Part 2: 30A Excursions and Day Trips

New Year, new adventures. We’re continuing to ring in the New Year with part two of the top excursions in the 30A area. From snorkeling to sand sculptures, part one took us up and down 30A in search of delightful adventures. On this list we dive even deeper into the natural wonder of this unique Gulf Coast Florida area.

Fishing Charters

Florida Gulf Coast fishing is tons of fun, especially during the summer. Grab your sunscreen, snacks and water and give Blue Sky Charters in Panama City Beach a call. This 30A fishing charter company offers both inshore of offshore fishing trips to help make your scaly dreams come true. Captain Nick knows the Gulf like the back of his hand and will be happy to guide you through the process. Learn tricks from a master for a successful day on the water. Whether you’re bringing the family along or an experience fisherman, Blue Sky Charters is a fun addition to your schedule of 30A vacation activities. You might even spot a turtle or dolphin! Fishing trips include bait, tackle and fishing license and can last anywhere from 4-10 hours, depending on what you’re looking for.

Scuba Diving Tour

30A Dive in Santa Rosa Beach offers a great way to try scuba diving – no experience needed! Their beginner scuba diving tour introduces you to scuba diving with a fun, educational and exciting day of underwater adventuring. The tour is offered to adults and children 10 and up for $125 a person. Participants must be comfortable in the water and able to swim but do not need any dive training whatsoever. The 30A scuba diving experience is expertly planned to visit excellent dive sites for beginners. 30A Dive supplies everything needed including all gear and equipment and a professional guide. Enjoy 30 minutes of dive instruction and a 45-60 minute dive. The experience lasts two and a half hours.

Standup Paddleboarding

Standup paddleboarding is a popular local activity. On any given day and any given 30A beach, you’ll likely see a few people balancing on their board, gently gliding through the water. Because the Gulf waters are mostly calm and you often won’t need to worry about combating big waves or chop, it’s the ideal environment for paddle boarding. The lack of waves makes it difficult to enjoy traditional surfing here but stand-up paddleboarding presents an excellent alternative way to get exercise, have fun and enjoy some time on the water. Stand up paddleboarding is a relaxing way to glide parallel to the shore, getting a good look at this area’s unique coastal dune lakes. The Gulf often has a lovely, gentle breeze to help push you along and cool you off. Or take a dip into the crystal clear waters for a cool break. There are many different rental companies along 30A where you can secure the board, paddle and life vest you need to enjoy this activity. Whether you’re staying in Rosemary Beach, Seacrest Beach, Watercolor or somewhere else, a simple search will direct you to the rental company closest to you.

Explore the Dune Lakes

Did you know that the only dune lakes in all of the United States are here, in 30A, along the Emerald Coast? Some of our 30A vacation homes are just around the corner from these truly unique natural phenomena. Believed to be formed as long as 10,000 years ago by winds that redistributed sand and created shallow basins, these lakes average only about five feet deep. Here saltwater and freshwater meet and create a diverse wildlife structure, home to both fresh and salt water species. Exploring the dune lakes is a once in a lifetime experience for many 30A visitors. There are 15 named coastal dune lakes along South Walton’s 30A corridor. One of the most popular, Lake Powell, is also the largest. The calm waters of the coastal dune lakes are perfect for a relaxing day of paddleboarding or kayaking.

Surf School

As mentioned earlier, the Gulf waters aren’t the best place for hardcore surfers. However, there are still awesome surfing experiences available along 30A and, because the waves tend to be smaller, it’s great for learners and beginners. In Seaside, Florida, Austin Magee’s Surf School offers lessons and rentals for locals and visitors alike. Lessons are available for ages five and up, as long as participants are able to swim unassisted and comfortable in the water. Private lessons (one on one lessons, available seven days a week from March – October), group sessions and even short 30-minute mini lessons are available. During the lessons, participants learn paddling, safety, etiquette and surf board positioning and technique. During the summer, the Kids Surf & Beach Camp is a popular option. E-mail or call to make a reservation so your child can enjoy surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling and marine biology education.