Planning a FL Gulf 10 night vacation with the boat. Suggestions?

[MOA_Chaser]

We're looking to do a 10 night stay in August. 4 people, my boat, and our dog. Looking currently in the Cape Coral area mostly because I'm fairly familiar with the area and there's lots of places with boat slips/lifts.

A few questions...

First, anyone have any inside lines on a well priced place to stay? Would probably rather go through someone here than AirBnB, etc if so.

Next... is there any hint as to how to find places with a boat lift/slip on VRBO or AirBnB? It seems like there is no way to filter based upon that, you just have to hope they put "Gulf Access" or something in the title of the ad.

How terrible will it be to have my boat in a slip for 10 nights? Should I really, really be looking for a lift, or will I be OK in a wet slip for that long?

Finally, any particular areas (it doesn't have to be Cape Coral) that would be a good vacation for a family? Fairly close beaches both by boat and car, islands we should check out, etc?

 

[fatboyroy]

consider St James City FL, its south of cape coral not too far. Its an island lots of airbnb with dock some at $70 a night
Tropical Paradise! 3/3 with BOAT LIFT! Incredible access! - Houses for Rent in Saint James City, Florida, United States (airbnb.com)

 

[Babin Farms]

We went to the Destin area and it was great. Not too touristy or busy. Plenty of beaches, Crab Island and other places to visit using the boat. We wet slipped for 6 days with no issues. There is plenty to do if it rains or the weather is too bad to use the boat also. We took the kids to a trampoline park, amusement park, Bass Pro and a few other places when we weren't boating.
Here's a link to where we stayed that included a slip.

Okaloosa Island Vacation Rentals, Fort Walton Beach: house rentals & more | Vrbo

Explore an array of Okaloosa Island vacation rentals, all bookable online. Choose from tons of properties, ideal house rentals for families, groups and couples. Rent a whole home in Okaloosa Island, FL, United States of America for your next weekend or vacation.

www.vrbo.com

 

[MOA_Chaser]

We went to the Destin area and it was great. Not too touristy or busy. Plenty of beaches, Crab Island and other places to visit using the boat. We wet slipped for 6 days with no issues. There is plenty to do if it rains or the weather is too bad to use the boat also. We took the kids to a trampoline park, amusement park, Bass Pro and a few other places when we weren't boating.
Here's a link to where we stayed that included a slip.

Okaloosa Island Vacation Rentals, Fort Walton Beach: house rentals & more | Vrbo

Explore an array of Okaloosa Island vacation rentals, all bookable online. Choose from tons of properties, ideal house rentals for families, groups and couples. Rent a whole home in Okaloosa Island, FL, United States of America for your next weekend or vacation.

www.vrbo.com

We looked at, and would like to go someday, to Destin. It's a couple hundred miles closer to us, and we haven't been there before. I had started my search there. The problem is that there's little chance that we can get a pet-friendly stay with boating accommodations right now at a reasonable price. They seem to all be $3-400+ per night.

 

[Inthrustwetrust]

We looked at, and would like to go someday, to Destin. It's a couple hundred miles closer to us, and we haven't been there before. I had started my search there. The problem is that there's little chance that we can get a pet-friendly stay with boating accommodations right now at a reasonable price. They seem to all be $3-400+ per night.

Check Ft Walton/Navarre, very close to Destin, usually a little less pricy/touristy

 

[MOA_Chaser]

Yep, nothing for our time span in Ft Walton/Navarre area. (Pet friendly takes a lot off the board)

 

[2kwik4u]

Check Ft Walton/Navarre, very close to Destin, usually a little less pricy/touristy

I'm in Navarre right now. Very very very NOT touristy.

We got a condo for 7 days for ~$300/night. No boat parking or pets. If you can get a spot on the water with a lift and pet friendly in Destin for $350 your doing good IMO.