Written by the team at Timber Creek Distillery in Crestview, Florida. Last updated: April 2026.
Navarre is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Santa Rosa County, Florida, located on the Gulf of Mexico between Pensacola Beach and Fort Walton Beach. With a population of roughly 40,000 to 45,000 residents, Navarre is one of the largest communities in the Florida Panhandle. The area is officially branded as “Florida’s Most Relaxing Place” by the Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Office and is best known for the 1,545-foot Navarre Beach Pier — the longest fishing pier in Florida and on the Gulf of Mexico — along with the Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary, the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, and miles of uncrowded sugar-white shoreline.
Quick Facts About Navarre, Florida
- Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
- Type: Unincorporated community / census-designated place (CDP)
- Population: Approximately 40,000–45,000
- Founded: 1925, by Colonel Guy H. Wyman
- Named after: The Spanish province of Navarre
- Tourism slogan: “Florida’s Most Relaxing Place”
- Navarre Beach: Located on Santa Rosa Island, accessed via the Navarre Beach Causeway
- Distance from Pensacola Beach: 24 miles west (about 35 minutes via Highway 98)
- Distance from Fort Walton Beach: 15 miles east (about 25 minutes)
- Distance from Destin: 25 miles east (about 40 minutes)
- Nearest airport: Pensacola International (PNS), 30 miles west
- Notable landmarks: Navarre Beach Pier (1,545 ft), Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary, Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, Opal Beach
What Is Navarre Known For?
Navarre is best known as “Florida’s Most Relaxing Place” — the official trademark used by Santa Rosa County to market the area. Compared to busier Gulf Coast destinations, the community is defined by limited commercial development, fewer high-rises, and the quietest stretches of beach on the western Emerald Coast. Navarre Beach Pier holds the title of longest fishing pier in Florida at 1,545 feet, and Navarre Beach has been ranked among the best uncrowded snorkeling beaches in Florida by USA Today.
The slower rhythm is part of the appeal. Visitors come for the white sand and emerald water but often stay for the easy restaurants, wildlife attractions, and scenic waterfront areas. For travelers who want beach time, family activities, and local food without the intensity of larger Gulf Coast destinations, Navarre delivers.
A broader Emerald Coast trip often connects Navarre with Pensacola Beach, Fort Walton Beach, and Destin.
Navarre vs. Navarre Beach
The mainland community is Navarre — the residential and commercial area along Highway 98 in Santa Rosa County. About a mile south, across the Navarre Beach Causeway, sits Navarre Beach, a separate community on Santa Rosa Island. Most visitors mean Navarre Beach when they say “Navarre,” but the locals draw a clear line between the two.
Things to Do in Navarre
Navarre Beach Pier
The Navarre Beach Pier is the longest fishing pier in Florida and on the Gulf of Mexico at 1,545 feet long and 30 feet above the water. The current pier opened in 2010 after Hurricane Ivan destroyed the original 1974 pier in 2004. Built with more than 800 breakaway wood panels designed to detach during storm wave action, the structure is engineered to survive future hurricanes. The deck was renovated in 2020.
Anglers regularly catch Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia, pompano, and bonito. Manta rays, sharks, sea turtles, and dolphins are also commonly spotted from the deck. Even if you are not fishing, the pier is worth the walk simply for the perspective it gives of the coastline. Walking passes cost about $1, and fishing passes include a Florida fishing license.
Phone: (850) 939-6875
Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary
The Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary consists of three near-shore artificial reef sites designed specifically for snorkeling and diving from shore. Two reefs sit in Santa Rosa Sound on the bay side of the island, and one Gulf-side reef sits about 340 feet off the beach near the Sea Oat Pavilion. Each reef is built from concrete discs covered in Florida limestone, mounted on composite pilings driven into the seabed.
Because the reefs sit close to shore, families and casual snorkelers can easily access them without a boat. Marine life includes snapper, triggerfish, grouper, sea turtles, stingrays, and the occasional shark. A larger Deepwater Nearshore reef sits about a mile offshore for scuba divers and kayak fishermen. Snorkeling and diving are best from late spring through early fall when visibility improves.
Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center
The Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center focuses on education, rehabilitation, and research. Resident sea turtles include Sweet Pea, a green sea turtle who serves as the center’s longtime ambassador. Exhibits explain the life cycle of sea turtles, threats facing the species, and how visitors can help protect coastal habitats.
For families, this is one of the most accessible indoor stops on Navarre Beach. The center is free to enter (donations encouraged) and works closely with the Navarre Beach Marine Park.
Opal Beach — Gulf Islands National Seashore
Opal Beach sits inside Gulf Islands National Seashore between Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach. The protected shoreline features pristine dunes, clear water, and wide stretches of undeveloped beach. Picnic pavilions, restrooms, and boardwalk access points help protect the dunes while keeping the beach accessible.
