Disclosure: This post is part of our press trip to Navarre, FL, in exchange for coverage. However, my opinions are 100% mine.

Welcome to Navarre, Florida, a hidden gem nestled along the picturesque Gulf Coast, where endless sunshine, pristine beaches, and an abundance of adventures awaits you! If are looking for things to do in Navarre, Florida, this post is for you!  Navarre, FL is located on Santa Rosa Island one of the top beach destinations in the US. Small yet beautiful beach with clear water, and sugared snow-white sand.

Living in Florida for over 30 years and I hadn’t ever seen a beach like Navarre’s! Unbelievable! The beaches are not crowded at all. It’s the perfect place for a single, couple, or family. A quaint beach town located east of Pensacola.

Grab your sunscreen and join me as we dive into the vibrant Navarre.

From sun-soaked beach escapades to exhilarating water sports and captivating cultural encounters, Navarre has it all. Navarre shoreline stretches over twelve miles with pristine white sand, emerald waters, and perfect warm weather attracting sun-seekers throughout the year. Now I see why it is often called the Jewel of the Emerald Coast!

On one side, you’ll find the Gulf of Mexico and Santa Rosa Sound borders the other. It is a relaxing beach vacation destination with tons of exciting outdoor activities to do.

Of course, among the top are sunbathing and enjoying thrilling water sports. Also, Navarre Beach County Park is an ideal destination to enjoy a family picnic.

Is Navarre Beach, Florida, on your vacation list for this year? Welcome to Florida’s most relaxing place! UNCROWDED. UNSPOILED. UNLIKE ANYWHERE ELSE.

Over here is a list of things you might be interested in considering before visiting. We’ve shared ideas to make your Navarre Beach vacation a memorable one.

We’ll learn about the exciting things to do, and eat, and why you should visit Navarre.

Things to do in Navarre, FL 

Of course, the beautiful Navarre Beach itself is your first stop-off point to start an exciting holiday. Its tranquil water, sugar-refined white sands, and dunes have attracted thousands of beach lovers and enthusiastic vacationers over the years. Navarre’s beaches are voted as the country’s best beaches, why? Probably you should visit and find out for yourself.

Beach Day – All Day!

With 12 miles of pristine white sand shoreline, visitors can sun on the beach, and swim in the gorgeous warm, sparkling emerald waters. Navarre is a  big beach community where solitude, relaxation, and simplicity are priceless treats without feeling congested with the summer crowds. Its clear blue beaches are named among the best in the nation year after year.

Make sure to pack a bucket for the kids! They will love to hunt for notorious ocean treasures such as seashells and sand dollars. Snorkeling gear and a net will also help in finding treasures right off the shoreline.

So if relaxation is your plan, Navarre Beach is for you! Come bury their feet in the sand and cool off in the emerald green waters.

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Visiting national parks is one of my favorite things to do when I travel. The Gulf Islands National Seashore national park was gorgeous and a really great treat! It expands along Santa Rosa Island, which is home to amazing beach destinations. Enjoy the white sand beach for swimming, boating, camping, fishing, picnics & birding plus historic forts & cannons.

If you are planning to visit a beach along the Gulf of Mexico, I highly recommend visiting this national seashore. Even though I didn’t get to visit all of it, I do know it is filled with history and shows you what the area looked like before human settlement.

As I mentioned before, residing for over 30 years in South Florida I assumed the Gulf of Mexico was this inhabited place where all the hurricanes landed. Little did I know the jewel I was missing out on. It’s a prime destination, people!

Navarre Beach Pier

Whether you like to go fishing, take long walks at sunset or during the day, or just sit around, you wouldn’t want to miss Florida’s longest pier, Navarre’s beach pier. It’s breathtaking with 1,545 feet long and 30 feet above the water, the pier offers fun for the whole family.

Rent a fishing pole at the privately operated bait and tackle shop or enjoy the breeze at the outdoor restaurant. While we were there the Navarre Fishing Rodeo, Sand Dollar Saturday & Local Marketplace were going on! The pier costs $ 1 / person to visit and on a clear day who knows, you just might encounter turtles and dolphins.

When you first step foot into the pier, it is really wide. As you keep walking a bit farther down it becomes crowded with fishermen and all the excitement of everyone catching a fish or two. They were all so happy, what a magnificent day.

Photo Credit

Paddleboarding

Keeping up with your fitness routine shouldn’t be difficult at all when visiting Navarre. Paddleboarding is an amazing full-body workout easy to learn, and very relaxing. Navarre offers a wide array of scenic spots to enjoy it. Rent a board at Sage Paddle Co. or Navarre Beach Ski & Sail, both of which are located on Navarre Beach.

Photo Credit: @elizabeth.faye22 (IG)

Kayaking

Kayaking is a great sport for any beginner to learn. My husband and daughter are passionate about kayaking and they take any opportunity to go out and venture. If you are up to kayaking the Blackwater River State Forest and the Blackwater River State Park, is a great place to wander off.

