Navarre Towers

Navarre Towers is a gated Gulf-front condominium building at 8271 Gulf Boulevard on Navarre Beach, west of the Navarre Beach Pier and next door to Belle Mer. Built in 1984, the 12-story tower holds roughly 85 condos, and most units have been updated over the years. Development on this part of Santa Rosa Island is limited to a short strip along Gulf Boulevard, with protected land on both sides, including the Gulf Islands National Seashore to the west, so the beach tends to feel open and uncrowded.

Units are two and three bedroom plans in several layouts, and many have oversized balconies facing the Gulf. Some upper floor and corner units also look back across Santa Rosa Sound toward the mainland.

Shared amenities include a seasonally heated Gulf-front pool, tennis and pickleball courts, a basketball court, shuffleboard, an exercise room, a community room with Gulf views and grills. Private gated beach access leads over the dunes to the sand. There is on-site management, and the grounds are landscaped and gated.

Navarre Towers condos are individually owned and rented through their owners and several rental companies. Because of that, beach chair service, parking rules, pet policies and furnishings vary from unit to unit. The association has scheduled projects such as parking lot resurfacing in the past, so it is worth asking about current work. Navarre Beach has white quartz sand and clear, green water on calm days. Sea turtles nest along this shore from May through October, so beachfront buildings keep outdoor lights low after dark and ask guests to clear gear from the sand each evening.

Navarre Beach is a quieter, less built-up beach town than Pensacola Beach or Destin. From Navarre Towers it is a short drive to the Navarre Beach Pier, the Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary for snorkeling and the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center. Sage Paddle Company rents bikes, kayaks and paddleboards nearby, the Gulf Breeze Zoo is on the mainland, and the undeveloped stretch of the Gulf Islands National Seashore lies just to the west. Navarre Towers suits families who want an active complex with courts and a pool, plus a calmer beach setting.