#shellisland

A Trip to St. Andrews State Park in Panama City, Florida

           Panama City is a great place to visit in the summer. One of my favorite places in Panama City is St. Andrews State Park. To me, it is a hidden gem! The park is a great getaway from the commercialism in Panama City. St. Andrews State Park is located on the Gulf of Mexico in a serene area with approximately two miles of beaches. The beach area known as the jetties is unique with cliffs of sand dunes. The jetties are made up of large boulders to separate the St. Andrews Pass from the beach. Climbing on the jetties to sightsee or fish is great fun. However, be careful, or you just might slip and slide if the jetties are wet with ocean water. You might even see a raccoon with his piercing eyes staring you in the face until he decides to walk back to his home in the rocks.

           While standing on the jetties, you can look across the emerald waters and imagine you see a Caribbean Island. Shell Island, a preserved natural island, is just across the St. Andrews Pass. You can rent a pontoon boat at the park for a $150 for half a day, rent jet skis, or take a shuttle ride on the St. Andrews shuttle boat to visit Shell Island. On the island, I love diving for sand dollars and starfish, snorkeling, watching the dolphins swim in circles, and collecting unique seashells. A travel tip is to take a picnic lunch and a cooler with you. The island does not have restrooms or concession stands. The beach at the jetties is beautiful. Sunbathing on the white sandy beach, listening to the ocean waves, and feeling the sea breeze makes for a relaxing day. If you love a gorgeous sunset that lights up the sky, then take your camera and sit at the beach fishing pier. When you hang around the pier for a while, you might just see a beach wedding.

           Visiting St. Andrews State Park is never boring. I love walking the beach, the nature trails, biking, and kayaking on the bay. Some tourists love to go parasailing, scuba diving, and surfing when the waves are high. In the spring, walking to St. Andrew’s Point which is located on a peninsula is a popular spot for saltwater fishing. When the Spanish Mackerel are running, you can catch your limit of fish very quickly. If you love to fish, pack your rod and reels and your tackle box. Even if you do not like to fish, the walk to the point is a scenic route. You can see all types of boats entering and exiting the pass.