Navarre & Navarre Beach, Florida: Local Guide to Things to Do, Eat, Live & Explore
Located along Florida’s Emerald Coast between Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach, Navarre, Florida is a laid-back coastal community known for white-sand beaches, emerald-green Gulf waters, fishing, boating and a strong family-friendly atmosphere.
Navarre at a Glance
County: Santa Rosa County, Florida
Region: Northwest Florida / Emerald Coast
Nearby communities: Gulf Breeze, Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, Milton, Pace, Mary Esther and Fort Walton Beach
Main roads: U.S. Highway 98/Navarre Parkway and State Road 87
Known for: Navarre Beach, fishing, boating, outdoor recreation, military families and a laid-back coastal lifestyle
Popular with: Families, beach vacationers, military households, retirees, anglers, boaters and outdoor enthusiasts
Navarre Beach sits just across Santa Rosa Sound on Santa Rosa Island, giving residents and visitors easy access to the Gulf of Mexico, the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, Navarre Beach Marine Park and miles of protected shoreline near Gulf Islands National Seashore. This location gives visitors and residents access to both calmer sound-side water and the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.
But Navarre is more than a vacation destination. The mainland community has become a popular place to live for families, military households, retirees and people who want to enjoy Northwest Florida’s coastal lifestyle without the heavier development found in some nearby beach towns.
Whether you’re planning a Navarre Beach vacation, looking for places to eat, considering a move to Santa Rosa County or searching for local services, use this guide to explore Navarre and the surrounding Northwest Florida area.
Navarre Beach Florida is paradise on Earth. We are your one-stop shop for all vacation tips near Pensacola, Navarre, Fort Walton, Destin and the surrounding area. Whether you’re looking for a beach, hotel or an RV camping experience in the great outdoors, we have it all here with advice on where to stay, where to eat and things to do. We know that your family vacation needs to be special, so we have pulled together an extensive list of activities and places for you to explore on your trip.
Here we will bring to you the best beaches near Navarre Beach Florida, restaurants, breweries, water activities, family activities, places to workout, wedding planning, moving information, Raider Gear (shirts, tank tops, water bottles) and more. If you’re looking for things to do in Navarre Beach, Florida and the right things to bring on your vacation, you’ve come to the right place!
Things to Do in Navarre & Navarre Beach
Navarre is especially popular with people who would rather spend their vacation outdoors than surrounded by large tourist attractions. Beach days, fishing, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling and bike rides are all easy to work into a Navarre trip.
One of the area’s best-known landmarks is the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, which extends approximately 1,545 feet into the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors can walk the pier for Gulf views, watch for dolphins and sea life or spend the day fishing.
Nearby, Navarre Beach Marine Park provides beach access and opportunities to explore the area’s marine environment. Visitors can also learn about local wildlife at the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center or explore the reefs and clear water around the beach.
For a quieter beach experience, travel east toward Gulf Islands National Seashore and Opal Beach, where development gives way to miles of protected shoreline, dunes and natural coastal scenery.
Other popular activities around Navarre include:
- Fishing from the beach, pier or a charter boat
- Kayaking and paddleboarding on Santa Rosa Sound
- Snorkeling and diving near local artificial reefs
- Boating and dolphin watching
- Biking along Santa Rosa Island
- Watching the sunrise or sunset from Navarre Beach
- Visiting local parks and playgrounds
- Exploring nearby Pensacola Beach, Gulf Breeze and Fort Walton Beach
Navarre’s slower pace is part of its appeal. It’s easy to spend an entire day at the beach, grab dinner at a local restaurant and return to the water for sunset without needing a packed itinerary.
Resources for Navarre Homeowners
Managing Heavy Rain & Drainage
Northwest Florida can receive significant rainfall in a short period of time. Gutters, downspouts and proper yard drainage can help move water away from a home’s roofline, exterior walls and foundation. Learn more about seamless gutters, gutter guards and drainage solutions for Navarre homeowners from Thomas Buchanan Seamless Gutters.
Technology & Cybersecurity for Local Businesses
Navarre’s growth also means more local businesses, professional offices and people working remotely from home. Reliable internet, cybersecurity, data backups and business communication systems can become especially important during storms and outages. Data Revolution, of Pensacola, can help with all these services.
Home, Flood & Wind Insurance
People moving to Navarre should understand that homeowners insurance and flood insurance are not the same thing. Coastal homeowners may also encounter wind-related coverage, hurricane or named-storm deductibles and property-specific insurance requirements. Gulf Coast Insurance has been voted Best of the Bay for insurance over the years and is a great help to homeowners and businesses.
Navarre, Florida
Navarre, Florida
Frequently Asked Questions About Navarre & Navarre Beach, Florida
Is Navarre Beach the same as Navarre?
Navarre and Navarre Beach are closely connected but are not exactly the same place. Navarre is the mainland community located along U.S. Highway 98 and Santa Rosa Sound. Navarre Beach is located across the Navarre Beach Causeway on Santa Rosa Island along the Gulf of Mexico.
What county is Navarre, Florida in?
Navarre is located in Santa Rosa County, Florida, between Gulf Breeze and the Fort Walton Beach area.
What is Navarre, Florida known for?
Navarre is best known for Navarre Beach, its white sand, emerald-green Gulf water, fishing, boating and relaxed coastal lifestyle. The area is also home to the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier and several marine and wildlife attractions.
Is Navarre Beach good for families?
Yes. Navarre Beach is particularly popular with families because of its relaxed atmosphere, beach access and abundance of outdoor activities. Families can swim, fish, kayak, paddleboard, visit local parks and explore nearby marine attractions.
What are the best things to do in Navarre?
Popular activities include spending the day at Navarre Beach, walking or fishing from the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, kayaking on Santa Rosa Sound, snorkeling, boating, visiting local marine attractions and exploring Gulf Islands National Seashore.
How far is Navarre from Pensacola?
Navarre is east of Pensacola along U.S. Highway 98. Drive times vary considerably depending on traffic and your destination, particularly during weekday commuting hours and the busy summer season.
How far is Navarre from Fort Walton Beach?
Navarre is west of Fort Walton Beach along U.S. Highway 98. The communities are close enough that many Navarre residents commute toward Fort Walton Beach and nearby military installations for work.
Is Navarre Beach less crowded than Destin or Pensacola Beach?
Navarre Beach is generally known for having a quieter, more laid-back atmosphere than some of Northwest Florida’s larger tourist destinations. Summer weekends and holidays can still be busy, but visitors often choose Navarre specifically because they prefer a less commercial beach experience.
What towns are near Navarre, Florida?
Nearby communities include Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach, Pensacola, Milton, Pace, Mary Esther and Fort Walton Beach. Navarre is also within driving distance of Destin and other Emerald Coast communities.
What should homeowners know before moving to Navarre?
People buying a home in Navarre should consider hurricane and storm preparation, homeowners insurance, flood zones, drainage, roof condition, gutters, wind mitigation, humidity and salt-air exposure. Traffic patterns are also worth considering because U.S. Highway 98 is the primary east-west route through the community.
Is Navarre a good place to live?
Navarre appeals to people looking for a quieter coastal lifestyle with easy access to the beach, outdoor recreation and nearby employment centers. Families, military households, retirees and remote workers are all common in the area. As with any coastal Florida community, buyers should also factor insurance, storm preparation and traffic into their decision.