St. George Island, Florida
Last Updated: 3/28/24
“Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.”
St. George Island is a 28-mile barrier island located along Florida’s Forgotten Coast. And as you drive through each small coastal town, you really do get the sense that it has been forgotten. But the charm puts a spell on you, and draws you back.
My dad discovered the existence of St. George Island as a vacation spot, back in 1986 on a fishing trip in nearby Mexico Beach. We have been hooked ever since. So follow along as we share some of our top things to do in St. George Island, Florida.
St. George Island State Park
Starting out our list of top things to do in St. George Island is the Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park. The park is located on the east end of the island. There are 9 miles of uninhabited beaches that provide the perfect setting for the park.
The park offers the opportunity for boating, camping, canoeing/kayaking/paddleboarding, fishing, hiking, swimming, and more. We love to spend at least one day hanging out on the beach at the state park.
We also enjoy hiking on the Gap Point Trail (2.5 miles), and the Sand Road (it doesn’t really have a name, it is a gated special use area) that leads to the end of the Island (5 miles one way). Entrance into the park depends on the number of people in your group, and whether you are pulling a boat. For us it was $6/vehicle (limit 2-8 people).
Cape St. George Lighthouse
Lighthouses have such an allure for our family. We are drawn to the history and stories that they hold within their walls. This lighthouse was originally located on Little St. George Island. But due to erosion and waves, the lighthouse fell into the ocean in 2005.
It was then reconstructed on St. George Island, and opened to the public in 2008. A few years later a replica of the Keeper’s House was built and opened as a Museum to tell the history of the lighthouse. You can walk through the museum/gift shop for free.
It is $5/person to climb to the top of the lighthouse. You start your climb going up 92 wooden spiral stairs. And then an eight-rung metal ladder will take you into the lantern room (access to the room is through a 24″ X 21″ scuttle hole). The views from the top of this 72-foot lighthouse are beautiful.
Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve
Technically this is located in Eastpoint, but it is very close to the St. George Island bridge. The main attraction is the Nature Center, where you can learn about the Apalachicola River and Bay areas. We love the three giant tanks filled with fish, shellfish, and reptiles that are native to the river, bay, and Gulf of Mexico.
It is definitely an educational experience that my kids still enjoy, even as teenagers/young adults. There is also a 1/3-mile raised boardwalk trail that meanders through the Nature Center’s 28 acres. If you are going to walk the boardwalks in the summer, definitely take bug spray. The mosquitoes are not nice!
Stand-Up Paddleboarding
We love to use a stand-up paddleboard, especially on the bay where the water is usually calmer. It is a great workout and a lot of fun. Boards are available to rent at several locations on the island. And if paddleboarding isn’t your thing, you can also rent kayaks.
Fishing
One of the main draws to St. George Island, for my entire family, is the fishing! We fish off a dock or pier, on the bay. We fish in the ocean, just standing on the beach. Or we rent a boat and go out in the open waters to fish.
Actually...we usually do a combination of all three. Double check if you are required to hold a fishing license before you go. You can purchase one for a week, if needed.
Shopping
It is always fun to do a little souvenir shopping and browsing while on vacation! St. George Island has several fun souvenir shops with lots of t-shirts, seashells, and other typical Florida souvenirs.
But if you have time, I would suggest driving about 15 minutes or so to shop the quaint river town of Apalachicola, Fl. Some of our favorites are the quirky Tin Shed, the eclectic Riverside Mercantile, the upscale Grady Market, and the quaint Downtown Books and Purl.
Eating at Local Restaurants
If you love seafood, then you definitely need to try out a few of the restaurants on St. George Island, or at nearby Apalachicola. For our first night it is tradition to order pizza from a local favorite, BJs Pizza & Subs. We have been eating pizza here for 30 years!!
Some other local favorites are Harry A’s Bar and Grill and Paddy’s Raw Bar. And we definitely can’t forget Aunt Ebby’s Ice Cream. If you are over in Apalachicola you should checkout The Station Raw Bar, Owl Cafe, or Tamara’s Cafe.
We really love visiting St. George Island, Florida. It has been a favorite travel destination for our family for years. If you are looking for an amazing beach destination, then you should definitely check it out!