Perdido Key Local Guide
Where exactly is Perdido Key?
Perdido Key, FL is connected on the east by bridge to the city of Pensacola and
to the west by bridge to Orange Beach, Alabama. A little further west is Gulf Shores,
AL. So, we are within 30 minutes either way of all the summertime commotion
and secluded enough to relax while listening to the waves crash along the shoreline.
Perdido Key rentals are popular
for many reasons. The most obvious are the beaches. Our barrier island has been
featured by top travel magazines in the top 5 beaches in the U.S., rated the #1
swimming beaches in the US by GORP (Great Outdoor Recreation Pages), ranked by Dr.
Beach as among the Nation's top 20 beaches, and even on The Travel Channel's "Top
Secret Beaches of the World" series in 2002 as the
only continental U.S. destination
among the 20 beaches featured
worldwide
! The beaches of Perdido Key offer a variety of activities to be enjoyed under
the sun. This natural delight can provide you with a picturesque and relaxing setting
to let everything go or a great access point to your favorite water activities.
You can discover unique and colorful creatures while snorkeling in the surf or get
active and go surf the waves. Being a beach bum is always perfectly acceptable too
- bring a book and find a relatively quiet stretch of sand for some much needed
rest. Bringing the kids along this time? Grab a skim board, boogie boards, and sand
toys so you can keep everyone entertained and comfortable. We could go on an on
about the beaches... and you likely will too once you return home from your trip!
Everyone loves a Florida vacation
at the beach, but you may wonder 'is there anything else?' You bet.
Events in Perdido Key are unlike anywhere else. We ring in the year with our
Polar Bear Dip, in late-April the Interstate Mullet Toss is always a popular event,
Thunder on the Gulf roars in every August, The Frank Brown International Songwriters
Festival in November brings in singer-songwriters from across the country, and the
Jellyfish bar hosts the Perdido Key martini Festival the day after Thanksgiving.
On The Island
Johnson Beach Gulf Islands
National Seashore
This 7 mile stretch of pristine
beach is our favorite. Equipped with restrooms, showers, picnic tables, a large
covered pavilion, large parking lot, 2 miles of road in which one can find a private
piece of sand, lifeguards, and rangers. The rangers station sponsors guided barrier
island walks, educational wildlife and sea life events during the summer months.
This portion of federally-protected beaches provides various habitats including
wetlands and marshes on the northwestern side and dune spotted with sea oats all
along the southern side. The view from Pensacola Beach rentals are beautiful, but
Perdido Key beaches boast an unspoiled view that is largely in part to the development
cap enforced here on the island. Nature is beautiful, especially if you know
where to look, and this is one of the must-see places!
Fort McRee Ruins
Located on the west-side of the
Pensacola Pass, an inlet from the Gulf of Mexico to the Intracoastal Waterway, this
Civil-war era fort helped to guard passage into the Pensacola Bay area. Its neighboring
fort, Fort Pickens which is just west of today's rentals Pensacola Beach area, guarded
the east-side of the Pensacola Pass. There is not much left of Fort McRee other
than tattered ruins of the fort's foundation as a result of erosion, hurricanes,
and fires although it is still a popular stop for boater. Many even ride out to
the old fort and camp along the shoreline!
Lost Key Golf Course
Do you like golf? You need to
play this Florida golf course! Designed by Arnold Palmer, it is sure to challenge
you and has even earned the nickname "Lost Ball" from the locals. And, if you have
a friend in the cart who is not much a golfer then the fact that it is also a Audubon
Signature Cooperative Sanctuary might be of interest. The bird-watching coupled
with a premier round of golf makes for a spectacular outing. Hungry after
your bout with the greens? The Golf Club has an impressive restaurant on-site in
the Club House as well.
Perdido Key State Park
Area
This is the sister-property to
Johnson Beach. Rather than being a 7-mile stretch of Perdido Key beach along the
eastern-most side of the island, the Perdido Key State Park Area is in the center
of the island. You can't miss it. As you drive from one side of the island to the
other you are bound to notice where all development stops and protected seashore
begins. The parking areas here are equipped with restrooms, showers, and picnic
areas for your convenience. If you are in an off beach front rental in Perdido Key,
then this area would be a good choice as would Johnson Beach when headed out to
the Gulf.
Near the Island
Big Lagoon State Park
This 600+ acre Florida State
Park separates Perdido Key and the mainland running along the Intracoastal Waterway.
An ever popular stop in the park is the lookout tower which is 40 feet tall and
allows visitors a panoramic view of the area. Once through the gates visitors can
launch a boat, stroll along the nature trails which feature informational placards
along the way, rent pavilion space for a large function, go camping, participate
in water activities, or just play on the playground. Home to many migrating birds
in the fall and spring seasons, the park is buzzing all year long with interesting
fauna and flora.
Tarklin Bayou Reserve
State Park (Watershed)
Hoping to discover some of the
area's wildlife? After you check out Big Lagoon, you need to swing by Tarklin Bayou...
just be sure to have your walking shoes on. The park has boardwalks and trails all
of which are abundant with fauna and flora, among which includes fields of pitcher
plants - one of only two carnivorous plants in the world!
Pensacola Beach &
Perdido Key Flag Warning System:
A
GREEN
flag means that the water is calm. As always, use the proper amount
of caution.
A
YELLOW
flag indicates
the presence of light surf or currents. Additional caution should be used while
swimming in the Gulf.
A
RED
flag indicates
the presence of strong surf and currents. You should not swim in these conditions.
A
DOUBLE RED
flag,
however, means that the water is closed to the public!
Finally, a
PURPLE
flag indicates the presence of marine pest in the water such as jellyfish, stingrays
or dangerous fish.
I trust that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and rang in the New Year with high hopes and new aspirations. While some Snowbirds have already arrived, many condo rental companies and area businesses are gearing up for the arrival of hundreds of Northern residents that call Perdido Key home for...
Read More
5 days away. Are you stressed out yet?
I certainly hope not, but if you are, a relaxing weekend or
week in a Perdido Key condo would cure that! Our small little island is laid back and a true hidden paradise.
Whether you plan on heading to your rental in Perdido Key or another fine destination...
Read More