18 Best Things to Do in St Andrews State Park in 2024 [+ Camping Details]
St Andrews State Park in Panama City, Florida is one of the best state parks in Florida that we have ever visited. It has everything your family will enjoy. It has great stores, beaches with amazing seashells, and wonderful areas for snorkeling.
We have spent many months exploring Florida and the Gulf Coast and have everything you need to have a wonderful trip to St Andrews State Park in Florida.
Park Overview
St Andrews State Park Hours: 8 am to Sundown
St Andrews State Park Admission Fee: $8 per vehicle or State Parks Pass
St Andrews State Park Phone Number: 850-708-6100
Things to Do in St Andrews State Park
1. Jetty Beach
Jetty Beach is our favorite beach to visit when we go to Saint Andrews State Park in Panama City, FL. The beach has everything your family would want – beautiful sunsets, dolphins, amazing shells, and crystal-clear water.
It is a great beach for finding sweet shells and testing out the best boogie boards around! There is a lagoon where you can snorkel away from the waves too. If you are looking for more waves and a place to fish, there is a nice deep-sea jetty here used for fishing.
While this beach is awesome there is something about this beach that might not make it for everyone. As you head out to the beach, shortly before you get to the water, there is a sand drop-off that is about 15 feet down. This means if you are going to the ocean and not the Tidal Pool Beach area, you have to slide or climb down and back up this little sand hill.
We did not find it that difficult to get up and down, and some people would hang out on the edge and not climb down it. This sandhill is where we would find lots of sweet little conch shells.
2. Tidal Pool Beach at the Jetty Day Use Area
The Tidal Pool Beach at the Jetty Day Use Area is a great place to explore while you are at the Jetty Beach. This is mentioned above as it is in close proximity to the beach.
They are separated by a man-made jetty. In this pool area, you can snorkel and see a good number of sea creatures. People can find blue crabs, fish, sea horses, and other animals here. Our girls loved snorkeling here.
3. Fishing on the Jetties
The jetties at St. Andrews State Park provides ample fishing opportunities, and the stores have some fishing supplies if you happen to forget anything. You can expect to find a number of different fish, including Spanish mackerel, redfish, tarpon, and more.
The rock jetties are great for fishing, but you can also fish along the beaches. Shell Island or the pier are popular fishing areas. There is also a boat ramp where you will see people putting their fishing boats or pontoon boats into the water, so if you happen to have a boat, you can get in the water there.
If you didn’t bring your boat, rent a pontoon boat and bring your fishing pole with you.
4. Look For Dolphins and Other Wildlife
Dolphins frequent the ocean around Saint Andrews State Park. From most of the beach areas, you should look for them in the ocean. The easiest way to see them is to watch for big boats as they like to play in the wake of the boats.
We saw multiple dolphins jumping in the wake of the Sea Screamer boat tours as they pass close to the beach looking for the dolphins.
Sea turtles, birds, and other marine animals and wildlife visit the park. We saw lots of birds by the birding trail, like the snowy egrets, and in the evening, we would see deer walk through the campground.
Panama City Beach Dolphin tours are another fun way to enjoy the wildlife in this area.
5. St Andrews State Park Snorkeling
Snorkeling is one of the best things to do with kids in Panama City Beach. This state park is a great place to snorkel if you are a newbie or if you have done it before. If you forgot your gear, they sell some in the stores throughout the park because it is a popular location for snorkeling.
You can snorkel at the Tidal Pool Beach that connects with Jetty Beach, or you can snorkel at the other beach areas. The Tidal Pool Beach area is just the easiest place to snorkel, and it is a large area.
6. Gulf Pier Beach
The Gulf Pier Beach is a little ways past the Jetty Beach area. As you head to Jetty Beach, you will continue a short distance to Gulf Pier Beach. This is also the parking lot where you will get on the Shell Island Shuttle that takes you to the drop-off if you are taking the ferry out to Shell Island.
We were actually a little late getting to this pickup point for the tram, so we didn’t take the tram. If this happens, you can park at the boat launch area and walk to the pier that is to the left of the boat ramps.
The Gulf Pier beach is an easier beach to get to because it does not have the sandhill drop-off you find at Jetty Beach.
This is also a great area to look for ghost crabs. Our kids love looking for ghost crabs and found a bunch on this beach. Just head out to the beach after dark with a flashlight and look for the little crabs scurrying on the beach.
The ghost crabs are not suitable for eating. It is just catch and release. Also, remember to be mindful of the lights on the beach during turtle nesting season, running from May through October.
7. Gulf Pier
The Gulf Pier is on the Gulf Pier Beach. The pier is a nice area to explore and to see the surrounding area and ocean. The pier is also a popular area for those who enjoy fishing in the state park.
