Emerald Coast Guide

Navarre

Navarre calls itself Florida's Most Relaxing Place, and it's not wrong. Situated between Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach on Santa Rosa Island, this low-key beach community has some of the most uncrowded white sand on the Gulf Coast — plus a growing roster of local restaurants and shops that keep it feeling like a find.

19 places

Features and guides that touch Navarre and the quieter western stretch of the Emerald Coast — from dog-friendly dining roundups to trip-planning reads. It’s a growing collection, and a good place to get a feel for the area before you cross the causeway.

Food & Drink

July 3, 2026 · 2 min read

Dog Friendly Restaurants in Destin and on 30A

The Emerald Coast is one of Florida's better places to travel with a dog

By The Emerald Coast Guide

On the coast today

79° Overnight Showers And Thunderstorms Likely Wind 5 mph SW

Saturday Showers And Thunderstorms 88°
Saturday Night Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 78°
Sunday Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 88°

Forecast: National Weather Service

Tides

High 12:51 AM 1.1 ft
Low 8:14 AM 0.8 ft

Predictions: NOAA CO-OPS

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.

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 — Florida’s longest, open 24/7, and the best free sunset in town even if you’re not fishing.

Experiences & Recreation Navarre Beach