One of the crown jewels in the Florida State Park system, St. Andrews State Park is situated on the eastern tip of Panama City Beach with the Gulf of Mexico on one side and St. Andrews Bay on the other. This untouched beach area is tucked away with countless beautiful natural areas to explore, white sand beaches, and abundant wildlife throughout the park.
What you need to know when you visit St. Andrews State Park
The entry fee is $8 per vehicle, and the park is open from 8 AM until sundown, 365 days a year. You can purchase an annual pass that includes admission to all the Florida State Parks. There is a capacity limit for vehicles that fills up quickly in the summer and peak holidays, such as Memorial Day weekend and Independence Day, so plan accordingly and come early.
When you enter the park, there is a small wildlife exhibit and museum you can explore. Maps are also available to help visitors navigate the park. Inside the park you’ll find an area to explore the beaches, a general store, hiking trails, and public restrooms.
Enjoy the Beautiful Beaches and Gator Lake
The park has over 1.5 miles of beautiful white sand beaches. St. Andrews State Park was recognized as one of America’s Best Beaches by Dr. Beach, Stephen Leatherman.
For visitors with children, the kiddie pool lagoon offers a great saltwater swimming area with clear, shallow water. There are many opportunities for photographers and birdwatchers to catch sight of some of Florida’s rarer birds and wildlife. This well-preserved park offers a wonderful chance to experience the beauty of nature.
Gator Lake is a man-made lake created in the 1930s by the Corps of Engineers. The lake is a refuge for alligators and other wildlife such as the great blue heron, along with several species of birds,reptiles and other small mammals. The trail at Gator Lake is easy to walk and offers fabulous nature views of the forest and lake.
Camping and Glamping at St. Andrews State Park
St. Andrews State Park offers a wonderful camping experience. The camping sites offer water and electric hookups for your RV and the option to tent camp with spots directly overlooking the bay. The camping sites have a picnic table, fire pit and grill. This is a great option to stay in touch with nature. To book a campsite, visit their website.
Glamping tents, or Eco Tents, are available at the state park that combine the great outdoors with the luxury of home.The glamping tents offer a water view and come equipped with modern luxuries such as electricity, a queen bed, a twin sized cot, and many other amenities. To book a glamping tent, visit their website.
Biking, hiking, scuba, fishing, and watercraft are popular activities.
Bicycles can be rented at the camp store to take a leisurely ride on the park’s 2-mile paved road. If you would like to hike, there are two half-mile trails in the park to choose from. You can also enjoy a nice picnic at one of the three picnic areas available in the park with communal barbeque grills.
For those who would like to explore the park on the water, kayak and paddleboard rentals are available during the summer. Pontoon boats can be rented at the park for a full or half day. You can also take the official Shell Island Ferry, a preserved island in the State Park.
Scuba diving and snorkeling are popular along the jetty rocks of the inlet lagoon and the Gulf of Mexico with equipment available for rent on site. The fishing piers and jetty rocks provide excellent vantage points year-round for great fishing.
You can take a boat tour and enjoy snorkeling and dolphin watching with experienced guides and snorkeling gear provided. The two-hour sunset dolphin cruise is a great way to unwind after a day at the beach on the double-deck motor catamaran, while searching for wild dolphins. Tickets can be purchased at the Pier Store.
Take the official Shell Island Ferry at the State Park
St. Andrews State Park includes the 7-mile-long barrier island known as Shell Island, a local must-see attraction. This undeveloped stretch of white sand beach is a haven for wildlife, marine animals, and beach lovers looking for a day in a pristine natural setting away from the resorts. Colorful tropical fish, dolphins, and sea turtles are common in the waters around the island.
Shell Island can only be accessed by boat, and the official Shell Island Ferry is the easiest, safest, and quickest way to reach the island. The ferry takes about 15 minutes to reach the island with no time limit on the amount of time to spend at the island daily. Tickets are round trip, and you will need to check the schedule for departure and pickup times. Ticket prices range from $16 to $23 and can be purchased first come, first served online. Guests are welcome to bring their own cooler and refreshments.
ADA Accessible Amenities and Boat Ramps
St. Andrews State Park is committed to providing a variety of ADA amenities accessible to visitors including the visitor center with exhibits, elevated boardwalks to the beach, beach wheelchairs, two fishing piers, overlooks at Gator Lake and Buttonbush Marsh, and more. Service animals are welcome in all areas of Florida State Parks.
The park's boat ramp consists of a double-sided concrete launch that will accommodate the smallest to the largest of watercraft. The cost of launching your boat is $12 for one person with a boat or $16 for two to eight people with a boat. A playground and swings are in the picnic area by the boat ramp.
Food, Beverage, and Retail at St. Andrews State Park
A food truck serves hot food and cold beverages at the Jetty Store including burgers, grilled chicken, pulled pork, kids meals, sodas, teas, coffee, bottled beer, and cocktails. The park’s concessionaire offers three places to find the perfect souvenir, equipment rentals, and tickets for the Shell Island Shuttle
The Camp Store offers bait and tackle, ice, rental golf carts, bicycles, pontoon boats, and kayaks. The Jetty Store connects you to the beach and is a great stop for food, snacks, drinks, beach chairs, umbrellas, and more. The Pier Store offers sweets, treats, and souvenirs and is the spot where you take the bus to the official Shell Island Shuttle.
Plan your visit to St. Andrews State Park in the Florida Panhandle
While visiting Panama City Beach Florida, St. Andrews State Park is a must-see destination. This beautiful nature park allows you to explore the untouched pristine beaches, view wildlife in its natural habitat, and have your own new adventures.
Panhandle Getaways has the largest selection of beachfront condos and private beach rentals in Panama City Beach. Book your stay with us and experience the beauty of St. Andrews State Park.