Destin -> Panama City trip

[jff]

We live in Atlanta and are planning a July boating trip with friends, 2-3 boats in total. The plan is to have boats brought to Destin, spend a few days in that area exploring, then go to Panama City - Bay Point Marina (and back a few days later).

I'm curious if anyone has suggestions in either location (or on the way there/back). Ie. places to see, things to do, things to avoid, places to eat, etc. etc.

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Jason
2003 300 DA

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

1. Travel between Destin and Panama City in the early morning for the calmest seas. Later in the afternoon SW winds tear up the Chochtahachee Bay pretty good.
2. There are few water front resturants in Panama City. The Treasure ship if you can find dockage at the Marina, The Boat Yard, Uncle Ernie's, Bayou Joe's and a new one that has not yet opened but may be open by July, the Shrimp Boat Resturant.
3. You might consider a day trip over to Port St Joe Marina, they have a nice place to dock and eat.
4. Bay Point Marina, has 30 Degree Blue, bring the American Express. Stay out of the Marriott except for drinks. Food is marginal for price you pay. Get a cab and try the Salt Water Grill or if you want rustic go up Thomas Drive to Barnical Bruces.
5. Stop in and say hey when you get to Bay Point we will be on your starboard side when you come in the channell. :grin:

 

[fwebster]

I doubt you will find enough in Destin to keep you busy for several days unless you fish. Destin is basically a fishing village taken over by developers. Lots of condos and plenty of boats to see. There is limited anchorage but the locals seem to enjoy partying with 1000's at Crab Island which is a shallow spot in the bay just North of the Destin Bridge. There are lots of great Restaurants in the Destin harbor, but very limited space to tie up. In July, the harbor is going to be very crowded, and it is a no wake area. You will have to know and understand the rules of the road and bring patience with you or you'll get in trouble.

When you leave the Destin harbor, you have 2 options.....to the Gulf, or to the Chocktawhatchee Bay to the north. From the bridge you are in a no wake zone for about 1/2 mile and it has a wicked dog leg so watch the day markers closely.

In the Chocktawhatchee, you can head west and explore the Ft. Walton area which is very scenic and a little more laid back than Destin. Head east toward Panama City and the bay is plenty deep near Destin but it gets shallower as you approach the east end of the bay and "The Ditch", which is a land cut or canal connecting the Choctawhatchee and West bays. Stay in the marked waterway as you get to the east end of the bay and stay in the center of the ditch as you go to west bay. You can encounter a lot of small boats and fishermen between Destin and Panama City so be careful, keep your eyes open and don't pass under bridges at cruising speeds.

In the Chocktawhatchee, just before you get to the mid-bay bridge, Niceville is on the north side of the bay . Bluewater Bay Marina is a nice place to visit.....off the beaten path, not as commercial as Destin and very nice folks there. About 12 miles down the bay is Baytowne.....the marina at SanDestin. There is a complete village of up-scale shopping and eating at the marina there. Transient slips are hard to get so make reservations early if you want to stay there.

As you leave the ditch at West Bay, do not stray out of the marked channel. It is very shallow and there is a sticky mud bottom. Hit it at much more than idle and you can't get off without a tow. From there to Bay Point, the trip is unremarkable but very scenic and full of interesting stuff you do get to see in Atlanta.....a Navy Base, a working ship yard, a fuel depot, coastal freighters entering the port.........just to the east as you pass Hathaway Bridge.

Monitor VHF 16 because there is always the chance that you will be near some type of sensitive traffic or military activity. We have a Navy Base....they do mines research and diving, the USCG, a secret base of some type we think is DEA, the Air Force operating several boats for drone recovery working in the area, plus the port pilot and shipping activity and lots of commercial traffic in the area. It isn't hard to manage at all, but you must know the rules of the road, passing edicate and procedures and how to handle the VHF because the appropriate agency or vessel will call you on 16 if you get into an area they have restrict for diving or other activites or if you get where you shouldn't be.

