Local Guide: Things to Do in 30A Besides the Beach

1. Inshore Fishing Charter on Choctawhatchee Bay

This is my obvious first recommendation — but I’d say it even if I didn’t run a charter company. Choctawhatchee Bay is one of the most productive inshore fisheries on the Gulf Coast, and most visitors to 30A never see it. The bay sits just north of the beach communities, separated from the Gulf by a narrow strip of land, and it’s home to redfish, speckled trout, flounder, sheepshead, and more.

A 2-hour inshore charter is the perfect half-morning activity. You’re back before lunch, the kids are exhausted in the best possible way, and you’ve got a story that beats anything that happened on the beach. We offer trips starting at 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:30 PM, and 5:30 PM — so it fits into any vacation schedule.

2. Kayak or Paddleboard the Coastal Dune Lakes

The 30A area is home to a rare and remarkable geographic feature: coastal dune lakes. These freshwater lakes sit right next to the Gulf of Mexico, separated from the salt water by narrow dunes. Periodically, the lakes “outfall” into the Gulf, creating a brief brackish mixing zone that’s unlike anything else in North America.

Western Lake, Grayton Beach State Park’s lake, and Deer Lake are all excellent for kayaking and paddleboarding. Several outfitters in the area rent equipment and offer guided tours. The scenery is stunning — clear freshwater, white sand dunes, and longleaf pine forest surrounding the lakes.

3. Cycle the 30A Bike Path

The 30A Bike Path runs the length of the corridor and is one of the best cycling routes in Florida. You can rent bikes at multiple locations along 30A and pedal through the beach communities — Grayton Beach, Watercolor, Seaside, Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach — stopping for coffee, ice cream, or lunch along the way.

The path is mostly flat and family-friendly, though some sections require riding on the road. Early morning rides are particularly beautiful — the light on the dunes and the quiet of the communities before the day gets going is hard to beat.

4. Explore Grayton Beach State Park

Grayton Beach State Park is one of the most beautiful state parks in Florida — and that’s saying something in a state full of excellent parks. The park encompasses both Gulf-front beach and the coastal dune lake ecosystem, with hiking trails, a campground, and some of the most pristine natural scenery in the Panhandle.

The beach at Grayton is consistently rated one of the best in the country. But the real gem is the lake trail that winds through the dunes and pine forest — it’s a completely different experience from the beach and one that most visitors miss entirely.

5. Walk the Town Centers of Seaside and Rosemary Beach

Seaside is one of the most famous planned communities in the United States — it was the filming location for The Truman Show and has been studied by urban planners around the world. The town center has excellent restaurants, boutique shops, and a farmers market on weekends. The architecture is distinctive and worth seeing even if you’re not shopping.

Rosemary Beach, at the eastern end of 30A, has a similar European-inspired aesthetic with cobblestone streets, a town square, and some of the best dining on the corridor. Both communities are walkable and genuinely pleasant to explore on foot.

6. Visit Point Washington State Forest

Point Washington State Forest covers over 15,000 acres just north of 30A and offers hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing. The forest is home to gopher tortoises, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and a variety of native plants that you won’t find anywhere else in the region.

The Eastern Lake Bike/Hike Trail is a popular route that connects to the coastal dune lake area. It’s a great option for a morning of exercise that doesn’t involve sunscreen and sand.

7. Eat Your Way Down 30A

The dining scene on 30A has exploded over the past decade. From the legendary Bud & Alley’s in Seaside to the excellent seafood at Stinky’s Fish Camp in Santa Rosa Beach, the corridor has more good restaurants per mile than almost anywhere in Florida.

A few personal favorites: the fish tacos at Goatfeathers in Grayton Beach, the Gulf shrimp at Shrimp Shack in Santa Rosa Beach, and the sunset views from the rooftop at Pescado in Rosemary Beach. If you’re keeping fish from your charter, many local restaurants will cook your catch — ask your captain for recommendations.

Quick Reference: Best Non-Beach Activities on 30A

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The Bottom Line

30A is one of the most beautiful places in the United States, and the beach is obviously the main draw. But the area has a depth of natural beauty and activity that most visitors only scratch the surface of. If you’re spending a week here, I’d encourage you to spend at least one morning on the bay instead of the beach.

The fishing on Choctawhatchee Bay is world-class, the coastal dune lakes are unlike anything else in North America, and the communities along 30A are genuinely worth exploring on foot. You’ll come back from your vacation with a much richer experience — and probably a cooler full of fresh redfish fillets.