8. Walk On the Beach
For us walking along the beach is something we do at almost every beach. We love to walk on the beach and look for shells and enjoy the beautiful views.
9. Shell Island Ferry
The Shell Island Ferry is a great ferry that takes you over to Shell Island. The ferry is in the St. Andrews Bay portion of the park, so the ride over stays pretty smooth. There were not a ton of people on our ferry ride, and the captain let the girls take pictures driving the boat.
Shell Island was a cool place with a beautiful white sands beach, but if you are just looking for a nice beach, we would recommend just staying at Jetty Beach. It was a little bit expensive, in our opinion, to take the ferry to Shell Island, and the beach is not much, if any, better than the beaches that do not require a ferry.
When the park is super busy in the summer season, the ferry would be more worth it because you will find fewer people on this island. We didn’t find much for shells on the island, but from what we were told, there are sweet shells, and the farther you walk, the better chance you have of finding good shells. Maybe we didn’t walk far enough.
10. St Andrews State Park Pontoon Boat Rentals
St Andrews State Park rentals are readily accessible right inside the park. The pontoon boat rentals are a great activity for anyone looking to spend some time on the water. You can rent the boats for a full day or a half a day.
The park also offers some other rentals like golf carts, kayaks, and paddle boards.
11. Ghost-Crabbing
I cannot tell you have many times we go ghost crabbing, but we all enjoy looking for them and do it often. The crabs are fast, so make sure you bring a net and a bucket.
If you have not been ghost-crabbing, you should do it. It is so fun to watch the crabs run around as you get close to them. If you try to catch them you want to get them before they get into the water.
Also, keep in mind that the crabs pinch. Our 3-year-old daughter loves picking them up, but she has gotten pinched multiple times, and she is way more cautious now. For those who don’t know, there are only a few things you need to find the ghost crabs.
You will need a flashlight because you look for them after dark. You will need a net to catch them with because they are very fast, and you may want a bucket to put them in after you catch them.
We try to see who catches the biggest one, and then once we are done, the kids like to let them go and watch them run away. These crabs are not suitable for eating.
12. Go Shelling
Shelling is something our kids love. They take their shelling bags to every beach, and they look for shells.
We don’t do anything crazy when looking for shells, like getting up early or going to super secluded areas. The kids just look at the beaches we visit, and from all of our travels, St. Andrews State Park had some of the best Florida Gulf Coast beaches for finding shells. Keep your eyes open for shells at St Andrews State Park because there are some cool ones.
13. Earn a Junior Ranger Badge
The Junior Ranger Programs are so fun. Not all state parks have this program, but the Florida State Parks do, so make sure you take advantage of these programs.
These programs are a great way to teach your kids about different areas and the wildlife found within. Our kids love collecting the badges and getting to ask the park rangers their questions about the area.
14. Buttonbush Marsh Overlook
The Buttonbush Marsh Overlook Trail is a small overlook and trail that travels along the freshwater marsh inside St Andrews State Park. The overlook is close to the road, so you don’t need to hike very far to get to it.
The overlook parking is on your left if you are coming from the boat ramp towards Jetty Beach. The trail is just before the Jetty Beach parking, but there are only a handful of parking spots, so if it is full, you will either have to walk from the boat ramp parking area, the Jetty Beach parking, or stop by at a different time.
At this marsh, you can find birds, turtles, and alligators, so keep your eye open for wildlife.
15. Gator Lake Nature Trail
The Gator Lake Trail is one of a few trails in the state park and is half a mile long. Nature lovers enjoy the trail as it is a peaceful nature trail and has some decent views of the marshland that is found inside the park.
This is also a good trail for those who are interested in birding.
16. Heron Pond Trail
Another nice bird trail is the Heron Pond Trail. The trail is another short trail as it is just over half a mile long. It is a popular trail for those looking for animals and birds in the area. If you have some binoculars, you might want to bring them on your hike to get a better view of the wildlife.
17. Sunset Dolphin Cruise
The Sunset Dolphin Cruise, offered inside the park, is a great way to relax at the end of the day. The cruise is 90 minutes long and is open to people of all ages.
If you take the tram to the boat, the tram leaves 30 minutes before the cruise departure time, and the tram pick-up is at the Pier Store.
18. Go Camping in St Andrews State Park
St Andrews State Park has a great camping area, and if you get the right spot, you can camp right along St Andrews Bay. The camping at St Andrews State Park has everything you will need for your trip, including laundry facilities, showers, and full hookups.
It has a dump station, but it is currently out of commission. It also has a nice play area with a huge checkers board in a nice grass field along with corn hole. If you want to play corn hole, you have to check out the bags at the visitors center where you check-in.
