Mashes Sands Beach — Attraction in Crawfordville

AN OTHERWISE BEAUTIFUL BEACH (IF POLLUTION DIDN'T CLOSE THE BEACH AS OFTEN. See Advisories below:

MAYBE CROSS THE BRIDGE to FRANKLIN COUNTY. This area is generally beautiful, with lush tropical species, and many natural/beach/river areas to explore. There's even a very nice Greek seafood restaurant where the last Red Snapper was amazing! Then there are some serious issues involving pollution that the State must address.

Almost all of the data here is from the Dept. of Health, Wakulla County. It's important to remember that Florida has 35 counties that border one of three (3) bodies of water: The Gulf, The Florida Straits amid the Florida Keys, and The Atlantic Ocean.

In Wakulla County, Florida, Mashes Sands Beach and Shell Point Beach have been subject to water quality health advisories due to HIGH BACTERIAL LEVELS, as reported by the Florida Department of Health (DOH-Wakulla).

"These ADVISORIES RECOMMEND AGAINST WATER-RELATED ACTIVITIES DUE TO AN INCREASED RISK OF ILLNESS [TO] SWIMMERS. The DOH-Wakulla will lift the advisories when bacteria levels return to acceptable ranges.

KEY POINTS: Beaches Affected: Mashes Sands Beach and Shell Point Beach in Wakulla County. REASON FOR ADVISORIES: Elevated levels of ENTEROCOCCUS bacteria.

RECOMMENDATION: DOH-Wakulla advises against swimming and other water activities until bacteria levels are below the accepted health level.

ADVISORY LIFT: Advisories will be lifted when water testing results show bacteria levels below acceptable standards. Public Information: Test results are available on the Florida Department of...

Awesome little beach. Very natural. To me, that is the charm. There were so many hermit crabs and other things right along the beach. We went shell walking, but every one of the many shells was occupied.

The water is dark and hard to see your lower half. It is fairly shallow for quite a ways. Still water.

There are a lot of sharp rocks and shells. It is important to wear water shoes. Only two of my party of 5 had water shoes, and were fine- and the other three got cuts on their feet even being careful from the rocks- two with lots of blood. At some beaches it definitely isn’t needed, but it is here.

Beach has lots of grass. It’s not a “sugar sand” beach.

Quiet even on a Sunday, though parking was quite limited.

Definitely would return for natural beauty reminiscent of beaches before artificial...

we visited yesterday and it was a really nice, calm atmosphere the kids enjoyed it and we adults enjoyed it as well. the low tide was really well

only downfall the trash needed to be dumped made the front area smell atrocious ewww!! the black flying bugs that look like flies are some stinging bug that sounds like a bee, but its not and it feels like a mosquito bite. the water does have crabs and hermit crabs and mussels but with the tide being low you can catch them.

but the overall experience was awesome and relaxing and we enjoyed the day...