There’s much more to Navarre Beach than white sand and Gulf water. Some of the best things to do near Navarre Beach include watersports, wildlife encounters, historic sites, family attractions, outdoor adventures, golf, museums and easy day trips throughout Navarre, Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach.
Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a couples getaway or a few relaxing days along Florida’s Gulf Coast, this guide will help you decide what deserves a spot on your itinerary.
Quick Guide: What Should You Do?
| If you’re looking for… | Try… |
|---|---|
| A classic beach day | Navarre Beach |
| Something with the kids | Gulf Breeze Zoo |
| Marine wildlife | Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center |
| Watersports | Navarre Family Watersports |
| Outdoor adventure | Adventures Unlimited |
| History | Fort Pickens |
| A rainy-day activity | National Naval Aviation Museum |
| A scenic attraction | Pensacola Lighthouse |
| A group-friendly experience | Dolphin cruise |
| Golf | Tiger Point Golf Club |
| A full-day trip | Tropic Falls at OWA |
Start With Navarre Beach
For many visitors, the beach itself is still the main attraction.
Navarre Beach has built its identity around a quieter Gulf Coast experience, making it particularly appealing if you want access to plenty of activities without feeling like every day of your vacation needs to be scheduled.
Spend a morning swimming or relaxing on the sand, head back for lunch, then choose one of the attractions below for the afternoon.
RJK Tip: Don’t overschedule your first day. One of the best parts of staying near Navarre Beach is being able to leave room for an unexpectedly perfect beach day.
Family Fun Near Navarre Beach
Navarre Family Watersports
If your family has different ages and different definitions of “fun,” Navarre Family Watersports is one of the easiest places to find something for everybody.
Activities include options such as pontoon rentals, Waverunners, water attractions, paddleboards and kayaks. You can make this a quick activity or turn it into a significant part of the day.
Best for: Families, older kids, teens and anyone who wants to get out on the water.
Gulf Breeze Zoo
Gulf Breeze Zoo is a good change of pace when the family needs something besides another beach day.
Visitors can explore wildlife exhibits, animal encounters and other family-friendly experiences. It’s one of the stronger options for families traveling with younger children.
Best for: Families, animal lovers and an easy half-day outing.
Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center
For something educational that still feels distinctly Gulf Coast, visit the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center.
The center focuses on sea turtle conservation, marine ecosystems and local wildlife. Because it’s located on Navarre Beach, it’s particularly easy to pair with a beach day.
Best for: Kids, wildlife lovers, educational outings and weather backup.
Get Outside and Explore
Gulf Islands National Seashore
If you enjoy the beach but want to explore beyond simply putting a chair in the sand, set aside some time for Gulf Islands National Seashore.
The area offers beaches, trails, coastal scenery, historic sites, picnic areas and opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Naval Live Oaks in Gulf Breeze is another convenient option for hiking and nature without committing to an entire day away from the beach.
Best for: Hiking, nature, birdwatching, kayaking, photography and quieter outdoor time.
Adventures Unlimited
For something completely different from the beach, head inland toward Milton.
Adventures Unlimited offers outdoor recreation around the Coldwater Creek area, including activities such as kayaking, tubing and ziplining.
It’s an especially good choice when you have older kids or teens who want something more adventurous than sightseeing.
Best for: Outdoor adventure, families with older children and a change of scenery.
Get Out on the Water
You’re visiting the Gulf Coast, so at least one activity should probably involve getting off the shore.
Dolphin Cruises
A dolphin cruise is one of the easiest Gulf Coast activities for a mixed-age group because everyone gets essentially the same experience without needing the same athletic ability.
Cruises around Pensacola Bay, Santa Rosa Sound and nearby Gulf waters can offer opportunities to see dolphins and other marine wildlife while getting a completely different perspective on the coastline.
RJK Pick: If grandparents, parents and kids are vacationing together, this is one of the first activities we’d consider.
Jet Skis, Pontoon Boats and Paddleboards
If you’d rather control the adventure yourself, rental options around Navarre include Waverunners, pontoons, kayaks and paddleboards.
Pontoons work particularly well for groups, while kayaks and paddleboards are better when you want a slower trip along the water.
During busy summer periods, make reservations rather than assuming equipment will be available when you arrive.
Explore Local History
One of the advantages of staying around Navarre Beach is that Pensacola puts some genuinely interesting historical attractions within reach.
National Naval Aviation Museum
This is one attraction we would recommend even to people who don’t consider themselves aviation enthusiasts.
The museum features an extensive collection of restored aircraft and aviation artifacts representing the history of naval aviation.
It’s also one of the best choices when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Because the museum is located aboard NAS Pensacola, visitors should review current base-access requirements before leaving.
Best for: Rainy days, very hot afternoons, families, history and aviation.
