Astor, FL, USA

Palm Coast, Florida: Beaches and Birdwatching

The central Atlantic coast of Florida is filled with wide beaches and salty ocean waters as far as the eye can see. An Atlantic sunrise on the beach is a wonderful way to start each day on your Florida vacation. When visiting Palm Coast, you’ll enjoy many golf resorts and nature preserves. Marshlands, canals and estuaries are home to many rare and endangered birds while dolphins and manatees play in the ocean surf. This critical ecosystem is what makes the area so lush, pristine and beautiful. Your vacation condo, house or cottage will include amenities such as air conditioning, internet access and satellite or cable television.

Birdwatching

There are many opportunities to view and enjoy wildlife along the Intracoastal Waterway of Florida. Inlets, rivers, bays and manmade canals connect the waterways to provide transportation options without the difficulty of navigating the open ocean. The combination of freshwater and seawater provides a home for rare birds such as the wood stork, great blue heron and roseate spoonbill can be seen in this protected area. Eco-tours are available for a detailed look at the wildlife and the fascinating ecosystem of the Florida Central Atlantic Coast region.

The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trails cross the state with driving, hiking and boating tours of significant bird watching areas. Highway signs, trails and maps allow birdwatchers to identify the best birdwatching opportunities in the area and locate the best areas to see particular species of birds. St. Joe Walkway and Linear Park are two stops along the trail in the Palm Coast area.

Shopping and Dining

Many restaurants and shopping opportunities are available in the community of Palm Coast. A wide array of restaurants serve fine cuisine such as Italian and Thai food, and fresh seafood is on many restaurant menus. Shopping opportunities are abundant as well, with many small malls offering a wide array of gift shops, clothing boutiques and grocery stores.

Parks and Sports

With sandy beaches, crystal clear ocean waters and sunny skies, Palm Coast is an outdoor sportsman’s paradise. Fishing, golfing, tennis, boating and kayaking are some of the favorite sports in this part of Florida. With mild winters and warm summers, these sports can be enjoyed during all months of the year. Parks and beaches offer many opportunities for beachcombing and exploration such as the Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park, which houses the ruins of a former sugarcane plantation. Princess Place Preserve is the former hunting lodge of a princess, and the Malacompra Road Beachfront Park offers trails through an oak canopy among coquina rock along the sea.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is a large park that combines natural shorelines, oak forests and formal gardens in one beautiful setting. With a prime location between the ocean and the Mantanzas River, the property is owned by the state and features many plant species of both native and exotic varieties. The park is also home to many birds and other wildlife, and it features a visitor’s center for information about all the beautiful natural resources in the area.

Weather

The weather in Palm Coast is moderate all year long, with steamy summers and comfortable winters. Outdoor activities can be enjoyed during any time of the year, with sunny skies, warm waters and outdoor temperatures rarely requiring a jacket or sweater.

How to Get There

Palm Coast is served by several airports, including Flagler County Airport and Daytona Beach International Airport. Jacksonville International Airport and Orlando Sanford International Airport are also within a one-hour drive of Palm Coast. Commercial train and bus services are available to travel to the area, in addition to the convenience of traveling by private or rental car.