If you don’t have an RV or a tent, you can always rent out one of the nice glamping tents that are in the park. The tents have a great view of the bay and make for a great couples’ getaway.
We camped here for about a week during our last visit to Panama City and had a great time. Getting a reservation here can be tricky, but it is well worth the effort.
Visiting St Andrews State Park with Pets
The St Andrews State Park is not the most pet friendly, but they do allow pets in the park. Your pets are not allowed on the beaches or boats, but you can take them on the trails and around the campground. There are no dog-friendly beaches in the park.
They are also not allowed by the marshland. This is because pets can scare wildlife, like the snowy plovers.
Directions to St Andrews State Park
St Andrews State Park is off of CR 392, also known as Thomas Drive, and is southeast of Panama City Beach, Florida. If you are checking out Panama City Beach along Front Beach Road, you will just continue east onto Thomas Drive.
St Andrews State Park Campground
Camping in the state park is by far the best way to experience everything the park has to offer. If camping isn’t your thing, you can still easily enjoy the beauty of this state park with day trips, but we loved camping here.
St. Andrews State Park Camping Reservations
St Andrews is a popular park for camping, and the St Andrews State Park RV camping reservations will fill up very quickly. You can reserve your reservation 11 months in advance, and in some cases, if you don’t reserve your site 11 months in advance, they will fill up. This is especially true for those who have a big rig.
The Florida State Parks reservation system is pretty easy to use, but if you want to make St. Andrews State Park Campground reservations over the phone, that is an option. This is not the fastest way to make St Andrews State Park reservations, but it works well for those who don’t like to use a computer to make reservations.
St Andrews State Park Camping Fees
There are a handful of different fees that you will be charged outside of what it cost to reserve a campsite. The campsites themselves cost anywhere from $16 a night to $42 dollars a night. The cabins and glamping tents have different price ranges.
The fees associated with booking your site are as follows. Everyone has to pay a $6.70 reservation fee. You are charged this fee if you book online or if you book over the phone. These fees are not charged if you are reserving a primitive campsite.
There is another fee that is starting in Summer 2023, and that is the utility fee. The fee is $7 and is charged to all unless you are tent camping.
The state park website has loads of more information regarding reservations, like how long you can stay in a camper or cabin, and their cancelation policy. Make sure to check it out if you have more questions.
Hotels Near St. Andrews State Park
There are a handful of hotels near St Andrews State Park in Florida, but their ratings and reviews vary significantly. We don’t typically stay at hotels that are not rated well online. If you are looking for a good place to stay close to the park, these are going to be your best options.
Holiday Inn Resort Panama City Beach, an IHG Hotel
The Holiday Inn Resort is a good choice for those looking for a nice hotel. It is just down the road from St Andrews State Park and has all of the amenities you could need.
It is a highly-rated, beautiful property that has pools, beach views, and easy access to the beach. The resort is great for families with many different room configurations.
We all loved it. Everything was exceptional loved our stay at this hotel and hope to return very very soon for another family vacation.
– Dianett (read more review)
They also have splash pads, a children’s activity center, and beachside concerts and activities everyone will love.
➡️ Check Rates & Availability at Holiday Inn Resort
Sleep Inn and Suites Panama City Beach
The Sleep Inn and Suites is going to be a mid-range hotel that is a reasonable place to stay if you are looking to save some money.
The location is great and close to many beaches, but it is not on the beach. They have everything you would need for a good stay, including free breakfast and an outdoor pool. Do keep in mind if you are visiting outside of the summer months, the pool may not be open.
For the price, absolutely perfect. A nice breakfast in the morning, quiet room. Next time I’m in Panama City, I’m booking here.
– mark (Read more reviews)
➡️ Check Rates & Availability at Sleep Inn and Suites
Days Inn by Wyndham Panama City Beach/Ocean Front
If you are looking for something that is on the beach but not as fancy as some of the more expensive resort-style hotels, the Days Inn is a highly-rated choice that we like.
They have a fun pool area with a cascading waterfall that many people love. Pools like this are always a great way to complement the beach. The property is a little older, but during peak season, you will save money staying here, and you will be on the beach right by lots of entertainment.
Couldn’t ask for a better location, views are amazing. Older hotel with updates. Room was clean and love the full size refrigerator,microwave and cooktop. Breakfast area small with few choices. Seem to have plenty of staff all which were helpful. Pool amazing. Will definitely be back
– Kim (Read more reviews)
➡️ Check Rates & Availability at Days Inn by Wyndham
Things to Bring to St Andrews State Park
If you are traveling to St Andrews State Park for the shells, beaches, or snorkeling, you will need to bring some important items. These are our must-haves on our beach trips.
