Alligators

I was just wondering about alligators. Several of the websites I have visited talk about kayaking and seeing alligators. YIKES! Do they really kayak in the same water with alligators? Isnt that dangerous?

I would like to maybe go kayaking, but not with alligators.

Also are there ever any sharks seen from the island?

Alligators

Yes, there are alligators -- and yes, you kayak right past them. They do little more than look at you as you go by. You are not at all what they consider food.

Yes, there are sharks -- but they don%26#39;t have you on their grocery list, either. Don%26#39;t swim at dawn or dusk (prime feeding times), don%26#39;t swim if you%26#39;re bleeding, and pay attention to posted warnings at the beach.

Both gators and sharks were there a loooong time before we were, and if we treat them with respect, they%26#39;ll be there for a long time to come.

Alligators

We always see gators. They won%26#39;t bother you if you don%26#39;t get too close. On our last trip trip down, we went over to St Vincent with a wildlife group and we saw gigantic gators sunning themselves on one of the island%26#39;s lakes. We also drove over to Wakulla Springs and floated right by some big ones.

We usually rent a house on the bayside and sometimes when I grill out I get a little nervous. But I%26#39;ve never seen one on SGI. And that is fine with me!

You are in the largest county in the state of FL, that just happens to be one of the largest wildlife esturary%26#39;s in the country. I have never seen or heard of a gator on SGI, but I would assume that they may be over where the river comes out into the bay in Apalachicola. I would imagine that you would have a better chance of seeing gators in the mouth and upwards into the Apalachicola River, more so where there is fresh water, not necessarily salt water. I never have heard of a problem with them before.

Now, sharks are around in the gulf, but I have never seen anything to really amount to anything close in on shore, but anywhere along the coast you will probably experience the same thing. I am sure that there are sand sharks that feed on small baitfish along the coast, so you may see fishermen catching them off the beach on the gulf side every now and then, but generally they have not been an issue. I have not ever heard of any shark attack on SGI, just be cautious, and I think you should be fine. Again, the chances are really no greater on SGI that any other coastal community.

There are alot of dolphins that run up and down the island all day long, more so on the gulf side, but I have followed them on the bay side as well. While they may look like sharks the way they move thru the water with a dorsal fin popping up every now and then for a breath, just know that you%26#39;ll have a good chance of seeing them, and they usually run in larger groups, feeding on the small bait fish. Also, they have been known to come close up on shore as well to feed on bait fish, so don%26#39;t be immediately alarmed, they have always been a main attraction on the beaches. Look for the seagulls and herons divebombing in the water for fish, and you%26#39;ll more than likely see the dolphins.

Probably our biggest predator population in Franklin County is the Black Bear population. I never have seen or heard of them on SGI, because of the remote location 4 miles out into the Gulf Waters, and the limited food supply, but if you are driving along US 98 from Eastpoint to Carrabelle or Eastpoint up thru the Apalachicola Forest and Tates Hell state park, there is a chance that you may see one. The state is working on a solution to try and keep the bears from feeding out of peoples trash cans in their habitat on the mainland. But again, on SGI, you should not experience a problem.

Our area is full of wildlife, you probably will see alot of different things that you will never see anywhere else, remember it is Natures Home.

Thanks for all the info. Just reading all of it makes me soooo excited!! I cant hardly wait to get there. I agree with all of you that it is the animals home and we should respect them. I want to know all I can so that I dont disturb anything that I shouldnt. I have read alot about the turtles and I will be sure to try and be responsible not to cause them any harm with stuff left on the beach and lights etc... My Family and I are excited to visit the island but we want to leave it just as we find it for others to enjoy and to preserve it for all the creatures that call it home. 45 DAYS AND COUNTING!!