Wheelchair access at Grayton Beach State Park.

[1stoperator]

Hello all. I'm a newbie to this board and very excited about a vacation planned in May.
We booked a wheelchair cabin at the state park and hope to be able to enjoy the sights and surf that the park and surrounding area has to offer. Has anyone been to the park and noticed wheelchair users on the boardwalks or trails, that sort of thing?
I'm able bodied myself and can push a wheelchair through the odd rough spot, so I'm not afraid to go off the beaten path, so to speak.
Also, how's the snorkelling in the gulf? Can a person swim from the shore out into 20 or 30 feet depth of water? Would there be fish and/or other wildlife to observe, or does one need to take a boat out into the deeper water to see much of interest?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Kurt]

I'm not sure that they have replaced the ramp down to the beach, but everywhere else should be OK for wheels.

See this thread:
http://www.sowal.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=156

Snorkeling off the beach is pretty boring. You might see a few fish. Most people go to the jetty at Destin, or St. Andrews Park in PC beach.

 

[seagrovelover]

Hi, I just wanted to put my two cents in. It is worth the drive to St. Andrews state park in Panama City. You will take a boat to shell island and be able to pick your own spot for the day. The water is very clear and calm and you can rent gear to snorkle or bring your own. We saw plenty of fish and dolphins too, and they dont call it shell island for nothing!!!! lots of nice shells. I think you would really enjoy this, dont forget to pack a lunch have a wonderful trip :!: :!:

 

[1stoperator]

Hello kurt and seagrovelover. Thanks for your ideas! Much appreciated. We can't wait to get down there.
Hopefully the ramps will be repaired by then so it'll be easier to enjoy the Grayton beach, but if not, it won't slow us down much. The whole area sounds so appealing I'm sure we'll run out of time, before we run out of places to see.
My son wants to know if there are sharks off the beach?
Thanks.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Oh yes there are sharks, but they don't bite. Saw some Hammerheads a couple of years ago and a Black Tip last year that came within 5 ft of me while fishing in the surf. I think I was at Blue Mtn Beach. Consider yourself lucky if you get to see one, because they like to hide under the water's surface. You will probably see dauphins on your visit if you keep your eyes open. We have plenty of them.

 

[1stoperator]

Hey JOe. (good song).
If we see a shark while we're swimming, we'll be packing up and heading inland tout suite :shock: , if they bite or not! (just kidding) My 12 year old son will remember that for the rest of his life.
One question, :idea: where else would the sharks hide if not under the waters surface?
How was the fishing :?:
Thanks.

 

[Smiling JOe]

How was the fishing?

I don't recall. All I remember was having the bajeezers scared out of me because I didnt see the shark until he was just in front of me, and I was in water up to my belly. Fortunately for my heart's sake, he was swimming past me and not towards me, but I could have touched him, not that I would have. I know some surfers that have had scarrier moments with dangerous sharks down here, but no attacks, nor real threats. I wish I had never seen Jaws. Sometimes, I will be out up to my belly in water, and I get bumped by the little fish nibbling on me, and I jump, like it was a shark. I hate that darn movie -- It still plays with my mind.

 

[GraytonBound]

All I remember was having the bajeezers scared out of me

Sorry about your bajeezers

(Can you tell I have kids :?: )