Sunscreen
My wife is a ginger and is, therefore, a fair-skinned beauty. This means we never go anywhere, especially the beach, without sufficient sunscreen. We love the Neutrogena sunscreen. It works great.
Water
We don’t go anywhere without water. We either have our tumblers or our insulated water bottles to keep our water cool. Make sure you have cold water by taking with you this great hydro flask.
Snorkeling Gear
St Andrews State Park is a great spot to snorkel. If you are going to be in the area, make sure you bring your snorkeling gear with you.
If you do forget it, you will be able to find your basic snorkeling items at the park, but it is more expensive and not as nice as if you come prepared with your own. This is a great snorkeling setup if you want to be prepared before your trip.
Kite
Kites are something that is not a must-have at the beach, but when you see people with a sweet kite, you always think that you should have brought a sweet kite also.
Kites are super fun for everyone. If you are looking to add to your beach experience bringing a kite with you is a great option. For those who want to educate themselves on the different beach kites, make sure you check out this great kite-buying guide.
Beach Chairs
Beach chairs are a must at the beach. The beach is great, but lying on the beach sand is not as great. There are many different styles, so you might want to try a few different options. If you don’t want to lug a chair to the beach, then a beach towel can be a great alternative.
Umbrella or Beach Tent
Beach tents or umbrellas are something that we always take to the beach. Finding shade at the beach is impossible unless you bring the shade with you, and all that sun on the eyes can get tiring, especially if you have a baby at the beach.
Even if you don’t set up the tent or umbrella, we always have it with us in case we want it. They are lightweight and easily portable, so make sure you bring a nice tent or umbrella.
Do keep in mind that depending on how much wind there is at the beach, it can make a difference in which works better. An umbrella is great, but if there is much wind, it can blow away easily. This Tent Ninja is a great tent that works well at all the beaches.
Sand Toys
Sand toys are another beach item that we always have with us. Our kids love to make sand castles, sand mounds, and sand motes. They also like to get buried in the sand.
Beach toys and a little beach shovel add a lot to any beach vacation. Buy this sand toy kit for your next beach adventure.
Best Time to Visit St Andrews State Park
The best time to visit St Andrews State Park is from May to October. This is when the weather is the best temperature. The ocean is warm, and the activities around the park are open.
FAQ: St Andrews State Park
How Much Does It Cost To Get Into St. Andrews State State Park?
It costs $8 per vehicle to get into St Andrews State Park.
How Much Does It Cost To Go To Shell Island?
- From the ages of 2 years old to 12 years old, it costs $19.95.
- From the ages of 13 years old to 64 years old, it costs $25.95.
- From the ages of 65 years old and above, it costs $23.95.
Is Shell Island Worth the Trip?
The trip to Shell Island is a nice trip. If you are going over to explore the island and have a nice boat ride, it is worth it.
If you are just looking for a nice beach, I do not think it is worth it to take your family over to Shell Island. For a family of five, the St Andrews State Park tickets for the ferry costs more than $100 dollars to visit the island, and it is not that much better than what the park already offers at the other beaches.
If you’re looking for other places to explore outside of St Andrews State Park, consider a day trip to check out some of the fun things to do in Henderson Beach State Park!
Can You Drink Alcohol at St. Andrews State Park?
St Andrews State Park does allow for the consumption of alcohol inside the park, but it is not allowed everywhere. If you are camping in the park, at a cabin, a yurt, or any other similar type of rental, you can drink alcohol at those locations.
You can also have alcohol if you have reserved a pavilion at the park. However, you must note beforehand while you are getting the reservation that there will be alcohol. This means if you have a wedding, a reunion, or another similar activity where you have reserved a pavilion, alcohol is permitted.
Alcohol is not permitted on the beach.
Is St. Andrews State Park Crowded?
The St. Andrews State Park can be crowded at times. The park is a very nice park and is therefore popular, so it can get crowded. If you are visiting outside of the summer months, then the park is not overly crowded.
Does St. Andrews State Park Have Bathrooms?
Yes, St Andrews State Park does have bathrooms. If you go to Shell Island, there are no bathrooms on that island.
Is There WiFi at St. Andrews State Park?
St Andrews State Park does have WiFi at the campgrounds.
Conclusion: St. Andrews State Park
We love all the fun things to do at Andrews State Park. We have spent a lot of time here and have enjoyed it. If you can go camping, you will love camping at this Panama City beach. It is close to many of the popular attractions, and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico water is fantastic, along with the excellent wildlife viewing.
For those beach lovers who are going to be in the area for a longer time period, like us, you may want to look into annual entrance passes.
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