10 Things To Do On Your Next Trip To Navarre, Florida

Navarre, Florida is any beach lover’s paradise. Boasting of emerald waters, soft white sand, and picturesque scenery, Navarre only promises the best experience and unforgettable memories.  If it’s your first time visiting this paradise, make sure to plan well ahead.

To help you make the most out of your stay, here are 10 best things to do in Navarre, Florida.  

Where Is Navarre, Florida? 

©Photo by Britt Reints from Flickr

Navarre is a beach haven located in the Florida Panhandle. Nestled between Pensacola, Destin, and Milton, Navarre is an excellent choice for family trips and among friends. 

The major towns close to Navarre include Saint Petersburg, Jacksonville, Tampa, and Orlando. Meanwhile, some of the popular beaches close to Navarre are Gulf Islands National Seashore, Santa Rosa Beach, and Pensacola. If you want to swing from Navarre to Pensacola, the distance is 15.15 miles. It’s about 29 minutes if you drive nonstop. 

When Is the Best Time to Visit Navarre?

©Photo by The222 from Wikimedia Commons

To fully enjoy your trip, know the right Navarre weather to fit the activities you want to engage in. Based on reviews and scores, the most favorable time to visit Navarre is from early April to late May. These months allow you to enjoy activities well suited to the warm weather. Late September to early November is also an excellent time. 

However, if you prefer hotter weather for your activities, early May to late June is the best time. From late August to early October is also an excellent time for hot and rainless days. 

©Photo by Jessica Glenn from Wikimedia Commons

Neatly tucked away in Northwest Florida, Navarre Beach offers nature lovers solitude and relaxation. Stretching 12 miles of immaculate white sand, this beach is excellent for water sports, outdoor activities, and sun-seekers.  

The beach is also home to many attractions worth anyone’s time. Among the best Navarre beach attractions include a zoo, sea turtle center, and a park where you can camp. 

Aside from that, there seem to be endless fun activities to do at Navarre beach. So, whether you’re visiting alone, with your friends, or with the whole family, Navarre won’t disappoint. 

What To Do And Enjoy In Navarre

©Photo by Mael Balland on Unsplash

Water sports and snorkeling

Aside from swimming, Navarre Beach offers many water sports opportunities. For the thrill-seekers, hop on a Jet Ski or a Waverunner. For the more relaxed sports, rent a paddleboard or a kayak. Moreover, Navarre Beach is home to a variety of reefs. Some of these are near the shore. This allows you to enjoy safe and convenient opportunities to view the stunning reef ecosystems and marine life. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, snorkeling in Navarre beach takes you to a unique underwater world.

Food

Good food is always on top of any vacation itinerary. It’s also one of the best ways to know a place better. When in Navarre, you never have to worry about finding good food because this beach community is always ready to stuff your belly.

Enjoying good food is one of the best things to do in Navarre, Florida. There’s a wide variety of restaurants that dot the beach area. Each one is guaranteed to suit any taste or budget. From international cuisine, barbecues, fresh seafood, to local favorites, Navarre Beach won’t disappoint your cravings.

Shopping

Whether you’re visiting Navarre with family, friends, or traveling solo, shopping is always a good idea around Navarre. Stroll along the area after a hefty meal and visit the local shops. There are over a dozen shops and boutiques to busy yourself with. It’s a fun opportunity to explore Navarre beach, interact with the locals, and buy something for yourself or loved ones. Aside from that, there are three major shopping areas nearby.

Conveniently located just a quick car ride away, you can shop to your heart’s content at these stores. Choose among the Santa Rosa Mall, Cordova Mall, and Destin Commons for your shopping needs. If that’s not enough, head on to Silver Sands Factory Outlet, which is the nation’s largest designer outlet center. The center has around 110 designer outlet stores that offer up to 65% discount every day.

©Photo by Britt Reints from Flickr

Among the best things to do in Navarre Florida is to visit the Navarre Pier. The 1,545 feet long stretch of the Navarre Pier gives you a different perspective of the beach community. Navarre Pier prides itself as the longest fishing pier in Florida. Don’t miss the chance of walking on this popular beach pier.  

What To Do And Enjoy

©Photo by Britt Reints from Wikimedia Commons

One of the fun things to do in Navarre, Florida is to visit the zoo. Gulf Breeze Zoo is a 50-acre zoo about 10 minutes west of Navarre. It is a well-maintained zoo that is home to over 800 animals from around the globe. From big cats, birds, gorillas, rhinos to reptiles and more, it’s an excellent choice to connect with animals. If you’re looking for the best Navarro beach attractions, make sure to put this on your list. 

What makes Gulf Breeze Zoo a special place to visit when in Navarre is how it strives to address wildlife concerns. The zoo actively supports wildlife conservation projects. It also collaborates with experts through captive breeding programs, public education, and provides financial assistance to wildlife programs. This means your visit to the zoo helps not only the Gulf Breeze Zoo but also other organizations.

