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Spanish for "lost island," Perdido Key encompasses federal and state parks abundant with wetlands, estuaries, and wildlife. The azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico frame the white beaches. These beaches and their dune habitat host a variety of visitors and residents throughout the year. Environmentalists and outdoor enthusiasts enjoy Perdido Key because it is one of the few remaining protected wilderness areas in the Florida Panhandle. Miles of preserves offer opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and bird watching. Dolphin watch excursions and sailing tours are popular with tourists, as are moonlight cruises on the bay. Perdido Key's two state parks and an expanse of National Seashore offer the chance to spot gray foxes and blue herons in the wild. Local outfitters offer guided tours, and self-guided nature trails at Big Lagoon and Johnson Beach allow solitude. The barrier island has several world-renowned parks, including Perdido Key State Park, Big Lagoon State Park, and Johnson Beach at Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Several rows of dunes characterize the beach dune habitat. "Frontal" or "primary" dunes are vegetated with sea oats, bunch grass, and beach grass. Other plants growing in primary dunes are Florida rosemary, railroad vine, and beach morning glories. Secondary dunes, further inland, support saw palmetto, slash and sand pines, and scrubby shrubs and oaks. Cordgrass, salt grass, pine trees, purslane, and pennywort are growing among the dunes. The scrub and grasses growing on the dunes are vital to the health of the beach habitat. The beaches would erode without the critical holding power of dunes and their plants.
Perdido Key is also home to the Blue Angels, the Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron; the Lost Key Golf Club, a designated Audubon Signature Cooperative Sanctuary golf course; and Flora-Bama, which straddles the state line. Known for its out-of-the-ordinary celebrations, Perdido Key is home to the New Year's Polar Bear Dip, Martini Festival, Interstate Mullet Toss, and the Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival.