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St. Vincent Island (National Wildlife Refuge), photo 1 of 4

Photo: Nicole Rankin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / Public domain · source

Beaches

St. Vincent Island (National Wildlife Refuge)

Apalachicola, FL · Big BendFreeFree to enter; the boat shuttle is a separate fee

About

Sambar deer from southern Asia still live on St. Vincent Island, about 9 miles southwest of Apalachicola. Dr. R.V. Pierce, who bought the island in 1907, brought them in, and they were among the few exotic animals the Nature Conservancy kept when it cleared out the rest in 1968. Three public hunts from November through January close the refuge to everyone else. Getting there means your own boat or a private pontoon shuttle across the quarter mile from the County Road 30-B ramp at Indian Pass, and the shuttle takes bikes, which you'll want on the sand roads. Carry all your water, because there's none on the island.

Highlights

Sambar deer from southern AsiaBoat access only, from Indian PassSand roads for bikesLake fishing May 15 to September 30No drinking water on the island

Getting there

Indian Pass boat ramp, County Road 30-B, Port St. Joe, FL 32456

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Secluded Florida Gulf Coast Beaches9 places

Secluded Florida Gulf Coast Beaches

Cayo Costa, Caladesi, Anclote Key and St. Vincent Island have no road to them, so you go by ferry or your own boat. You can drive to the other five, and none of the nine has a high-rise on the beach. Pack water and shade either way.