Posted on 2/18/2020
Many visitors have made Blue Mountain Beach their favorite Gulf Coast vacation destination. But, for those who haven't heard of this lovely coastal village, here's why it's so popular.
Blue Mountain Beach has the distinction of having the highest elevation on the entire Gulf of Mexico and received its name over 400 years ago for this very reason. Spanish explorers back in the 1500s were mapping the coastline of Florida and were attacked by hostile Native Americans further south. When they sailed up the coast afterward, they decided to map the coast from miles offshore safely. The explorers got to this point and saw "blue mountains" bordering a "beach" in the far distance. They mapped it as "Blu La Montana La Playa" (Blue Mountain Beach), which was translated into English many years later. What they actually saw were towering blue-hued hills covered with indigenous Lupine flowers that were in full bloom. The forested hills here rise up to almost 70-feet tall and resemble mountains from afar compared to the relatively flat elevations beside it. They wrap around three preciously unique coastal dune lakes called Draper, Big Redfish, and Little Redfish Lake. These exotic lakes are a rare natural phenomenon since other than here on The Emerald Coast, they can only be found in Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand, and a small portion of the Pacific Northwest. Tributaries beside dunes periodically connect with the gulf providing a mix of salt and fresh artisan waters with the flow of tides. This establishes a habitat supporting an abundant variety of fish, flora, and fauna. Visitors enjoy fishing and exploring these lakes by kayak or paddleboard. Blue Mountain Beach also borders thousands of acres of the extensive Pt. Washington State Forest, encompassing inland tributaries, lush marshlands, and woodlands along with miles of sandy trails available for an inland hike or mountain bike adventures.
The star of the show, of course, is the sugar-white shimmering shoreline, and this entire coastal area has been awarded "Blue Wave Beach" status. This esteemed designation is based upon extensive environmental studies. It is the nation's highest acclaim for excellence related to pristine conditions, cleanliness as well as unspoiled natural beauty. Everyone enjoys luxuriating in the crystal clear emerald toned waters here, which glow like glittering jewels beside the bright white beach.
Here is a brief description of our ten most popular Ocean Reef Resorts vacation rentals in Blue Mountain Beach, counting down to number one!
10. Gulf Princes
Gulf Princess is great for a beach reunion with multiple members of family or friends since it has five bedrooms that easily sleep 15 with multiple beds and guest quarters on three different levels. It is a short stroll away from the glorious Gulf, but you don't even have to go that far for liquid refreshment since this home has a lovely lagoon-shaped pool out back that measures 24' x 15'. The downstairs guest quarters are like a poolside cabana with a kitchenette that doubles as a convenient wet bar, a sitting area with a queen-sized sleeper sofa, a dining table, a full bath, and a bunk room.
9. View of Blue
View of Blue is a gorgeous Mediterranean style three-story villa, just an arrow's shot away from the beach. This newly furnished and comfortably updated home can accommodate up to 13 fortunate guests with four bedrooms on different levels. The rental home also has a private pool lavished with tropical palms. A spacious covered columned veranda includes a sitting and dining area with upscale outdoor furnishings where you may enjoy fun poolside entertainment. A romantic balcony off the Master Suite on the third floor and an Observation Tower Room with a wraparound rooftop deck provide spectacular views of the gulf as well as heavenly sunsets.
8. About Time At Redfish
About Time At Redfish is a five-bedroom waterfront home on the Big Redfish coastal dune lake that can sleep 14 carefree guests, and is just a short five-minute walk to the beach. However, you may have a hard time pulling yourself away from this gracious home since you can go fishing beside it on the wooded shore, go exploring the forested lake via paddleboard, plunge into the large swimming pool, relax in a soaking tub, or play billiards in the game room. A fourth story rooftop deck includes a wet bar so you may enjoy favorite drinks while relishing treetop views of the lake.
