Most folks have probably heard of Apalachicola, Florida. But, just in case you have not, Apalachicola is a beautiful, quaint little coastal town located in the Big Bend area of Florida. It is widely known for its delectable seafood – especially the world-famous Apalachicola Bay oysters!
Apalachicola is also known as the birthplace of modern refrigeration and air conditioning! Dr. John Gorrie, a physician seeking to find a way to lower fevers in his patients, discovered and patented an ice machine in 1850. If you have ever tried to live without air conditioning in the middle of a Florida summer, you will quickly understand why Dr. Gorrie is somewhat revered in this area!
Connected to Apalachicola via a series of bridges, including the 4-mile, John Gorrie Memorial Bridge and the Bryant Patton Memorial Bridge, is the gorgeous St. George Island. Earlier this year, we spent a day visiting St. George Island and we would like to share this unique and splendid spot with you.
St. George Island
St. George Island is a 28-mile, largely unspoiled, barrier island located just off the coast of the northeastern portion of Florida’s Panhandle. There are fewer than 800 full-time residents on the island, so you will not find the large crowds sometimes found on other Florida beaches.
The island’s local government has enacted some fairly tough zoning standards, and as such you will find no high-rise buildings and virtually no chain stores. Instead, you will find low-rise private residences, and only 2 private hotels. There are also a couple of small grocery stores for essentials, and a handful of small restaurants. However, the big draws of this place are its pristine beaches, amazingly clear water and opportunities for interacting with nature.
The island is remote by today’s standards, and if you like a lot of nightlife, St. George may not be the place for you. If, however, you like privacy and peace and quiet, then St. George fits the bill perfectly. The island is basically divided into 3 sections. The western most portion of the island is actually a private housing community that is gated and not accessible to the public. The center of the island is where the majority of the businesses and homes are located, and the 9-mile eastern portion of the island is home to the Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park.
Heart of the Island
There is only one way to drive to the island and that road delivers you right into the heart of the island. One of the first sights you will see is the Cape St. George Lighthouse. The original lighthouse was constructed in the mid-1800’s, but it was damaged and rebuilt multiple times over the years. In 2008, the lighthouse was rebuilt again in its current location, using reclaimed portions of the old lighthouse.
Be sure to stop in at the Visitors Center located near the lighthouse. There you will find some historical information about the lighthouse, along with some related artifacts. You will also find maps of the island, as well as brochures about the restaurants and lodging available on the island.
From the Visitor’s Center, you can take a stroll around the main parts of town. There are a number of interesting galleries and boutiques located in town and they are well worth your time if you are interested in artwork or a souvenir from St. George.
St. George Island State Park
Our favorite part of the island is the State Park. The park offers 9 miles of shoreline, highlighted by some magnificent snowy-white beaches. It is also home to rolling sand dunes, forests, and salt marshes. In addition to long walks on the beach, hikers can enjoy nature trails through wooded hammocks, boardwalks over salt marshes and an observation platform for viewing the amazing array of birds in the area.
The park has some beautiful picnic pavilions right next to the beach. Restrooms and showers are also readily available for day visitors. Although we did not check out the campgrounds, there are 60 sites available, all with electricity and water hookups. There are also restroom facilities, including hot showers. Campsite reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Some primitive campsites are available as well, but those must be reserved by contacting the park office directly.
The park is open from 8:00AM to sundown every day of the year. There is a minimal entry fee and leashed dogs are welcome in many areas of the park.
Things to Do on the Island
When visiting the island, it is all about enjoying nature. Here are a few of the activities you may want to try during your visit.
- Biking – Bring your own bike or rent one on the island. There are miles of paved paths throughout the island and even some unpaved paths suitable for biking within the State Park.
- Boating – Boat ramps are available around the island and if you do not have your own boat, rentals are also available.
- Fishing – A fishing license from the state of Florida is required, but great fishing abounds on both the Gulf and bay sides of the island.
- Shelling – The State Park in particular is a wonderful spot to look for shells!
- Birding and Wildlife Viewing – Tons of both native and migratory birds can be spotted all around the island. In addition, sea life such as loggerhead turtles and dolphins are frequently spotted in the Gulf of Mexico.
