WATER & COAST

Mexico Beach

Gulf County · Panhandle & Emerald Coast

Three miles of white sand, and the city calls itself a bird sanctuary with laws protecting the birds. The public pier was wrecked by Hurricane Michael in 2018 and the city is rebuilding it with FEMA, aiming at 2027; until then the way onto the sand is 37th Street, where there is public parking, and there are more parking areas along Highway 98. A canal system and a public boat ramp reach the Gulf, with trailer parking at the ramp: idle speed only, nothing thrown in, and no swimming in the canal. Turtles nest from May through October, so stay 30 feet back from a nest and keep lights down.