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PART TWO.
YOUR LITTLE KIDS & 30A.

Things to Do

May 13, 2024

As your little ones grow, 30A becomes an even bigger playground!

Now that your littlest ones are getting older, it’s getting easier, and more fun for everyone to enjoy 30A.

From building sandcastles to crab hunting, watch your entire family do stuff they haven’t done in years!

Who knows? After ordering from the cabana boy one more time, maybe you’ll join the kid’s surfing class?

Uh-oh. 30A is about to get crazy.

THE BEACH

Think your preschooler will love the pool more than the beach this year? As they grow out of toddler age, you may be surprised.

Boogie boarding, collecting shells, sandcastles, and other shallow-water shenanigans will make this vacation something special for your kid.

Aaah, and when nature calls, you’ll need public beach access points with restrooms! For great beaches with great beach access, and parking(!), these rule: Grayton Dunes, Blue Mountain, Ed Walline, and Inlet Beach.

SHELL, YEAH!

Lots of shells, ready for shell hunters on 30A's beaches.
Shell hunting on 30A’s beaches is a blast for younger kids, blending fun with learning about marine life. When the tide rolls in, it brings a bounty of beautiful shells waiting to be discovered. It’s a chance for your little explorers to uncover the wonders of the ocean, from shell origins to the creatures within.
A young girl on a 30A beach collects shells.
For a delightful family experience, head out before daybreak when the morning tides reveal low waters, perfect for shell hunting. Follow the receding water an hour before low tide, and you’re bound to stumble upon some treasures. Enjoy the tranquil beaches, with fewer people. Bring a red flashlight for turtle safety as you explore the shoreline in the dawn light.
Shells found on a 30A beach.
What’s the story behind the tiny holes in shells? They’re made by moon snails, using acid to drill and feed. While fascinating, it often ends the creature’s life. Repurpose holey shells into stunning jewelry for a new story!

THE SEA TURTLE!

Spark some mystery and adventure by inviting the family on a nighttime sea turtle find! Will you find one? Probably not. Tell your tykes that most turtles don’t actually get to their nesting place until well past midnight, and well past the kid’s bedtimes. But it’ll still be a blast to prepare for the adventure, plus, (there’s ghost crabs!) walking on the beach at night is always a good time.
A family searches for wildlife on a 30A beach.
And to ramp up the experience, have the family, or just the kids, wear or carry turtle-safe lamps with a red light. Leave your regular flashlights at home, the bright light can confuse some turtles still seeking a place to nest. The rare chance you do see a turtle? Either walking or nesting? Don’t approach it! Always keep a reasonable distance from these rare creatures!
Ghost crabs are a popular sight along 30A beaches.
No luck finding sea turtles? Using your turtle-safe flashlights, scan the beach for ghost crabs, which are small, quick, and the color of sand, so it may be hard to spot them at first. But with your red light, you’ll soon begin to see them scurry, darting sideways at up to 10 miles per hour!
Learning is fun during Wild Sea Turtle Wednesdays at The Big Chill on 30A.
 Dive into Wild Sea Turtle Wednesdays! Learn all about sea turtles, paint, or perhaps you’ll have a chance at adopting a hatchling. Have your child take the Jr. Ocean Ranger pledge to help keep our beaches clean, dark, and flat for nesting sea turtles and baby hatchlings! The event is free and open to the public.

A BEACH BREAK

30A isn’t built on beach alone.

Get your kids, and your enire family, to hop on a bike, or a boat. Pedaling, paddling, and zooming around on the Florida waters, well, what could be better? Your tots may even be ready for a kid-tailored fishing trip!

Beyond the beaches along 30A, there’s plenty to make this vacation something special for your little kids.

IT’S NO CROC. YOU’LL SEE GATORS.

A ride with 30A Airboat Adventures is the only way to see the backwaters of South Walton.
A ride with 30A Airboat Adventures is the only way to see the backwaters of South Walton. Glide down the Choctawhatchee River and gain an up-close perspective of the unique wildlife of the river. Tours are taken in small groups allowing for a personalized experience. 
A family takes a thrilling eco-tour through the back waters of South Walton, an exciting way to explore the beautiful wildlife of the third largest in Florida.
The thrilling eco-tour creeps through the back waters of South Walton, an exciting way to explore the beautiful wildlife of the third largest in Florida, in terms of water volume discharged.
A family spots an alligator during a fun 30A airboat adventure.
A TYPICAL REVIEW: “We had such a great time and loved that this was a “smaller” boat so that it was just the family and not 30 other people we didn’t know. Our captain kept us out longer just so we could find a gator! Great ride and lots of fun!”    -Kimberly 

PEDAL AND PADDLE THE PANHANDLE.