Where to Stay
As mentioned previously, there are only 2 hotels available on the island. The St. George Inn and Buccaneer Inn are the only options, but if you are only planning on spending a night or two, one of these may be acceptable.
Your best bet for a longer-term stay is to check out one of the many rental homes available through VRBO, Airbnb, or a local real estate rental company such as Resort Vacation Properties or Collins Vacation Rentals. There are several other companies and you can find them with a quick Internet search.
Summing it Up
We hope you enjoyed this quick snapshot of St. George. Although we only visited for a single day, we fell in love with the island. We think it would be a wonderful place to spend a tranquil week or two, while enjoying all the outdoor activities the island has to offer, and we can’t wait to go back!
Until next time, safe travels!
We visited the area and Apalachicola a few years ago on our way to Destin and now just have to make it back because St. George really sounds like our kind of place. Going to have to plan a trip SOON! ❤
Thank you for the comment. It really is a beautiful place.
Been here several times and loved it.
Absolutely love that whole area…have spent months there.
Gibson Inn is fabulous and St George Island is the real deal.
Appalachicola olde Florida.
The bridge going to the island is called the Bryant Patton Memorial Bridge. The one you named goes to East Point.
Bryant Grady Patton was my grandfather. I checked with my uncle Jim Patton who grew up in Apalachicola to be certain before posting.
Susan,
Thanks so much for your feedback! Actually, it was intentional to call out the Gorrie Bridge as one of the bridges leading to St George Island, specifically because the article had just referenced the importance of Gorrie in the region. That said, we do understand that the current wording of the article could lead to confusion. So, we’ll be updating the article to name both of the bridges leading to the island. Thanks again for helping us improve our content!
We love SGI so much our Kansas son convinced his Indiana bride to get married on the island.
Oh how we love ever visit we have made to St George Island. It’s just breathe taking . So relaxing and enjoying nature at its very best is what your needing I’m thinking ST GEORGE ISLAND 1st and foremost. Love the plantation homes are top rated and never have we been disappointed in any we have rented. Can’t wait to return . Ocean fishing tops it all off along with shelling OUR FAMILY gives ST GEORGE ISLAND A 10. +
I have been staying at St George Island for the past 6 years for a month. I will never tire of this beautiful place. Applachicola great place to shop and has great restaurants
I just love this place so much.
Thanks for sharing your comments.
I’m a resident of eastpoint just across the bridge. This is a beautiful community. A small amount of wonderful caring neighbors. We love our tourists. The fishing community has been devastated by the recent ban on our oyster harvesting in the bay if this continues its going to do away with our oysters.the restaurants and oyster bars are now at the mercy of our of state oysters. Generations of oystermen are out of work. We have really taken a good punch in the gut from covid and now a uncalled for fishing ban.
We have read a little on the plight of the oysters in the area. It is a real shame and I hope the oysters and industry can recover.
In my opinion the real culprit in the devastating reduction of oyster industry here in this area happened waaaay before covid. People overfished, over harvested, harvested illegal sized oysters, sold illegal sized oysters and ultimately when the deep water horizon oil spill happened in 2010 everybody, including people who had never even had an oyster license, raped every single oyster bed there was. Let’s lay the blame where the blame lies. It has absolutely nothing to do with covid. Also, the reduction of oyster production has very little to do with water consumption of our Northern neighbors and more to do with letting the fresh water out through Bob Sikes cut which the government created back in the 1950s when bigger shrimping vessels and barges needed a quicker access to intercoastal waters.
This is a very beautiful Island that I call home and we hope to keep it that way so when you’re here be sure to pick up your trash, don’t disturb the turtle nests, lease your dogs and clean up there poop. Leave no footprints but come and enjoy the beauty that is not found anywhere else.
Oops! You can’t lease a dog but make sure to leash them!!
Anna,
Thank you for your comments about the beauty of St. George Island! How lucky you are to call this special place home.
My wife and I were married on St. George, standing barefoot on the beach, in 2003. It was our favorite place on the world, and she is now buried there.
We definitely understand that the issue regarding the Apalachicola oyster beds is a very concerning topic for local residents and oyster lovers alike, and we appreciate learning about it. We also understand that others may be concerned about this issue too, but we would ask that future comments be confined to travel and tourism related to the island. Thanks so much, Forever Touring.
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