Visitors looking for a quieter and more natural beach setting often prefer Opal Beach over the busier public access points. The 8-mile scenic drive between Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach passes directly through this protected stretch and is one of the best coastal drives in the region.
Navarre Family Watersports
Navarre Family Watersports on Santa Rosa Sound offers pontoon rentals, jet skis, paddleboards, kayaks, and other water-based recreation. The property also features a ropes course, zip lines, and a floating Wibit waterpark especially popular with families.
For visitors who want something more active than sitting on the beach, this is the most concentrated watersports operation in Navarre.
Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge
The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge rescues and rehabilitates injured wildlife from across the region. Birds, mammals, reptiles, and other native species receive care here before being released back into the wild.
Educational displays and programs help visitors understand local wildlife and the rehabilitation process. It is a meaningful stop that highlights the region’s environmental side while still being accessible to families.
Panhandle Butterfly House
The Panhandle Butterfly House is a small, free attraction in the Navarre Park complex along the Intracoastal Waterway. From spring through fall, visitors can walk through a screened butterfly habitat with native species, native plants, and educational exhibits.
Navarre Park
Located on the mainland next to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Navarre Beach Causeway, Navarre Park includes the Panhandle Butterfly House, a duck pond, playground, gazebos, and waterfront pavilions. The park works well for boating, paddleboarding, fishing, bird watching, and casual jogging.
Where to Eat in Navarre
Scooter’s Fish House
Scooter’s Fish House is one of the most well-known seafood restaurants in Navarre. The casual restaurant focuses on fresh Gulf seafood served quickly and without fuss.
Menu favorites include fried shrimp baskets, grilled fish plates, and classic coastal sides. Locals and visitors regularly line up together for dependable seafood in a relaxed environment.
Phone: (850) 396-5128
Dewey Destin’s Navarre
Dewey Destin’s Navarre brings a well-known Emerald Coast seafood brand to the Navarre area. Fresh fish, shrimp, oysters, and other Gulf staples anchor the menu in a casual coastal setting.
Its reputation across the region makes it a dependable option for visitors who want traditional seafood without traveling into Destin. Families and groups often choose it for easy, approachable dining.
Phone: (850) 710-7070
Andy D’s Beachside Restaurant
Andy D’s Beachside Restaurant sits directly on Navarre Beach and combines casual dining with a laid-back beach atmosphere. The location makes it easy to stop in while spending the day along the Gulf.
Seafood, sandwiches, burgers, and frozen drinks anchor the menu, all served with views of the water. Its relaxed environment and convenient beach access make it one of the easier places to grab a meal without leaving the beach area.
Phone: (850) 200-0702
Windjammers on the Pier
Windjammers on the Pier sits beside the Navarre Beach Pier and offers one of the most scenic dining spots in the area. The restaurant overlooks the Gulf and provides an easy stop for seafood, tacos, burgers, and drinks.
Views and location do much of the work here. Visitors can walk the pier, watch the water, and then sit down for a meal without leaving the immediate beach area.
Phone: (850) 710-3239
TC’s Front Porch
TC’s Front Porch is a more local, inland dining option away from the beach strip. Southern comfort food, seafood, and American classics anchor the menu in a casual environment.
For visitors who want to see more of Navarre beyond the shoreline, this is one of the better choices. Locals often recommend it for its friendly atmosphere and dependable menu.
Phone: (850) 936-1601
Lagerheads on the Gulf
Lagerheads on the Gulf is a casual beach bar and grill at the Navarre Beach Pier with cold drinks, beach fare, and Gulf views. It is a frequent stop for visitors who want food and drinks immediately after walking the pier.
Sailors’ Grill at Juana’s Pagodas
The Sailors’ Grill side of Juana’s Pagodas & Sailors’ Grill serves seafood, sandwiches, burgers, and a full menu in a more dining-focused setting compared with the bar side. The restaurant overlooks Santa Rosa Sound and is one of the most-recommended waterfront dining spots in Navarre.
Where to Drink in Navarre
Juana’s Pagodas & Sailors’ Grill
Juana’s Pagodas has been one of Navarre’s most recognizable waterfront hangouts for decades. The property combines multiple bars, a restaurant, watersports rentals, and live music events in one location.
Its setting along Santa Rosa Sound creates a relaxed environment where people can eat, drink, and spend time by the water. It feels more like an all-day gathering place than a traditional bar.
Phone: (850) 407-3043
Andy D’s Daiquiri Deck
The daiquiri deck at Andy D’s works as one of Navarre Beach’s casual drinking spots. Frozen drinks, cocktails, and beach views make it a natural stop after a day in the sand.
Navarre does not have a concentrated nightlife district, so many of the best drinking spots are connected to restaurants. Andy D’s fits that pattern well.
