Welcome to Perdido Key Florida Vacation Rentals

Perdido Key Attractions and Activities

History

From the beginning of the 17th century, Spanish and French explorers, recognizing the potential riches in the vast New World across the sea, began colonizing the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The Spaniards had settled on Panzacola Bay. Some sources translate Panzacola as meaning "the village of hairy people, referring to the Spanish. The French were located above Maubila (Mobile). A natural boundary was needed for their unsettled relationship so that the groups from the two thriving seaports could live in this region in relative peace and harmony. Explorers from both countries had heard of a great mysterious body of water to the west of Pensacola, but they were unable to find the entrance.

In 1693 noted cartographer and scientist Don Carlos Siquenza was sent by the Spanish government to locate the entrance. Even after he located the mouth of the bay, he was still unable to find a waterway deep enough to sail through. According to legend, Siquenza's ship had been blown off course as he was again searching for the pass into the deep inland waters. The ship was spotted by an Indian chief camped with his tribe at Bear Point. As the chief was walking along the water he spotted Don Carlos Siquenza attempting to reef his sails and offered to guide Siquenza and his men to a connecting deep water channel from the Gulf of Mexico into the more tranquil bay. When the search party finally located the elusive bay, they called it "Perdido", which in Spanish means "lost" or "hidden".

Located on a thin strip of land in the extreme northwest portion of the state, Perdido Key and its eponymous state park offers rolling, white-sand dunes and stunning views of the calm Gulf waters.

Perdido Key Weather & Climate

Northwest Florida just east of the Alabama State line near the Gulf Islands National Seashore, has a semi-tropical climate with hot, humid summers and warm winters. More than 50 inches of rain is received in this region per year, with most of it in the months between May and September. This, along with the Gulf of Mexico, creates high humidity during this time. Thunderstorms are almost a daily occurrence in the summertime, but they generally do not last long and the sunshine returns. Winter, by comparison, is delightfully much cooler and drier, with perfect conditions for outdoor activities. The hurricane season runs August through October, but direct hits are rare and excellent forecasting gives plenty of warning time for these types of storms

Surrounding areas:

Perdido Key Vacation Rentals

Perdido Key vacation rentals are typically booked by the intelligent, travel-savvy tourist – not only is the barrier island well-hidden, but its a well-kept secret that Perdido Key homes are much cozier and more affordable than hotels! If you hope to experience a retreat to the beach that’s as memorable as it is unique, do not overlook Perdido Key condos for rent. The striking, unspoiled beaches of Perdido Key feature to-die-for views; the nearby attractions keep energetic visitors busy; and your Perdido Key rental beach house will treat you to the comforts of home and the luxuries of a five-star resort. If lazy days in the sun bore you, remember that visits to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and Pensacola Greyhound Track, and activities like canoeing, deep-sea fishing, and kayaking, are always a possibility. Beach homes and condominiums in Perdido Key welcome you to kick back, relax, and soak in the warm sunshine of the gulf coast. Booking one of these elegant Perdido Key vacation rentals are the best way to accept that invitation. It certainly doesn’t hurt to browse through these Perdido Key condos for rent, so take a look around and discover your dream Perdido Key rental beach house. With all the beach houses and condominiums in Perdido Key, there’s little reason to settle for a hotel room.

Perdido Activities & Attraction

Perdido Key golf

The hardest decision for golfers visiting Perdido Key is which course to play first. The area is home to a number of challenging courses, many of which were designed by such well-known planners as Arnold Palmer, Bill Bergin, Jerry Pate, John LaFoy, and Ron Garl.

Amenities vary from course to course and may include clubhouses, locker rooms, pro shops, practice facilities, bars, and restaurants. Many courses offer special getaway packages that include accommodations, green and cart fees, meals, and even guaranteed tee times.

According to local charter captains, the waters off Perdido Key offer some of the best fishing along the Gulf Coast. Depending on the season, deep-sea excursions can yield catches of redfish, skipjack, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, speckled trout, red snapper, grouper, cobia, jack crevalle, triggerfish, and amberjack.

Night-time anglers will find speckled trout, redfish, and flounder in the back-bay areas such as Perdido Bay, Old River, Cotton Bayou, St. John’s Bayou, Terry Cove, and the Intracoastal Waterway. Night fishing is best in areas around piers and other spots where there’s artificial lighting.

Even fishing from the beach outside your vacation rental can be profitable, yielding catches of king mackerel, amberjack, cobia, flounder, bluefish, tarpon, and tuna.

With a multitude of shops, malls, and outlets within driving distance of Perdido Key, shopping is a pastime almost as popular as lounging on the beach. You’ll find art, clothing, antiques, home furnishings, and more – all just a short drive away. Many of the big department stores have branches in neighboring Pensacola. You’ll also find plenty of small, one-of-a-kind businesses selling everything from handmade jewelry to T-shirts to wine and cheese. Our list of stores, malls, and outlet centers will help you plan your Perdido Key shopping excursion.

Entertainment

There’s always lots to do when the sun goes down at Perdido Key. For one thing, it’s the home of the Flora-Bama Lounge. Billing itself as “the last great American roadhouse,” this legendary dive on the Alabama/Florida line attracts an eclectic crowd that has been known to include celebrities such as Jimmy Buffett and Taylor Hicks. Live bands, big-screen TVs, a package store, and a restaurant and oyster bar are among the attractions at this local landmark, which has been a beachfront presence since 1964. And it’s not the only hopping spot in town. Other restaurants and bars – not only in Perdido Key but also in neighboring Pensacola and Orange Beach – offer live music, dancing, karaoke, big-screen TVs, pool tables, and more to give you a memorable evening out.

Special events

Warm, sunny days most of the year make the Perdido Key area a popular spot for special events year-round.

The Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival, held each November at various spots in Perdido Key, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and other nearby communities, offers 10 days of live musical entertainment. The festival is a popular venue for aspiring writers and musicians to showcase their work.

Probably the oddest local event is the annual Mullet Toss, which takes place the last full weekend of April at the Flora-Bama Lounge. This quirky contest, which regularly attracts several thousand visitors, requires participants to throw a mullet from a designated spot in Alabama across the state line into Florida. In addition to the Mullet Toss, the weekend event includes plenty of music, food, drink, and other fun activities. It’s all in a good cause, too, because a contribution for each fish flung goes to local youth charities.

The Flora-Bama is also the site of the New Years Polar Bear Dip. At high noon every New Years Day, a group of hardy souls welcomes the new year by joining hands and wading into the Gulf of Mexico. The reward for getting cold and wet is a dish of black-eyed peas.

Just down the road in Pensacola are two events that have received national attention. The Pensacola Beach Air Show, featuring the Blue Angels flight demonstration team, is held every July and always attracts a crowd. The Blue Angels Air Show, held in November, is the final air show of the season for the Angels, who spend much of the year traveling the nation with their precision jet performances.

To the west in Gulf Shores, more than 300 vendors gather each October for the National Shrimp Festival. Displays at the four-day festival include arts, crafts, clothing, jewelry, and other retail goods.

Events & Festivals

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