Neighborhood highlights
NAVARRE BEACH PIER - The Navarre Beach Fishing Pier is a record-holding fishing pier in Navarre, Florida. At 1,545 feet long and 30 feet above the water, the pier is the longest of its kind in the state. It is the 15th longest public pier of any kind in the United States. Go to the Navarre Beach Pier where from sunrise to sunset you can fish all day! Great catches may be pompano, flounder, blackfin tuna, cobia, tarpon, king and Spanish mackerel. Rent a fishing pole at the bait and tackle shop or just enjoy the stroll along the pier or the breeze at the pier restaurant.
DEEP SEA EXCURSIONS - For the ultimate fishing experience, schedule an all-day deep sea fishing charter in nearby Destin or Pensacola, complete with a captain who knows all the right fishing spots!
BOATING/PADDLEBOARDING - You can launch from the public launch beside Juana’s grill on the lower end of Navarre Beach. There is a large parking area where you may park your boat at the public boat launch.
SEA TURTLE CONSERVANCY - We love our sea turtles at Navarre Beach! Kids and adults alike may want to checkout the nearby Sea Turtle Conservancy to learn about these remarkable creatures and meet Sweet Pea, a juvenile green turtle who was found wrapped in fishing gear both inside and out and badly injured. Sweet Pea has since settled into her new home and is rehabilitating from the trauma causing her to lose a front flipper. You may notice the low mounted lights along the beach. Most lighting has been converted to have sea turtle friendly fixtures and low light bulbs. That is because nesting season mostly occurs at night and when hatchlings emerge, they can scurry down the beach to the sea without being disoriented by bright lights.
GREAT FOOD - Great food is close by! On Navarre Beach we have Windjammers Pier Bar (Enjoy amazing views from the Navarre Pier and local brews!), Andy D's on Navarre Beach (Laid-back eatery on the beach with a patio serving Southern staples like crawfish & grits, plus meats to go, live music), Juanas Pagoda Grill (Waterfront bar & grill with lots of entertainment, live music, beach volleyball & pool), Sailors Grill (Low-key spot serving American grub & cocktails for breakfast & beyond in a casual, beachfront setting), and the Beach House Bar and Grill (Gulf-front dining , handcrafted cocktails, fresh gulf-to-table seafood). If you leave the beach and go across the Navarre Beach bridge on Rt. 98, you will find many other restaurants in Navarre including TCs Front Porch, Where Ya At, Bella Luna, Cactus Flower, Scooters, NYPD Pizza, East Bay Crab House, Ye Olde Brothers Brewery, and Dave’s Oyster Bar.
SANTA ROSA SOUND - On our magnificent Santa Rosa sound you can paddle board, kayak, boat, jet ski, fish, and wind surf! (rentals available nearby). The sound is especially nice if you want to simply wade or allow small children to play in the water without large waves. Find your favorite spot along the long, pristine stretch of beaches on both sides of the Gulf Shore National Seashore.
HISTORIC FORTS - Along the Gulf Islands National Seashore there are unique places to visit and explore! Aside from the miles of white beaches you will find three historic fortifications spanning centuries of sea coastal defensive systems at Fort Barrancas. Hike along the historic routes used by soldiers while stationed at the forts. Historic Fort Pickens, one of the largest brick forts built in the United States, provided the setting for a serious effort by a small group of men to avert or at least postpone the outbreak of the Civil War. The Naval Live Oaks Area includes 7.5 miles of hiking trails and the fully accessible 0.8 mile Brackenridge Nature Trail directly behind park headquarters.
PENSACOLA BEACH - Take a drive to Pensacola Beach for other great restaurants! Many to choose from on the water front and try one of the local favorite drinks, the Bushwacker. The Crab House, Felix's, Paradise Inn, Casino Beach Grill, SandShakers, Flounders, and many more! Explore historic Seville Square with morning brunches and great jazz! This historic section of Pensacola is filled with great night life and beautiful historic structures.
BLUE ANGELS! - Be sure to visit the nearby Naval Air Station and you may be lucky enough to see the Blue Angels on a practice run! The Blue Angels do their spectacular final air show in Pensacola on Veterans Day, November 11. There are other air shows throughout the year. The US Air Force has 2 bases in the area: Hurlburt Field and Eglin. You may spot an occasional Osprey CV-22 or military helicopter on training flight.
NATIONAL NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM - Take an amazing day trip to The National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, one of the most-visited museums in the state of Florida. See more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Aviation. These historic and one-of-a-kind aircraft are displayed both inside the Museum’s and outside on its 37-acre grounds. Fly in one of their full motion simulators or see The Magic of Flight, their own Laser Powered Giant Screen Digital Theater film projected on a seven-story high screen and feel like you’ve had a bona fide ride with the Blue Angels. While there, enjoy a delicious lunch at the authentic Cubi Bar Café, decorated with more than 1,000 squadron and unit plaques reassembled from the historic Officers’ Club at Cubi Point in the Philippines.
THE GULF BREEZE ZOO - The Gulf Coast Area’s award-winning Gulf Breeze Zoo is home to more than 900 native and exotic animals. The Zoo offers many hands on animal encounters and kid’s activities. Ride through herds of free ranging animals on the brand new Safari Express train to view hippos, rhinos, gorillas and African antelope up close! Feed giraffe, enjoy the free-flight bird aviary and much, much more.
