Presnell’s Bayside Marina & Rv Resort

My Boyfriend and I stayed here in March during spring break when we decided to continue our week of camping. It is under new management since January 2015. We had called Clara at the office and she got us one of the best tent camping spots on the grounds #24! It was large and right on the water! We loved this place because Clara, the new owner, was so friendly, bubbly, sweet and helpful! She is like your most friendly neighbor or your sweet aunt you haven’t seen in years! The campground is nothing like a state park and much more like a small RV park. It’s completely different from the campgrounds we’ve stayed at car camping. But despite the obvious difference, we felt welcomed and safe. The campground allows pets (major plus since we have a year old Labradoddle), camp fires, has clean working shower and bathroom. All the campsites have a phenomenal view of the sunset! Absolutely gorgeous! The office has ice for sale, water shoes for walking out to fish (we were told that the fishing is spectacular here and when in season there are scallops to be found), goggles for snorkeling and they rent out paddle boards and kayaks for $ 25 for two hours, super reasonable! The campground is easy to find with a big lighted sign off of HWY 30. We loved that we were only 15 minutes away from St Joe’s beach because once you pass Mexico Beach and you’re in Gulf County you can park anywhere on the side of the road and walk to the beach! In Gulf County your dogs are allowed on the beach and in the water, unlike any state park or public beaches anywhere close! As a tent camper we would recommend trying to get site #24 and pitching close to the water and in the shade to the left. This site has the most privacy, is the largest site we saw and at the very end!

Absolutely love camping here. We tent camp (not RV) and have always had a great time. Staff as always nice and helpful. This last trip (Oct 2014) we found that new ownership took over. they were great! Grounds are kept immaculate and YOU CANNOT beat the view. Our feet literally hang out of tent into bay. We always visit during off season to bypass the crowds. All campers are quiet and friendly and everyone respects each others space and privacy. Great fishing and crabbing. Down the road you can grab fresh oysters. Grocery store is just a few miles away (Piggly Wiggly)

Caveat Emptor; Have been coming to the Cape San Blas area for over 15 years, wonderful beaches and even better fishing in St. Joe Bay. Have rented a boat from Presnells almost every year, have seen three different owners and managers and the last two were wonderful.
Have to say this year May 2014 I witnessed a new low with Captain Allen and his wife as operators. After renting a boat and great day of fishing I was met at the dock with «Did you hit any sandbars? «. Well no I had not I replied, «well you just did coming in I saw you hit the sandbar» and «you have ruined our new prop». What ???
Its low tide, their is only one buoy in a 5 mile radius and yes my 78 year old dad who was bringing us in at low speed he may have hit some sand, but who doesn’t its St Loe bay! «. They then asked my to pay for the prop! First charging me 160 $ and then calling me back that night and telling me its was only $ 123 and they will only charge me $ 100 and drop by to process.
I did and again let them know I had never heard of this practice and was told «you signed a contract that the boat would be in the same condition you rented it». Well ok, I guess I need to do an inspection of the motor, prop and any scratches next time I come back, but thats just it I will never go back. St Joe has a wonderful Marina, they know 80% of the boat renters don’t navigate St Joes skinny water every day and they are less expensive and certainly more customer oriented.
Too bad, I have a house on the cape, three condos and we rent to hundreds of renters per year, have posted «beware of renting at Presnells» go to St Joe Marina.