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Navarre Beach is a laid-back coastal resort town in Northwestern Florida, with lots of fun things to do. 

I loved visiting this city that calls itself “Florida’s Most Relaxing Place” and it’s easy to see why with this tranquil beachfront town!

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day at the beach, a nice hike, or a casual waterfront restaurant to sit back and enjoy the views, Navarre Beach has it all and I thoroughly enjoyed it here. 

15 Things To Do

In Navarre Beach, Florida

(And Nearby)!

1. Relax On Navarre Beach

Navarre Beach is a little strip of beaches and resort homes between Santa Rosa Sound and the Gulf of Mexico.

There are a few access points for beaches throughout the city, but the most popular place to go is to the beach next to the pier.

Is Navarre Beach A Nice Beach?

Navarre Beach is ranked as one of the nicest beaches around and is also one of the best places in Florida to go for its crystal clear waters!

For the most part, Navarre Beach’s emerald-green waters and white sand beaches are untouched and uncrowded, and they call it the best-kept secret around.

Navarre Beach has a lot of amenities, as well.  There is a large, free parking lot with over 150 spots.

There are also public restrooms, volleyball nets, rentals, picnic tables, covered pavilions, dune walkovers, a small playground, and seasonal lifeguards.

📍 8579 Gulf Blvd, Navarre, FL 32566

2. See The Attractions At Gulf Breeze Zoo

If you are in the Navarre Beach area and want to take your family to a fun place that is educational, then this zoo is one of the top things to do.

The Gulf Breeze Zoo has over 800 animals and exhibits that are sure to interest everyone in your family.

It even offers animal encounters where visitors can get up close with some of their favorite animals.

A day at the zoo has never been more exciting!  They also have features like the Safari Express Train Ride and animal feedings.

Animals here include giraffes, rhinos, gorillas, zebras, birds, and more.

Check out the Gulf Breeze Zoo today.  This zoo is a great place for families or individuals looking for an exciting day trip!

Gulf Breeze Zoo

📍 5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

📞 Phone – 850-932-2229

3. Explore Navarre Beach Marine Park and Sea Turtle Conservation Center

One of my favorite things to do in town is the Navarre Beach Marine Park & Science Station.

This park has been helping children and adults alike learn about marine life.

It’s a great place to learn about the endangered sea turtles and the marine environment. 

There are educational exhibits, hands-on activities, discovery programs and much more!

Come down here today with your family or friends and spend some time learning at the fantastic science station and Navarre Beach sea turtle conservation center!

While here, also check out the snorkeling reef sites.   The Navarre Beach Marine Science Station Sanctuary and Artificial Reefs have 3 reefs, 2 on the Sound Side and 1 on the Gulf side.

These reefs bring in sea life such as sea turtles, octopuses, coral, and many types of fish!

If you want to stay above water and witness the reefs and sea life, they also offer clear bottom kayak tours on the Gulf side!

Navarre Beach Marine Park

📍8543 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre, FL 32566

4. Go Fishing Or Take A Stroll On The Navarre Beach Pier

While at Navarre Beach, be sure to check out the Navarre Beach fishing pier!  At 1,545 feet and 30 feet above the water, the Navarre Beach Pier is the longest pier of its kind in Florida and the United States, which one of the most popular things to do!

It’s a great place to go after a day at the beach or after dinner at Windjammers, which is a restaurant and bar right at the pier.

The pier is a nice spot to see marine animals such as stingrays, dolphins, and sea turtles. The pier is just $1 to walk on and $7 for all-day fishing, $4 for kids.

5. Try Craft Beer & Wine At The Grey Taproom

Craft beer lovers and wine connoisseurs unite! The Grey Taproom is Navarre’s craft beer bar and wine bar, giving you the best of both worlds.

You can try a flight of beers or enjoy one of their 30 kinds of beers or wines. They also offer a variety of cigars.  They offer fruit beers, IPA’s, light beers, and porters.

Try local beers including Key Lime Hibiscus Ale or Hawaiian Lion, a coffee porter.

Stop into The Grey Taproom in Navarre today to see what they all have to offer!  Cheers!

For more drinking options, be sure to check out The Vine Wine Bar and St. Michaels Brewing Company when in Navarre!

The Grey Taproom

📍 7622 Navarre Pkwy Navarre, FL 32566

6. Visit The Gulf Islands National Seashore (Opal Beach Area)

State Highway 399 takes you from Navarre Beach to Pensacola Beach.

