Major city · United States
CarrabelleCarrabelle, Florida
Give Carrabelle one night, two at most: it is a small fishing town on US 98, best as a quiet base for the beach, the lighthouse and Tate's Hell.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity and hurricane season)
- Airports
- TLH · ECP · VPS · X13
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Carrabelle sits on the Forgotten Coast between Apalachicola and St. Marks, at the eastern end of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. It is a fishing village with a small historic core, a beach west of town, a restored lighthouse and a very large state forest behind it. Most travellers pass through on US 98 or stop for a night or two on the way to Apalachicola or Tallahassee.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Carrabelle, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyCarrabelle is a small, quiet town and crime is not the main concern.
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire and ambulance · 850-670-8500 Franklin County Sheriff (non-emergency) · 1-800-222-1222 Poison Control (US, 24 h)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTLH Tallahassee International (About a 1-hour drive north; the nearest commercial airport.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical default: US 98/319 runs through town and links the beach, the lighthouse and the state forest, all 3–10 km apart.A car is the practical default: US 98/319 runs through town and links the beach, the lighthouse and the state forest, all 1.9–6.2 mi apart.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeUS$3–6
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekUS$10–25
- Museum or sight ticketBald Point State Park entry, per vehicleUS$4
- Budget bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$90
- Mid-range bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$260
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$280
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TLH Tallahassee International (About a 1-hour drive north; the nearest commercial airport.) · ECP Northwest Florida Beaches International (Panama City) (About a 1.5–2-hour drive west; check current routes.) · VPS Destin–Fort Walton Beach (About a 2.5-hour drive west; check current routes.) · X13 Carrabelle–Thompson Field (general aviation) (Town airfield for private aircraft only; no scheduled service.)
Weather and climate
Carrabelle: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
17°C63°F
6°C43°F
9 rd
Feb
19°C66°F
8°C46°F
8 rd
Mar
22°C72°F
11°C52°F
8 rd
Apr
26°C79°F
14°C57°F
7 rd
May
29°C84°F
18°C64°F
8 rd
Jun
32°C90°F
22°C72°F
12 rd
Jul
32°C90°F
23°C73°F
15 rd
Aug
32°C90°F
23°C73°F
14 rd
Sep
31°C88°F
21°C70°F
11 rd
Oct
27°C81°F
16°C61°F
7 rd
Nov
22°C72°F
11°C52°F
7 rd
Dec
18°C64°F
7°C45°F
8 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical default: US 98/319 runs through town and links the beach, the lighthouse and the state forest, all 3–10 km apart. The historic core and river walk are walkable in 15–20 minutes. There is no local bus network; ride-hailing is thin, so plan your own transport or ask your lodging about a lift.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30–40 min
US 98 east, about 30 min by car
Oyster town with a walkable historic district; pair it with a seafood lunch.
Saint George Island
goDoor to door: About 45–60 min
US 98 east to Eastpoint, then the bridge across; about 45 min
Long beach and state park at the east end; bring supplies.
Eastpoint
goDoor to door: About 25–35 min
US 98 east, about 25 min
Small waterfront community; useful stop on the way to Apalachicola.
St. Marks
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
US 98 east then US 319 north, about 1 h 15 min
National wildlife refuge and a small historic town; a full day out.
Port St. Joe
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
US 98 west, about 1 h 30 min
Doable as a long day, but better as an overnight on a westward run.
Crawfordville
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
US 98 east then US 319 north, about 1 h
Mostly a service town; stop if you are heading to Tallahassee.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Carrabelle (Marine Street and US 98)
Walkable to the river walk, the history museum and the small police-station landmark; a handful of inns and B&Bs.
US 98 west toward Carrabelle Beach
Motels, RV parks and cottages across from the beach; you need a car for everything.
Dog Island
Barrier island reached by private ferry or light aircraft; bring all food and supplies, and expect no shops.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- US$80–130 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$130–220 excl. bed
- High
- US$220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or inn double room1 × 2 nights × US$150 | US$300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$160 | US$640 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 | US$70 |
| Fuel, about 100 km of local driving1 × US$12 | US$12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$105 |
| Trip total≈ US$289 per person per day, bed included | US$1,157 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; car hire and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | US$3–6 |
| Seafood plate at a local restaurant | US$18–30 |
| BBQ lunch | US$12–20 |
| Grocery run for two, one day | US$30–50 |
| Crooked River Lighthouse climb | US$5 |
| Bald Point State Park entry, per vehicle | US$4 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | US$10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Hurricane season runs Jun–Nov; check forecasts and evacuation routes before you book a coastal stay.
- Summer heat and humidity are severe; carry water and use sun protection.
- Cell coverage and fuel stops are sparse on the stretches of US 98 outside town — fill up when you can.
- Some restaurants and small museums keep short or seasonal hours; call ahead or check the official site before driving out.
- Tate's Hell State Forest roads are unpaved in places and flood after rain; do not take a low-clearance car far in.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance
- 911
- Franklin County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 850-670-8500
- Poison Control (US, 24 h)
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CarrabelleCarrabelle, Florida
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Can you take me to this address?Please take me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance911
- Franklin County Sheriff (non-emergency)850-670-8500
- Poison Control (24 h)1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies or consulates in Carrabelle; the nearest are in Tallahassee or further afield. US travellers: your state's services apply. Check your own country's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tallahassee airport → Carrabelle by car: about 1 h, roughly 80 kmabout 1 h, roughly 50 mi
- Carrabelle → Apalachicola by car: about 30 min on US 98
- Crooked River Lighthouse climb: US$5, Sa–Su 13:00–16:00, weather permittingUS$5, Sa–Su 1:00 PM–4:00 PM, weather permitting
Say or show
- Where's the beach at? — Where is the beach?
- Do you take cards? — Can I pay by card?
- How much is that? — How much is it?
- Is it far from here? — Is it far?
- Thanks, appreciate it — Thank you
- Excuse me — Excuse me
Small town: confirm opening hours and seasonal closures before you drive out.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Carrabelle. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity and hurricane season) · month by month →
- 4 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for TLH: drive times, rental desks and a late-arrival fallback.
- Walking cluster for the historic core: river walk, history museum, police-station landmark, Marine Street.
- Place pages with verified hours for Crooked River Lighthouse, Camp Gordon Johnston Museum and Carrabelle Beach.
- Hurricane-season fixture so coastal stays can show a clear go / caution / skip.
Sources
- officialFlorida State Parks — Bald Point State Park
- officialCrooked River Lighthouse
- officialCamp Gordon Johnston Museum
- officialCarrabelle History Museum
- officialFlorida Fish and Wildlife — Tate's Hell State Forest
- officialFlorida Department of Transportation — US 98 corridor
- secondaryWikivoyage: Carrabelle, revision 4859194 (CC BY-SA 4.0)