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Crooked Island Sound

Crooked Island is actually not an Island at all, but a combination of two narrow peninsulas that form a nice sized saltwater lagoon. Located just west of Mexico Beach, Florida, the Crooked Island area is a favorite location for surf fishing, shelling, kayaking and possibly overnighting in a small boat.

Access to the eastern peninsula is via a generally-well-maintained dirt road off US Hwy 98, approximately 1.4 miles west of the Mexico Beach Visitor Center. Follow the dirt road to a nice parking lot located approximately 800 feet from the water's edge. The gulf-front hike to the tip of the eastern peninsula is at least 5 miles, so pack something to drink if you plan to make the trip.

There is also a boat launch area for the lagoon located at the end of a nice paved road (see marker). From the Mexico Beach Visitor Center, follow US 98 west 2.6 miles and take a left at the first paved road. The lagoon at this point is a great example of a salt marsh coastal eco-system. This would also be a great location to begin a longer kayak trip inside the protected lagoon, with access to the Gulf.

The mouth of the lagoon where small boats can enter from the Gulf of Mexico has no managed channel, so mariners must use caution when attempting to navigate across the sandbars. Once inside, the lagoon offers a large sheltered area to anchor overnight.

The satellite photo below makes the mouth of the lagoon larger than it is. If you will zoom in, those photos appear to be from a more recent series, showing more sand and less water at the mouth.

Got pictures?

We are looking for great pictures of Crooked Island Sound.

If you have some photos you would like to contribute to be used on this page, and in our online Photo Album, send an email to: rick@bluewateri.net

Crooked Island Photos

Questions?

Be sure to visit the Mexico Beach Live Forum for lots of useful information about Crooked Island and other helpful topics of interest.

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