Phone: (850) 200-0702
Windjammers on the Pier
The bar at Windjammers on the Pier benefits from one of the best views in Navarre. Sitting beside the pier, it offers drinks alongside open Gulf views and sea breezes.
Location alone makes it worth the stop for many visitors. It combines food, drinks, and scenery in one easy destination.
Phone: (850) 710-3239
St. Michael’s Brewing Company
St. Michael’s Brewing Company provides a craft beer option in Navarre. The brewery focuses on traditional European-style beers brewed on site.
A taproom visit gives visitors a break from the beach bar scene and offers a quieter place to enjoy locally brewed beer. Visitors interested in exploring more regional craft beverage stops can also use this Florida Panhandle breweries and distilleries guide or head inland to Timber Creek Distillery in Crestview — the only working grain-to-glass distillery on the Emerald Coast — for distillery tours and tastings and the world’s only Bourbon Blending Experience.
Phone: (850) 710-7337
Where to Stay in Navarre
SpringHill Suites Navarre Beach
SpringHill Suites Navarre Beach sits directly on the Gulf and offers one of the most convenient beachfront hotel options in the area.
The all-suite hotel provides direct beach access, ocean views, and modern amenities. It is a strong choice for travelers who want to stay close to the sand while still having a full-service hotel experience.
Phone: (850) 939-0010
Hampton Inn & Suites Navarre
Hampton Inn & Suites Navarre provides a comfortable mainland option just minutes from Navarre Beach.
Easy access to both the beach and the rest of the Navarre area makes the property a practical base. Free breakfast, a pool, and convenient parking round out the offering.
Phone: (850) 939-4848
Best Western Navarre Waterfront
Best Western Navarre Waterfront sits along Santa Rosa Sound rather than the Gulf, giving guests water views from the quieter bay side of town.
Its location on Navarre Parkway makes it convenient for driving to restaurants, attractions, and the beach while still offering a scenic waterfront setting.
Phone: (850) 939-9400
Navarre Beach Camping Resort
Navarre Beach Camping Resort offers cabins, RV sites, and camping accommodations just minutes from the beach.
The resort provides a more outdoors-oriented stay for travelers who prefer RV travel or a quieter base camp. It fits well with Navarre’s laid-back and nature-focused atmosphere.
Phone: (850) 939-2188
Vacation Rentals
Most longer-stay visitors rent condos or beach houses through companies like Navarre Beach Properties, VRBO, or Airbnb. The Beach Colony, Caribbean, and Summerwind Resort properties are some of the most popular for rentals.
Navarre vs. Other Emerald Coast Communities
Navarre vs. Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach has more restaurants, bars, and tourist infrastructure. Navarre Beach is quieter, less commercial, and has fewer high-rise buildings. Pensacola Beach is best for visitors who want activity and food options. Navarre is best for travelers who want a slower pace.
Navarre vs. Destin
Destin is a major resort city with charter fishing, harbor dining, and a wide range of family attractions. By contrast, Navarre is a quieter beach community with one major pier, a marine sanctuary, and far fewer tourists. Destin is for activity. Navarre is for relaxation.
Navarre vs. Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach is a city with more commercial development and access to Okaloosa Island. Navarre offers quieter beaches, less traffic, and a more residential feel. Both connect via Highway 98.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Navarre?
Spring (March–May)
The best window overall. Crowds are smaller than summer, the Gulf warms up steadily, and average highs sit in the 70s and low 80s. Sea turtle nesting season begins in May.
Summer (June–August)
Peak season but still less crowded than Pensacola Beach or Destin. Gulf water is warmest. Sea turtle nesting peaks during this window. Hurricane season starts June 1 with peak activity later.
Fall (September–November)
Excellent weather and the lightest crowds of the year. Hatchling sea turtle releases happen at the Sea Turtle Conservation Center through October. Watch hurricane forecasts in early September.
Winter (December–February)
Quiet and mild. Gulf water is too cold for swimming, but the beach is at its most beautiful. Many hotels and rentals offer significant discounts during this window.
Continuing the Trip
Navarre offers a quieter version of the Emerald Coast experience focused on beaches, wildlife attractions, and simple coastal dining rather than heavy tourism development. Sitting along the natural travel corridor that connects much of the Emerald Coast, Navarre also makes a useful base or day-trip stop.
Heading west, visitors can easily reach Pensacola Beach and the historic downtown district of Pensacola. Driving east along Highway 98 leads toward Fort Walton Beach and the harbor and waterfront attractions of Destin.
Travelers exploring inland routes can follow the highway north toward Crestview, where stops like Timber Creek Distillery offer a different side of the Florida Panhandle beyond the shoreline. Visitors can also use the broader Visit Florida Panhandle guide to connect Navarre with other stops across Northwest Florida.