St. George Island Holiday Rentals

One of the beauties of choosing from Florida’s wide range of St. George Island vacation rentals is their closeness to the beaches. This 22-mile barrier island is famous for some of the most beautiful and uncrowded beaches on the Gulf Coast. You may not know that in May 2012, St. George Island State Park was named the number four most beautiful beach in the United States by “Dr. Beach,” Professor Stephen P. Leatherman of Florida International University.

Whether you like searching for shells, snorkeling, swimming in the crystal Gulf waters or simply soaking up the sun, you will be right at home on the beach at St. George. Quaint beach cottages, elegant condos and luxury beach homes are among the many St. George Island vacation rentals to choose from. You can even bring your pet; well-behaved dogs are welcome in many vacation homes as well as on the beaches.

The serene, white sand beaches and dunes cover more than nine miles across the island, providing the prefect location for St. George Island State Park. Take some time out to enjoy boating, canoeing or snorkeling off the white sands. You can catch flounder, redfish, sea trout, Spanish mackerel, pompano and whiting from the bay.

St. George Island is a fun vacation spot for all the family. Not many beaches offer the equivalent opportunity for shelling. There’s nothing more calming than an early morning beach walk; being gently warmed by the dawn sun as it crests the ocean. This is a great time to go shell hunting, and at this time of day you will also have a chance to catch a glimpse of the Gulf Coast’s dolphins and sea turtles. Another perfect time for shelling is after a sea storm; then you are bound to find an array of whole shells, especially in the State Park.

If your day on the beach is stirring your appetite, you won’t have to go far for a good meal. You can meet the locals, sample the fresh flavor of Florida’s fish and shell food and wash it down with a cool, draft beer at a number of beach-front eateries including Eddy Teach’s Raw Bar with its fresh oysters and large selection of imported draft beer or the Blue Parrot ocean Front Café, renowned for its large deck and tiki bar and for serving the largest po-boy around.

If you’re concerned about the weather or the condition of the surf, you can easily check it out before you go at www.beachlive.com. The site will keep you up to date on the current St. George Island weather with a temperature guide, beach weather map and several beach cams.

St. George Island’s beaches are easy to reach. You will find four miles of pristine sand along the State Park’s main drive. The remaining five miles are only accessible on foot or with a special permit for four-wheel drive vehicles.

So you’ve booked your summer getaway in one of St. George vacation rentals and now you need to find out about the island top tourist destinations. Look no further; here's a St. George Island activities guide:

St. George Island Visitor’s Center and Lighthouse Museum

A favorite attraction for St. George Island visitors is the Lighthouse Museum. The lighthouse was originally built in 1852 on what is now known as Little St. George Island. Eventually, due to the pounding waves and sand erosion, the lighthouse collapsed into the Gulf of Mexico in October 2005. The lighthouse was rebuilt thanks to the efforts of the St. George Lighthouse Association. Many volunteers helped to clean the mortar from thousands of the original bricks and the original blueprints were obtained from the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The lighthouse was reconstructed on St, George Island and reopened to the public in December 2008. You will enjoy exploring this historic building and climbing the 92 stairs to reach the top of the light.

St. George Island Plantation

The plantation is located at the west end of the island and is home to a number of St. George Island vacation rentals. The luxury gated community has a number of amenities including 12 miles of paved hiking walks and bike paths from which you can enjoy the views of nature and surrounding landscape. You can book a court and find a partner at one of the three tennis courts complete with beautiful scenery and individual clubhouse. You can also make the most of the Planation’s extensive fitness center or swim in the outdoor, in-ground 103,000 gallon swimming pool while soaking up the sun.

Dining Out

Whether you’re in the mood for fresh seafood, a light snack or full home cooked dinner, St. George Island has it all. You can enjoy the best of fresh, local seafood as well as steaks, salads and sandwiches at Harry’s Restaurant, which also has a full service bar and outside dining on the patio. If you’re looking for a sandwich, snack or hot wings, check out B.J.’s Pizza & Subs. While you’re there you can hit the games room and play pool and watch TV, or take your meal back to your vacation rental. The children will enjoy Aunt Ebby’s Ice Cream, which has been serving hotdogs, burgers and ice cream for 14 years.

Family Fun

Take the kids on a special adventure with Journeys of St. George Island. The range of specialized kids trips are run by qualified guides and include snacks and drinks. Kid’s adventures include fishing trips, dolphin encounters, “night critter identification,” and “beginning kayak. There’s always time for family fun at the Apalachicola Nature Center with its educational exhibits, well-stocked aquarium and nature trail boardwalk. Apalachicola Maritime Museum makes for another great family day out. Preserving the maritime history of Apalachicola, the museum is a fun-packed, hands-on learning experience including boat building and restoration, active sailing, and adventure programs.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is a favorite activity in and around Florida and if you’ve booked one of the St. George Island vacation rentals you’ll have the perfect opportunity to explore the underwater world. You have a number of options to choose from including Horse Water Safaris’ four-hour snorkeling trip or exciting the eight-hour combined snorkeling and sea kayaking trip offered by Journeys of St. George Island. If you’re visiting the island between July 1st and September 10th, you can add an extra twist to your snorkeling trip. This period is scallop season and once you get your license from your local tour guide, you will be free to scoop up the scallops form their shallow sea grass beds.

Other fun activities

When you feel like a break from the beach you won’t be short of fun activities to do without going far from your St. George Island vacation rental. If you enjoy shopping, whether you’re looking for beachwear, unusual gifts, classic antiques or sports gear St. George Island offers a range of shopping opportunities. When you’ve shopped till you dropped, take a leisurely stroll through the Apalachicola Historic District, location of more than 900 buildings dating back to the 1830s. The island also hosts a wide range of family-friendly restaurants where you can enjoy the Florida coast’s delicious fresh seafood and shell fish as well as more traditional fare.