Trying to pick the best things to do near Navarre? The short list is Navarre Beach and its record-setting fishing pier, the Sea Turtle Conservation Center, the snorkeling reef at the Marine Sanctuary, Gulf Islands National Seashore, and the boardwalks at Navarre Beach Marine Park. These Navarre-area stops all sit roughly 25 miles from our resort in Milton, so you can spend the whole day on the Gulf and still sleep somewhere calm and roomy that night.
What are the top things to do near Navarre?
Near Navarre you’ll find sugar-white Gulf beaches, the longest fishing pier in Florida, a hands-on sea turtle center, a near-shore snorkeling reef, and the protected dunes of Gulf Islands National Seashore. Here’s the quick rundown:
- Navarre Beach for that emerald water and soft white sand
- Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, which runs 1,545 feet, the longest fishing pier in Florida
- Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center for the kids and the curious
- Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary for snorkeling an artificial reef right off the sand
- Gulf Islands National Seashore for wild, undeveloped shoreline
- Navarre Beach Marine Park for boardwalks and easy water access
Is Navarre Beach worth the drive?
Absolutely. Navarre Beach is famous for calm, clear emerald water and powdery quartz sand, and the local tourism board even bills the area as “Florida’s Most Relaxing Place”. It’s an easy drive from the resort, roughly 25 miles and about 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic, which makes it a simple morning-to-sunset kind of day. Bring an umbrella and a cooler, because the beach here stays a lot quieter than the bigger, busier stretches farther west.
How long is the fishing pier at Navarre Beach?
The pier runs a remarkable 1,545 feet, which makes it the longest fishing pier in Florida. You don’t have to fish to enjoy it either, since walk-on passes let you stroll the whole length and watch for dolphins, rays, and the occasional shark cruising below. Anglers can grab a fishing pass and bait right there, and the views back toward the dunes at sunset are hard to beat.
Can you see sea turtles near Navarre?
You bet. The Sea Turtle Conservation Center at Navarre Beach sits right by the pier and pairs indoor exhibits with a large saltwater sea turtle pool, so it’s a favorite midday-heat or easygoing stop for families. There’s a small admission or suggested donation, and inside you’ll find exhibits and live ambassador animals that explain how the local turtle nesting season works. It’s a genuinely good way to teach kids why those roped-off nests on the sand matter.
Where can you snorkel near Navarre?
The Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary is your spot, and it’s a large near-shore artificial reef system on the Gulf Coast. You can wade or swim out from Navarre Beach Marine Park and snorkel over concrete reef modules that pull in fish, and it’s shallow enough that beginners and older kids can give it a real try. Bring your own mask and fins, check the surf report first, and go on a calm, clear morning for the best visibility.
What is there to do at Gulf Islands National Seashore?
Gulf Islands National Seashore guards miles of undeveloped dunes, sea oats, and quiet Gulf shoreline, and it sits roughly half an hour from the resort. This is the place to go when you want nature over crowds, with swimming, birdwatching, and long barefoot walks on sand that looks almost like snow. It’s managed by the National Park Service, so there’s a small day-use fee, and you can read the current hours and rules on the official National Park Service Gulf Islands page.
What can you do at Navarre Beach Marine Park?
Navarre Beach Marine Park is the easy, low-key option, with boardwalks over the dunes, shaded picnic spots, and simple access to the Sound side for wading and paddling. It’s a comfortable base for a beach day with little kids or grandparents, since you’re never far from parking, restrooms, or a bench in the shade. One quick heads-up: the splash pad is over at the separate Navarre Park, not the Marine Park, so plan accordingly if that’s on your list.
How far is each attraction from the resort?
Everything near Navarre clusters close together, so from Splash RV Resort in Milton you’re looking at roughly a half-hour to the sand and a bit more to the Pensacola-side sights. Here’s how the drive times stack up:
Where should you stay to see the best of Navarre?
Splash RV Resort gives you a smart home base for exploring near Navarre, because you get the quiet, spacious side of the Emerald Coast with the beaches just a short drive away. Choose from more than 280 RV sites, every one full-hookup on a solid concrete pad with real elbow room between neighbors, or settle into one of our 34 luxury cottages built to sleep a family of six. Prefer something a bit more unexpected? Our Conestoga-style glamping wagons are a guest favorite. Once you’re back from the sand, the heated pool runs all year and the lazy river is right there waiting, no parking battle required. For even more ideas, our things-to-do guide for the Milton and Pensacola area maps out the whole region.
When should you plan a Navarre trip?
Late spring and early fall are hard to beat for a Navarre-area beach trip, with warm water, thinner crowds, and comfortable weather. Peak summer gives you the bathwater-warm Gulf and the liveliest family scene, so reserve early if those months are your window. Winters stay mild and calm, which is why so many snowbirds settle in near Navarre for the season, though the Gulf turns too chilly for swimming once the calendar flips.
Frequently asked questions
Figure on roughly 25 miles between our Milton resort and the sand, which usually works out to 25 to 35 minutes behind the wheel. That’s close enough to pack in a full beach day and still roll back for a relaxed dinner at your cottage or campsite.
There’s just a small admission or suggested donation to the Sea Turtle Conservation Center. It’s an education center near the pier with indoor exhibits and a large saltwater sea turtle pool, which makes it a great stop on a hot afternoon with kids.
It does. Measuring 1,545 feet, the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier is the longest fishing pier in Florida. Walk-on passes are available if you just want the views, and fishing passes are sold on site for anglers.
Definitely, on a calm day. The Marine Sanctuary’s near-shore reef sits in shallow water off Navarre Beach Marine Park, so beginners and older kids can snorkel it with a basic mask and fins. Always check the surf and flag conditions before you head out.
For younger kids, pair an easy morning at Navarre Beach Marine Park with a cooler-weather stop at the Sea Turtle Conservation Center. Once you’re back, the resort’s heated pool and gentle lazy river are a hit with little ones, so you get beach time and resort time in a single trip.
It’s a great mild-weather escape. Winters near Navarre stay comfortable and quiet, which is why so many snowbirds settle in for the season, but the Gulf water is too cold for swimming, so plan on beach walks and sightseeing rather than a dip.
Plan your trip near Navarre
Book your stay with us in Milton and Navarre Beach sits only about 25 miles away, roughly a 25 to 35 minute drive: close enough for the Gulf, far enough for real peace and quiet. See what’s open and lock in your dates over on our specials and booking page, or give us a ring at (850) 600-8500 if you’d like a hand picking the right site or cottage. Trust us, this makes the perfect beach-trip basecamp.
