While Florida is home to many tourist-friendly beaches, Navarre Beach is the perfect destination for those looking to escape the crowds. Navarre Beach is located just east of Pensacola, on a long, thin strip called Santa Rosa Island on the Gulf of Mexico. The town of Navarre is currently one of the fastest growing places in Florida due to its beautiful surroundings. However, it's still relatively unknown when compared to the larger resort communities in the state.
The beaches are the main draw in Navarre, with their picture-perfect blue water and clean sand. There are plenty of public beach sites in the area, or you can venture to the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which is home to many protected species of marine life (plus lots of peace and quiet). If you enjoy a more lively experience, be sure to check out Navarre Beach Pier, which is one of the largest piers on the Gulf of Mexico.
Only 0.5 miles away is The Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center (NBSTCC) is a working conservation and education center open to the public on Navarre Beach, Florida. Founded in 2013 through grassroots community involvement, the NBSTCC's mission is to conserve and protect threatened and endangered sea turtles through community education and partnered research.
As a predominately volunteer run organization, NBSTCC operates a 2,010 square foot conservation and education center open to the public year-round.Through the doors of the NBSTCC, guests enter the main pool exhibit featuring a 15,000-gallon saltwater pool, home to Sweet Pea, a non-releasable green sea turtle, and ambassador-in-residence of the NBSTCC. For many guests, Sweet Pea is the first sea turtle they have seen, and her story tells of the dangers, and promise, that human choices have on this imperiled species.
Navarre Beach has plenty to offer nature lovers besides the ocean. There are plenty of great places to fish, and you can also opt to go snorkeling if you want to check out some of the unique wildlife hidden just under the water. If you aren't feeling quite brave enough to snorkel, you can head to the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center to see wildlife without going underwater. Another great nature attraction is the Panhandle Butterfly House, which is in the town of Navarre on the mainland.
The biggest thing that differentiates Navarre Beach from other beach towns in Florida is the atmosphere. Everything is very family-friendly, and while there's plenty to do, it never gets too crowded. If you like your beaches to be quiet and serene, this is the perfect place to go. You may even get part of the beach completely to yourself if you come at the right time. There are hotels and B&Bs in the area, but renting a house is typically the way to go when visiting Navarre. They are typically affordable, and you'll have plenty of space to spread out and relax