St George Island Florida is arguably one of the best places to escape to on a United States beach vacation. Found in northwest Florida, southeast of the popular destination of Panama City Beach, this long and thin island features no less than nine miles of undeveloped beaches within its resident state park. These beaches feature picturesque dunes that are capped with sea oats.

Complementing the pristine state park beaches on St George Island is a public beach that is also inviting, and there are various options for things to do on the side when a break from the sand is in order. It is possible to go fishing during a St George Island visit, for example, and there are various shops, bars, and restaurants to duck into. Sailing and kayaking are just two more ideas for ways to stay busy, and birdwatching enthusiasts can spy on terns, black skimmers, and other interesting avian creatures.

St George Island is more than 20 miles long and measures two miles wide at its widest point. Found just off the Northwest Florida coast, it is next to Cape St George Island and can be reached from the mainland by a four-mile bridge. This bridge spans Apalachicola Bay and connects St George Island to the town of Eastpoint. Once on the island, visitors enjoy a largely unspoiled environment, and therein lies much of the allure.

Crowding isn’t common on the St George Island beaches, and animal lovers will be happy to know that this is a very pet friendly destination. It should also be noted that St George Island Florida is among the more upscale destinations that can be found along the Gulf Coast. The tranquil island is even home to an exclusive housing community that has its own airstrip, and a significant amount of funds are required should you wish to invest in St George Island real estate.

St George Island State Park

One of the main reasons why people visit St George Island Florida is the opportunity to enjoy St George Island State Park. Found on the eastern side of the island, this park is best known for its pristine beaches, the likes of which figure among the very best beaches in Florida. Swimming, sunbathing, and shelling are among the most popular beach activities. It isn’t all about the beautiful beaches at St George Island State Park, however. There are opportunities to enjoy such activities as hiking, boating, canoeing, and fishing. Thanks to the park’s boat ramps, it can also make for a fun boating destination, and picnic shelters that are equipped with tables and grills provide good places to enjoy a rewarding outdoor dining experience.

There aren’t any hotels within the boundaries of St George Island State Park, but visitors who don’t want to leave once the sun goes down can always look to do some camping. The campground has no less than 60 full-facility sites, and amenities include bathhouses, a dump station, electricity, and water. A primitive campsite is also available, as is a group camp area.

Beach at St George Island

The state park beaches aren’t the only beaches that St George Island visitors can enjoy. There is also a public beach. As is true of the park beaches, this public beach stretches along a portion of the island’s southern coast and opens onto the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. While it isn’t quite as nice as the St George Island State Park beaches, the public beach is inviting nonetheless. Better yet, it is free. Covered picnic pavilions are found along the public beach, and among other things, they provide good places to bask in the shade for a while. Also available is a public restroom facility, and visitors will notice that there are plenty of beach houses in the background. Separating these beach houses from the water are scenic dunes, and special beach fences help form the dunes.

Alcohol and pets are allowed on the St George Island public beach, it should be noted. Also worth mentioning is the fact that St George Island is a nesting ground for sea turtles. These turtles, which are more specifically known as loggerhead sea turtles, lay their eggs on the island’s beaches between the months of May and October.

St George Island Hotels

There aren’t a lot of St George Island hotels to choose from. In fact, this wonderful barrier island is only home to two hotels. They are known as the St George Inn and the Buccaneer Inn. Neither is large or overly luxurious, but they can certainly make for good places to stay while on the island. The St George Inn is located at 135 Franklin Blvd and offers proximity to such things as a basketball court, a play park for kids, and a variety of eateries. As for the Buccaneer Inn, it enjoys a beachfront location at 160 West Gorrie Drive, and that is arguably the biggest perk. If travelers can’t manage to get a room at one of these hotels, there are other lodging options to consider. The island is home to a plentiful amount of vacation rental properties, for example, and mainland towns such as Apalachicola and Eastpoint provide accommodations.

St George Island Vacation Rentals

Many St George Island visitors choose to book a vacation rental, and it is easy to understand why. There are plenty of good rental properties available, including spacious homes that feature such delights as a hot tub, a private pool, and a dock. Well-equipped townhomes can also be rented, and there are cozy beach cottages to consider as well. Many of the St George Island vacation rentals are pet friendly, and good deals are often out there for those who are willing to search for them.