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Navarre is centered near the junction of U.S. Highway 98, the primary east-west route between Pensacola and the Fort Walton Beach area, and State Road 87. It is located near several large military facilities: Naval Air Station Pensacola to the West; Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base to the East; and Naval Air Station Whiting Field to the North.
Tourism has increased in the Navarre area since 2010, being declared “Florida’s Best Kept Secret” by the local hospitality business. The Navarre region is also the proud home to numerous academically celebrated public schools, as well as colleges Northwest Florida State and Pensacola State.
Navarre Beach is a barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico. Immediately to its west is a portion of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and further west is the city of Pensacola Beach. To the north, across Santa Rosa Sound and on the mainland, is the community of Navarre.
A compact beach community just east of Pensacola at the far northwestern tip of the state, Navarre Beach beckons with 12 miles of pristine white shoreline. Nestled between Gulf Islands National Seashore and Navarre Beach County Park, this beach community offers solitude and simplicity. Its pristine beaches are named among the best in the nation year after year, and visitors compare crossing Navarre Bridge to transcending paradise time and time again. And so, relaxation is the main attraction here. Visitors can sun on the beach, swim in emerald waters, watch the sunsets, enjoy a picnic in the park or pedal along a scenic bike path.
At 1,545-feet, the Navarre Beach fishing pier is currently the longest fishing pier on the Gulf of Mexico and in the state of Florida. Navarre has a park on the mainland next to Navarre Beach Bridge and the Intracoastal Waterway that contains a Visitor Information Center, water splash pad, duck pond, butterfly house, Navarre Beach Science Station, playground, gazebos, pier and small beach area.
A large portion of the scenes in Jaws 2 were filmed off the coast of Navarre and Navarre Beach in 1977.
One of only ten National Seashores, Gulf Islands National Seashore offers eight miles of undeveloped beachfront. See towering dunes, nesting sea turtles, migratory birds and trails through this unique Gulf of Mexico habitat. Located at the western end of Navarre Beach the miles of white sugar sand beach and emerald waters is the perfect place to be on the Gulf of Mexico.
Gulf Islands National Seashore offers recreation opportunities and preserves natural and historic resources along the Gulf of Mexico barrier islands of Florida and Mississippi. The protected regions include mainland areas and parts of seven islands. Some islands along the Alabama coast were originally considered for inclusion, but as of 2009, none is part of the National Seashore. The Florida District of the seashore features offshore barrier islands with sparkling white quartz sand beaches (along miles of undeveloped land), historic fortifications, and nature trails. Mainland features near Pensacola, Florida, include the Naval Live Oaks Reservation, beaches, and military forts. All Florida areas are accessible by automobile.
The Mississippi District of the seashore features natural beaches, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, islands accessible only by boat, bayous, nature trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds. The Davis Bayou Area is the only portion of the National Seashore in Mississippi that is accessible by automobile. Petit Bois, Horn, East Ship, West Ship, and Cat islands are accessible only by boat.
Holley by the Sea is an expansive area of secluded home sites and residences located in Navarre, FL. Holley by the Sea is known for its natural environment and large 100′ x 200′ home sites along with extensive woodland preserves of scented pine, oak, and magnolia trees.
The Santa Rosa Sound, a magnificent body of water providing great salt-water fishing, borders the southern area of Holley by the Sea. On the northern area of Holley by the Sea is Hidden Creek. This area showcases an eighteen-hole golf-course which received a 4 star rating from Golf Digest’s 2006/2007 “Best Places You Can Play”, and one of only 5 courses in the Panhandle to receive this award. Surrounding the golf course are luxury homes and home sites in Hidden Creek Estates. Just north of this area is East Bay Boulevard and Hwy 399.
Residents of Holley by the Sea have exclusive membership to the multi-million dollar 45 acre recreational center with 8 clay tennis courts, 3 swimming pools, full gym, aerobics, summer camp, lighted basketball courts, sauna & steam room, playground game room, community house on Santa Rosa Sound with playground, dock, access to the East Bay boat launch and many community events. Only minutes to the pristine white sugar sand beaches and emerald water of the Gulf of Mexico.
Gulf Breeze was voted “The Most Successful City in Florida in 2016” with household income and low poverty levels. Gulf Breeze is located on a peninsula situated between Pensacola, to the West, Pensacola Beach on the Gulf of Mexico to the South, and Navarre to the East. The city’s good public school district and large population of college-educated adults provide an environment conducive to academic values. Gulf Breeze has a high rate of owner-occupied single family homes, which tends to reflect stability in the local community.
One of the nice things about Gulf Breeze is that it is nautical, which means that parts of it are somewhat historic and touch the ocean or tidal bodies of water, such as inlets and bays. Because of this, visitors and locals will often go to these areas to take in the scenery or to enjoy waterfront activities. In addition to Gulf Breeze Hospital and schools of high-repute, Gulf-Breeze has a theater, many boutiques, new restaurants, and a large chain of stores.
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. Pensacola, a sea port on Pensacola Bay, has been referred to as The Cradle of Naval Aviation as the Naval Air Station Pensacola was the first Naval Air Station commissioned by the U.S. Navy in 1914. Pensacola is part of the Pensacola – Ferry Pass – Brent Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is also home to the Blue Angels flight demonstration team and the National Museum of Naval Aviation. Pensacola is also nicknamed The City of Five Flags due to the five governments that have flown flags over it during its history. The flags include Spain, France, Great Britain, the Confederate States of America, and the U.S. Pensacola hosts a number of historic tours, landmarks, events and annual festivals including the Pensacola Seafood Festival and the Pensacola Crawfish Festival held in the heart of historic downtown, as well as the Greater Gulf Coast Arts Festival.
Other nicknames include “World’s Whitest Beaches” (due to the white sand prevalent along beaches in the Florida panhandle), “Cradle of Naval Aviation”, “Western Gate to the Sunshine State”, “America’s First Settlement”, “Emerald Coast”, and “Red Snapper Capital of the World.”
Anchored at the western tip of Florida, stretching miles along the Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola Beach’s mild temperature, sugar-white beaches, and crystal clear waters draw beach lovers, fishing enthusiasts and environmentalists alike.
Pensacola Beach’s atmosphere ranges from lively crowds at the main beaches with lifeguards to quiet, secluded beaches bordered by wispy sea grass. No matter what the season, beachgoers can relax on the sunny, peaceful shores of the Pensacola Beach’s award-winning, emerald-green coastline.
Located on Santa Rosa Island, one of the longest barrier islands in the world, Pensacola Beach has an old Florida feel with natural beaches, local hangouts, first-rate fishing and a historic fort.
Named Best East Coast Beach in 2016, visitors can access Gulf Islands National Seashore — the nation’s longest stretch of protected seashore — on both sides of Pensacola Beach. The secluded national park makes an ideal spot for biking, snorkeling or kayaking.
For history buffs, Fort Pickens on Pensacola Beach offers a unique look into the military significance of Pensacola going back before the American Revolution. Designed and built to fortify Pensacola Harbor, the Fort is located on the very tip of Santa Rosa Island within the national seashore.
The Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier is one of the longest in the Gulf of Mexico at 1,470 feet, stretching beyond two sand bars. In addition to being a perfect vantage point for some of the most vivid sunsets you’ll ever see, the fishing pier is the perfect place to spot an abundance of marine life – including dolphins, manatees, rays, and sharks.
The Pensacola Beach Boardwalk features open-air bars and restaurants, shops, piers and shallow water for kids along the Santa Rosa Sound. Pensacola Beach also offers an array of shopping, lodging, restaurants, beach bars and entertainment – all with minimal travel, traffic, and cost.