Carrabelle. The Sleepy Little Coastal Town
Old Florida. I remember it from childhood. It was different from the glitzy, touristy places most travelers see now. Laid back, quiet, and restful—and it still exists. Just head to Carrabelle. The sleepy little town on Florida’s Forgotten Coast.
Love the coast but not the crowds? Carrabelle, located in the “Big Bend” section of the panhandle, has just over 3,000 residents. Just big enough, especially if you enjoy fishing, seafood, and all things coastal.
Visitor's Center:
105 St James Avenue
Carrabelle, Florida 32322
Contact:
(850) 697-2585
Website:
Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce
Harbor view from the bridge over the Carrabelle River.
Authentic Working Fishing Village
All my previous coastal experiences have been beach related. Carrabelle was different. It was my 1st genuine fishing village. (I literally kept looking around for the beach but kept seeing fishing boats!)
Ahhh…..but therein lies the authenticity. Carrabelle has been many things over the years but a fishing village has remained the constant. Fishing is the local livelihood.
At the same time, it is a wonderful place for pleasure—both boating and fishing. Connect three area rivers with the Gulf of Mexico and you will have a fisherman’s paradise. Freshwater fish not biting? Head to the Gulf to try your hand at saltwater fishing.
I don’t know about you but I can’t get enough of that beautiful blue harbor view. Seeing it up close would be totally awesome. I’m not much of a fisherman but maybe our next trip will include a boat ride. It will definitely include a trip to one of the dockside restaurants.
Of course, we had to stop and pose at the World's Smallest Police Station.
Carrabelle’s Unique Tourist Stop
Do a search for Florida’s Roadside Attractions and Carrabelle will come up on the list. What unique attraction does this small-town offer? The World’s Smallest Police Station.
Yep. It’s no bigger than a phone booth.
Originally set up as an easy-to-reach outdoor phone for police only use, it ended up in a phone booth to protect the officers from weather when answering calls.
Now it’s a totally unique photo op spot. Be sure to snap a photo or get a selfie while you’re there. Everyone does.
FYI…this is a replica. The original is on display in the Carrabelle History Museum.
Local cabin rentals sport bright Florida colors.
WWII Beach Training Happened Here
Did you know the army trained for the WWII Normandy landing in little ‘ole Carrabelle? I was surprised when I found it out. Actually, I had never thought about it.
Camp Gordon Johnston opened in early 1940’s for training troops on beach landings. Florida beaches in the area were similar to those soldiers would face during the war.
Carrabelle has a WWII Museum featuring Camp Gordon Johnston’s history. If you want to see the collection and learn more, check it out HERE.
POW-MIA flag flies as a reminder that those lost are not forgotten.
Florida Landmark sign just off Carrabelle Beach gives a brief history of the training site.
Carrabelle Beach, one site of the 1940's D-Day training.
Experience Old Florida in Carrabelle
I’ve only touched on a few interesting parts of this little town. Florida's Forgotten Coast has a list of 20 different items of interest on Carrabelle's walking-biking-driving tour. Lots to enjoy.
Want to experience “Old Florida?” You know, the kind without traffic jams but filled with nostalgia and friendly people. Take a trip to the Forgotten Coast and stop a while in Carrabelle. The sleepy little town is the real deal.
Click HERE to get Carabelle's tour list with map
River marshes between the Carrabelle River and the St. George Sound.
A Brief History of Carrabelle
- Quiet fishing village before the Civil War
- First lumber mill built 1875. Harvesting of local forests began. Lumber and turpentine exports helped economy and town grow.
- City of Carrabelle incorporated in December 1881. Boom town by 1890’s.
- Grown slowed as naval stores and lumber industry disappeared during 1st half of 1900’s.
- Returned to small fishing village status.
For more in depth information, check out the Carrabelle History Museum.
Looking for more small towns to explore?
Check out our "Destinations" page for other Worthy Detour stops.
