If you’re looking for a beachfront getaway in the USA, Florida is probably your first thought, and where better than St George Island? Located in the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico, St George Island is a 22-mile-long hidden gem of the forgotten coast. Its beautiful, white sand beaches are almost never crowded and the community is more interested in watching the birds than watching high-rises pop up.
What’s particularly amazing about this island is that it can be enjoyed even on the tightest of budgets. It’s a great place to prove that you can take a well-deserved and fun vacation without breaking the bank.
Here are the places you need to go to do St George Island on a budget and love every second of it.
What to Eat on St George Island on a Budget
Paddy’s Raw Bar
Looking for solid seafood to enjoy while you’re at St George Island? Look no further than Paddy’s Raw Bar! Paddy’s is dedicated to providing, as they say, “a place that we would want to hang out with our friends, drink some cold beer, and eat delicious Apalachicola Oysters.”
Their menu features seafood directly from the Gulf Coast boats, fresh caught every day, and ranges from classic oysters served raw or steamed to gorgeous Greek feta pasta salads to Hawaiian chicken sandwiches and wraps that’ll make your mouth water.
With prices at a reasonable $10 a plate on average, Paddy’s is the place to go if you want good food and good company for a good price.
Blue Parrot Oceanfront Cafe
If you’ve spent the day on the beaches (and you definitely should), you’re sure to work up an appetite. Why walk inland when you can stop at the Blue Parrot Oceanfront Cafe? It’s the only restaurant on the island that’s right on the beach, and has some of the best ocean views to offer from its three dining areas, including a cool interior room for those hot summer days.
Their menu includes delicious oyster plates by the dozen or half-dozen, fresh lobster and crab, and massive Angus burgers piled high with toppings. They also have a famous Blue Parrot Seafood Platter, which is a selection of grouper, shrimp, oysters, scallops, and crab.
Their plates start at around $11, and if you pop in for lunch, you can pick up a meal for around $14 on average. As a bonus, they offer jet ski rentals!
Aunt Ebby’s Ice Cream
Need a sweet treat? Try out Aunt Ebby’s, the classic ice cream stop with the “friendliest service in town!” Established in 1993, Aunt Ebby’s is your all-American island ice cream parlor, complete with bright colors and smiling servers. Their flavors are seasonal, so you know that you’re getting a fresh treat no matter when you choose to visit.
Alongside regular scoops of ice cream, they offer floats, sundaes, and malt flavoring for the most classic taste imaginable. They even have some more unusual toppings; you can try your next cone with gummy worms on top!
With a classic scoop starting at $3, Aunt Ebby’s is a cheap but quality way to get your sugar fix for the day.
What to Do on St George Island on a Budget
Visit the Cape St George Light
If you’re looking to learn about the history of this beautiful island, you can look no further than the Cape of St George Light. This lighthouse, built in 1852, has watched the Gulf coastline through sun and storm, peace and war. After a collapse in October of 2005, it was rebuilt by the St George Lighthouse Association, and now acts as a historical museum and gift shop.
While it does cost $5 per adult and $3 per child to climb the lighthouse tower, entry into the museum is completely free, so you can spend all day enjoying a wealth of maritime history at not cost to you.
Visit Dr. Julian G. Bruce St George Island State Park
This gorgeous reserve on the Gulf side of the island, which originally opened to the publick in 1980, is a haven for those who enjoy experiencing the beauty of nature immediately before their eyes. Try to spy dolphins just off the coast, or go birdwatching in the lovely pine forests and chance seeing a bald eagle taking flight. If you’re lucky enough to be there at night, you’ll be enjoying one of the best stargazing spots in the Florida Panhandle.
This all comes at the small cost of around $2 per person and $6 per vehicle for an entire day of fun.
Enjoy the Beaches of St George Island
No matter what else you do, visiting the beaches at St George Island is a must. Serene white sand as far as the eye can see, these are some of the least-crowded beaches in Florida because of the island’s strict building codes and zoning laws. You won’t find any high-rise hotels or decked-out chain stores on this island, so every inch of the beach is yours to enjoy in the full Florida sun. They’re also pet friendly!
St George Island has some of the nicest public beaches out there, meaning you don’t have to spend a dime to be by the sea side. Just remember that you’re sharing the beach with some local residents; mind the turtles!
Budgeting Doesn’t Mean Missing Out on St George Island
St George is a gorgeous island to experience, even if you don’t have a lot of money to spend. A tight budget doesn’t mean having to give up good food, great experiences, and a fantastic place to stay. With wide open beaches fit for people and pets, centuries of history to explore, and a laid-back community willing to go with the flow, a St George Island vacation is a coastal adventure anyone can enjoy.
Ready to start your adventure? Let us find the home-away-from-home that’s right for you and your family.
