St. George Island has seen many lighthouses since the first was built in 1833. The one visitors tour today was constructed with materials salvaged from the island’s third tower, which stood for 153 years before it collapsed.
Boat tours abound and offer the chance for dolphin encounters off the shores of the barrier islands.
The Apalachicola River Ramble Trail and Boardwalk leads through a forested floodplain, delivering visitors to an estuarine marsh overlook, where they catch glimpses of osprey and eagles.
Quiet, pristine beaches on St. George Island set the scene for relaxing days. The nests of loggerhead turtles dot the sand from May through October.
Apalachicola is renowned for fresh seafood. Boss Oyster is a great spot to find delicious half-shell creations, such as Greektown oysters with garlic, parsley, feta, and olives.
Pick up a beach read at Downtown Books and Purl, which also sells knitting supplies.
A stroll through Chestnut Street Cemetery, which dates to 1831, is a lesson in local history. Headstones bear the names of the port city’s founders, Confederate soldiers, and shipwreck victims.
It’s a breeze to find rental wheels for exploring the bike-friendly town or paths on St. George Barrier Island.
St. George Island
Water Street Hotel & Marina
Boss Oyster
Florida Caverns State Park
Avenue E in downtown
Boats come and go to catch the fresh seafood, particularly oysters, that Apalachicola is famous for. Opposite, live oaks line historic streets throughout town.