This scenic ride takes you past giant sand dunes on the side of the road, as well as Gulf Islands National Seashore and Opal Beach.

Gulf Islands National Seashore is a beautiful beach with bright, white sands along the Gulf of Mexico.

The beach is a perfect place to visit with its amazing views of the Gulf and there’s also so much space here, perfect for social distancing.

Relax in the sun, take a swim, go snorkeling in the emerald green waters, or take a nature walk along this 8-mile-long stretch of beach.

Opal Beach

📍 Highway 399, Pensacola Beach, FL, 32561

7. Get Gifts At The Boardwalk Shop

Navarre Beach is a beautiful place to spend the day, but sometimes you need some extra gear.

The Boardwalk Shop has everything you need for your Navarre beach vacation and more!

They rent scooters, bikes, kayaks, and other water toys so that you can get around the area easily.

You’ll find all kinds of souvenirs at the shop, as well, from sandals to sunglasses to T-shirts. And don’t forget about their famous ice cream cones!

Their friendly staff will help you find whatever it is that you’re looking for while providing great customer service.

Stop by The Boardwalk Shop in Navarre where they have everything your family needs for a fun day at the beach like snow cones, bike rentals, gifts, & souvenirs.

Another gift and tackle shop in Navarre is Saltwater Cottage!

The Boardwalk Shop

📍 8460 Gulf Blvd, Navarre, FL 32566

8. Eat Dinner With A View At Dewey Destin’s

Dewey Destin’s is a popular restaurant in the area and not only in Destin, but Navarre, too!

Navarre is their newest location with amazing waterfront views of the Santa Rosa Sound.

Come here for seafood, salads, sandwiches, and fried baskets. Try their Gulf Shrimp or Yellowfin Tuna.

And while in Florida, you have to try their Key Lime Pie!

Dewey Destin’s

📍 8673 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre, FL 32566

9. Rent Water Toys At Navarre Family Watersports

Navarre Beach is a beautiful place to visit and these guys have the right and fun activities for your family if you’re looking for exciting things to do!

Navarre Family Watersports offers a wide variety of water sports activities for all ages and skill levels.

They have everything you need to make your vacation complete, including pontoon rentals, wave runners, paddle boards, kayaks, and dolphin tours.

They are located right next to Dewey Destin’s.

Navarre Family Watersports

📍 8671 Navarre Parkway, Navarre, FL

10. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth At Navarre Bakery & Creamery

For a perfect treat after dinner or to cool off after hanging out at the beach, visit Navarre Bakery & Creamery!

Navarre Bakery & Creamery is a well-known local favorite for its fresh, homemade ice cream and baked goods.

Baked goods include cookies and cupcakes, but they also have small meals including sandwiches and bagels, and refreshments, too.

11. Go Hiking At Naval Live Oaks Area & Trails

The area is a well-known tourist destination, but it’s also a great place to visit if you want to get away from the beaches and enjoy nature.

If you’re looking for some peace and quiet in an area that’s not overrun with tourists then this is your spot!

There are plenty of trails here where you can hike along the water or through the woods without worrying about bumping into other people.

You’ll find restrooms here as well as picnic tables so bring your lunch on a nice day and have a picnic while enjoying beautiful views of Pensacola Bay.

This preserve is in the nearby Gulf Breeze and part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore which means that there are plenty more things to do nearby like swimming at beaches, bird watching, kayaking, fishing, etc.

Naval Live Oaks Nature Preserve

📍 1801 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

12. Play The Escape Rooms At Escape Zone 60

With locations throughout the Florida Panhandle, Escape Zone 60 is an awesome and perfect choice for a night out with friends or family, or for a rainy day activity.

For those who like to be challenged and think outside of the box, Escape Zone 60 is a great option.

The rooms have been designed in such a way that it will require every ounce of your brain power to escape.

With multiple rooms available, you can choose one that fits your group’s size and skill level.

It may seem easy at first glance but once you get inside the room, everything changes!

You’ll need to use all of your senses if you want to make it out with time left on the clock!

Play either “The Houdini Escape” or “Escape Mars” here at the Navarre location.

Escape Zone 60

📍 9540 Navarre Parkway, Navarre, FL 32566

📞 850-777-3363

13. Enjoy Food, Drinks & Live Music At Juana’s Pagodas

Navarre Beach has several dining options in the area, and each option has a unique feel.

But with so many choices it can be hard to know where you should go.

