Inlet Beach

 

Inlet Beach has the same gorgeous white sand and emerald green waters as the rest of 30A but without all the crowds and traffic. Snuggled between Rosemary Beach to the west and Carillon Beach to the east, Inlet is the last 30A community on the east side. Once you reach Carillon Beach, you are no longer in the 30A community, but as the saying goes, they saved the best for last. 

 

There are 13 acres of public beach access in Inlet Beach. As you walk along the Inlet Beach Regional Access site, you see a wall of lush greenery on each side of you. The path leads you to a boardwalk that will carry you over the dunes to the beach below. Before descending, you can look in the distance and see the glistening blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The beach is pristine, almost as if it has been trapped in time. The powdery white sand feels soft and cool to the touch, and the warm ocean water and balmy breeze refresh you. This feeling of peace and calm awaits all that come to the shores of Inlet Beach. 

 

If you look east at the edge of the dunes, you will see two triangulation poles guiding you to the Cobia Reef offshore. This artificial reef is shaped like a giant cobia fish. You can snorkel above or scuba dive below to get a closer look or sit back and enjoy the incredible view. If you go west along the coast, you will see one of the largest coastal dune lakes in the country, Lake Powell. Private lakefront residences lie along part of the lake, and the southwestern side borders Camp Helen State Park. 

 

Compared to other neighborhoods, Inlet Beach has a secluded look and feel. When you drive down the streets, you see a few small, older houses along with beautiful, substantial beach homes, but no town area or gathering spot like in other 30A beach communities. People that want a quieter lifestyle will appreciate that about Inlet. Many also like that there are fewer homeowner associations, so buyers are free to design the home of their dreams here.

 

Inlet Beach does not have a downtown, but it has shopping and dining options nearby. There is 30 Avenue, with cute boutiques, high-end restaurants, and live music in the summer. It only takes a little time to get to bigger towns for more options since Inlet Beach is so close to U.S. Highway 98 and, of course, 30A. You can get to Rosemary Beach, less than a mile down the road, in a few minutes, and Panama City Beach is only about 15 miles away.

 

• Natural beauty
• Peace and tranquility
• Less traffic and fewer people

 

People come to Inlet Beach for privacy and relaxation, and it delivers both. The area attracts those who want a beach lifestyle but desire to be around small groups of people instead of large gatherings. 

 

Some locals are active and enjoy exploring the state park and areas in the surrounding communities. There are foot and bike trails and numerous places to cast a line or cruise on the open water. Many retail centers, entertainment venues, and services are too far to walk, so locals need a car to travel long distances. 

 

Inlet Beach residents like the perks of living in trendy 30A, but they prefer to be on the outskirts instead of in the center of the action. As such, Inlet Beach does not have community events like some parts of 30A. Residents like it that way; they would rather attend events held in neighboring communities than have crowds at their doorsteps. After all, the peace and serenity of this idyllic setting is why many people move here.

 

Pick up a few things at the Shoppes @ Inlet, a shopping center along U.S. Highway 98. After running your errands, stop in for a pick-me-up at Café Aroma. From coffee and donuts to delicious deli sandwiches, this place has you covered. 

 

A little further down the highway, there is Shades Bar & Grill. It is a great spot to meet with friends and catch a game on the big screen. There is also the stylish open-air center, 30 Avenue. It is as pretty as a picture and a great place to hang out, shop, dine, or people-watch. Cuvee 30A and Amici 30A Italian Kitchen are only two of the excellent restaurants you will find there. 

 

Cozy up with a good book while listening to the waves roll in at Inlet Beach. If you want more activity, you can visit Camp Helen State Park. It has a rich history and scenic vistas. Hike the trails or take a kayak around Lake Powell for epic views. 

 

Would you like to see the other fantastic neighborhoods along 30A? The Timpochee Bike Trail is a terrific way to do it and keep active at the same time. For some community fun, there is the 30A Songwriters Festival. It is a four-day event, and some of the money raised goes to support the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County.

 

Inlet Beach is part of the Walton County School District. A few of the schools in the area are shown below.