About Apalachicola

Our Area

This is a satellite image from NASA showing the area immediately surrounding Apalachicola. There are three distinct environments within easy reach of our dock: The Gulf of Mexico, Apalachicola Bay, and the Apalachicola River system.

Each of these areas provides a different kind of fishing and boating experience. In the Gulf of Mexico you will find opportunities for Grouper, Wahoo, Amberjack, Tuna and a host of other deepwater species. Apalachicola Bay offers Redfish, Tarpon, and Pompano, as well as other near shore species. The Apalachicola River system is a tidal freshwater system where Bass, Seatrout, Shellcrackers, and Stumpknockers are plentiful, as are many other fish.

In addition to fishing opportunities, Apalachicola Bay and the Apalachicola River Estuary provide opportunities to experience an almost unlimited ability to observe Nature and wildlife in surroundings that have changed little in thousands of years.

The Apalachicola River Estuary (a wild network of rivers, creeks, and sloughs) is one of the most biodiverse areas in the Western Hemisphere. Here we have more species of plants, amphibians, reptiles, and other animals than just about anywhere north of the equator. Over the course of a year approximately 80% of all bird species found in North America either make their home here, or pass through on migration to other areas.

Artificial or Man Made Ice invented in Apalachicola, Fl in 1844   

Dr. Gorrie invented the ice-making machine and is considered the father of air conditioning and refrigeration. Gorrie’s invention began with an attempt to cure Yellow Fever during an outbreak in Apalachicola in 1841. Convinced that cold was a healer, he advocated the use of ice to cool sickrooms and reduce fever.In 1844, American physician, John Gorrie, built a refrigerator to make ice to cool the air for his yellow fever patients. Some historians think that Doctor Gorrie may have also invented the first ice cube tray since it was documented that his patients were also receiving iced drinks.

Apalachicola native – Richard Heyser – Finds Missiles in Cuba

Then Maj. Richard S. Heyser flew the frist U-2 mission over Cuba on Oct. 14, 1962 he took photos of soviet missile silos he then reported to President Kennedy a photo of  Mr. Heyser sitting with President Kennedy in the oval office explaining what he saw and pointing it out in the photos is on the wall of his home in Apalachicola Richard retired a Lt. Col he was a great man and a good friend.