Where to See the Monarch Migration on the Forgotten Coast

Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Forgotten Coast is the perfect place for a fall vacation – the weather, the uncrowded beaches, and, of course, the butterflies. Yes, that’s right. Butterflies! In the fall, the Forgotten Coast is filled with breathtaking, beautiful, brilliantly colored monarch butterflies. We are their last stop before they flutter over the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico for their winter rest.

Most insects don’t migrate, but the monarch butterfly is a natural anomaly. Every year, around 500,000 radiant monarchs begin their migration from as far north as chilly Canada and travel to a specific mountain range in Mexico. Thousands stop through our area in the fall and are an unbelievable sight to behold. And when it’s time to go, these beautiful creatures catch a ride on a cold front, allowing them to fly over the Gulf of Mexico at around 10 to 30 miles per hour to their destination.

In Apalachicola, St. George Island, Carrabelle, Eastpoint, and Alligator Point, visitors can enjoy the migrating monarchs flying overhead, resting on bushes and trees, and even on the beaches. Still, the best bet for prime butterfly viewing is at one of Franklin County’s pristine parks, notably Bald Point State Park. While the monarchs are everywhere, Bald Point State Park, on Alligator Point, provides a quiet, protected environment to enjoy and study these butterflies.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see the intriguing monarch migration and other unique wildlife here! Book your fall vacation on the Forgotten Coast now.

Photo Credit: Instagram @iambrittnie