Navarre (Florida)

By plane

While Navarre itself does not have a commercially served airport, it is easily accessed by Pensacola International Airport (around a 45 minute drive away), and the smaller, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (which is around a hour drive away). Both are considered regional hubs and are relatively well served, Pensacola Airport having 18 destinations and Fort Walton Beach-Destin Airport being a focus city for Allegiant (however, many of the flights into Fort Walton Beach are only seasonal).

By car

Navarre can be reached by car by several routes. If coming from Pensacola, Naval Air Station Pensacola, or Gulf Breeze, you may use eastbound US Highway 98 on the Fairpoint Peninsula, Santa Rosa County Road 399 beginning in Midway, or Florida Road 399 on Santa Rosa Island (a scenic route going through Pensacola Beach, Opal Beach, and Navarre Beach). Please note that the latter, Florida State Road 399, has a toll at Pensacola Beach. If coming from Interstate 10 or Milton, you would primarily take Florida Road 87 southbound. If coming from Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Panama City Beach, Eglin Air Force Base, or Hurlburt Field, you would primarily take US Highway 98 westbound.
Navarre and Navarre Beach must be primarily traversed with the use of private car. Taxies are available by telephone call or prior reservation online. Ubers and Lyft rideshares are limitedly available; however, due to their limited availability, their cost is often times at a premium.
Navarre Beach can be accessed by the Navarre Beach Causeway. The Causeway begins at the intersection of US Highway 98 and Florida State Road 399 in Navarre's Downtown area.

Navarre Beach does not yet offer public transit. The best option is to bring or rent a private car; however, Navarre is serviced by most car-sharing services, and also by taxis, but they are more expensive than those that you might find in urban, large cities.

• Navarre Beach, with its distinctive emerald green water, earning it the nickname of the Emerald Coast. Navarre's enormous stretch of beach is spectacular, with some of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the world. See the 'do' section and 'beaches' sub-section for the most prominent beach access points.

• Navarre Beach Marine ParkThe quieter area of the beach; preferred beach by the locals. Two beach access points (with a third being built for summer 2019) with bathrooms, picnic pavilions, wash-off showers, and a lifeguard post that is manned during the peak season.

• Navarre Beach Marine Science Center

  phone: +1 850 261-2141
  address: 8638 Blue Heron Court
  A marine science center and conservation station; often has events and marine science camps for the general public, check schedule on their website for specifics.

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• Navarre Black Hawk Memorial

  address: 8513 Navarre Pkwy
  A memorial to the 2015 crash of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, which crashed within the Santa Rosa Sound (between the mainland of Navarre and the beach), as well as a memorial to all of those who have lost their lives in service to the United States and its allies.

Beaches

Navarre is famous for its sugar white sand beach and emerald green water. There are over a dozen public beaches with parking boardwalks across the dunes. There are also three beach access areas, with bathrooms, parking, and pavilions for picnics and events, in the Navarre Beach Marine Park (see above section), which is located immediately to your left after crossing the Navarre Beach Causeway.
The main beach access points are:

• Opal BeachA typically quiet area of the beach; part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore; location of the landfall of its namesake, Hurricane Opal.

• Navarre BeachThis is the main and primary beach access point, often the busiest during the summer months.

• Navarre Beach Marine ParkSee above section for further details

• Mom's BeachA quiet beach with calmer waters; popular with families, kayakers, and canoers; it is suggested to not visit directly after heavy rains, due to potentially hazardous conditions.

Golf

Golfers will enjoy the area championship courses, Hidden Creek is the only one fully included within the Navarre city limits.

• The Club at Hidden CreekThe premier golf course of the county. 18 Holes.

• Tiger Point Golf Club18 Holes.

Zoology

The Navarre area is home to a number of regionally and nationally famous zoos, aquariums, and birdwatching sites.

Zoos and Aquariums

• Gulf Breeze Zoo

  phone: +1 850-932-2229
  address: 5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
  50-acre zoo.

• Panhandle Butterfly House

  phone: +1 850 623-3868
  The largest butterfly house in Northwest Florida, open between late spring and early fall. Take caution, and call to determine hours, as they are under renovations and may be closed for the remainder of the 2019 season.. Entry is free, however, donations are recommended.

• Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center

  phone: +1 850-684-3347
  address: 8740 Gulf Blvd
  A sea turtle and sealife conservation center within the Navarre Beach Marine Park; check schedule for hours and public events.

Horsemanship

Though their are no trail riding providers in the area, there are number of regionally renown horseback riding teachers and facilities that call the area home. The most prominent are:

• Ballard Ranch

  address: 2738 Blue Jay Dr
  Facility features a five stall barn, tack up area, round pen, lighted sand arena with equipment for practicing barrels, pole bending, obstacles, jumps, and dressage patterns. The shade trees provide comfortable cover for summer riding. The arena light extends the hours the arena can be utilized. Note: check website of establishment for information on the times of lessons, as well as contact information.

• Bay Haven Farms

  phone: +1 850-259-3582
  Note: Bay Haven Farms is by appointment only, and they require that you call to schedule beforehand, and they will give you directions on the phone.

Boating

The Navarre area is home or has access to a great number of areas, marinas, portages, and rentals for boating.

Boat Ramps

• Navarre Beach Boat Ramp

  address: 1451 Navarre Beach Blvd
  Provides boating access to Santa Rosa Sound.

• Holley Boat Ramp

  address: 3100 Live Oak St
  Provides boating access to East Bay and Blackwater Bay.

• Woodlawn Beach Boat Ramp

  address: 1422 Woodlawn Beach Rd
  Provides boating access to Santa Rosa Sound

• East Bay River Boat Ramp

  address: 2939 FL-87
  Popular boat and kayak launch for access to East Bay, East Bay River, and Arachno Creek.

Marinas

• East River Smokehouse MarinaThe main marina in Navarre, adjacent to the East Bay Smokehouse. Marina is located on Santa Rosa Sound.

Navarre is home to a number of souvenir shops and markets, all in addition to having two Walmart stores (one being a neighborhood store, the other a superstore; and there's also another superstore about 20 minutes west of Navarre), a Winn-Dixie supermarket, and a Publix supermarket.

Souvenir Shops

• Seashell City

  address: 8771 Navarre Pkwy
  A souvenir store selling things to remember the beach by.

• Island Style

  phone: +1 850-939-2777
  address: 8715 Ortega Park Dr
  A popular souvenir shop directly in the middle of Downtown.

• Sand Dollar Cottage

  phone: +1 850-396-0091
  address: 1900 FL-87 #I

Markets

• Where Y’At Seafood Market

  phone: +1 850-221-4617
  address: 9575 Navarre Pkwy
  A relatively new seafood market on the east side of Navarre.

• Navarre Seafood Market

  phone: +1 850-515-2916
  Seafood market just slightly west of downtown.

• Gulf Breeze Flea Market

  phone: +1 850-934-1971
  address: 5760 Gulf Breeze Pkwy
  A popular outdoor market with the feel of a huge yard sale.

Navarre is home to a wide variety of independent restaurants, as well as the majority of the regional and national fast foods chains (specifically: McDonalds, Domino's, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Culvers, Taco Bells, Jersey Mikes', Hungry Howie's, Subway, Firehouse Subs, KFC, and Whataburger). The majority are in downtown, and are less than a five-minute drive from the gulf-side beaches. There are few chain, sit-down restaurants, mainly including the regional chain of Shrimp Basket. Nearly all restaurants are primarily casual, with the notable exception of the Beach House Bar and Grill. (See 'Splurge' sub-section below).

Budget

• Top's Choice Hamburgers of NavarreA location of a small local chain of hamburger restaurants, Top's has some of the best burgers in Navarre, and is a popular little known restaurant with the locals.

• Peking HouseTake out chinese food.

• All American HeroesA popular local restaurant that offers custom made subs.

• JJ Chagos

  phone: +1 850-710-3760
  address: 8476 Navarre Pkwy

• The Copper Bull

  phone: +1 850-710-3634
  address: 7279 Navarre Pkwy

Mid-Range

• Johnny Houston'sA popular sports bar with tasty food and a family-friendly atmosphere.

• Sailor's Grill and BakeryBest sticky buns you can get on the gulf coast. Good omelets, good pizza.

