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Navarre Beach in Santa Rosa County, Florida, is an unsung wonder of the Emerald Coast. This small town has beautiful beaches and is one of Florida’s best kept secrets.
Located in the Florida Panhandle, Navarre Beach is one of Florida’s most relaxing places. Not only does this beach community have 12 miles of coastline but it is uniquely located about 25 miles from Pensacola Beach and 15 miles from Fort Walton Beach.
The Gulf Islands National Seashore runs along the waters off of Navarre. It all adds up to four miles of perfect white sand beach with the Gulf of Mexico on one side and Santa Rosa sound on the other. If you’re a fan of the beaches in Destin, expect to find the same stunning beach scene in Navarre Beach.
Navarre Beach Florida: When the Beach is All You Need
My husband and I headed to Navarre to spend our anniversary weekend together. He is not a beach bum like me but he was thrilled to escape the hustle and bustle with our jobs and three girls back home. We both hoped Navarre Beach would offer us some much-needed peace and quiet.
When we arrived, it was clear that Navarre Beach is not a traditional ‘beachy’ town. It’s untouched by the commerce I typically expect to find in a beach town: t-shirt shops, fudge shops and kitschy souvenir shops. I knew right away that this would be a place we visit again in the future.
Read More: Florida Family Vacation Ideas
Untouched Beauty Means Fewer Lodging Options
Navarre Beach is so unspoiled by tourism that when you book lodging (and believe me, you want to book a stay here!) you’ll find fewer options than other popular beach towns.
Most families look for a VRBO vacation rental in the area. If you prefer to stay in a hotel, check out the SpringHill Suites by Marriott, which has beachfront rooms. The hotel boasts a stunning pool and lazy river that screams rest and relaxation.
If you’re looking for a condo, check out ResortQuest to get help finding the right lodging for your family vacation.
Coldwater Gardens is also very impressive for lodging. This out-of-the-way spot works well for families that want to get away from it all. Expect to find ‘glamping’ tents, a treehouse, and cabins available for rent.
While the lack of hustle and bustle was immediately apparent to me when we arrived I don’t think I truly realized how much of a difference it made until I stepped on the beach. There were no high rises fighting for space and every inch of sand was not covered by people. It was just pure coastal beauty.
TravelingMom Tip: Check out these Florida resorts. We think they’re worth the splurge!
Where to Eat in Navarre Beach
This quiet little beach town has some fantastic restaurants.
One of our favorites was WindJammers on the Pier. We enjoyed lunch on the patio overlooking the beautiful ocean. Later that evening we returned to have drinks around the fire pit. With a soundtrack of crashing waves it was the perfect way to end the evening. For a delicious homestyle breakfast, I highly recommend TC’s Front Porch. Make sure to order one of the famous scones (some of the best in Florida). Those are just two of our 5 favorite restaurants that you must visit during your trip to Navarre.
TravelingMom Tip: One of our favorite things to do when taking a beach vacation is to hire a photographer for family photos. This is a special gift and souvenir that we cherish. We use Flytographer to book a local photographer located in the area that we're traveling to. Use this link and you will get $25 off your photo session.
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Things to Do in Navarre
The Beach!
This is the obvious choice. Families can easily spend the entire day swimming and playing on Navarre’s pristine beaches. Be sure to pack what you need for a perfect beach vacation and bring the right sunscreen.
Read More: Here are our other nominees for best beaches in Florida.
Visit the Pier
A Navarre Beach vacation also offers something unique; it boasts the Navarre Beach fishing pier. This is the longest pier in the Gulf of Mexico with fantastic views of the Gulf’s clear waters. It costs $7/ per adult (kids 5 and under are FREE) to walk on the pier. Pay once and you have access, with your receipt, until 11 p.m. The pier is an attraction all by itself. You may catch a glimpse of pink jellyfish the size of frisbees or dolphins ready to snag fish off the fishing lines.
Have an Adventure
Adventures Unlimited is just minutes away from Coldwater Gardens. It offers a wide variety of, you’ve guessed it, adventures! We opted for the zip lining tour and had the best time! TravelingMom Allison Taylor took the kayak trip with her family. They were kayaking newbies and a got a brief paddling lesson before heading off on the river. She says it was the perfect first foray into kayaking — the river was only waste-deep, so she was comforted to know that if she fell out of the kayak, she would be fine. (In case you’re wondering, she didn’t fall out, although she “came very very close.”)
Commune with the Animals
The Gulf Breeze Zoo is located about 15 minutes from the beach and it was so much fun. The zoo is not so large that it is overwhelming, or that it would take the entire day to see unless you really wanted to spend your whole day there. The exhibits are all fairly interactive and the animals seemed generally happy. Bonus points to the zoo for having reasonable prices in the gift shop.
Explore Gulf Island National Seashore
I highly recommend renting paddleboards or scooters from Sage to enjoy a cruise through the Gulf Islands National Seashore with its white sand dunes and emerald blue water. Taking this ride was easily one of the highlights of our trip to Navarre.
Why We’ll Go Back to Navarre
Navarre Beach was such a gem and I found myself head over heels in love with the little coastal town. Navarre is one of those spots that you love so much that you hesitate to tell others about it for fear it will be overrun with tourists.
If you’ve visited this quiet beach town, tell us your favorite things to do or places to eat in Navarre.
