We have been going to St. George Island every year since 2010. We love it! We actually joke that it’s a well kept secret and we want to keep it that way…but I can’t resist telling you about it.
Accommodations
Let me start here because it sets the tone of the island.
About 90% of the dwellings on the island are single family homes (that’s just a guess by me), so it’s a very chill vibe that’s not crowded like many other beaches or beach towns. In the center of the island there is a lighthouse and the public beach, and some businesses off the beach, then there are houses for miles in each direction.
We always stay on the beach side, either beachfront or across the street. There are also houses on the bay side. It always feels like a world away if we drive over there but the island is really only a few blocks wide.
Anyway most people do weekly rentals through Collins, Cape and Coast, Fickling, etc. There is also the St George Hotel, and the Buccaneer, which people have a hard time saying with a straight face because it’s a bit run down, but kind of the main option if you aren’t coming for the whole week.
We usually book a year in advance. If you know what you need and like, you can just book for the next year after your trip. You can still find places if you wait but you’ll have fewer choices and might have to make compromises.
Things to Do
I want to be honest with you, if you are looking for an action packed, adventurous family vacation, St. George Island may not be right for you. The main thing to do is go to the beach! We normally have 1 or 2 of those big pop up tents, and we basically camp out for the day on the beach. The water is a great temperature, and waves can vary in their roughness but swimming is almost always an option. There is tons of beach to walk, or you can fly a kite. A lot of people fish from the beach, we don’t so I don’t know much about it. We actually usually see them catching small sharks. Don’t worry though, I have never heard of a shark attack near St. George Island. There’s also kayaking, some of the house rentals will come with credits for gear rental. You can just launch right from the beach in front of your house.
There is a lighthouse on the island which is open sometimes to climb up. Being honest again, we have never done it. Can you tell, we REALLY like the beach?!
There are a few things to do off the island. Apalachicola is a cute town just 15-20 minutes away.
Getting there
Like many beach destinations, I believe most people come by car, even from as far as the Midwest! Especially snowbirds. You CAN fly though, either to Panama City or Tallahassee. Then it’s a 1.5-2 hour drive depending on traffic. Panama City is slightly farther than Tallahassee and more prone to traffic but each airport is so small that I’d recommend considering both and just picking the best flights. Once you land you’ll most likely need to rent a car.
Drop your questions and comments below!