The greatest thing about the Panama City area for boaters is the barrier island that separates St. Andrews bay from the Gulf of Mexico. Shell Island is about 12 miles long and is loaded with neat spots to anchor in protected water in the bay. The island is narrow enough that is isn't hard to anchor in knee deep and protected water and walk across the island to the Gulf and surf. Most of the island is a State park but the rest of it is owned by the Frederal Government who allows boaters to use it if you follow the rules. The entire area is teeming with wildlife both marine and land based. Take a short run thru the pass into the Gulf and it will be a rare day when you do not see a pod of dolphins come up to your boat.

Bay Point is located on Grand Lagoon which is pretty much the center of pleasure boating in the area. There are several marinas and boat dealers on the water as well as St. Andrews state park. There are several good restaurants near by.

Depending upon whether you are in to "resorting" or boating, you may find the Panama City area to offer more of interest.........

That should get you started!

 

[jff]

Wow! Thanks for all the great information Frank & Stihlbolts, that's very helpful.

Regards,
Jason

 

[fwebster]

I forgot to add, that one way should be inside, which is the way I described. The other direction, go outside in the Gulf.......its quicker and there is different scenery since you can run close to the beach and see the beach communities between PC and Destin like Sea Side, Rosemary Beach, Sea Grove beach, etc.

Check the marine weather and pick a day when the winds are either low or out of the NW to N.........even on days when 4-6'd are forcast in the 0-20 miles off shore forcast, the first 1/2 mile off the beach is usually flat calm in North winds. Generally, be careful with Gulf when the marine forcast is to anything over 15 mph winds. Also, be sure you are listening to the "Apalachicola to Destin and 20 miles offshore" portion of the forcast.......what the conditions in Tallahassee or 60 miles off shore are is about as meaningful to you for this trip as those in Anchorage.

 

[chuck1]

Jason,
You got some great info From Richard(Stihlbolts) & Frank. Great bunch of guys, had a good CSR get-together last year in PCB. Wife and I did just the opposite of what you are thinking about. We put in at Bay Point, ran to "Baytowne"...the marina at Sandestin.We rented a place and made Sandestin our base of operation for a week. One day ran all the way to Pensacola. Ran back to Bay Point for a couple more day and meet up with everybody for the CSR get-together. Great trip!!!. I've got more info on my web site about it. Let me know if I can help anyway. Where do you boat in the Atlanta area?

Chuck

 

[fragmag]

I just did this trip about a month or so and it's a great cruise with lots of fun activities at both locations. More to do in PCB, but both are fun. I won't add too much since it has been covered as well as it can be. So, relax and enjoy.

 

[jwfoster4]

I second all the above. Great advice. Also, try the Crab Shack a little west of Destin. It is on the ICW, not too crowded, full service marina and has great food.

http://www.crabshackmarina.com/

If you snorkel, St. Andrews State Park and Shell Island are great places.

Crab Island and Pass at Destin are crowded, but its because that area has the clearest, most emerald colored water on the Gulf Coast. Dolphin are guaranteed and the beach is sugar white.

I don't know what your dates are, but one of the biggest boating events in Pensacola is the Navy's Blue Angels Air Show. The official show is on Saturday, July 12, with practices starting on the 9th. We usually go to the dress rehearsal on Friday. Showtime is 12 noon; Blue Angels start around 2pm. Best viewing is the Gulf side anchor area set up by the USCG just off Pensacola Beach. The show will take place between the beach and the boat anchor area.

Distance from Destin Harbor to Pensacola Beach is around 35 miles.

We often go see the practice sessions during the week here at their home base, but the show over the water is by far the best. It is their home crowd and they never disappoint. See video - we will never go by car - did it one time. Skip to around 5:50 for Blues coming in over the boats from the south.

http://www.visitpensacolabeach.com/what/airshow.asp

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FtyK79cxfjw&feature=related

We miss this years show and will actually be at St. Andrews camping and on the boat July 7 - 14...maybe we could meet up.