Juana’s Pagodas Restaurant on Santa Rosa Sound at Navarre Beach is an iconic restaurant that has been serving locals and tourists alike since 1989!

Located right on the Navarre Beach Causeway, they have live music on weekends and host DJ events throughout the year.

Their menu offers something for everyone including pizza, wings, and nachos.  Sailors Grill, which is open for breakfast and lunch, offers more of a full menu.

This waterfront location allows them to offer water rentals such as jet skis, kayaks & pontoons while providing breathtaking views of the surrounding areas on Santa Rosa Island.

Whether you’re looking for an intimate dinner or a fun night out with friends, they’ve got what you’re looking for!

Juana’s Pagodas

📍 Navarre Beach Causeway, Navarre, FL 32566

14. Have Sushi At The Slippery Mermaid

As we know, Navarre is a quiet, laid-back town that’s known for its beautiful beaches and laid-back lifestyle.

It’s the perfect place to relax with friends or family while enjoying great food.

There are plenty of restaurants in Navarre, but none quite like The Slippery Mermaid.

Their sushi is so good that you won’t be able to stop eating it!

If you’re looking for somewhere different to eat on your trip, look no further than The Slippery Mermaid Sushi Bar & Restaurant in Navarre.

They offer a variety of delicious menu items including their famous “Psycho Mermaid” roll which features shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, and avocado topped with eel sauce drizzled over top!

Try one of their steak or chicken sushi rolls if you’re not a fan of seafood.

The Slippery Mermaid

📍 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre, FL 32566

15. Hit The Pensacola Beach Boardwalk & Beaches

When you’re in Navarre Beach, you’re not far from Pensacola Beach and all the fun things to do there!

Once in Pensacola Beach, be sure to stop at the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk which sits on the Santa Rosa Sound and is filled with great waterfront shops, restaurants, and right next to Quietwater Beach.

Just across the street from The Boardwalk is Casino Beach and the main attraction, the Pensacola Beach Pier.

While not as long as the Navarre Beach Pier, this pier is quite impressive in its own right and has some incredible views and nice fishing.

There are also several waterfront restaurants near Casino Beach.

For the best restaurants and more things to do in Pensacola Beach, go here!  

Where Is Navarre Beach?

As mentioned, Navarre Beach is in Northwest Florida along the Gulf Coast.

The city sits in between Pensacola Beach and Okaloosa Island and is just a half-hour from both cities.

This post will look at the best things to do in Navarre Beach and Navarre, which is just north of the Navarre Beach Causeway.

Gulf Breeze is another nearby city. Navarre Beach is also just 35 minutes west of Destin.

Where To Stay in Navarre Beach

Navarre and Navarre Beach have many great options and beachfront vacation rentals for you to stay.  Here are just a few to consider!

Things To Do In Navarre Beach- FAQ’s

What Is Navarre Beach Known For?

Navarre Beach is a popular vacation destination for those looking to escape from their daily routine.

The beach’s stunning beauty and pristine beaches offer visitors an array of activities to enjoy, some of the most popular activities here includes snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, sunbathing, swimming, and more.

Navarre Beach also offers great shopping opportunities and delicious local restaurants with fresh seafood options.

With so much to see and do, Navarre Beach has something for everyone!

Whether you’re planning a relaxing day at the beach or an exciting adventure filled with activities, Navarre Beach is sure to be your perfect getaway destination.

What Is The Best Month To Visit Navarre Beach?

Arguably, the best times to visit Navarre Beach are the months of November and April, but anywhere during these months is a good idea to visit.

During these months, the weather is cooler and more comfortable, making it the perfect time for a beach getaway.

You can also avoid the heavier crowds of the summer months and find a cheaper stay.

Can You Swim In Navarre Beach?

Yes!  The Navarre Beach Boardwalk is a popular place to visit for the views on the pier, the food at the restaurants, and swimming in the Emerald Coast.

There are also several beach access points throughout the city.

The waters on the Gulf Coast beaches are generally a bit calmer than the Atlantic Coast of Florida, but you can still enjoy water activities such as surfing and paddleboarding.

If you are looking for a shallow spot for the kids, you may like the Sound side (Santa Rosa Sound) better, but the water is not as clear on this side of Navarre Beach.

Final Thoughts: 15 Things To Do

In Navarre Beach, Florida

(And Nearby)!

As you can see, there are plenty of fun things to do in Navarre Beach!

For more things to do nearby, check out the best things to do at The Boardwalk in Okaloosa Island!