This… Is what I call BEACH PERFECTION.
Almost every time I post a picture on Instagram of beach, someone asks what beach I am at. Since I am lucky enough to live so close to several beaches, there is no telling what spot I am at, but I do have a few favorite spots. Our water here is clear and beautiful and I’m sure you can see why they call us “The Emerald Coast.” Our gorgeous Turquoise waters are just as picturesque as they are in the Caribbean. And chances are, you live within the U.S. if you are reading this, so what are you waiting for, we are a lot cheaper to visit the Bahamas. This particular beach is located in the NW Panhandle and is known as one of Florida’s “Best Kept Secrets.” Only I think the secret is finally out because each year, Navarre beach tourism just keeps on booming with more and more growth. But how could you blame anyone for wanting a piece of this Beach Perfection?
There are several public beach spots in Navarre right when you get onto the Island to your left. If you reach the stop sign and then turn left you will see their Marine Science Center and then spot the beach pavilions over to your right. These are perfect spots for families who will need a restroom to change clothes in or a place to wash sand off the kiddos feet. And the second pavilion is where you want to go if you are into diving or snorkeling because this spot is also home to Navarre’s artificial reef. There are also 2 other reef spots on the sound side (Other side of the Island) so if you are interested in multiple dive spots, check out the website Dive Navarre for more detailed information.
Another fun spot to hit while your on the island is the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier. It is the longest fishing pier in the gulf and features a Bait and Tackle store and a beach bar. There is a fee to walk the pier of $2 per person and you can also fish for $7 a day if you want, they rent poles and sell plenty of bait in the store. In my opinion it’s worth the $2 just for the amazing views you get of the water underneath you. I think mornings and sunset are definitely the best times to go. Most mornings you will get the chance to see a couple of dolphins feeding and maybe even a sea turtle or two come up for air. And then in the evenings, the sunsets are truly amazing to watch from the pier and make a great time to snap some family photos.
I took this photo off the balcony of a condo at the Pearl
Navarre is not a super crazy party town like PC Beach is known to be. But if you want to have a good time and dance while having a few cocktails in a fun environment, then you will have to hit up Juana’s Pagoda. There is no way you will be able to miss the thatched roof pagoda bar from the side of the road as you drive onto the island. Juana’s is a locals hangout but great for tourists as well. There is an outdoor tiki bar, an inside bar with televisions and a dance floor, and when you get hungry there is also a restaurant onsite called The Sailors Grill. I would recommend the Galley Nachos or the Avocado Bacon Cheeseburger (Both good choices after you have had a few beers).
There are several different beaches you can hit while visiting the panhandle area, but Navarre beaches have the best shelling by far in my opinion! I work in the vacation rental industry and one of my most asked questions is “where can I find some good sea shells?” There are shelling tours available in certain parts of Destin and Panama City where they take you by boat to good spots to search for nice shells. But in Navarre, you have to hunt for yourself because there are no shelling tours in the area. But I will tell you that the best spots to find some will be from spot #5 on down all the way past when you reach the Gulf National Seashore sites. If you want to do some shelling I recommend buying one of the nets on a stick handle from one of the local beach stores (Or even most local grocery stores carry them.) And make sure you try on your goggles or snorkel mask before you get to the beach. There is nothing like putting your mask on when your all exited about going shelling and then it filling with water as soon as you dip your face beneath the water. And most importantly, Don’t forget to apply extra sunscreen to your back and back of your legs. Snorkeling along the top of the water attracts some major sun rays to you and you can get badly burned in a very short amount of time.
This is a Baby Sand Dollar I found in the surf along Navarre Beach In Public Access spot #12
This little Sand Dollar was still alive so I put her back in the water right after I snapped this picture. If you take your kids shelling please make sure that they do not take home any that are inhabited with sea life or an actual living specimen like a Star Fish. Not only will taking one home with something alive in it smell up your car or home like nothing you have ever smelt, but it is also against the law to remove them from our beaches.