7. Cliffview
Cliffview soars high upon a sandy dune at the end of a cul-de-sac with outstanding panoramic views of land's end scenery that includes the shimmering shoreline and dunes that roll across over to the Big Redfish Lake tributary where it connects to the gleaming gulf. This classic original and fashionable Mid Century Vintage Modern home has five bedrooms with beds for 14 beachgoers. A unique spacious crescent-shaped screened porch and a massive open sun deck with stairs down to the beach provide stunning seemingly endless views of the fabulous seascape.
6. Tickled Pink
Tickled Pink is a unique four bedroom beachfront family estate in a lush tropically landscaped world of its own and can accommodate up to 10 lucky guests. An expansive deck provides sweeping views across the Gulf with stairs leading down the sugary dune to your own private beach that extends 100' across. A stone patio wraps around the other side of the house leading to flowering gardens, a fountain, a garden alcove, a built-in grill, and fire pit.
5. C Cottage
C Cottage is actually a large two-story five-bedroom residence with a regal two stories tall columned portico entrance crowned with an arching palladium window and flanked by clusters of towering Royal Palms. It can comfortably sleep 12 privileged guests. This opulently furnished newer home was famously featured on a ShowCase Tour when it was new. The plush furnishings were planned for comfort instead of grandiosity since this bright, spacious home has walls of windows in almost every room and features a casual coastal style. A two-sided Gulf-front wrap-around veranda leads to an open deck with direct access to the beautiful beach below.
4. Blue Mountain Villas 21
Blue Mountain Villas 21 is a spacious, unique three-story beachfront condominium with three bedrooms that can sleep eight happy gulf going guests. A wall of sliding glass doors provide stunning views of the jewel-like waters in the open living, dining, and kitchen area which adjoin a breezy balcony. A large Master Suite with a private beachfront balcony and a nautically attired Guest Bedroom are on the second floor. Both have full individual baths. Bonus family guest quarters on the third floor include a king-sized bed, twin bunks, and a full en suite bath.
3. Blue Mountain Villas 12
Blue Mountain Villas 12 provides a special one-bedroom romantic getaway place in the same beachfront complex; however, a queen-sized sleeper sofa can also accommodate little ones for a small family vacation. This updated and comfortably appointed condo is all on one level with sliding glass doors in the open living area that leads out to a covered patio overlooking the glowing gulf.
2. Are We There Yet
Are We There Yet is an awesome four-bedroom home, and once you get inside, you will answer this question with a resounding… Yes, we have definitely arrived both literally and figuratively! This Blue Mountain home graciously places ten guests in the proverbial lap of luxury. Comfortable furnishings, tall cathedral ceilings in the living area along with panel glass walls of windows and doors provide a bright, crisp setting with stellar views of the gulf. The Master Bedroom and one of the three Guest Bedrooms have both gleaming gulf views and en suite baths. An open deck with stairs down to the beach provide views that extend as far as one can see into the southern horizon.
1. 3 Doors Down
3 Doors Down is a spacious, newly completed, bright blue vacation home with white nautical trim that towers four stories tall. It has five bedrooms with sleeping quarters on three different levels and the ability to sleep 16 pampered guests. It has an excellent location, only a stone's throw away from the beach access, and also includes a large private swimming pool. A beautifully furnished 12' x 32' lanai which faces the pool features a gas grill, a built-in bar, a seating area, and a wall-mounted flat-screen TV for entertainment. A balcony off the open fabulously furnished second floor living area and a huge 15' x 30' balcony off the third floor Master Suite provide fantastic gulf views. An elegant spiral staircase sweeps up to a plush, comfortably furnished Observation Tower Room on the fourth level. It features a sleek marble-topped wet bar and walls of glass overlooking the panoramic seascape. An open rooftop sundeck with chairs and tables wraps around three sides of this paramount perch to provide 180-degree views of the captivating scenery.
Enjoy viewing each one of these popular Ocean Reef Resorts vacation rentals in Blue Mountain Beach here on our website that showcases each one with detailed descriptions, vivid imagery, seasonal rates, and calendar dates still available for rental. Due to their high demand, you should make plans for reservations now. You may happily discover your new favorite "beach" home away from home!
