NAVARRE BEACH
Where
Besides numerous dune crossovers, Navarre Beach promises two main beach access areas, stretching side-by-side along the Gulf waters: Navarre Beach Pier, located at 8579 Gulf Boulevard, and Navarre Beach Marine Park, located at 8739 Gulf Boulevard, Navarre, FL 32566.
Vibe
Snorkeling, sunsets and sugar-sand beaches with a flip-flop and shorts personality.
Billed as Florida’s best kept secret, Navarre Beach welcomes you with free parking and amenities like restrooms and a restaurant. But the beach is the shining star of the show here, a true white sand wonder that caters to families and outdoor lovers of all kinds. The mood is kicked back, with fishermen rolling coolers out onto the pier, kids constructing elaborate sand castles, and swimmers cooling off in the turquoise-hued surf.
See, feel
Popular yet not overcrowded, Navarre Beach boasts a pier that reaches 1,545 feet out into the Gulf waters; smooth, clean, snow-white sands that line a generous beach; and gin-clear, astonishingly blue-green waters set against a backdrop of rolling dunes.
While the water is usually calm, tides, winds and offshore systems can occasionally cause rough conditions.
On or near the beach
Soaking up the sun and letting the salt air work its magic is a time-honored tradition at Navarre Beach, as is swimming and exploring the pier. You can rent a pole and fish, or take a stroll and just hook into the blockbuster views.
Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary has made the Marine Park—to use their words— ‘snorkelicious’—welcoming snorkelers of all skill levels to discover vibrant sea life on reefs a mere few hundred feet off-shore.
For more adventure, rent a paddleboard or kayak from Sage Paddle Company. Sage also rents beach umbrellas and chairs.
Grill up something tasty and dine under the shade of a seaside pavilion. Or splash over to Windjammers on the Pier to grab a tropical concoction or nosh on beach fare that includes fish tacos, gator tail and burgers.
Accessibility
Both areas of Navarre Beach offer free ADA parking, as well as four ADA access points and two ADA-accessible kayak launches. Navarre Pier and its restaurant, Windjammers on the Pier, are handicap accessible. The Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, sited across the street from the beaches (at 8740 Gulf Blvd.) offers has a no-cost wheelchair rental. They ask that you make reservation requests at least 24 hours in advance.
Facilities
Amenities at Navarre Beach include restrooms and showers; Navarre Pier and its restaurant and bar, Windjammers on the Pier; a concession with T-shirts and beach essentials; and fishing pole rentals and a bait and tackle shop. Sage Paddle Company rents beach umbrellas and chairs, kayaks, paddleboards, and golf carts.
Numerous beach pavilions are available for rent, in varied sizes with a varied numbers of tables and grills. None have electricity.
Lifeguards
Navarre Beach offers seasonal lifeguards. Here’s a map of stand locations.
Parking
Parking is free but limited. It can fill early, particularly on weekends and holidays, so plan ahead.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT NAVARRE BEACH
Q. Where is Navarre Beach?
A. Navarre Beach is on Santa Rosa Island in Santa Rosa County, reached by the Navarre Beach Causeway across Santa Rosa Sound from the town of Navarre. It sits between Pensacola Beach and Fort Walton Beach and feels quieter than its better-known neighbors.
The county's beach information is on the Navarre Beach and pavilions page.
Q. Tell me about the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier.
A. The Navarre Beach Fishing Pier stretches 1,545 feet into the Gulf and is billed as the longest fishing pier in Florida and the Gulf. It has an on-site bait and tackle shop, pole rentals and a restaurant.
Pier hours are seasonal, generally longer in summer and shorter in winter, so check the pier page for current hours before you go.
Q. Are there lifeguards?
A. Yes, seasonally. Navarre Beach is staffed by the county's beach safety lifeguards during the day in season, typically from mid-morning to early evening, with extended hours in the peak summer months and several lifeguard towers along the beach.
Coverage is seasonal and daytime only, not year-round, so swim near a staffed tower and treat unguarded times as swim-at-your-own-risk. Here’s where you can check out the county’s water safety page. Signs and flags are posted at each beach public access area and current Navarre Beach surf conditions can be found online.
Q. What does the beach flag warning system mean?
A. Navarre Beach uses the standard flag system: green for calm conditions, yellow for moderate surf and caution, red for dangerous conditions, double red when the water is closed to the public, and purple for dangerous marine life.
Always check the posted flags before entering the water; see the county water safety page for details. Signs and flags are posted at each beach public access area and current Navarre Beach surf conditions can be found online.
Q. What are the hours and parking?
A. The public beach is for day use; personal items must be removed after sunset, and there is no overnight parking or camping. Parking is free but limited and fills early on weekends and holidays, with free ADA parking at the pier and Marine Park.
Pavilions can be reserved through the county's reservations portal.
Q. Where can I snorkel?
A. The Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary has nearshore artificial reefs that are popular for snorkeling and shore diving.
Conditions vary, so go when the water is calm and clear, watch the flags, and never snorkel alone.
Q. What amenities are available?
A. The beach has restrooms and showers, a concession stand, umbrella and chair rentals, reservable pavilions and grilling areas, picnic tables, boardwalks providing access over the dunes, and a restaurant on the pier.
Bring water for longer visits, as services can be busy in peak season.
Q. Can I kayak or paddleboard?
A. Yes. Navarre Beach Marine Park has two ADA-accessible kayak launches, one on the Gulf side and one on the Santa Rosa Sound side, and local outfitters offer rentals.
See the county Navarre Beach page for park information.
Q. Are the beaches accessible for visitors with mobility needs?
A. Navarre Beach has several ADA access points, two ADA-accessible kayak launches, and an accessible pier and restaurant. Free beach wheelchairs are available through the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center.
Reserve a beach wheelchair at least 24 hours in advance; see the Sea Turtle Conservation Center for details.
Q. Can I bring my dog?
A. No. Pets are not allowed on Navarre Beach or the pier. There is an off-beach dog park in the area, but there is no designated dog beach at Navarre Beach.
Confirm current rules on the county Navarre Beach page.
Q. What about sea turtles?
A. Navarre Beach is an active sea turtle nesting beach, and the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center at Marine Park offers education and rehabilitation programs.
During nesting season, which is from May through October, stay clear of marked nests, fill in holes, remove beach gear at night, and avoid bright lights on the beach.
Q. Is Gulf Islands National Seashore nearby?
A. Yes. The Santa Rosa area of Gulf Islands National Seashore, including Opal Beach, protects an undeveloped stretch of the island between Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach.
It is a separate federal fee area; see the National Park Service fees page for current rates.
Q. When is the best time to visit?
A. Late spring through early fall is the peak period, with lifeguard coverage and the longest pier hours, along with warm water for swimming and snorkeling.
Parking fills early on weekends and holidays, so arrive early, and check the forecast and posted flags before you go.
