Overview
Journeys of St. George Island began more than 16 years ago as a dream while Jeanni McMillan was living and teaching in Singapore. She returned to the United States to make her dream of an eco-tour/adventure company on St. George Island come true.
Many people laughed at the idea, as St. George Island was far from a tourist destination in the early 1990s. Jeanni worked at a local restaurant waiting tables and booked clients for trips to see the lighthouse (only accessible by boat) while taking their orders.
“I would overhear them say they wanted to get over to see the lighthouse and I would go up and tell them I had a boat and could take them,” said Jeanni.
In the beginning she led trips on an old oyster boat all the while telling people about the fragile and important eco-system here in Franklin County. From those humble beginnings Journeys has grown to support three full-time managers, more than six tour and fishing captains and four summer time staff.
Journeys’ fleet now includes two 19’ and one 26’ Twin Vee fishing catamarans, two 23’ deck boats, several sailboats and more than 75 rental kayaks.
Despite their dramatically increased size, Journeys’ mission remains the same as it was back when Jeanni ran trips by herself: to educate those who visit on the value and importance of protecting one of the last pristine bays in America. Kids only camps and trips are focused on giving our youngest generation a first hand look at the amazing balance needed to keep the environment healthy.
The Apalachicola Bay, which lies between St. George Island and Apalachicola on North Florida’s “Forgotten Coast”, produces 90% of the oysters harvested in Florida and 10% of those harvested in all of the U.S.
The bay also provides a safe haven for numerous endangered species as well as acts as a nursery for millions of fish that eventually migrate to deeper waters and support a multi-billion dollar a year fishing industry. Franklin County is home to more than 1,100 species of plants and features the largest natural stand of tupelo trees in the world. Some 308 species of birds, 186 species of fish and 57 species of mammals call the region home. The estuary also boasts the highest species density of amphibians and reptiles in all of North America, according to the Apalachicola Reserve findings in 2002.
All of these things are being threatened by pollution and the possibility of Atlanta choking off the precious freshwater that keeps the delicate balance of salinity in the bay.
Jeanni is a founding member of the Riverkeeper. Riverkeeper has actively fought to keep the public in Florida and Georgia aware of the impending damage to the bay and the estuary if water is cut off.
Services
Journeys’ five-hour kayak trips up in Tate’s Hell State Forest allows visitors to view all of the spectacular offerings up close and most of the time at eye level. Gators, birds, fish, and a plethora of flowering plants add to the primitive feeling of unspoiled natural Florida.
Full-day kayak trips to the Wakulla River allow paddlers to float down the crystal clear spring fed river that is host to the most famous local resident, the manatee. The cool 72 degree F water draws these magnificent animals north to wait out the heat of the summer months. The Wakulla River was the backdrop for 1950s movies Creature from the Black Lagoon and Tarzan, and the wild areas still make visitors feel like they traveled back in time. All day trips include picnic lunch
The three-hour eco-tour paddle at the St. George Island State Park lets guests get close to oyster bars and sample oysters fresh from the water. Guides will shuck the oysters for you and also teach you to throw a cast net. Younger paddlers will enjoy the chance to watch hermit crab races and play kayak games.
All kayak trips include transportation, kayaks, all necessary paddling gear, Journeys sports bottle/with water, kayak lesson and knowledgeable guide.
Journeys Boat Tours
Journeys also does guided powerboat trips around the Apalachicola Bay and the river. Tours can vary in length from two to six hours and accommodates up to six persons. The most popular tour is four hours and departs from the dock on the island four hours before sunset.
In that time guests look for dolphins, visit uninhabited Little St. George Island and St. Vincent Island, go shelling and eat oysters at Nick’s Hole while watching the sun drop over the beautiful bay.
Other choices include riding up the Apalachicola River and swimming off of sandbars, visiting Dog Island to the east or just going out to watch the sunset.
Journeys provides the boat, cooler with ice and water, oysters, fuel, and a knowledgeable tour guide. They are always willing to listen to suggestions and will try to accommodate any requests you have on your trip.
Fishing Trips
Journeys has a great reputation as the place to go for Bay and Deep Sea fishing. Year after year visitors return to request their favorite fishing captains.
Journeys offers six and nine-hour Deep Sea fishing trips for up to six that depart from the dock on St. George Island. Depending on the time of year anglers can expect to catch red snapper, grouper, amberjack, cobia and many others. Journeys owner and Deep Sea captain, Justin McMillan, will take you up to 50 miles off shore to his favorite spots, usually hooking up on something big on the first cast. Call for prices. All trips include fuel, bait, and rods, coolers with water and cleaning and packing your fish at the end of the day.
Journeys Bay Fishing trips offer close to shore flats fishing excitement for even the most inexperienced fisherman. Captains will hook you up on big bull redfish, trout, pompano and many other tasty species. Fishing on the bay is especially spectacular in the winter months when fishing pressure from the many summer anglers is decreased. All prices are for up to four anglers and include ice, water, rods and bait, fuel, captain, and cleaning your fish at the end of a successful day.
Please inquire about other trips, including kids fishing, bounty of the bay, shark, tarpon and flats fishing.
Rental Boats
For those who have boating experience and don’t want to go on a guided trip, Journeys offers four rental boats, for full days only. A boating test and deposit must be completed the day before the rental period begins. Journeys offers reduced rates on multi-day rentals.
Retail Store
Journeys has a full retail store with shirts, sandals, fishing gear and licenses, kayaks and kayak accessories. Journeys is a dealer for Dagger, Necky, Old Town, Perception and Ocean Kayaks as well as Yakima racks, and Adventure Technology, Carlisle, and Bending Branches paddles.
Seasonal Rates & Info
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* Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice.
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Affiliations
- Apalachicola and Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce
- American Canoe Association
- Apalachicola RiverKeeper
Payments Accepted
- American Express
- Cash
- Certified Check
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- Discover
- MasterCard
- Personal Checks
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Reservation Policy
All trips are held with a credit card at the time of the reservation. Payment may be made using check or cash at time of check-in if the customer wishes to do so.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made up to 14 days before the trip will not be charged a cancellation fee. Reservations cancelled up to 48 hours before the trip will be charged a $100. Any trip cancelled within 48 hours before the trip or no shows will be charged the full amount of the trip.
Other Travel Offerings
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