St. George Island is a 28-mile barrier island off the coast of Apalachicola in Franklin County, Florida. It's separated from the mainland by St. George Sound and connected by a bridge on CR-300. The island is home to Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park on its eastern end — one of the most pristine undeveloped barrier island parks in the Southeast — and a small community of vacation rentals, restaurants and shops on the western end.
Unlike the heavily developed Panhandle beaches to the west, St. George Island has retained much of its natural character. The beaches are wide, white and uncrowded by Florida standards. The water is clear and calm on the Gulf side, and the bay side offers excellent fishing, kayaking and wildlife viewing.
The Beach
The Gulf-side beach on St. George Island is the main draw. The sand is fine and white, the water is warm from late spring through early fall, and the crowds are manageable even in peak season compared to Destin or Panama City Beach. The state park beach on the eastern end is the most pristine — no development, no vendors, just beach, dunes and the Gulf.
The western end of the island near the bridge has public beach access with parking. The community beach areas are well-maintained and family-friendly. Loggerhead sea turtles nest on the island from May through October — look for nest markers and give them space.
Fishing on St. George Island
Fishing is one of the primary reasons people visit St. George Island. The island offers access to both Gulf fishing and bay fishing in St. George Sound. The state park has a boat ramp on the bay side, and there are several fishing piers and access points throughout the island.
Inshore fishing in St. George Sound targets redfish, speckled trout, flounder and sheepshead on the grass flats and oyster bars. The surf fishing on the Gulf side can produce pompano, whiting, bluefish and Spanish mackerel. Pier fishing is popular for sheepshead, black drum and flounder.
For a more detailed guide to fishing the area, see our Fishing in Apalachicola guide.
Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park
The state park occupies the eastern 9 miles of the island and is one of the best undeveloped barrier island parks in Florida. It offers primitive camping, a boat ramp, nature trails, birding, kayaking and some of the most pristine beach on the Gulf Coast. The park is open year-round and charges a small entrance fee.
Birding is exceptional in the park, particularly during spring and fall migration. The island sits on a major migration corridor and attracts a wide variety of shorebirds, wading birds and neotropical migrants. The park's bay side is excellent for wading birds year-round.
Kayaking & Water Activities
The bay side of St. George Island is ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding. The calm, shallow water of St. George Sound and the tidal creeks and marshes behind the island offer excellent paddling with abundant wildlife. Kayak rentals are available on the island.
Dining on St. George Island
Dining options on the island are limited but good. The focus is on fresh Gulf seafood — oysters, shrimp, grouper and flounder. Several restaurants and a market serve the island community and visitors. For more dining options, Apalachicola is 15 minutes away and has a well-regarded restaurant scene for a small town.
Shopping Near St. George Island
Shopping on St. George Island itself is limited to a few small shops and a market. For a real shopping experience, head to downtown Apalachicola — 15 minutes north on US-98. Downtown Apalachicola has galleries, specialty shops, restaurants and Crum & Co. Outdoors for outdoor gear, apparel, gifts and firearms.
If you're looking for outdoor gear, hunting or fishing accessories, or unique gifts to take home, stop by Crum & Co. Outdoors at 76 Market Street, Unit B in downtown Apalachicola. We're open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm, and dogs are welcome.
Getting to St. George Island
St. George Island is accessed via the Bryant Patton Bridge on CR-300, which connects the island to Eastpoint on the mainland. From Apalachicola, take US-98 east to Eastpoint, then turn south on CR-300 across the bridge. The drive from Apalachicola to the island takes about 15–20 minutes.
From Tallahassee, take US-319 south to Sopchoppy, then US-98 west to Eastpoint. The drive is approximately 1.5 hours. From Panama City, take US-98 east through Port St. Joe and Apalachicola to Eastpoint — approximately 1.5 hours.
This guide is provided for informational purposes. Hours, fees and conditions at state parks and public areas are subject to change. Verify current information with Florida State Parks (floridastateparks.org) before visiting.