First Timers Guide to Watersound Florida on 30A
When my family and I visited Watersound, Florida for the first time, we were in awe of this hidden gem. We had traveled around 30A for years but never actually spent time in the Watersound community. Well, we were hooked after our first visit, and it has now become our absolute favorite beach town in Florida!
The picturesque town of Watersound FL sits near Panama City Beach. It’s full of beautiful scenery, fun activities, and amazing restaurants. Whether you’re interested in splashing in the pools or sunbathing on the sand, you’ll find plenty of unique things to do in Watersound.
Plus, its walkability to entertainment districts like The Big Chill make Watersound a prime vacation destination for families. In the post below, we will provide a full guide to the Watersound Beach community, which sits right on the gulf coast of Florida.
You’ll find out all the fun things to do in the town as well as tips on the best places to stay in the area. So, continue reading below for everything you need to know about Watersound Florida before your beach vacation!
Where is Watersound Florida located?
The town of Watersound sits along Scenic Highway 30A in the Florida panhandle. If you are somewhat familiar with the South Walton area, Watersound is located between the popular beach communities of Seaside and Rosemary Beach.
This strip of the Emerald Coast features beaches with amazingly clear water and sugar white sand. Because of its natural beauty, it’s no surprise that Florida’s 30A has become a popular tourist destination for families, especially during the summer months.
If you’re looking for the closest airport to Watersound, Florida, it’s important to note that the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is just a short drive away. This airport sits in the nearby Panama City area and is just over a 30 minute drive from Watersound.
If you choose to rent a car at the airport, you’ll find that the 30A beach towns are all really easy to navigate around; although, traffic can be heavy during peak season. So, make sure you pack your patience!
Where to Stay in Watersound
The Watersound community is full of amazing places to stay during your vacation. You’ll find available rentals of all sizes to enjoy during your trip. From small cottages to large reunion style houses, Watersound has plenty of beautiful properties that are perfect for a vacation rental. My family and I like to use the VRBO website to search for Watersound Florida rentals.
This website lets you narrow down your search results by the desired number of bedrooms and bathrooms. You can also specify amenities that are important to you like a private pool or hot tub. If you prefer to stay in a resort style atmosphere during your trip, you’ll find a couple options for hotels in Watersound, Florida.
Camp Creek Inn sits just a short drive from the Watersound beach access and offers golf course views. This new hotel offers multiple restaurants along with access to a fabulous pool that features a water slide and a lazy river. Guests at Camp Creek Inn also have complete access to the Watersound Club, which includes world class amenities and beach access.
If you prefer a hotel that is located closer to the beach, you’ll want to check out the Watersound Inn. This boutique hotel offers rooms that are similar to a condo since they feature full kitchens, in-unit washers and dryers, and separate living/sleeping areas. The Watersound Inn sits within a 10 minute walk of the Watersound Beach Club, which we will discuss in more detail below.
You can read more about our favorite places to stay near Watersound in our post on the Best Resorts on 30A. In that article, we review our experiences at the top hotels in the area. Many of them even allow access to the Watersound Beach Club!
10 Things to Do in Watersound Florida
The community of Watersound offers lots of fun activities for both kids and adults to enjoy. We will break down some of our favorite things to do in Watersound below:
1. Visit The Big Chill
The Big Chill is located just a short walk away from many of the vacation rentals and the Watersound Inn. This popular spot features a selection of shops and dining venues for visitors to enjoy.
You can order your food from one of the many restaurants and dine outside at the picnic tables. The Big Chill often features live entertainment and kid friendly activities during select days of the week.
2. Hang out on the Beach
Watersound Beach features the most beautiful clear water with sugar white sand. You can enjoy all sorts of activities at the beach, including boogie boarding, sunbathing, kayaking, and building sand castles.
3. View the Rare Dune Lakes
Watersound is home to dune lakes, which are rare bodies of water that empty into the ocean. During our trip to Watersound, my family and I saw lots of families enjoying this water in addition to the ocean.