21 Ideas for a Fabulous Florida Vacation for Families
I agree Navarre beach is a gem. My favorite place to eat there is Dewy-Destin on highway 98 and the Santa Rosa sound across the Navarre Beach Bridge. The other is a food truck called Where Y’at which specializes in New Orleans Cuisine and is connected to an on-site seafood market. It’s located on the corner of highway 98 and Whispering Pines Blvd which is the traffic light after the Wal-Mart traffic light heading East. 🍽
I live in Navarre 😊😊 Shhhh. Lol
We love Navaare Beach! We love it so much that we moved from Chicago and I started a property management company on Navarre Beach and my husband started a home building company on Navarre Beach! It is what I call Fantasy Island in real life!
I was a lifeguard at Navarre Beach for the summer of 2000. It really is amazing- there were times when I had the entire beach to myself, as far as I could see.
Also worth mentioning are nearby Pensacola Beach, Ft. Walton Beach and Destin. All beautiful beach towns!
We are going to Navarre beach next week and it sounds great. I lived at the “beach” for 10 yrs in the USMC so I really don’t care for them but my wife loves it so then I do as well.
Navarre is a nice “in between the tourist destination spots”. Many military families live here, or retirees. It is growing; hopefully it will not grow into what happened to Destin. Navarre is dubbed.. Florida’s Best Kept Secret… but word is getting out.. I do hope the visitors that come to our beaches do not litter.. please take home what you bring, and deposit in the proper bins. We get so tired of cleaning after grown folks.. especially after holiday weekends.. Just think for a moment, when you eat your fish, shrimp, etc…at the restaurant… they are feeding on that plastic You left on the beach… Thanks for keeping our Beautiful Beaches the way Nature intended…
Well said! We love to visit Navarre Beach and drive from Texas because it is so worth the drive! We never litter and always pick up any trash we might see on the beach! I hope others do the same for our beautiful beaches , oceans, and ocean wildlife!
If we can find the right house in Navarre I will be moving there soon, but we like Pace, Florida also. Lots of perks and Awesome Public schools!
I was just there in May, 2018 and we LOVED it! Went with another couple and had the most fun and relaxing time ever! My husband and I are even thinking of purchasing a condo to rent out and stay when we go back! One thing I noticed…only one major ‘gift shop’ in Navarre, FL. Not one on every corner like the other beach cities. Everyone was so nice and friendly!
We are planning a trip this summer to Navarre Beach for the first time. Please contact me with rental information.
My Happy Place for 20+ years.
Sshhh. Keep it a secret.
Families should stay in Pensacola or Fort Walton Beach.
The Gulf Islands National Seashore drive is great for lowering blood pressure.
Allison – We’re (family of 5) flying into Pensacola and staying at a rental property in Navarre Beach. We’re there for 5 days and we are debating over the best transportation options. We’re traveling with another family of 5 and not sure if we should both get rental cars. Any advice as it relates to transportation in and around Navarre. We’re thinking we will spend most of our time of the beach, but will need to occasional drive for groceries, restaurants, etc.
Clyde
We love Navarre Beach!! We have been going there for about 6 years now and it still remains quiet. The beaches are pristine and the sunsets awesome! Agree. Best kept secret!
We have a family trip planned in August. We were supposed to go to Panama Beach, to meet up with my step-son stationed at Ft. Rucker. My husband and I searched from Panama to Pensacola to Perdido Key. Somehow he found this beautiful place called Navarre Beach. We’ve been to Destin and loved it. Can’t wait to stay in Navarre. My first priority is restaurants, lol. So thanks for your recommendations.
Brenda T.
My husband and I have been going to Navarre Beach for about 15 years and loved it from the beginning. We have owned a condo there for the past 9 years so you know we really do love Navarre Beach. We rent our condo ourselves so please let people know they do not have to use a rental agency, lots of owners use VRBO.com to rent their own condos. There are many good restaurants in the town of Navarre on the mainland, but not many in Navarre Beach. There are also lots of activities in surrounding towns. Best of all is the beach!!
Donna, What is the link to your condo rental?
We are going in April!! I am so excited! This will be our second trip to Navarre Beach. The first time I stepped on the beach I was truly amazed at how beautiful the water and sand was! My parents are coming with us this time. They visit Gulf Shores every fall and they love that area. I tried to explain that they have to see Navaree’s beautiful water. While we love gulf shores as well I have fell in love with the blue water! I can’t wait for them to see it! We only visited the public beach so I am excited to actually stay and have the gulf at my back door! Thank you for your review . I enjoyed reading it and looking forward to trying the restaurants you mentioned. It is making me so hungry lol!
I hope you have a fantastic time Blaire! I have been to Gulf Shoes several times myself. There is something very special about Navarre. I can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures. You should give the canoeing a try!
You stated there are no hotels in Navarre, NOT TRUE! We have been going to Navarre the past six years and stay at the Best Western Navarre. There are two other hotels in Navarre – maybe you need to go into the town of Navarre and not the Navarre Beach that you’re really talking about. You have questions about Navarre you can contact me!
We spend time every fall and spring at Navarre Beach. We have been coming for 9 years, so you know we love it here. We are retired, but our kids and grandkids love visiting us while we are here. You can’t beat the sugary white sand or brilliant turquoise water that is as clear as glass if you love the beach, as I do. And we love the wide open space, especially a mile or so down the road at the Gulf Islands National Seashore. If you like history, Ft. Pickens and Pensacola nearby offer plenty. And there is a great Naval Air Museum there, too. You have mentioned some good restaurants, but one we like, especially for breakfast and daily specials, is Alphy’s Family Restaurant, right in Navarre. Navarre Beach is known as Florida’s Best Kept Secret, but I think the secret is out!:)
Thanks for your comment Nancy!
I almost hated to write about Navarre, I wanted to keep it to myself!
4.5
I was told about Navarre beach recently. I’m a sheller so I’m only looking to collect seashells. Does the beach have any seashells? I’m really looking to find a SAND DOLLAR. please advise