Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico Beach is a laid-back coastal community that forms part of the Florida Panhandle. It was once clustered with old bungalows and stilt holiday homes before Hurricane Michael swept through the area in 2018. Now rebuilt, Mexico Beach is once again a vacation destination for fishing, beach combing and dolphin spotting.
Things to do in Mexico Beach
With its sun-drenched coastline, Mexico Beach offers a wide range of water sports, including kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. You can fly high above the city on a parasailing adventure or head out to lure red snapper, grouper and Spanish mackerel on a sport fishing charter. Dolphin spotting and sunset cruises are also available.
A short drive west of Mexico Beach is Crooked Island Beach, a blissfully uncrowded stretch of white sand that’s renowned amongst shell collectors. It’s also a stunning spot for sunbathing and enjoying a dip in the Gulf of Mexico. Crooked Island Beach lies at one end of St. Andrew Sound, a tranquil body of water that can be accessed via several boat ramps.
Sprawling east of Mexico Beach is the Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area, a 25,500-hectare tract of floodplain swamp that provides an important habitat for birdlife. There are more than 150 kilometres of paddling trails for exploring its old-growth cypress forests where you can spot alligator snapping turtles and Florida black bears. On land, you can follow the Tank Island Wildflower Driving Tour.
Getting around Mexico Beach
Mexico Beach is a 30-minute drive from Panama City and one hour from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the United States. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Mexico Beach and exploring the region.