Navarre Beach, Pensacola Beach beach vacation rentals

This small waterfront community perches on Santa Rosa Island, a scenic barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, offering a postcard-perfect Florida beach getaway without any of the Spring Break crowds. Its 12-mile stretch of fine white sand comes with an abundance of wildlife and outdoor adventures, and will particularly appeal to families and low-key vacationers looking to bask in the sun, pedal the bike paths, paddle or snorkel in the waves, and spot turtles and seabirds along the blue-green coast. High-rise condos and beach houses dot this relaxed beach colony, and the longest fishing pier in all of Florida is a top draw for those looking to hook a fish for dinner.

There’s a gulf breeze in the summer, while relatively warm water keeps Navarre Beach from getting too chilly in winter. This means visitors can enjoy a moderate climate for much of the year, though the chance of rain hovers around 20 percent all year and months comfortable for swimming are limited to April through November. Summers see mostly 80-degree Fahrenheit days, though it’s not unheard of for the thermometer to inch up into the 90s. Most vacationers prefer to visit from early April to late May or in late September to early November, when conditions are ideal. Regardless of when you’re traveling, be sure to pack your sunscreen, sunglasses, and sunhat.

Navarre Beach Pier

At 1,545 feet long and 30 feet above the sea, this is the longest and arguably most impressive pier in Florida. Saunter out to the end for a chance to spot dolphins and schools of fish, or rent a fishing pole. Near the beach, anglers snag redfish, flounder, and sheepshead, and toward the end of the pier they get king mackerel and cobia.

Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary

About 150 feet offshore in the Santa Rosa Sound, this park’s three manmade reefs are teeming with life and begging to be snorkeled. Commonly spotted creatures include jellyfish, sea turtles, octopi, oysters, and various fish, along with happy human families.

Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center

Quiet and protected from artificial light, this gulf front community is a sanctuary for four species of sea turtle: loggerhead, green, leatherback, and Kemp’s ridley. The conservation center offers interactive exhibits along with guided tours that include a meet and greet with undersea creatures.