Things to Do in Mexico Beach, FL: A Local Owner's Guide

Looking for things to do in Mexico Beach, FL? You've found one of Florida's last quiet beach towns. Mexico Beach has about five miles of white sand on the Forgotten Coast, no high-rise hotels and no spring break crowds. We own a vacation home here, Beach Red-E, and these are the places we send our own guests.

1. Spend a whole day on the beach

The beach is the main event. The sand is soft and white, the water turns emerald on calm days, and you'll often have a stretch to yourself.

• Go shelling at sunrise. Look for sand dollars, tulip shells and small conchs after the overnight tide.
• Watch for dolphins at sunset. Evenings are the best time to spot them just offshore.
• Check the flags. Mexico Beach has no lifeguards, so always look at the beach flag before you swim: double red means the water is closed, red means high hazard, yellow means medium, and green means low.

2. Go fishing (no boat needed)

Mexico Beach is a fishing town at heart. Cast from the beach for pompano, whiting and redfish, or fish from a canal dock. Kids at our home have caught their first fish right off the back-door dock.

Want to go bigger? Floridaze Adventures runs inshore and offshore charters for snapper, grouper and king mackerel.

3. Take a dolphin eco-tour

Panhandle Adventures runs eco-tours and private boat trips where you can spot dolphins in the wild and explore nearby islands and secluded beaches. It's a favorite for families and photographers.

4. Snorkel or dive the artificial reefs

Mexico Beach has more than 300 artificial reefs and sunken ships offshore, full of fish and marine life. Stop by the Mexico Beach Welcome Center at 102 Canal Pkwy for GPS coordinates, or book a guided trip.

5. Paddle the canal and the Gulf

Rent a kayak or paddleboard at Mexico Beach Marina and explore the calm canal or the Gulf on a flat morning.

6. Take the photo everyone takes

The giant Adirondack chair at the Welcome Center is the town's favorite photo spot. Go in the morning for the best light.

7. Eat fresh, local seafood

Dining in Mexico Beach is casual and delicious. Our favorites:

• Killer Seafood: fish tacos and seafood gumbo, beach-town style
• Mango Marley's: Floribbean food, a full bar, live music and sunsets
• Bad Mamma Jamma: a food trailer known for grouper tacos and street-corn nachos
• Caribbean Coffee & Cafe or Beach Bear Coastal for morning coffee
• Tommy Knockers for ice cream after the beach

Cooking at the house? Pick up fresh shrimp and oysters at The Shell Shack on US-98.

8. Day trips from Mexico Beach

• Cape San Blas Lighthouse in Port St. Joe: climb for the view and learn the area's maritime history.
• St. Joseph Peninsula State Park and Cape San Blas, about 30 miles east, for wild, undeveloped beaches.
• Panama City Beach, under an hour west, for Pier Park, the SkyWheel and a busier beach day.

9. Slow down like a local

The best things to do in Mexico Beach are simple: a sunset picnic on the sand, biking along Highway 98, and an evening by the pool. It's the kind of place where you actually rest.

Where to stay in Mexico Beach

Beach Red-E is our freshly renovated red beach house in Waterside Village, about 600 feet from the beach. It sleeps 9 in 3 bedrooms, has a private boardwalk and boat dock out the back door, a pool and hot tub steps away, and a garage full of beach gear: wagon, chairs, umbrella, coolers and toys. It's an Airbnb Guest Favorite in the top 10% of homes.

See Beach Red-E or request a free vacation quote. Want the full list? Get our free Insider's Guide to Mexico Beach on the homepage.