“Located just off North Florida’s Gulf Coast, the 28-mile St. George Island is one of the last inhabited yet unspoiled barrier islands in Florida. St. George Island consistently rates as one of the top beaches in the U.S., with miles of uncrowded expanses for sunning and shelling, clear Gulf waters for swimming and fishing, and pristine marshes for wildlife viewing. St. George Island is protected by low-density zoning and strict building codes. This makes St. George Island a tranquil beach community with no high rises or chain stores.” – Visit Florida
The Island has been awarded #3 for best beaches in all of the United States, Top 10 Most Beautiful Florida Beaches and Top 10 Best Parks.
“If you are into fishing, expect to land sheepshead, speckled trout, flounder, whiting, redfish, shark, and tripletail in the bay; snapper, grouper, amberjack, sea bass, mackerel, mahi-mahi, cobia and sharks in the Gulf. You can cast a rod from the shore, skim the flats, or head out to open water with a charter boat captain. The island features various bait and tackle shops. There are two public boat ramps on the island – one at the foot of the bridge as you arrive and another in the State Park at the east end. There are several businesses on the island that rent kayaks, paddle boards or even boats.
St. George Island features fresh local seafood in its many restaurants. Pizza? Of course. The island also features two grocery stores that stock everything you need and gourmet items you wouldn’t expect to find. The island features many shopping opportunities for every taste, including art galleries, boutiques, jewelry stores and beachwear.
There are so many family-friendly things to do on St. George Island. Rent a bike or bring your own to enjoy miles of bike paths. There is a 6-mile paved path that parallels Gulf Beach Drive, the island’s main road, from just outside St. George Plantation (a private gated community) to the entrance of St. George Island State Park on the island’s eastern end. Enter the state park and you’ll have the opportunity to pick up hiking trails for exploring its dunes, forest, and marshes.
Rent a boat or charter a trip to explore the bay and nearby islands. Go fish, rent a kayak or paddle board, take a hike, go bird-watching, stargazing or walk the beach at dawn in early summer you may see the nesting sea turtles. Stop at the visitor center and take a picture of the historic lighthouse, the Cape St. George Light.” – Florida’s Forgotten Coast
Vendors near the retreat center that offer catering:
Italian:
Mangia 850- Phone: 850.323.2584
BJ’s Pizza & Subs – Phone: 850.927.2805
Hunts Brother’s Pizza (Inside Island Piggly Wiggly) – Phone: (850) 927-2808
Deli & American:
Subway- Phone: 850.799.1150
The Food Truck SGI- Email: thefoodtrucksgi@gmail.com
Tamara’s On The Go- Phone: (850) 653-6463
BBQ:
The Beach Pit- Phone: 850.799.1020
Brag-N-Bones- Phone: 850-670-1060
Please note that all the vendors need to know your catering order at least a week ahead of time.
Vendors near the retreat center that offer Rentals:
Bike Rentals- Island Adventures – Phone: 850.927.3655 Web: www.sgiadventures.com
Kayak Rentals- Journeys of SGI – Phone: 850.927.3259 Web: www.sgislandjourneys.com
Bike & Kayak Rentals- Jolly Roger’s – Phone: 850.927.2999 Email: jollyrogerbeachshop@gmail.com
Kayak, Paddle Board, Golf Kart, and Bike Rentals- Island Dog Outdoors- Phone: (850) 927-7700 Web: https://islanddogoutdoors.com/