Franklin County, Florida
St. George Island
Built in 1833, rebuilt twice, decommissioned, collapsed, and rebuilt again.
Dr. Beach rated the beach at Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park number one in the United States in 2023; Forbes had put it third in 2013.
What this place is
Why St. George Island is here
The island was reachable only by ferry until 1960; the four-mile St. George Island Bridge to Eastpoint was completed in the mid-1960s.
Apalachicola Bay seafood - oysters above all, alongside scallops, grouper, flounder, redfish, snapper, trout and mullet.
- 1833First light
- 1851Destroyed by hurricane
- 1973State buys 1,800 acres
- 2023Rated best beach in America
Worth the trip
What to look for
- 01
The Cape St. George Light, built in 1833, rebuilt two miles away in 1847-48, rebuilt again after an 1851 hurricane, decommissioned in 1994 and reconstructed after its foundation collapsed in 2005.
- 02
Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park, on the eastern end, from an 1,800-acre state purchase in 1973.
Time your visit
The weekend that matters
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March
St. George Island Chili Cook-Off
Started over forty years ago as a small fundraiser for the island's volunteer fire department, and the proceeds still go to local emergency services. Now an International Chili Society competition drawing cooks from across the country, with a silent auction and the Red Pepper 5K.
Hotels, inns, rentals and campgrounds
Where to Stay
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Vacation Rentals
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Vacation Rentals
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Hotels
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Vacation Rentals
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Vacation Rentals
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Vacation Rentals
Restaurants, seafood, cafes and bars
Where to Eat
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Seafood · $
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Seafood · $
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Restaurants · $$
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Restaurants · $
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Harry A 's Bar & Grill
Restaurants · $$
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Cafes Bakeries · $
Parks, beaches, museums, tours and charters
Things to Do
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Parks Nature
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Tours Charters
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Museums History
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Tours Charters
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Golf
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Tours Charters
St. George Island on the record
Pictures of the place
Archive and Creative Commons photographs of St. George Island. Nothing here is generated; every image is credited to the person who took it.
73 guides, written from this town’s own record
Guides
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The Best Things to Do in St. George Island, Florida
The beach at the state park was ranked number one in America by Dr. Beach in 2023. We mention that because it is true, and because it saves us from having to argue with you about it.
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The Best Restaurants in St. George Island, Florida
The beach holds the trophy; the tables hold their own.
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Where to Stay in St. George Island: Hotels, Inns and Rentals
The bridge changed everything. Until the mid-1960s, St. George Island was ferry-only, and the four-mile span from Eastpoint that replaced the boats delivered a different kind of visitor: people who could bring their own roof.
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A Weekend in St. George Island: What to See, Eat and Do
The bridge did not exist until the mid-1960s. Before that, the only way onto St. George Island was a ferry, which means the place has always demanded a little effort to reach. That is still true, even with the four-mile span from Eastpoint. The island is nine miles long, narrow, and has a population of just over 1,200 people. The median age is 60.9. The unemployment rate is zero. You are not coming here to do anything quickly.
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16 Things to Know Before Visiting St. George Island
St. George Island is a 60.9-year-old community of 1,218 people that swells with renters each season. Come without a plan for food, lodging, and the bridge, and you'll spend your vacation driving back across it.
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The Best Time of Year to Visit St. George Island
The best time to visit St. George Island is the week after Labor Day, when the water is still warm, the crowds have thinned, and the only thing moving faster than the tide is the line at the ferry—except the ferry is gone.
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St. George Island vs Apalachicola: Which Florida Spot to Visit
St. George Island or Apalachicola: Which to Visit
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The History of St. George Island in 6 Landmarks
It takes a certain kind of place to keep a lighthouse alive for nearly two centuries, but then again, St. George Island has always had to work for its permanence.
Public record
St. George Island by the numbers
- 1,218Residents (2023)
- 29.4% Homes held for seasonal use
- 160 Places in this guide