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Tour - Secrets of Seagrove Seagrove beach is a peaceful town tucked between the coast's natural dunes; among oak, pine, magnolia, hickory and holly trees.  Visitors to Seagrove Beach can choose from charming beach houses, cottages and condominiums.  Beauty and peace lure beach vacationers back to Seagrove Beach year after year.  Nature lovers seeking an unspoiled retreat complete with lovely nature trails and un-crowded beaches can find it in Seagrove Beach, Florida.  Here are some of its well kept secrets. Dunes at the edge of Deer Lake State Park East of the beach-house, is Deer State Park a 172 acre area of undeveloped pristine beach and lake areas.  If you like nature, wildlife, deserted beaches and lush vegetation, you'll love Deer Lake.  This recently-named state park is largely untouched and is the kind of place you can get happily lost. The dunes are home to nests of sea turtles who come ashore late a night to lay their bounty of offspring's.  Some of our neighbors foster these nests and tend to them, to ensure the next generation of the ancient creatures make it to the sea upon hatching. The ever so fragile hills of the sand dunes help prevent erosion.  Dunes are protected, and the public is discouraged from accidentally venturing into it by the enclosed fencing.  These are just some of the conversation efforts being put in place to ensure future generations will be able to enjoy the beauty of this natural landscape. Turtle nests are quarantined from people as a conservation effort to restore the population.  While no effort is spent on maintaining the nest, rather the natural process is used.  However, the turtles are protected. There are a dozen sandpiper species who live here.  This sharp-tailed sandpiper is a near cousin to the western sandpiper that lives all along the west coast and as far as Texas.  This particular piper can be found here year round and chooses our dunes as their prime nesting grounds. The very rare Riddley Turtles frequent the sand dunes throughout the spring, summer and early fall to lay their precious eggs.  These creatures are protected, so our caring neighbors do well to nurture and maintain their nests throughout the seasons. Frequently seen here is the White Ibis (Eudocimus Albus) whose long legged, down-curved bill are designed to survive the mudflats and spots of lagoons within the dunes.  They can be heard grunting and growling through the early mornings and late afternoons. A blackish bird of the southern swamps, shaped very much like a cormorant, the Anhinga favors the thick marshlands and the backdrop of the large trees to nestle and rear its young.  Standing up to 3-feet tall, this slender neck S-shaped bird is easily mistaken for cormorants. Where Riddley Turtles frequent, so are White Egrets (Ardea Alba) who are long-legged waders that love to forage and pick on baby turtles as they struggle to the shore.  Their loud squawks and croaks are also heard in the mornings. Learn more about the park by calling (850) 267-1868 Learn more about these on other wildlife at enature.com   Point Washington State Forest Point Washington State Forest is the home of a variety of unique wildlife and plant communities, including sand hills, coastal sand pine scrub, longleaf pine flat woods, wet prairies cypress ponds and titi swamps. The forest provides the perfect environment for the gopher tortoise, a species of special concern, and the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.  This 15,000-acre tract offers more than ten miles of trails for the enjoyment of bicyclists, hikers and nature lovers.  One of the most popular is the route from Eastern Lake to Cassine Garden. The South Walton's bike path extends along the roadway from Dune Allen Beach to Inlet Beach. There are countless sceneries such as these where patrons may forage into the clear blue waters.  The majestic trees and plant life surrounding the area makes this park one of the most obscure and unique parks that has been so well preserved despite its proximity to the sea. The bike path offers an excellent workout to the sport types and can accommodate riding, sport and mountain bikes alike. Thanks to the addition of the new Scenic Highway 30-A Bike Path.  Bicycle enthusiasts may now ride along South Walton's most picturesque roadway on pathways that border pristine coastal lakes and undeveloped woodlands.  The bike path extends along the roadway from Dune Allen Beach to Inlet Beach.  Nine miles of path are off-road, and a majority of the rest of the 18-mile stretch is connected to a scenic byway.  Call for maps and regulations via phone: (850) 231-5800   SeagroveEMail Directions to Seagrove Call us for a reservation