NAVARRE BEACH MARINE PARK

By  Mike Miller May 25, 2025

Navarre Beach Marine Park is in Navarre, Florida, along the Gulf. It has white sandy beaches and clear waters. People can enjoy swimming, fishing, and nature trails.

The park is a peaceful escape from crowded tourist spots. It’s ideal for families, nature lovers, and those seeking relaxation. 

The park’s history ties to Santa Rosa Island’s past. Native American tribes once lived here, using the area’s resources.

In the 1850s, the name “Navarre” appeared, possibly linked to a settler naming it after Spain’s Navarre province.

European explorers, like Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, may have visited in 1519.

The park opened as a state park but was damaged by Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Dennis (2005).

In 2009, Santa Rosa County took control, renaming it Navarre Beach Marine Park. It remains a preserved natural area. 

Navarre Beach Marine Park is at 8739 Gulf Boulevard, Navarre, FL 32566. It’s about 25 miles from Pensacola.  The park is open daily from 8 am to sunset. Free parking is available, but spaces fill up fast on weekends.

Restrooms, showers, and pavilions are provided. The nearby Navarre Beach Fishing Pier is great for fishing or sunset views. At 1,545 feet in length, it's Florida’s longest pier on the Gulf. 

Lifeguards are on duty seasonally. Shade is limited so bring your own. Pets must be leashed in designated areas.

Camping is available with reservations recommended. Check the Santa Rosa County website for pavilion bookings. 

• It’s home to the Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary, with artificial reefs just 340 feet offshore.
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• Over 100 bird species, including herons and bald eagles, can be spotted.
  
  
• The park’s beaches are part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, a protected area.
  
  
• A sea turtle conservation program educates visitors about protecting endangered species.
  
  
• The park’s nature trails wind through coastal dunes with native plants.
  
  
• Scenes from Jaws 2 were filmed here in 1977.
  
  
• The Blackwater River, nearby, offers kayaking and wildlife viewing.
  
  
• The park has ADA-accessible kayak launches and beach wheelchairs for free use.
  
  
• Volunteers expanded the marine sanctuary’s reefs from 30 to 78 structures in recent years. 

NAVARRE BEACH MARINE PARK WEBSITE

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