There are plenty of exciting things to do in Navarre, but a visit to the zoo is perfect if you’re traveling with the kids. 

©Photo by Panhandle Butterfly House’s official Facebook page

From wild animals to friendly butterflies — Navarre never seems to run out of fun things to do and enjoy. Another family-friendly trip to Navarre is a visit to a butterfly sanctuary. 

The Panhandle Butterfly House aims to bring people closer with some of the most beautiful creatures on earth — the butterflies. What makes this butterfly sanctuary special is it only houses butterflies native in Florida. This allows visitors to know more about the species that they may encounter in and around Navarre. Aside from that, it also increases awareness of the natural habitat of these butterflies.

The Panhandle Butterfly House Conveniently sits on the mainland. You can find it before you cross the bridge of Navarre beach. The butterfly house offers private and group tours for your pleasure. This allows you to learn and make the most out of your experience and lets you plan ahead. Aside from the unique butterfly experience, you can shop to your heart’s content at the gift shop. There’s also a museum that houses different butterfly specimens from around the world. 

There is a suggested $5 donation per person to help the center cover for the maintenance costs in the facility. However, more than that amount is highly appreciated. 

©Photo by Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center’s official Facebook page

Another great place to visit for animal lovers is the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center (NBSTCC). Located at the Navarre Beach Marine Park, the center houses many kinds of turtles and other marine life. It is one of the Navarre beach attractions you simply can’t miss. 

The aim of the center is to ensure the health and well-being of these sea turtles. This place is perfect for families and especially kids, so they can learn the importance of conserving sea turtles and what they can do to improve the lives of these sea creatures. 

Aside from that, NBSTCC continuously protects the endangered sea turtles through their education programs and partnered research. Aside from partnerships, the center depends on community generosity. This means your visit to NBSTCC helps them achieve their goals one step at a time.

©Photo from Navarre Science Station

If you’re looking for fun and educational things to do in Navarre Florida, head to the Marine Science Station. This museum is perfect for kids to learn and have fun at the same time. They can engage in interactive activities that are very educational and inspiring. 

Aside from that, this Science center in Navarre hosts summer camps, birthdays, and tours. This is an excellent destination for children to learn more about animals and environmental protection.

©Photo by The Flea Market – Gulf Breeze Florida’s official Facebook page

When in Navarre, Florida, don’t miss the chance to shop and dine at the Gulf Breeze Flea Market. The 45-acre space is lined with hundreds of vendors selling various things — from food to souvenirs. Feast your eyes on and fill your bellies with fresh vegetables and fruits. There’s also a wide array of gift items to buy, as well as items for your home. 

©Photo by Blackwater River State Park’s official Facebook page

Navarre, Florida is every outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. There’s a long list of fun activities to enjoy and try in this beach community. The Blackwater River State Park is home to exciting activities such as canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and camping. If you’re traveling with the family, plan well ahead and camp out here for a night or two. Extended stays at the park allow you to see the park’s wildlife. Bobcats, turkeys, and white-tailed deer are common here. 

The 590-acre park gives the perfect setting for camping, picnics, and other activities. The park boasts 30 campsites, so you’ll never have to worry about losing a spot. Aside from the scenic views, the Blackwater River is considered one of the most pristine sand-bottom rivers worldwide. There are also large white sandbars, giving you more reasons to have fun in the sun.

©Photo by Juana’s Pagodas and Sailors’ Grill’s official Facebook page

Navarre, Florida is North Florida’s hidden paradise, and a visit here is incomplete without enjoying its food. One of the best spots to dive into a delicious dining experience is at Juana’s Pagodas. This family-owned restaurant has been serving the best dishes with sunset views since 1989. There’s also a bar and a dance floor to make the night more interesting. Meanwhile, Sailor’s Grill, just right beside it, is known for its fresh and scrumptious plates of seafood. You can opt to dine out over the deck to enjoy the views. 

©Photo by Fly the Boat

Visiting a paradise is a goal, but flying over a paradise is a dream. Fly the Boat lets you live your dreams of learning the basics of flying and experiencing it yourself. 

Fly the Boat is on Highway 98 at the heart of Navarre. Booking a flight lets you ride a flying boat with owner, pilot, and trainer Jeff Bells. This one-of-a-kind ride lets you enjoy the spectacular views from 1,000 feet above. From the white sand beaches, emerald green waters, to the sweeping coastline, Fly the Boat gives the best aerial views. 

A Paradise Awaits

Navarre, Florida is a small beach community that beckons you to pack your bags and stay awhile. It may be small but Navarre is packed with big adventures, learnings, and experiences. From relaxing on the beach, fishing on the pier, learning about wildlife to enjoying watersports, Navarre has a lot in store. So, pack your bags and plan well ahead because Florida’s little paradise awaits you.