Best public beach in pensacola, fl

Q: Where is the clearest water on Pensacola Beach?

If youre looking for breathtakingly clear water, look no further than Gulf Islands National Seashore between Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach.

Run by the National Park Service, the seashore encompasses several beaches, picnic areas, campsites, historic areas and diverse wildlife from Florida's border to the eastern tip of Santa Rosa Island. Eighty percent of the protected area actually lies under water. There are snowy-white beaches, sparkling blue waters, fertile coastal marshes, and dense maritime forests. Visitors can explore 19th century forts, enjoy shaded picnic areas, hike on winding nature trails, and camp in comfortable campgrounds.

Índice Show

Perdido Key Beach
Perdido Key State Park
Big Lagoon State Park
Fort Pickens
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier and Observation Post
Navarre Beach
Naval Live Oaks Nature Preserve
PLACES TO REMEMBER
GULF BREEZE
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Perdido Key boasts sweeping stretches of soft, white sand.

- Lauren Tjaden

Perdido Key Beach

Part of the Gulf Island National Seashore, this barrier island located west of Pensacola is a hidden retreat where you can fish, sunbathe, swim, surf or simply relax along the award-winning beaches in Pensacola, FL and protected dunes. Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, better know as Dr. Beach, has consistently ranked Perdido Key Beach among the top 20 beaches in the nation. Half of the island is occupied by Johnson Beach and Fort McRae. Ruins of Batteries 233, Center and Slemmer remain atop what is left of Fort McRae, built in 1836.

Perdido Key State Park

More protected shoreline stretches west into the Perdido Key State Park - 247 acres with almost 1 ½ miles of white Gulf beach sand. Fish, swim, hike and relax in this westernmost state park.

On the mainland across from Perdido Key Beach, 705-acre Big Lagoon State Park is another sanctuary for hiking, boating, swimming, fishing and camping.

- CycleHere Media

Big Lagoon State Park

On the mainland across from Perdido Key Beach, 705-acre Big Lagoon State Park is another sanctuary for hiking, boating, swimming, fishing and camping. A 40-foot observation tower at the East Beach area provides a panoramic view of Big Lagoon, the park and Gulf Islands National Seashore across the Intracoastal Waterway.

Fort Pickens offers a secluded beach as well as an imposing fort.

- Lauren Tjaden

Fort Pickens

Located at the western end of the beaches in Pensacola, FL, this area offers a secluded, pristine beach as well as a little bit of history thanks to the fort, which was one of four local forts (including one underwater) built between the 1820s and the beginning of the Civil War to protect Pensacola Bay. The park also includes a museum, campgrounds, boardwalks and facilities.

Pensacola Beach promises an abundance of beautiful beaches, like this one west of town.

- Lauren Tjaden

Pensacola Beach

Pensacola Beach occupies nearly eight miles of the 40-mile-long Santa Rosa barrier island. It is surrounded by the Santa Rosa Sound to the north, the Gulf of Mexico to the south and on either side by the federally protected Gulf Islands National Seashore. You can swim, fish, kayak and play at one of two area beach parks: Casino Beach and Quietwater Beach. Lively Casino Beach is considered the geographic center of the area, while Quietwater Beach is closer to the commercial center and features its own boardwalk and concert area. There is also plenty of access to quiet areas of the beach where you can avoid the crowds.

Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier extends across emerald-green waters beyond two sand bars and leaves you with breathtaking views of the shoreline.

- Visit Florida

Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier and Observation Post

This 1,471-foot pier extends across emerald-green waters beyond two sand bars and leaves you with breathtaking views of the shoreline. Take in some fishing (fishing supplies are available on the pier), a snack at the diner, or an amazing Pensacola Bay sunset. It's all sure to leave you with a unique experience every night of your visit.

Located in Gulf Islands National Seashore between Pensacola Beach and Navarre, Opal Beach was born in 1995 when Hurricane Opal flattened the dunes to create a smooth, glittering paradise of sugar-sand beach.

- Lauren Tjaden

Opal Beach

Named for the 1995 hurricane that damaged part of the coast, Opal Beach is located halfway between Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach. The park offers ample parking, picnic facilities and bathrooms.

Welcome to Navarre Beach.

- Lauren Tjaden

Navarre Beach

Nestled between tall shady oaks and the Santa Rosa Sound, the eight miles of Navarre Beach consist of powdery white sands and emerald-green surf. Navarre Beach Park, located on the eastern end of Navarre Beach, offers more amazing natural areas. This 130-acre state park features 4,000 feet of pristine Gulf beach, as well as fishing, swimming, camping and a variety of activities. Spot a bottlenose dolphin off the park's 1,545-foot pier or take a walk along over the park's wetland. It's one of the best beaches in Pensacola, Florida for families.

Naval Live Oaks Nature Preserve

Not only is the Gulf Islands National Seashore headquartered here in Gulf Breeze, but this area features more than 1,378 acres of woods and waterfront ideal for walking and wading. This preserved area is a refuge for a variety of protected species of small animals, birds and plants, the most notable being the live oak, which was used to make Navy ships in the 1700s because of its unusual strength and natural shape.