The water averages two-and-a-half feet deep with a leisurely current of just two to three miles per hour, so don’t expect a particularly challenging paddle. A good place to rent a kayak is at Blackwater Canoe Rental in the state park, 12 miles northeast of downtown Milton and a mile-and-a-half from the river.

What and where to eat in Navarre?

With so many great things to do in Navarre, you’ll be delighted with Navarre’s amazing culinary gastronomy that’ll fulfill your seafood cravings. For foodies, the main attraction is freshly caught seafood.

You’ll also find restaurants offering a variety of other mouthwatering staples to relish your culinary buds. From Pizza, Sandwiches to Sushi and Thai foods, you’ll find every variation in this coastal location.

Shrimp Basket

If you are a seafood lover like me, you are home! The Shrimp Basket is similar to a diner with a great variety of original seafood and local favorites. During our visit, w got to choose from shrimp, fish, crab claws, crawfish, PO-boys, chicken, and sandwiches.

They also offer their specialty Roasted Red Pepper Bama Sauce over Fettuccine pasta, which I didn’t get to try but I shall someday! The atmosphere is very casual and the service is magnificent! I ordered a basket filled with shrimp, fish, coleslaw (so good!!), and fries and it was so fresh and delicious! You can sit outside or inside depending on the season.

Juana’s Pagodas

Juana’s Pagodas is Navarre’s oldest family-owned & operated restaurant & bar with great food, drinks, and fun since 1989! A Waterfront bar and grill with lots of entertainment and a casual atmosphere, with live music, beach volleyball, and a pool.

Hang out over Juana Bites, Club Pagodas, deck bar, Schooner bar, or at the Sailor’s Grill climate-controlled dining room where you can have either lunch, dinner, or a fabulous breakfast like we did! We savored awesome omelets and bakery items! Or head out on the deck overlooking the water. They serve delicious burgers, seafood, and salads.

Beach House BAR & Grille

This was one of my favorite restaurants. Even though it’s inside the Springhill Suites hotel, they get a lot of locals and I can understand why!

A classy ambiance overlooking the Gulf of Mexico with a deck outside complete with fire pits. Love beer? Their bar features local beers on draft as well as wine and bourbon. The menu has a wide variety of delicious food for all appetites, that you would have a problem selecting what to eat! The crab cakes are Ah-mazing and so was the Hangar steak, yum!

Dewey Destin’s Navarre

This seafood restaurant has a very unique history and it’s its newest location! It’s a laidback kind of place, with fast-casual dining. Dining outside and enjoying the view of the Navarre Beach Bridge and the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico while savoring our crab claws and all their delicious food, was priceless.

Ye Olde Brothers Brewery

This unique brewery combines southern hospitality & small-town charm. Celebrate life around the table enjoying dinner with family and friends or rocking away the hours on the front porch, sipping brewed, hand-crafted beers.

Not a beer drinker like me? Not a problem to have root beer float! If you are hungry, they offer a great variety of food like Build-Your-Own-Pizza! Sit around the bar and have a chat with our proprietors, Jerry Rolison and Larry Rolison!

Accommodations in Navarre, Florida

We were hosted by Springhill Suites by Marriott right off the beach. Location, location! Beachfront, oceanview, with BOTH sides of the hotel, facing the water! We found these accommodations to be perfect for families or friends traveling together. To wake up to the sounds of the waves crashing along the shore and to sip coffee on your balcony watching the sunrise was priceless. Beach vacations should always be as close to the water as possible.

The hotel rooms feature wood floors and very stylish decor. My suite had a king-size bed, a Gulf front view with a balcony, and a living area with a sofa bed. Two flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, a Netflix entertainment package, a fridge, and a microwave! Go here to check out all the great amenities of this hotel.

The Marriott Springhill Suites is conveniently located directly on Navarre Beach’s coast, offering its guests the most incredible and stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico. It offers free continental breakfast, access to a pool, and free parking, which are big savings right there.

Check out Springhill Suites ’Booking.com page for more information. Keep in mind that Navarre isn’t as built up as other Florida beach cities, you won’t find a huge selection of hotels. However, there are lots of beach houses, and condos.

Why should you visit Navarre, Florida?

Want convincing reasons to visit Navarre? The most obvious is the beach itself and its sparkling water. The small town also offers cool vibes. In addition to it, you can easily visit places like Miramar Beach or Panama City from Pensacola in about thirty minutes. Of course, it’s great for a day trip. Other reasons are natural treasures like seashells that you’ll find over here. Also, explore amazing underwater marine life and the friendly community of people.

So there you have it! If you’re searching for the perfect getaway that blends relaxation, outdoor thrills, and unforgettable experiences, look no further. Navarre Beach things to do are a lot, just in case you were under the assumption like I was that beach towns were full of college kids on school breaks or families working on their tans, think again. It’s time to pack up for a relaxing Bon Voyage in Navarre, Florida.

Have you visited Navarre, FL?