Autumn’s arrival welcomes a slower pace with colorful foliage, family gatherings and cooler temps for outdoor adventures. Before you put away the flip flops and suntan lotion, why not consider creating new fall memories on Florida’s Forgotten Coast? Voted Dr. Beach’s #1 beach in 2023 (and located only a short road trip away), St. George Island boasts 22 miles of unspoiled acreage to explore. Bring your flannel and the fur kids for a new autumn tradition at the beach.
- Enjoy “Colorful” History
The history of St. George Island is as vibrant as the North Georgia fall foliage. With swashbuckling tales of pirates, Indians and shipwrecks, find inspiration in local legends for your next Halloween costume. After a shipwreck in 1799 off the eastern end of the island, pirate and Captain William Augustus Bowles salvaged some of the gunpowder and bullets he was transporting onboard. Florida folklore whispers of buried treasure from Bowles’s loot, located somewhere on St. George. Finders, keepers! - Holiday Treasure Hunting
Get your early Christmas shopping done with SGI branded gifts at the Island Dog Beach and Surf Shop. From t-shirts to toys, the shop carries year-round items perfect for everyone on your holiday list. Located adjacent to the St. George Island Lighthouse, the Lighthouse Gift Shop features handmade and unique beach-inspired gifts of all kinds. From Christmas ornaments to jewelry and other lighthouse-themed items, there’s always room in your suitcase for one more special gift.
Selling every type of treat from chocolate to taffy and ice cream, Sugar Kingdom has more candy than Willy Wonka! Grab a bag full of flavored saltwater taffy or snag a giant gummy bear. It’s the perfect way to fill a Christmas stocking for the sugar-holics on your list. - Local Fall Fare
Seafood is the clear choice when it comes to Florida dining. While Apalachicola Bay used to produce more than 10 percent of the nation’s oyster population, they still rule the menu on the island. At Paddy’s Raw Bar, the oysters are shucking good! Enjoy live music and trivia while feasting on your favorite seafood dish. Never miss your favorite football team score a touchdown with multiple TVs available for viewing throughout the restaurant.
Settle in with the locals at Mango Mike’s outdoor tiki-themed sports bar. Cool off with a beach cocktail, perfect any time of year. Hungry for a bit of surf and turf? The Beach Pit offers local seafood options as well as Southern comfort food. Try the Texas-style spareribs with a side of Southern potato salad. The restaurant is also open for breakfast with traditional morning grub as well as dishes with a seafood spin.
Groove to year-round live music and karaoke at Harry A’s Bar and Grill while feasting on Florida favorites and spicy seafood dishes. With direct beach access, the Blue Parrot is the winner for best dining view. Owner Steve Rash farms his own oysters that appear on the menu. Watch dolphins play in the Gulf while you dine on a full lineup of fresh fish, bay scallops and more. - Home Sweet Beach Home
Fall can be the best time to visit, the beaches are uncrowded, the rates are more affordable and the weather is sublime. Fall highs range from the mid-80’s in September to the low 70’s in November. The largest vacation rental company on St. George with 270 properties, Collins Vacation Rentals opened for business in 1973 by Alice Collins. During the offseason, shorter stays and special discounted rates are available to plan your sweater weather getaway to the beach. With accommodations available large enough to host your extended family, including pets, for the holidays, Collins has a wide selection of homes to make your next Thanksgiving family gathering your second home. - Autumn Island Adventures
First constructed in 1852, the St. George Lighthouse was rebuilt twice before collapsing into the Gulf of Mexico in 2005 after years of corrosion and hurricane damage. Today, visitors can experience a replica of the original structure and enjoy an elevated view of the Gulf after climbing the 92 spiral wooden stairs. Mark your calendar for the family-friendly Annual SGI Lighthouse Trick-or-Treat Spooktacular on Friday, Oct. 25th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in St. George Island Lighthouse Park.
Swap the colorful leaves for colorful sea life at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. Kids young and old will enjoy learning about the importance of sea turtles and the local ecosystem of Apalachicola River and Bay.
Located on the eastern part of the island, the SGI State Park offers activities and opportunities to connect with nature. Reserve a campsite, canoe or kayak, or enjoy a scenic hike along the 2.5-mile-long nature trail. Take a cycling tour on the 6-mile bike path between the state park and St. George Plantation gated community.
Go fish with a chartered boat in Apalachicola Bay and the Gulf. Fishing licenses are available to purchase through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Accessible only by boat, Little St. George Island is the perfect spot for exploring the quiet and undeveloped beach with shelling along the shoreline.
One thing’s for sure—there’s much to fall in love with along Florida’s Forgotten Coast this autumn! To plan your trip to St. George Island contact Collins Vacation Rentals at www.collinsvacationrentals.com or call 850.927.2900.
