The Uncrowded Florida Island That's A Panhandle Paradise With Pristine White Sand Beaches

In 1693, the Spanish cartographer Carlos de Sigüenza y Góngora was scouting about looking for an entrance to a body of water on the border between modern-day Alabama and Florida. Finding a channel deep enough for ships to pass was proving elusive, but then he had a stroke of good fortune. Blown off course by a storm, he was greeted by an Indigenous chief who showed him a passage to calmer waters. Sigüenza called the bay Perdido, or "lost" in Spanish, which also became the name of the barrier island that previously confounded his efforts. Skip forward over 300 years, and Perdido Key has become one of the most underrated cities in America and the perfect place to lose yourself on vacation.

Situated on Florida's panhandle, Perdido Key is around a 30-minute drive from Pensacola, another great place to stay in Florida that won't break the bank. The Key's narrow stretch of pristine white sand was actually a peninsula until around 1933 when the Intracoastal Waterway was expanded and made it officially an island. Since then, this 16-mile-long paradise of beaches and state parks has seen steady development over the decades, but its relatively remote location makes it far less touristy than nearby destinations like Destin or Orange Beach. It's a pretty laid-back place to relax and not where you'd come for amusement arcades, funfairs, and water parks, but its proximity to livelier resorts means you can have both during a vacation on this part of the Emerald Coast.

The glorious white sands along Perdido Key's Gulf Coast are the chief attraction for many visitors to the island. While it does get a little busy in the high season, the atmosphere is far more family-friendly than some of the larger resorts along Florida's panhandle. One of the best stretches is Johnson Beach, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. It is an idyllic spot for basking in the sun, making sandcastles with the kids, or partaking in more energetic activities like kayaking or paddle boarding. Lifeguards are on duty, but also keep an eye on the beach flags before entering the water — dangerous surf and marine life can sometimes pose a hazard. 

On dry land, Johnson Beach has a well-paved trail for strolling and cycling. For longer adventures, hit the 6.5-mile Perdido Key multi-use path which runs from Theo Baars Bridge all the way to the Alabama state line. Golfers are well-served with a choice of 18-hole courses with fantastic views — check out Lost Key Golf Club or Perdido Bay Golf Club for a beautiful day on the links. The island is also a haven for a wide variety of wildlife and the best place to experience the local flora and fauna is Perdido Key State Park — one of Florida's most underrated tourist spots. It is a great place for a day out and seeing endangered species like the Perdido Key beach mouse and loggerhead sea turtles in their natural environment. 

Perdido Key is a pleasantly well-heeled place to spend your vacation, but the culinary scene remains very casual. You won't need to dress to the nines to enjoy fine eats with sea views at most of the area's best bars and restaurants. As you might expect from a coastal destination, seafood features heavily on the menu. Check out Deep Blue Food Truck near Johnson Beach for fish tacos and lobster po' boys; Perdido Key Oyster Bar Restaurant and Marina for super-fresh shellfish; or the Crab Trap for quality sea-to-plate offerings washed down with craft beers and refreshing cocktails. That doesn't mean you'll feel left out if you're not a fish fan; most restaurants serve at least a few delicious turf options and Lillian's Pan Pizza has received nationwide attention for its award-winning pies.

While nightlife on Perdido Key isn't quite as jumping as some other neighboring resorts, there are still plenty of spots where you can enjoy a few drinks well after the sun has dipped below the horizon. The area has a venerable tradition of live music and many bars and restaurants feature nightly sets by local artists and bigger acts from further afield. For a great night out, be sure to check out Flora-Bama on the state line between Florida and Alabama. It's a lively beach bar and honky-tonk that has hosted many famous bands from the world of country music since 1964.