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SGI State Park Beach Makes Top 10 List of Best Beaches Nationwide for 2015
St. George Island’s Julian G. Bruce State Park has again been voted one of the Top 10 Beaches in the U.S., according to the Dr. Stephen Leatherman (Dr. Beach) annual ranking of beaches in the U.S. The St. George Island Beach remains in the #3 spot for 2015. This is the fifth year that the nine mile beach park located at the east end of St. George Island, has made Dr. Beach’s list.
The St. George Island State Park Beach is one of a string of many beaches in Franklin County. Total, Franklin County features more than 250 miles of beach. To learn more about each of the county’s beaches and amenities, visit Saltyflorida.com
About the St. George Island State Park
The St. George Island State Park features miles of undeveloped beaches which offers ample opportunities for sunbathing, swimming, canoeing, boating, hiking, camping and nature study.
Two natural boat ramps provide access to the bay for small boats. Anglers can fish for flounder, redfish, sea trout, pompano, whiting, Spanish mackerel and other fish off the beach or in the bay. Few parks offer better opportunities for shelling. Sea turtles and shore birds such as the snowy plover, least tern, black skimmer and willet nest in the park during the summer. The park has six large picnic shelters equipped with grills, tables and nearby restrooms.
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Let’s Camp at the Beach!Many visitors think of the Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park as just a secluded beach perfect for a quiet weekend stroll. However, this 1,962 acre park offers a full facility family campground that would rival some of the best campgrounds in the country. The park features 60 campsites, a playground, electricity, water hookups and dump station nearby. Two buildings provide hot showers and restrooms. The park also has a youth camp available for group camping. Two primitive campsites can be accessed by a 2.5-mile trail or by canoe or kayak. A group camp area is available for scouts and other organized groups. To learn more about camping opportunities at the SGI State Park and throughout Franklin County, click here.
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Fish Free and Often During June
You can fish free in state saltwater areas June 6-7. The State’s free fishing days in June for freshwater areas is June 13-14. Free fishing days provide an excellent opportunity for parents who don’t yet have licenses to take youth fishing, or avid anglers to introduce a friend to fishing without having to purchase a license. On these days, the fishing license requirement is waived for all recreational anglers (residents and non-residents).
Need more good fishing news? The recreational red snapper season in Gulf state waters is now open through July 12. The season opened for the popular recreational fish on May 23. The recreational season for gag grouper runs through June 30 in waters off of Franklin County.
Fishing Tourneys
Here are a few of the upcoming fishing tournaments scheduled throughout the county.
June 6 - Fisherman's Choice Youth Fishing Tournament. Charles and Rex Pennycuff will host their 15th annual Fisherman’s Choice Youth Fishing Tournament on June 6th. Kids 16 and under will fish for fresh and saltwater species.
June 19-21 Annual Big Bend Saltwater Classic The Moorings of Carrabelle will host the 24rd Annual Big Bend Classic on Father’s Day Weekend, June 19th through the 21st, 2015
July 18 - 10th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament. Open to all kids 16 and younger. Registration is required on-site. Sponsored by Jimmie Crowder of C-Quarters Marina, FishFloridaTag.org and local businesses. August 1-2 - Kingfish Tournament. This weekend event gives everyone an opportunity to enjoy themselves while advocating a wonderful cause that helps so many. All proceeds go to the Leukemia Research Foundation. For a complete list of tournaments planned for later this summer as well as other events in the county, visit Saltyflorida.com
For a complete list of tournaments planned for later this summer as well as other events in the county, click here. For area marina, charter and general fishing information, click here.
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The Franklin County Tourist Development Council has printed several popular walking tours in Apalachicola and Carrabelle as well as an area lighthouse brochure and general information brochure about the county which is available at each of the State Welcome centers. You can pick up the brochures at each of the county’s visitor centers in Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Eastpoint and St. George Island. You can also download the brochures at Saltyflorida.com. The brochure reprint project was made possible in part to a Visit Florida grant.