• TC's Front Porch

  phone: +1 850-936-1601
  address: 8552 Navarre Pkwy
  Open air restaurant with a selection of po'boys and various fried seafood platters. Very popular with locals and tourists alike.

• New York Pizza Depot

  phone: +1 850-936-6973
  address: 8207 Navarre Pkwy
  A popular pizza joint that's a five minute drive from the beach.

• East River Smoke House

  phone: +1 850-939-2802
  address: 8491 Navarre Pkwy
  Popular waterfront barbecue spot; directly on Santa Rosa Sound

• Stripes Pub and Grill

  phone: +1 850-939-8400
  address: 1878 Andorra St

• Los Cabos Mexican Grill

• El Patron Mexican Grill

• Scooter's Fish House

  phone: +1 850-396-5128
  address: 1968 Highway 87
  Popular seafood restaurant. Rated as the best restaurant in Navarre on Trip Advisor.

• Ye Olde Brothers Brewery

  phone: +1 850-684-1495
  address: 4458 FL-87
  Ye Olde Brothers Brewery in Navarre is a craft brewery and restaurant that focuses on serving fine foods, wine, and craft beer in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.

• Samurai Japanese Steak House and Sushi

  phone: +1 850-710-3118
  address: 8780 Navarre Pkwy
  Popular sushi and steakhouse, only a few minutes from the beach.

• East Bay Crab House

  phone: +1 850-939-5543
  address: 9250 Navarre Pkwy
  Homespun location with quaint feel turning out Cajun-influenced seafood dishes & American classics. The oldest family-owned restaurant in Navarre

Splurge

• Vinnie R'sAuthentic New York style Italian cuisine. Often hailed by locals as the best pizza in the town.

• Alphy's Catfish House

  phone: +1 850 515-1201
  address: 1900 FL-87 A
  Homey seafood specialist serves simply prepared fish & breakfast some days in nautical digs.

• Slippery Mermaid

• Beach House Bar and Grill

  phone: +1 850-684-6022
  address: 8375 Gulf Blvd
  Waterfront upscale restaurant. One of the few true upscale restaurants in Navarre. Uses local ingredients and delicacies. Known for having a good selection of cocktails, see the below, 'drink' section, for further details

• Juana's Pagoda

  address: 1451 Navarre Beach Causeway

• Beach House Bar and Grill

  phone: +1 850-684-6022
  address: 8375 Gulf Blvd
  Waterfront upscale bar and restaurant. One of the few true upscale restaurants in Navarre. Known for having a good selection of cocktails.

• Johnny Houston'sA popular sports bar with tasty food (see 'eat' section) and a family-friendly atmosphere.

• The Grey Taproom

  address: 7622 Navarre Pkwy. Navarre, Florida
  A wine and beer taproom located adjacent to a popular sports bar.

• Ye Olde Brothers Brewery

  phone: +1 850-684-1495
  address: 4458 FL-87
  Ye Olde Brothers Brewery is Navarre's only craft brewery, serving a variety of wine, beer, and other liquors, while still holding a family-friendly atmoshphere (see the above 'eat' section for details of the restaurant portion of this establishment).

• Navarre Beach Rentals

  address: 1816 Alpine Ave
  Navarre, A variety of beachfront accommodations including private homes, condos, and town homes.

• Hampton Inn and Suites

• Days Inn

• Best Western

• Springhill Inn and Suites by Marriot

• Milton, known as the Kayak Capital of Florida, Milton is home of Coldwater Creek and the Blackwater River, beautiful kayaking/canoeing rivers. In addition, Milton is home to several adventure outfitters, who provide zip-line, backpacking, and tubing services for the forests and rivers of central and north Santa Rosa County.
• Ft. Pickens, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, is a nature preserve and a civil war-era fort and museum. Activities include fishing, camping, historical research, and tours. A 7-day pass is $8, and covers a private vehicle and all passengers. It's located on the far west end of Santa Rosa Island, about 45 minutes west on Highway 98, then take the CR-399 bridge south at Gulf Breeze, then follow CR-399 right.
• Panama City Beach is an area more targeted to the younger crowd. It is a popular spring break destination. Head east on Highway 98 about an hour.
• Gulf Breeze is a smaller town to the west of Navarre, and provides bridge access to Pensacola Beach