Navarre calls itself Florida’s most relaxing place, and it’s easy to see why. Between busy Pensacola Beach and Okaloosa Island, Navarre Beach is a slim, low-rise stretch of Santa Rosa Island with no high-rise strip, no big attractions and a long pier reaching into the Gulf. Across the bridge, the mainland side of Navarre sits on Santa Rosa Sound, with waterfront restaurants, rental docks and campgrounds. Here are the best things to do in Navarre, FL, from the pier to the sound.
Quick answer
- Don’t miss: a walk out on the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, the longest pier in Florida.
- On the water: paddleboards at Navarre-SUP or a pontoon from Navarre Family Watersports.
- Classic Navarre meal: Juana’s Pagodas & Sailors’ Grill on the sound, open since 1989.
- Lunch with a view of the Gulf: Windjammers on the Pier.
- Where to stay: SpringHill Suites Navarre Oceanfront by the pier.
Navarre Beach Fishing Pier
The Navarre Beach Fishing Pier stretches 1,545 feet into the Gulf, making it the longest pier in Florida and along the whole Gulf of Mexico. Its deck stands about 30 feet above the water, so even non-anglers walk out to look for dolphins, rays and sea turtles in the clear water below. Santa Rosa County runs the pier as part of the Navarre Beach Marine Park. For the full story, see our Navarre Beach Fishing Pier guide.
The beach
Navarre Beach has the same white sand and green water as its neighbors, with far fewer people. The public beach areas around the pier have parking, restrooms and showers, and Windjammers on the Pier sits right at the base of the pier for lunch or a cold drink. A little closer to the bridge, Andy D’s Beachside Restaurant & Deck Bar serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with live music on the deck. For more on the sand, see our guide to Pensacola and Navarre beaches.
Get out on the water
- Navarre-SUP: paddleboard and kayak rentals right at the pier, billed as the only rental shop actually on the island.
- Navarre Family Watersports: WaveRunners, pontoons and paddleboards on Santa Rosa Sound since 2013.
The sound side is calmer than the Gulf, which makes it a good place for beginners and kids.
Where to eat
- Juana’s Pagodas & Sailors’ Grill: Navarre’s longest-running family-owned restaurant, on the sound side of Navarre Beach since 1989, with a bar and grill that has rebuilt after every major hurricane.
- Dewey Destin’s Navarre: Gulf seafood on the sound next to the Navarre Beach Bridge, from a family whose fishing history in the area goes back to the 1830s.
- Emerald Waterfront Bar and Grill: steaks and seafood on decks over the sound, just west of Navarre Park.
- Where Y’at Seafood Market & Restaurant: a family-run seafood market and Louisiana-style restaurant on Highway 87.
- Scooter’s Fish House: fast, fresh Gulf seafood without the fuss, just inland on Highway 87.
For coffee, try Perfect Blend Coffee Company in Harvest Village or the cookies at Dawn’s Cafe on Navarre Parkway.
Where to stay
On the island, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Navarre Oceanfront has 161 suites next to the pier, and Summerwind Resort has three Gulf-front condo towers where every unit faces the water. On the mainland, Residence Inn Navarre Waterfront opened in 2025 on the sound, and campers can pick Navarre Beach Camping Resort or The Hideaway Retreat. Compare more in our guide to where to stay in the Pensacola area.
A perfect day in Navarre
- Morning: coffee on Navarre Parkway, then a walk out on the pier while the water is calm.
- Midday: lunch at Windjammers and an afternoon on the beach.
- Afternoon: rent a paddleboard at the pier or a pontoon on the sound.
- Evening: dinner and a sunset on the sound at Juana’s Pagodas.
Getting there
Navarre sits on U.S. 98 between Gulf Breeze and Fort Walton Beach, about 45 minutes to an hour from downtown Pensacola and about 35 minutes from Okaloosa Island. The Navarre Beach Bridge connects the mainland to the island. The nearest airports are Destin-Fort Walton Beach (VPS) and Pensacola International (PNS).
Navarre FAQ
What is Navarre, FL known for? Its quiet, uncrowded beach and the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, the longest pier in Florida.
Is Navarre Beach good for families? Yes. The beach is calm and uncrowded, and the sound side is good for paddling and swimming with young kids.
How long is the Navarre Beach pier? 1,545 feet.
Find more places to eat, stay and play on our Navarre area page.
Featured photo: Visit Florida.