I hope that this post has given you a little insight to Navarre Beach from a locals point of view. This little piece of paradise should definitely be added to your bucket list! If you are interested in planning a vacation here and would like some help finding a great and reputable company to book your condo through, please check out https://www.destinresorts.com
This is a family owned local company that has condos in the Navarre Beach area as well as in Fort Walton Beach and the Destin area. If you call to book, tell them Julie sent ya! *I do not get any type of money from you making a reservation with this company. I just wanted to refer you to a trustworthy company that I have used to book units for myself and that I had a good experience with. Let me know if you ever decide to take a trip down my way, I have tons of other info about the area and would be happy to refer you to some amazing local Seafood restaurants and awesome shopping areas. So what do you think about this little known piece of beach perfection?
If I could click my heels and be there right now, I sure would! Such awesome information and fantastic pictures!! I think it’s my dream one day to live that close to the water because I love it!!
Well u know dreams do come true girl! (I’m living proof!) Hee Hee 🙂
Awesome blog!! Can’t wait to go back
And I cannot wait for ya’ll to come back!!!! I need my Makana fix! LOL Xo
Love it and cannot wait to spend some more time down there after we get the house all done and are just there for fun….your blog is awesome and very informative !
Julie, it is absolutely gorgeous there! You are so lucky to live nearby! When I went to Miami I couldn’t believe the water. Will have to keep this in mind.
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Beautiful!! We used to live in Sarasota, FL and the beaches there are gorgeous too. I was never much of a beach person (I blame a near-drowning incident when I was 12) but my husband could live there and be perfectly content.
It look so beautiful! You are so lucky you get to live there all year round! What a dream!
Stunning! I hope I get to sail to this area some time soon! Not before I’ve visited you first though! xx
♥ Carly Susanne ~ A Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
I live about 20 minutes away from Navarre Beach so I will HAPPILY Meet up with you there girl! 🙂
I run the Navarre bridge from the Butterfly House to Juana’s and back and it’s a perfect 2 miles. Also on the NavarrePier, if you’re military, you get a discount. I love going to the beach at night and watching all the ghost crabs running wild on the sand. If you like to go fishing or golfing, hit me up!! I love doing both!
Absolutely Love It All! I’m happy your enjoying Florida so much!
I am living vicariously through you girl lol Beautiful pictures as always!
Julie i cant wait to come back and visit you!!! This had so much great info i never knew about Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Oh wow Julie this blog is awesome, I luv it…
We have been visiting Navarre Beach every summer for about 12 years and we absolutely love it!! Thank you for sharing!
This beach is literally perfection! The turtle reminds me of finding nemo hahaha~
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You know I love it there! This is the first year in over 10 that I wasn’t able to come down.
I live in Fort Walton Beach and just had visitors. Wish I had seen this before they had gone home. I took them to Navarre beach and we also went towards Pensacola to the next beach access. We were able to get some smaller shells, I was hoping for bigger one, now I know where and when possibly to go shelling! Thanks for the terrific article! I will be definitely be taking my granddaughter soon.
Oh that makes me so happy that you enjoyed my article. If you do go out to Navarre again, early mornings right after sunrise are best. That way no-one usually beats you to the good ones that washed up the evening before!
I know this us an older post, was thinking of visiting the area. And for sea shells you said start at #5. I didn’t see a map for that area. Could you be a little more specific? Thank you & love all you photos and info. Thank you!
They have actually changed all of the public beach location numbers since I posted this so I am not sure of what specific numbers to tell you. BUT what I can tell you is the once you are on the Island in Navarre, don’t go to the public spots (Left of the stop sign.) Turn Right at the stop sign and then count the public beach spots. Anywhere form about the 5th one and on down is usually decent shelling. Or you could go all the way to the end of Navarre Island and then it becomes the national seashore. The first public beach spot on your left is AMAZING for shelling, especially first thing in the morning. It is a large spot with lots of parking so it will get crowded after around noon. But if you go early you will beat the crowd and get any good shells that washed ashore the night before. I have found tons of baby san dollars at this spot. They are hard to spot because they are white and blend right in with the sand so you have to look closely. But this spot is one of my fave spots to snorkel and to look for shells along the beach. There is several new restaurants in the area now too! I would recommend Alphys for breakfast and TC’s front porch for good burgers and wings. If you have nay more questions, feel free to email me at thesaltlifewife@gmail.com 🙂
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my post. I sincerely appreciate it.