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The Carrabelle waterfront is sporting a new marine exhibit thanks to a partnership project between Franklin County Tourist Development Council (FCTDC), several Carrabelle groups and Visit Florida. The purpose of the project is to identify the varied fish available in the Franklin County region and lead the visitor to the businesses that can show them off. The display features fiberglass fish replicas of our waters and features QR codes to sites such as FWC, Franklin County Tourist Development Council and the Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce websites.
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Turtles are Beach Visitors Too
Franklin County beaches are home to several threatened and endangered species including the endangered loggerhead turtle which annually nests on gulf beaches throughout the State. Please note that Franklin County recently adopted a Leave No Trace Ordinance that requires chairs, umbrellas and equipment to removed nightly from the public beaches in order to help mama turtles more easily navigate the beaches to nest and allow hatchlings a clear path back to the water from their nests in the dunes.
Visitors interested in learning about sea turtle nesting can attend 2 pm turtle orientation meetings on Wednesdays during June at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve Visitor Center in Eastpoint. The presentations are hosted by the SGI Volunteer Turtlers and ANERR. Common sense turtle tips include removing all beach chairs and umbrellas at the end of the day and use red filtered flashlights when walking on the beach at night to avoid disorienting hatchlings.
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St. George Island Mullet Toss June 13
This annual fun event will take place June 13 from 10 a.m till 5 p.m on the beach in front of Blue Parrot Oceanfront Cafe on St. George Island. This Mullet Toss is sponsored by The Blue Parrot for the benefit of the Apalachicola bay Charter School. For a nominal entry fee you get a unique Mullet Toss T Shirt, and 2 mullet to throw. Visitors and Locals compete for prizes and bragging rights. There are prizes for the longest throws in the men’s, women’s and kids divisions. Located on the Blue Parrot Beach 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
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Upcoming Art Events
Apalachicola School of Art - Watercolor on the Apalachicola River with Michael Harrell – June 18-21 - Informal lectures and discussions with question-and-answers on the different aspects of watercolor painting; from design and composition to technique. The students will do step-by-step painting with one-on-one instruction and critiques. Classes held at the Apalachicola School of Art in downtown Apalachicola.
Carrabelle Artist Association Canvas & Cocktails Series
each Thursday at the Franklin County Senior Center in Carrabelle. The event is a fun informal way to unleash your creative side. Bring your favorite beverage, possibly a snack, and relax. A team of instructors will guide you step by step throught the featured painting. Classes are $25 for a 2 hour painting.
SGI Full Moon Climb
The June Full Moon Climb at the Cape St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. The Sunset/Full Moon Climb will take place from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and will include light hors d'oeuvres and a sparkling cider toast to the full moon. Cost is $15.00 for the general public and $10.00 for members of the St. George Lighthouse Association. After sunset, people are invited to climb to the top of the lighthouse for a breathtaking view of the full moon, as space and time permit. Cost is $10.00 for the general public and $5.00 for SGLA members.
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June 2- SGI Full Moon ClimbJune 6 - Youth Fishing TournamentJune 6-7 - Red Snapper TournamentJune 3, 10, 17, 24 - Turtle TalkJune 13- Tallahassee Builders Fishing TournamentJune 13 - SGI Mullet TossJune 17 - Reserve Lecture June 18-21 HCA School of Art WorkshopJune 19-21 - Big Bend Saltwater Classic Fishing TournamentJune 20 - Forgotten Coast Golf TournamentJune 27 - 4th Saturday Paddle, RiverkeepersJuly 1 - Full Moon ClimbJuly 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 - Turtle TalkJuly 3 - Historic Apalachicola Independence Eve CelebrationJuly 4 - Carrabelle Independence Day CelebrationJuly 4 - SGI Freedom FestJuly 18 - Youth Fishing TournamentJuly 25 - 4th Saturday Paddle, RiverkeepersJuly 31 - Full Moon ClimbAugust 1 - Kingfish ShootoutAugust 5, 12, 19, 26 - Turtle TalkAugust 8 - SGI Sizzler 5k Race
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