A family biking through the 30A dunes.
If the little ones tire of the beach but still want some fresh air, explore 30A’s fantastic bike trails! With stunning views and a network of paths, it’s a biking paradise.
A faily enjoys the Timpoochee Trail, a scenic ride through beach communities, state parks, and coastal dune lakes of 30A.
Try the Timpoochee Trail for a scenic ride through beach communities, state parks, and coastal dune lakes. The most popular 30A bike trail, this 18.6-mile stretch of mostly flat, paved trail traces the entire length of 30A. It winds past many of the area’s vast dune lakes! Perfect for family fun!
Father and son enjoy paddleboarding across one of 30A's many coastal dune lakes.
It’s hard to balance when distracted by so much beauty! Whether it’s paddleboarding or kayaking, 30A’s water offers endless fun for families. Younger kids can share a board with mom or dad, while older teens can paddle on their own.
A couple enjoy paddling through the magnificence of Grayton Beach State Park.
Paddling is a great way to appreciate the magnificence of the parks and coastal dune lakes. Grayton Beach State Park offers rentals, right there, on the spot. La Dolce Vita will even deliver to wherever you plan to start your 30A adventure.

HOOKED ON 30A!

A family enjoys time with Shallow Water Expeditions, a kid-friendly fishing charters on 30A.
Join Shallow Water Expeditions for kid-friendly fishing charters, packed with fun and education. Choose from two-hour to full-day trips, spot dolphins, and reel in redfish, cobia, and jacks. Some captains even let kids take the wheel! These cool folks believe in bonding outdoors and protecting our resources.
Father and son enjoy fishing, made possible by 30A Inshore Charters.
If it’s their first experience, make it as simple as possible. The kid-specific trips are designed to introduce children to all the fun and excitement of Florida fishing. All ages and all skill levels are welcome aboard. A fast fishing boat, with a seasoned captain, has a way of bringing everyone together!
Fathers and sons show off their catch, thanks to Captain Phil Charters of 30A.
Some are catch-and-release. And some tasty fish are catch-and-keep! The local charters share one common thing: You arrive empty-handed, but you leave with fresh fish filets, quickly prepared and fileted by the crew – from the fish you just caught!
A family displays their catch, during a 30A fishing trip.
Have a cooler ready in your car or your Oversee home, where you can prepare your prizes later that day. Most of the kitchens in our homes are fully equipped and chef-ready. Just purchase some cooking basics, like butter and oil.

TIRED TOTS?

The gorgeous kitchen of Summersweet Cottage, a luxurious Oversee vacation home.
 30A has a way of building one’s appetite. After hours in the sun, kick back to the gorgeous kitchen of Summersweet Cottage. Whip up some snacks or order out. There’s no shortage of fun eateries and 4 star restaurants around here.
The Big Chill is a family-friendly hub near many Oversee vacation homes in Watersound and Prominence.
Recharge and unwind at The Big Chill, a family-friendly hub for your whole crew. Relax, have dinner, listen to local musician, or take in a free movie. Our homes in Watersound and Prominence are within walking distance of this 30A hotspot.
Inlet Beach Paradise is a brand new luxurious Oversee vacation home in the charming community of Inlet Beach, just steps away from 30A.
Have your kids been hounding you about the private pool? After a day in the Florida sun, they’ve got their mind set on this big beauty. Welcome to Inlet Beach Paradise, a brand new luxurious Oversee home in the charming community of Inlet Beach, just steps away from 30A.
Complimentary beach chairs and umbrella, courtesy of Villa Bon Secour, a stunning Oversee vacation home.
Give your kids a quick break from the sun, thanks to this gorgeous Oversee sanctuary, Villa Bon Secour. We know what parents and kids love, which is why this place has soooooo much to offer, like complimentary beach chairs and umbrella and a private pool. Enjoy!

End.

About Crystal Becktel

Crystal Becktel is the enthusiastic force behind guest happiness at Oversee as the Senior Director of Guest Ambassadors. With a decade-long hospitality career beginning at age 15, she's our utmost expert for all things vacation-related. If you’ve been dreaming of beachside bliss or need tips for the perfect getaway, Crystal and her team of Guest Ambassadors are here to make your trip unforgettable. Drop them a line at booknow@oversee.us and let the adventure begin!

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