The Emerald Coast Guide
Navarre, FL
Navarre calls itself Florida's Most Relaxing Place, and it earns the name. This mainland community on US-98, between Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach, looks across the Santa Rosa Sound to Navarre Beach and some of the least crowded white sand on the Gulf, with a growing roster of local restaurants and shops that keep it feeling like a find.
38 places This weekend in Navarre
On the coast today
- Tonight Clear 67°
- Wednesday Sunny 85°
- Wednesday Night Clear 71°
Forecast: National Weather Service
Tides
- High 12:11 AM 1.7 ft
- Low 11:26 AM 0.3 ft
Predictions: NOAA CO-OPS
Plan your Navarre trip
- This weekend in Navarre Events, markets and live music for the next few days.
- Navarre events calendar Festivals, markets and live music, soonest first.
- Getting to the Emerald Coast: Airports, Drives and Getting Around Airports, drive times and getting around.
- The Best Time to Visit the Emerald Coast: A Month-by-Month Guide Weather, water temperatures and crowds by month.
Navarre, Florida bills itself as “Florida’s Most Relaxing Place,” and after a weekend here it’s hard to argue. This unincorporated Santa Rosa County community sits on the mainland along US-98, roughly halfway between Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach, looking across the Santa Rosa Sound to its barrier-island counterpart, Navarre Beach. If you’re picturing high-rises and crowds, recalibrate: Navarre is the low-key alternative, a place where locals still outnumber tourists at the coffee shop and the beach across the causeway stays genuinely uncrowded.
Orientation is simple. Mainland Navarre (this page) is where you’ll find most of the restaurants, shops, and everyday services, strung along Navarre Parkway (US-98) and up FL-87 toward Milton. Cross the Navarre Beach Causeway and you’re on Santa Rosa Island at Navarre Beach, home to Florida’s longest fishing pier and some of the whitest sand on the Gulf; we cover the island side on our separate Navarre Beach page. Drive times are part of the appeal: about 25 minutes to Pensacola Beach heading west, 20 minutes to Fort Walton Beach heading east, and around 40 minutes to Pensacola’s historic downtown.
Things to do in Navarre, FL
The water is the main event. Rent a paddleboard or kayak from Navarre-SUP near the pier, or let Navarre Family Watersports set you up with a waverunner or pontoon for a day on the sound. The Navarre Beach Fishing Pier is open around the clock and worth a walk even if you never bait a hook. Back on the mainland, the food scene is quietly growing: Louisiana-style seafood at Where Y’at, beachside live music at Andy D’s, and locally owned coffee at Perfect Blend in Harvest Village.
Navarre suits families who want beach access without beach-town chaos, anglers, paddlers, and anyone using it as a calm, central base for exploring the western Emerald Coast. Book stays early for summer (the waterfront campgrounds and sound-side spots fill fast), and take advantage of spring and fall, when the water is still warm and the parkway traffic thins out.
Arts & Culture in Navarre
See all 5 Arts & Culture in Navarre →
Experiences & Recreation in Navarre
See all 7 Experiences & Recreation in Navarre →Navarre’s calendar revolves around the water. Paddle the sound with a rental from Navarre-SUP by the pier, or go bigger with waverunners and pontoons from Navarre Family Watersports. And don’t skip the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier: at 1,545 feet it’s the longest in Florida, and a sunset walk to the end costs about a dollar, even if you’re not fishing.
Shops in Navarre
Shopping in Navarre is local by definition: no malls, just owner-run storefronts. Island Style has been outfitting beach trips with apparel and gifts since 2006, and Foxy Boutique keeps the wardrobe side covered with trendy women’s fashion. Stop in before a beach day; both are easy adds to a parkway errand run.
Stays in Navarre
See all 15 Stays in Navarre →Navarre’s best stays put you right on the Santa Rosa Sound. The Hideaway Retreat is a boutique waterfront campground with a devoted following, while Navarre Beach Camping Resort offers waterfront RV sites and cabins minutes from the causeway. Both book up fast in summer, so plan ahead for peak season.
Wellness & Beauty in Navarre
Relaxation is the local specialty, and it extends beyond the beach. Navarre Beach Yoga & Wellness Studio holds classes beside the pier (yoga with a Gulf soundtrack), while Navarre Wellness brings physician-led med spa services to Navarre Parkway. Either one makes a good slow-morning anchor.
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Navarre questions, answered
Is Navarre the same as Navarre Beach?
Not quite. Navarre is the mainland community along US-98 (Navarre Parkway) in Santa Rosa County, where you'll find most of the restaurants, shops and everyday services. Navarre Beach sits across the Santa Rosa Sound on Santa Rosa Island, a few minutes' drive over the Navarre Beach Causeway, and it's home to the Gulf beach, the fishing pier and Navarre Beach Marine Park. Most visitors stay on one side and spend time on both.
How far is Navarre from Pensacola and Destin?
Navarre sits roughly halfway between the two. Plan on about 20 minutes to Fort Walton Beach, 25 minutes to Pensacola Beach, 40 minutes to downtown Pensacola and 45 minutes to Destin. Summer traffic on US-98 can add time, especially on weekends. Pensacola International (PNS) and Destin-Fort Walton Beach (VPS) airports are both within about an hour's drive. See getting to the Emerald Coast for airports and drive times.
Is parking free at Navarre Beach?
Yes. Public beach parking on Navarre Beach is free, including ADA parking at the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier and Navarre Beach Marine Park. Lots fill early on summer weekends and holidays, so arrive before mid-morning if you want a spot close to the water.
Are dogs allowed on Navarre Beach?
No. Dogs aren't allowed on Navarre Beach or the fishing pier. The closest dog-friendly beaches are the two dog beaches on Pensacola Beach, about 25 to 35 minutes west, where dogs must stay leashed and have current rabies tags. Back in Navarre, local dog parks such as Navarre Central Bark are a good option for off-leash time.
What is the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier?
At 1,545 feet, the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier is the longest fishing pier in Florida, reaching well past the sandbars into the Gulf. You can walk it for a small fee or buy a daily fishing pass, which covers your fishing license. It's also a great spot to look for dolphins, rays and sea turtles from above the water. Hours change by season, so check before you go.
When is the best time to visit Navarre?
Late spring (April and May) and early fall (September and October) bring warm Gulf water, thinner crowds and lower rates than June through August, which is the busiest stretch. Sea turtle nesting season runs May through October, and the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center across from the beach is an easy stop with kids. Our month-by-month guide has water temperatures and crowd levels.
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