Barrier Island Edges: The Beaches of St. George Island

Nothing like a beach walk to remind
you of simplistic beauty

Most everyone enjoys a beach walk and at Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park you have at least nine miles of beach with the Gulf of Mexico lapping the shores.

Bill ready for a long beach walk

Interesting drift wood in the surf

The beach is easy to access.  Simply walk to the beach from your campsite, maybe 1/4 mile, to catch the early morning sunrise.  

The sun rising over
the Gulf of Mexico

While strolling along the beach check the undisturbed sand for crabs, turtle nests, and other signs of life between high tides.

An undisturbed crab home

Did this crab run the wrong way?
It appeared to be a ghost crab....

Or park your car or bicycle at one of the four beach areas and follow the path through the dunes to the ocean.

A slightly windy day at the beach
Plenty of vegetation in the dune area

Of course, with nine miles of beach there have to be more than four entry points and the last is the best... From the last parking area you can enter the trail and bicycle or walk to the end.  

End of the island viewed from the
last parking lot

Now, driving this five mile, single track, rutted road is not for the timid.  I recommend bicycling the narrow road unless driving is your only option and then take a tough truck. The road is secured with a locked gate and you can obtain a permit from the ranger station before driving in this area.

Road to the end of the island

And what do you find after the 5 mile trip down this wash board, narrow, and sometimes flooded road?  Miles and miles of empty beach.

East end of the Island

Birds abound on these lightly populated beaches...

Birds enjoying the solitude at the
east end of the island

Oystercatcher in full flight

A protective Oystercatcher
must be a nest near by

The inlet complete with fishing holes, sloughs and a few fishers.  The day of our visit there were a few families and friends with poles.  Today's catch seemed to be shark, cat fish, and red fish.  

Fishing on the point

For nature lovers, hikers, beach walkers, fishers, swimmers, surfers, boaters, and nappers there is plenty to keep one busy on the island.  In fact, the entire day can slip away if you are not careful... and when on vacation you should not be relaxing anyway.  

Sunset at the end of the island

So, enjoy your day at the beach from sunrise to sunset.

Just don't burn...