Located just two hours southeast of Panama City, St. George Island, along with the neighboring communities of Apalachicola and Eastpoint, comprise Florida's Forgotten Coast, a hidden gem for tourists, fishermen and nature lovers just waiting to be discovered. St. George Island combines the charm of a small Southern gulf coast town with the amenities of a large resort community, offering water sports, ecotourism and culture alongside unique shopping and dining establishments.
A 22-mile barrier island located between Apalachicola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, St. George Island offers travelers a diverse selection of activities from boating and fishing to kayaking and scuba diving. You don't have to be an expert fisherman to join in the fun as many companies offer beginner and family fishing trips for the novice.
If you decide to hire a charter boat, always make sure the company is licensed and insured, and check that the crew has been certified by the U.S. Coast Guard. Many of the companies are registered with the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce, which is a good place to get references if you are unsure about a company.
Ecotourism is big on St. George Island, and many companies offer tours with crews that have college degrees in biology and marine archeology. Or you could strike out on you own by hiking, biking or canoeing through acres of state parks and protected wilderness. Take a romantic sunset voyage, or follow in the wake of Gulf Coast buccaneers by taking a pirate cruise.
History buffs may want to begin their stay by taking a leisurely stroll through the Apalachicola Historic District, which boasts over 900 homes and other buildings, some dating back to the 1830s. Stop by the visitor center at 122 Commerce Street for a map. Highlights include the Dixie Theatre, which hosts live theatrical functions and space for community events, the Fort Gadsden Historic Site, which tells the story of Native and African-American life during the early 1800s, and the Raney House Museum, the 1838 home of David Greenway Raney, a cotton commission merchant and community leader in the years when the Forgotten Coast was a center of cotton exportation. The Apalachicola Area Historical Society has furnished the home and offers public tours. Donations are appreciated, but not required.
Oysters, shrimp, crabs and a diverse mix of fish species make St. George Island a sea foodie's dream, and streets lined with small boutiques offer everything from antiques to works created by local artists. Antique hunters should be sure to visit the Grady Market along the banks of the Apalachicola River. The Sea Oats Art Gallery offers prints and paintings done by local artists, and Downtown Books & Purl can provide you with that must-have summer read while you're relaxing on the beach. The Apalachicola Bay is one of the cleanest in the nation, providing a wide variety of seafood to sample. Eddy Teach's Raw Bar is a great place to meet the locals, throw back a plate of oysters and catch a live band on the weekend. Don't miss the Old Time Soda Fountain on Market Street in Apalachicola, where they still serve ice cream, sodas and malts in a lovely interior preserved form the 1950s.
