can lazily lounge around all day. If you prefer to hike, swim, or fish there, you can do that, too. Some of the things anglers report catching there include red drum, flounder, mullet, bluefish, whiting, pompano, and even shark. 

Birders will want to bring along their binoculars here also. You can find a variety of shorebirds, including the snowy plover. Although they blend in well with the white sand, I did spot some on my last visit. 

If you have more time to explore while you’re in Cape San Blas, you can also stop by the William J. “Billy Joe” Rish Recreation Area. This park goes above and beyond in its accessibility features and has a wide variety of mobility devices available for park guests. There’s also another scenic beach access point there, and I love how this park makes it so easy for guests of all abilities to be able to enjoy the beach. You’ll find another nice nature trail there, too.   

Pro Tip: While you’re out in Cape San Blas, stop by Scully’s Low Country Boil. This locally-owned restaurant has some of the best seafood in Florida, according to Yelp. Grab a bucket of their Gulf shrimp, smoked sausage, corn on the cob, and boiled potatoes to take back to your vacation home. We laid down newspaper on the back porch table and enjoyed our feast while we stared out at the waves breaking along the shoreline.

Take a snorkeling trip with AquaBear Adventures. The snorkeling itself is fun, but the scenic boat ride is just as impressive. Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, but you may even get to see dolphins swimming alongside the boat before you even reach your snorkeling location. Once you take a peek beneath the water’s surface, you could see starfish, sand dollars, seahorses, sea turtles, and more. 

To conclude your weekend, have dinner at one of the area’s oldest restaurants: Indian Pass Raw Bar. This local hangout has been there for years, and the local favorites are the raw, steamed, and baked oysters. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the steamed shrimp and crab legs, too. 

While the food is great, the quirky, laid-back atmosphere adds to the fun. Once you’re seated, you’ll get a scorecard for your group. You can get up and grab whatever you like from the cooler, but you’ll need to notate it on your scorecard. When you get ready to go, you just turn in your scorecard and pay. You don’t see many places that still work off of the honor system, but Indian Pass Raw Bar says they’ve done this since 1929, and it doesn’t appear they have any intention of stopping soon. 

Pro Tip: There’s often live music at Indian Pass Raw Bar, so plan enough time so that you can hang out and enjoy the entertainment, too. 

From my home in central Florida, I can drive to Indian Pass in about five and a half hours. It’s an easy and scenic drive, and it’s a good road trip if you’re close enough. 

If you’re flying in for a visit, the closest airport is Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP). It is located in Panama City, Florida, and is about an hour and a half away. Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) is a two-hour drive. Just rent a car when you land and make the drive. You’ll want to have a car to get around.