And if you’re worried about the dune lakes discoloring the crystal clear water, fret not! The water in Watersound is just as beautiful as that in other areas along the Emerald Coast of Florida.
4. Go Golfing
If you’re looking forward to playing a round of golf on your vacation, you’ll happy to know that Watersound sits within a short drive of several golf courses. Depending on where you choose to stay, you accommodations may even include access to Watersound’s own courses at Camp Creek, Shark’s Tooth, and Watersound Origins.
5. Go Swimming
The Watersound neighborhoods offer easy access to swimming pools that visitors can use during their stay. Your vacation rental to specify the community pool you’ll be able to access on your trip. If you book a stay at one of the participating hotels, you’ll also be able to use the private pools at the Watersound Beach Club.
6. Rent Bikes
Many of the houses and resorts along 30A include bicycles for guests to use. You can also rent bikes from local spots in Watersound near The Big Chill.
7. Picnic at Deer Lake State Park
Deer Lake State Park is a really serene spot to spend time during your visit to Watersound. Here, you can view wildlife, hike, fish, picnic, and swim.
8. Walk the Timpoochee Trail
The Timpoochee Trail stretches for miles along Scenic Highway 30A , and it allows visitors to easily get from one community to another. You’ll find people jogging, strolling, and biking on the Timpoochee Trail.
9. Shop at the Farmer’s Market
Throughout your stay, you can visit Watersound Town Center (near the Publix) to enjoy live entertainment and special events. The Watersound Farmer’s Market is held here each Saturday year round and on Wednesdays during peak season.
10. Explore 30A
While you will want to spend the majority of your time in the community of Watersound, we suggest venturing out to the nearby beach towns as well. Some of our favorite areas to spend time include Seaside, Rosemary Beach, and Alys Beach.
Watersound Beach Club
The Watersound Beach Club is my family’s favorite spot on 30A. This private club is only available to members or guests at certain St. Joe Company hotels. This means that the beach and pools aren’t nearly as crowded as some of the other places you’ll find along 30A. The Watersound Beach Club offers two resort-style pools, each with a full bar and restaurant.
You can also walk down the boardwalk to a large span of beach to enjoy the sugar-white sand with your included beach setup. The Watersound beach almost feels like a secluded piece of paradise as it’s flanked by sand dunes and Cape Cod style residences.
We highly recommend gaining access to this exclusive club during your visit to Watersound. You can do this by booking a room at the Watersound Inn, Camp Creek Inn, or The Pearl in Rosemary Beach. Furthermore, you can stay at The Lodge 30A in Seagrove Beach and pay an upcharge that includes access to the Watersound Beach Club.
↓↓ Check Out My Etsy Shop ↓↓
This exclusive area offers beautiful scenery and fun amenities. It’s also a super convenient spot to spend your day since you have access to food, beverages, pools, and the beach!
Watersound Restaurants
Watersound Beach is home to several restaurants that visitors can enjoy. In addition to the numerous dining options available at The Big Chill, Watersound features Bruno’s Pizza. This popular spot offers indoor and outdoor seating, and it features live music on select evenings.
You can also take a short bike ride to Seagrove Beach where you’ll find seafood restaurants like Steamboat Grill and Old Florida Fish House. Additionally, the newly developed Greenway Station offers multiple dining options, including The Salty Butcher. If you don’t mind venturing out further, you can will find all sorts of restaurants in nearby communities like Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, and Seaside.
Final Thoughts on Watersound Beach
Overall, Watersound is an amazing place to spend a beach vacation. The crystal clear water and sugar-white sand allow visitors to enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
This quiet community offers plenty of vacation rentals with access to amenities and activities to keep everyone entertained. Watersound also sits right in the middle of other 30A beach towns you’ll want to explore. What are your favorite things to do in Watersound, FL? Comment below to share with us!
