Summer's winding down, and around here that means one thing: the sunsets are getting better. Cooler air, fewer crowds on the beach, and skies that go full-on watercolor most nights.

We've got a lot of coastline between Indian Pass and Mexico Beach, and everybody has a strong opinion about where the best seat in the house is. So we're settling it. Help us crown the best sunset spot on the Forgotten Coast.

Truth is, we've probably watched more sunsets out here than anyone. Not on purpose. It just happens when your day involves showing homes on Cape San Blas or meeting a client at the marina in Port St. Joe, and the sun picks that exact moment to put on a show. Almost thirty years of that, and The Peevy Team still can't agree on a favorite. So we're putting it to a vote.

Read through all eight, then drop your vote in the comments. (Yes, you can vote for more than one. No, we won't judge you for being indecisive.)

1. Port St. Joe Marina, Downtown

The classic. Grab a margarita from one of the waterfront spots downtown, find a bench along the docks, and watch the boats roll in as the sky lights up over the bay.

Local tip: Get there early enough to walk the marina first. The light on the boats before the sun actually drops is half the show. Weeknights are quieter than weekends if you want the bench to yourself.

Why it wins: You get dinner, a drink, and the view all in one stop. Zero effort required.

2. St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Cape San Blas

Tucked at the tip of the Cape, this is the sunset for people willing to work a little for it. Walk out through the dunes and maritime forest, and you'll have the Gulf nearly to yourself.

Local tip: Bring a bag for shells on the walk out. This stretch is known for some of the best shelling on the coast, so you can hunt while you wait for golden hour.

Why it wins: No crowds, no noise, just dunes, gulf breeze, and color. It's the "unplug and remember why you moved here" option.

3. Indian Pass, Overlooking St. Vincent Island

Out at Indian Pass, the sunset drops right behind St. Vincent Island across the water. It's one of the most underrated views on this whole stretch of coast.

Local tip: Post up near the campground or bay side rather than the Gulf side. Grab a bucket of oysters at Indian Pass Raw Bar beforehand and bring it down to the water.

Why it wins: It's the least "touristy" pick on this list. If you want the sunset the way locals actually watch it, this is it.

4. Beacon Hill Veterans Memorial Park, St. Joe Beach

A wide-open, panoramic lawn right on the water, with picnic pavilions if you want to make a whole evening of it. Easy parking, easy access, and room for kids to run while the grown-ups watch the sky.

Local tip: It's an easy stop if you're already out that way between Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach. Bring a blanket and claim your spot on the lawn early if you want the best sightline.

Why it wins: Best pick for families or a group. There's actual space to spread out, unlike a lot of narrower beach access points.

5. Mexico Beach Sunset Park

The name says it all. Sunset Park sits right on the Gulf and was rebuilt from the ground up after Hurricane Michael, with a new pavilion, restrooms, and a grassy stretch that's perfect for spreading out a blanket as the sky turns.

Local tip: Get there early enough to grab a spot in the covered pavilion. It's shaded, it's shielded from wind, and it's the best seat in the park once the colors really start.

Why it wins: It's low-key, it's local, and it's proof that this town rebuilt something worth showing up for.

6. WindMark Beach Village Center

Walk the boardwalk out from the Village Center and you'll land right on the Gulf, with The View on 98 a short stroll away if you want a sunset cocktail to go with the show.

Local tip: Grab a slice from Bruno's Pizza first, then walk it down to the boardwalk. It's an easy, no-plan-required evening.

Why it wins: Everything's within a golf cart ride, so it's the pick for anyone who wants the view without much of a commute.

7. George Core Park, Downtown Port St. Joe

Also known as Lighthouse Park, this bayfront green space is anchored by the Cape San Blas Lighthouse and looks out over the calm, shallow water of St. Joseph Bay.

Local tip: Climb the lighthouse first if it's open. Then post up on the bay side, where the water goes still and mirrors the whole sky.

Why it wins: It's the most photogenic pick on the list, thanks to the lighthouse silhouette against the color.

8. Salinas Park, Cape San Blas

The only spot on this list where you can catch sunrise and sunset from the same place. Salinas Park has both Gulf and bay access, with boardwalks on each side.

Local tip: Head to the bayside boardwalk for sunset. It's calmer than the Gulf side, and there's seating built right in.

Why it wins: Two sides, two views, and you get to pick whichever one is putting on the better show that night.

So, Where's Your Spot?

Eight incredible options, one Forgotten Coast. Comment your pick below, or if we missed your go-to spot, tell us. We want to hear it.

A Few Thoughts, From Us to You

Some people watch a sunset like this and start wondering what it would take to see it every night instead of once a year. If that's you, we'd love to talk.

The Peevy Team has been helping people buy and sell along Florida's Forgotten Coast since 1998, in Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, WindMark Beach, Indian Pass, and Mexico Beach. Some folks find us with a quick search for a top realtor in Port St. Joe. Others come through a friend, a neighbor, or someone we've already helped. Either way, that trust gets built slowly, one closing at a time, over almost thirty years.

That history runs deeper than the broad strokes. We know what separates a Gulf-front lot on Cape San Blas from a bayside property at WindMark Beach. We know what flood zones and insurance actually cost in each area. And we know which neighborhoods hold up as vacation rentals and which ones are better suited for full-time living. Maybe you're buying your first place out here. Maybe you're selling a home you've owned for decades. Or maybe you just want a straight answer on what your property near the water is worth right now. Chances are, we've handled something close to it before.

Curious about Cape San Blas real estate? Wondering what your place near WindMark Beach is worth? Or just want to talk through what a move to the Forgotten Coast could look like? Reach out to The Peevy Team at Keller Williams Success Realty. Your Forgotten Coast Realtors since 1998. We'd be glad to help you find your own front row seat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best time of year to watch the sunset in Port St. Joe? Late summer and early fall are hard to beat. The heat backs off, the crowds thin out, and the humidity drops just enough for the sky to hold more color at sunset. Locals consider late August through October the sweet spot for the best views along this stretch of the Forgotten Coast.

Is Salinas Park good for both sunrise and sunset? Yes. Salinas Park on Cape San Blas is one of the few spots in the area with both Gulf and bay access in one place, connected by boardwalks on each side. Watch sunrise over the Gulf in the morning, then walk across for sunset over St. Joseph Bay in the evening.

Does Mexico Beach still have its pier? No. The original Mexico Beach pier was destroyed by Hurricane Michael in 2018 and has not been rebuilt. As of this writing, the city has opened bidding for a new pier, but construction hasn't started. Mexico Beach Sunset Park, which was fully rebuilt after the storm, is the best current sunset spot in town.

Where's the best sunset spot for families in Port St. Joe? Beacon Hill Veterans Memorial Park in St. Joe Beach is the top pick for families. It has a wide, open lawn, easy parking, and picnic pavilions, so kids have room to run while everyone watches the sky.

Who's the top real estate team in Port St. Joe? The Peevy Team at Keller Williams Success Realty has served Florida's Forgotten Coast since 1998, covering Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, WindMark Beach, Indian Pass, and Mexico Beach. Buyers and sellers across the area regularly search for a top realtor in Port St. Joe and are connected with The Peevy Team.