A Weekend Escape to Redfish Point: Beachside Bliss and Sailing Adventures

30`19.144'N | 87`21.169'W - Redfish Point, Grand Lagoon, Perdido Key, Florida

Departure & Anchoring Last Friday around 3:00 pm, we set sail from Bayou Chico, charting a course for Redfish Point, just west of Pensacola Naval Base. This spot is close to the popular Sand Island anchorage, but with the summer crowds gone, we found Redfish Point to be a serene, almost private getaway. I had a new friend joining me on this trip—a last-minute addition after their camping plans fell through. With only one previous sailing experience under their belt, they were excited to embark on this mini-adventure.

We anchored Quark at Redfish Point just before sunset. Normally, Belle and I would spend the night aboard, but with fewer people around, we decided to set up camp on the beach. After securing the boat, we pitched a tent, gathered wood, and built a fire. As the flames came to life, we turned up the music, poured a drink, and settled in to watch the sunset over Grand Lagoon. There’s something uniquely satisfying about sitting around a beachside fire with your floating home bobbing gently at anchor, just 75 yards away.

A Chilly Morning and Fishing Fun

Saturday morning greeted us with a damp, chilly breeze, but the sunrise quickly brightened our spirits. Belle was already full of energy, running up and down the beach, chasing seagulls and splashing in the shallow water. As the temperature began to rise, we grabbed a cast net and tried our hand at catching some bait. After a bit of trial and error, we landed a sizable pinfish, which we placed in a crab trap for the night.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing, exploring the beach, and watching Belle play in the sand and water. As the evening approached, we started another fire and began prepping dinner, eagerly anticipating another beautiful “sunset show.” We brought cushions from Quark this time, having learned from the previous night’s experience that lying on bare sand isn’t the most comfortable option.

Reflections on the Weekend

Sunday morning rolled around, and we woke up to another clear and gorgeous day. We cranked up some tunes and began packing up our gear. Belle, ever the adventurer, made one last dash along the beach, leaving a trail of happy paw prints in the sand. We managed to fit all our gear—and Belle—into the dinghy and made our way back to Quark, carefully leaving no footprints behind on the beach.

Once back on Quark, we secured our belongings and fired up the motor for the sail back to Bayou Chico. The winds were light and constantly shifting, so the motor stayed on the entire way. Despite the calm winds, it was a fantastic weekend of great weather, amazing company, and plenty of moments that made it all worthwhile.