Mashes Sands, Coastal recreational area in Panacea, Florida.
Mashes Sands stretches along the shore where Ochlockonee Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico, featuring white sand beaches and salt marshes. The area offers natural beaches, tidal flats, and shallow bays suited for paddling and fishing.
The location witnessed a naval engagement on July 15, 1863, when the USS Stars and Stripes and USS Somerset conducted operations during the Civil War. This event was part of the coastal battles of that war period in the region.
The beach keeps its natural character and shows the typical Gulf Coast environment of Florida with minimal development. Visitors experience the quiet, undeveloped shoreline as it has been for generations.
The park is open from early morning to midnight with a boat ramp, mobile restrooms, and parking areas. Visitors should bring appropriate footwear since the sandy and marshy areas have varying conditions.
The site offers a paddling route of several miles around Mash Island, leading through shallow waters home to sea trout and redfish. This route connects several small islands and reveals the diversity of the local waters.
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