Fort Pickens
Drive west along Santa Rosa Island and eventually the vacation atmosphere gives way to one of the area’s most significant historical sites.
Visitors can explore Fort Pickens along with historic batteries, beaches, trails and picnic areas within Gulf Islands National Seashore.
This is one of those rare attractions where you can combine history and beach time without choosing between them.
Best for: History, sightseeing, photography and a half-day excursion.
Pensacola Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
If you don’t mind stairs, the Pensacola Lighthouse rewards the effort with impressive views of Pensacola Bay and the surrounding Gulf Coast.
Because it is also located aboard NAS Pensacola, check the current climbing and base-access requirements before visiting.
If you’re already planning a trip to the National Naval Aviation Museum, it makes sense to consider both attractions on the same day.
What to Do When It Rains
Florida weather can change quickly. A storm rolling in doesn’t mean you’ve lost the day.
The National Naval Aviation Museum would be one of our first choices for a substantial indoor activity.
For families with younger children, the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center provides another weather-friendly option.
You can also head toward Pensacola for museums and historic attractions, then turn the afternoon into lunch, shopping or dinner instead of waiting around for the weather to clear.
RJK Tip: Save the activities that work well in bad weather for days when you actually need them. When the sun comes back out, take advantage of it.
Play a Round of Golf
Golfers have several options throughout Navarre, Gulf Breeze and Pensacola.
Tiger Point Golf Club
Tiger Point Golf Club in Gulf Breeze is convenient when you want to fit golf into the vacation without necessarily dedicating the entire day to it.
The Club at Hidden Creek
Closer to Navarre, The Club at Hidden Creek provides another option for guests looking to fit a round into their stay.
Pensacola Golf
Pensacola offers additional public courses, including Marcus Pointe Golf Club and Osceola Golf Course.
If golf is important to your trip, schedule your tee time before arrival rather than building the rest of the day’s plans first.
Take a Day Trip
You don’t have to stay within Navarre every day.
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach makes an easy change of scenery.
Combine the beach with restaurants, waterfront activities or Fort Pickens and you have an entire day without traveling far from the Gulf Coast.
Tropic Falls at OWA
If the kids are asking for a dedicated amusement or water-park day, Foley, Alabama can work as a larger day trip from Navarre.
Tropic Falls combines amusement attractions with water-park experiences and gives families an option that feels completely different from another day at the beach.
Destin
Drive east and you can spend the day around Destin, adding shopping, restaurants, watersports or family attractions to your itinerary.
Our advice is not to make every vacation day a road trip, though. Navarre Beach’s slower pace is part of the reason to stay here in the first place.
How We’d Plan a Few Days Near Navarre Beach
If this is your first visit, you don’t need to experience everything.
A good three-day starting point would be:
Day 1: Relax at Navarre Beach and keep the schedule light.
Day 2: Choose a watersport, wildlife attraction or family activity around Navarre and Gulf Breeze.
Day 3: Head toward Pensacola for the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola Lighthouse, Fort Pickens or another area attraction.
With five or more days, start adding golf, Adventures Unlimited, a dolphin cruise or a longer day trip.
The goal isn’t to see how many attractions you can check off.
It’s to have enough good options that you can choose the kind of day you want once you’re here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Navarre Beach good for families?
Yes. The area combines a relaxed beach environment with family activities such as Gulf Breeze Zoo, the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, watersports, kayaking, Gulf Islands National Seashore and nearby museums.
What are the best things to do near Navarre Beach besides the beach?
Popular options include the National Naval Aviation Museum, Fort Pickens, Gulf Breeze Zoo, Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, dolphin cruises, Navarre Family Watersports and Gulf Islands National Seashore.
What can you do near Navarre Beach when it rains?
The National Naval Aviation Museum is one of the strongest rainy-day choices. The Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center and museums around Pensacola can also work well when outdoor plans are interrupted.
Is Navarre Beach close to Pensacola attractions?
Yes. Staying near Navarre gives visitors access to attractions around Navarre and Gulf Breeze while still making Pensacola and Pensacola Beach practical day-trip destinations.
Do I need reservations for activities near Navarre Beach?
Not for everything, but reservations are a good idea for limited-capacity activities such as watersports, dolphin cruises, certain attractions and golf tee times, particularly during peak travel periods.
Make Navarre Beach Your Home Base
One of the best things about a Navarre Beach vacation is that you don’t have to choose between doing nothing and having plenty to do.
Spend the day on the sand when the weather is perfect. Explore the Gulf by boat when you’re ready for an adventure. Take the kids to see wildlife. Head toward Pensacola for history and museums. Or simply find a waterfront restaurant and watch the day wind down.
And when you’re ready to come back, Navarre Beach is waiting.
Ready to Book Your Stay?
Book your RJK Shore Vacations stay securely through our trusted vacation rental partner, iTrip®.
View Availability & Book