CARRABELLE BEACH
Where
Carrabelle Beach, home to miles of pristine beaches, features two public beaches that are a mere half-mile and one-minute drive apart: Old Carrabelle Beach Park, located at 1740 Carrabelle Beach Dr, Carrabelle, FL 32322, and Carrabelle Beach Park, located at 1860 Highway 98 W, Carrabelle, Florida 32322.
Vibe
Both beach parks are quiet with an old Florida vibe, but these twin stretches of sand have different personalities. Old Carrabelle Beach is about nature, tranquility and seclusion, a secret, romantic hideaway without facilities. While never overly crowded, Carrabelle Beach is more popular, with families firing up the grills; kids wading in the placid surf; and beachgoers searching for shells along the shoreline.
See, feel
Protected by offshore barrier islands, both Old Carrabelle and Carrabelle promise gentle waves; frequent dolphin sightings; and glorious sunsets. Their sand is likewise almost the same, white across the dunes and cocoa-colored by the water, and scattered with shells like olives, conchs and whelks. The beaches border St. George Sound’s clear, blue-green waters.
On or near the beach
Swimming and playing in the waves; working on perfecting your tan; and hunting for shells are time honored ways to spend the day on Carrabelle’s beaches. Carrabelle is particularly beloved by families because of its gently sloping bottom and amenities like picnic pavilions and restrooms. Old Carrabelle is a favorite with anglers because of the nearby grass flats that deliver fabulous fishing in the summer and fall, and couples yearning for an almost private getaway. Birders will likewise appreciate Old Carrabelle: stroll to the east side of the beach to discover shallow oyster beds and frequent spring-through-fall sightings of Black Skimmers, Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings, Short-billed Dowitchers and Marbled Godwits.
Accessibility
Neither beach park has accessible features.
Facilities
Old Carrabelle doesn’t have any facilities. Carrabelle offers restrooms; outside showers; 10 picnic pavilions with benches and tables; and grills.
Lifeguards
There are no lifeguards; swim at your own risk.
Parking
Old Carrabelle Beach Park doesn’t have any formal parking, while Carrabelle Beach Park offers free parking with about 40 spaces, including parking for RVs.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CARRABELLE BEACH
Q. Where is Carrabelle Beach?
A. Carrabelle Beach is in Franklin County on Florida's Forgotten Coast, along U.S. Highway 98 just west of the city of Carrabelle on St. George Sound, about 20 miles east of Apalachicola.
This curving white-sand beach sits right off the highway on St. George Sound, with no gate and no admission. See the City of Carrabelle's beach page.
Q. Are there lifeguards?
A. No. Carrabelle Beach is not staffed with lifeguards; swim at your own risk.
Keep a close eye on children, and check the water and the posted beach warning flag before you get in.
Q. What do the beach flags mean?
A. The city utilizes a beach warning flag system to signal daily conditions. Here’s what the different color flags mean: single red = high hazard, double red = water closed, yellow = medium hazard, green = low hazard, purple = dangerous marine life. Here’s more in depth information: https://www.usla.org/page/beach-warning-flags
Q. What amenities are there?
A. More than you might expect for a roadside beach. Carrabelle Public Beach Park has convenient parking, restrooms, an outdoor shower, grills, and 10 picnic pavilions with benches and tables.
There are no concessions, so bring water and food if you plan to stay a while.
Q. Can I bring my dog?
A. Yes, on a leash. The city's rule is that your dog must be leashed at all times.
Bring your own waste bags rather than assuming they will be stocked at the beach, and pick up after your dog.
Q. Is the beach accessible for visitors with mobility needs?
A. Parking sits close to the beach, but it’s not accessible.
Q. What is the water like here?
A. This is St. George Sound rather than the open Gulf, sheltered by St. George Island offshore, so the water tends to be calmer and shallower than a full Gulf-front beach.
That suits wading, paddling and families, but conditions still vary with winds, tides, and offshore systems. Make sure to check the beach warning flag. For current beach conditions you can go to Oyster Radio’s website: www.oysterradio.com/
Q. What can I do here?
A. Swimming, wading, shelling, beachcombing, kayaking, paddleboarding and birdwatching are the mainstays, along with picnicking under the pavilions.
Carrabelle is also a working fishing town, and the Carrabelle River is a jumping-off point for boating and offshore fishing. A Florida saltwater fishing license may be required; check current rules on the FWC saltwater fishing licenses page.
Q. What about sea turtles?
A. Nesting season on this stretch of the Gulf coast runs May 1 through Oct. 31.
During those months, stay off the dunes, leave nests and their markers alone, fill in any holes you dig, remove chairs, umbrellas, tents and other beach equipment from the beach at night, and keep lights off the beach after dark. See the state's guidance on sea turtles and lights.
Q. What's nearby?
A. The Crooked River Lighthouse and the Camp Gordon Johnston World War II Museum are both in Carrabelle, along with the much-photographed "World's Smallest Police Station," a repurposed phone booth on U.S. 98.
Dog Island lies offshore and is reachable only by boat. Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park and Apalachicola are both a short drive west.
Q. Where can I eat?
A. Carrabelle offers restaurants both in town and along the river, a few minutes from the beach. Check what’s available: https://www.carrabelle.org/things-to-do/restaurants-catering/
This is a small town on the Forgotten Coast, and hours can be limited off-season, so check before you count on a particular place. Apalachicola, about a half-hour west, has a wider selection.
Q. When is the best time to visit?
A. Spring and fall bring the most comfortable weather and the quietest beach. Summer is hot and humid with the warmest water and frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
Winter is mild for walking and birding, but the water is usually too cold for comfortable swimming. Check the forecast before you head out. For current beach conditions you can go to Oyster Radio’s website: www.oysterradio.com/
