Phillips Inlet is a gem of a local beach, with its white sands and shallow waters. The beach here is mostly undeveloped, which is exactly what the residents like about it.
You won’t find major buildings or piers here (plan on bringing your own food), but you also won’t find the crowds that congregate around the Panhandle’s more well-known locations. For simple sun, sand and sea like nature intended, come to the lesser-known beach that the area’s year-round residents prefer.
Accessing Phillips Inlet is a little more difficult, for the beach has easy road access but only about 66 feet for parking. Snag one of the few parking spots if you’re early enough to, or drop your stuff off and then park a little further away. Even if you need to walk a few blocks, enjoying a less crowded part of the shore is well worth your effort.
If you have a boat, the access point does make launching easy unless there’s a major storm. That 66 feet of parking won’t afford much room for a tow vehicle and boat trailer, though, so plan on having someone wait with the craft while you go park after launching.
The Florida Panhandle has many white-sand beaches with an expansive view of the Gulf, but few of them are as unused by tourists as this one. For a relaxing time that’s more on your own, this is a place that families, individuals and couples can all enjoy.
A few of our favorite features at Phillips Inlet include:
White Sand Beach
The sand here is as pristine as anywhere else in the area, and there’s plenty of it here for you to stake out. Regardless of whether you come at high tide or low, you can run, play and sunbathe without infringing on anyone else.
Boat Launch
Drive your vehicle right onto the sand and into the water. The boat launch is easy to use and there’s almost never a wait for it. Most important of all, you don’t have to worry about crowds making it harder to reverse as you take your craft into and later out of the water.
Sunset Views
The westward-facing shoreline affords an expansive view of the Gulf, and the sunsets directly over the water during the earlier and later parts of the year. Come here on a clear evening if you’re in the area during spring or fall, and bring your camera with you.
Insider Tips:
– If you can’t find parking and don’t mind a pleasant walk, head over to Camp Helen State Park on Lake Powell. You’ll find plenty of parking there, and there’s a path over to Phillips inlet from there. The walk is only about a ¼ mile through the park and along the shore.