Vacation Destination Florida

[Ed]

I'm planning my second family vacation/sail on our hunter 23.5. Last year we went to Charleston and stayed for a week at a Marina and resort hotel combination. We had a fantastic time. I'm looking to do the same this year in the Pensacola, Destin, or Panama City Area. Some place with the nice white sand beaches. My kids are 3 and 7, so we like a place that has good sailing, but also plenty of beaches nearby and stuff to do for the kids. We don't spend all that much time sailing, but our boat becomes our hotel room/camper for the week. I'm looking forward to sailing the ICW. We are also thinking of having friends join us, which means we might want to look at a beach condo or something with a marina close by (and not live on the boat. Can someone recommend some good marinas, etc. The wife likes it clean. Looking for nice shower facilities, perhaps a pool. Any help or tips will be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Rick Webb]

Mexico Beach

But do not tell anyone. Pensacola and Ft Walton Beach have a lot to offer but there are way too many people. Panama City is not too bad when all the tourists are not there. If you go a little further east from there all of the crowds are gone and you have the beach almost to yourself. Let me know where you decide and I'll give you a number of places to go and things to see. I am in Ft Walton about once a month (in fact I am there the week after next) and in PC on occasion. I took my family to Mexico Beach last spring and we all had a wonderful time. We stayed at the El Govenor Hotel. All of the rooms had a kitchenette and a beachfront view. It is the only hotel in town or even within quite a few miles. It is a little bit older and not the Hilton but we had no complaints at all. One of these trips I am going to bring my 23.5 with me, it kills me seeing all of that nice water and not having my boat.

 

[Joe]

Pensacola Beach

My wife go to Pensacola Beach several times a year and have on several occasions have taken our 95 h23.5. Last time we stayed at what used to be Mel's Marina now called Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, I think. Anyway its just before you cross the toll bridge to get on Santa Rosa Island from Gulf Breeze off Hwy. 98. Close to whatever you want to do. A very new marina (the old one burned I think). Lots of amenites (no pool), great people. I got sick while there and they were most helpful to my wife getting the boat back on the trailer etc. If you go there visit Radical Rides just across the toll bridge, jet skis, parasailing, good people (Roger