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    Fort Pickens Beach

    4.9 (16 reviews)

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    Michelle A.

    Very cool place. Would recommend for all. Beautiful and full of history! Very neat place.

    Gorgeous Beach and water!
    Kelly S.

    In my opinion this is the best beach in Pensacola! It is a long walk to the beach from your car but it is worth it. There is hardly anyone ever on this beach. I've been in both the summer and fall and it the same way. We see dolphins, sharks, stingray (out past the sandbars) and there are sometimes jellyfish but those could be anywhere. We also see lots of ghost crabs and are able to find decent shells.

    Beach
    Jessica T.

    We heard there was a fee to get to Fort Pickens Beach. So I stopped about 10 miles before for one of many free access parking lots. SO GORGEOUS!! We got there around 9am...not many people there. stayed for about 4 hours...the beach did fill up, but it was fine. Beautiful white sand and breathtaking emerald water. Kids (6 & 3) swam in the waves. We have been to beaches that I was nervous about letting the kids play bcs the waves were too aggressive for my liking, but here was fine. Honestly this is our new favorite beach destination. Exactly what we wanted for our vacation. I will be coming back many times!!

    Fort Pickens Beach

    Beautiful Beach just down from Pensacola Beach...a few less beach goers, sugar white sand and gorgeous turquoise gulf water!

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    4 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    We love the secluded beaches. The emerald water and white squeaky sounds are stunning!

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Gorgeous beach. Very clean with white powder sand and crystal clear water. Just watch out for jellyfish. Plenty of parking in the area.

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    Ask the Community - Fort Pickens Beach

    Review Highlights - Fort Pickens Beach

    Not a lot of people use this end of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, there is a unspoiled beauty about it.

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    Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier

    Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier

    4.1
    (35 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier is the pinnacle of Pensacola. If you want the real Gulf Coast experience,…read morethis is the spot. The pier stretches about 1,471 feet out into the Gulf, and the water is so clear you can see straight down like you're looking through glass. Schools of fish cruise by, anglers line the rails pulling up mackerel and pompano, and every once in a while you'll see something bigger glide through the blue. I've seen rays, sharks, and more fish than I could count swimming right below my feet. It feels like standing above a living aquarium. The original pier here dates back to the 1930s, but the modern one was rebuilt stronger in 1998 after storms took the earlier versions. Today it draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, and it's easy to see why. The beach is bright white, the water is emerald green, and the whole place has that laid-back Gulf magic. Walk the boards, feel the breeze, Watch the Gulf roll with ease, Fish below and sky above, Simple place you can't help but love. For me, this pier wasn't just a stop it was the highlight of the whole trip.

    Yes, you need to pay to walk the pier. $2.25 per person. Seven dollars if you plan on fishing. Tons…read moreof people fishing off the pier. Lots of strict fishing rules so the pier didn't smell fishy and it was very clean. A fun walk to the end and back. The view of the beach is great.

    Photos
    Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier
    Fishing is everywhere for everyone
    Fishing is everywhere for everyone
    Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier

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    Premier Dolphin Cruise

    Premier Dolphin Cruise

    3.9
    (31 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    (May 22, 2024) I highly recommend this 2 hours dolphin and…read morebay cruise excursion. If you're staying on Pensacola Beach, it's a super easy drive and park situation. Park near Felix's restaurant and enter downstairs under Felix's. There is a little ramp that takes you to the bay side where you catch the boat. No signs mark the area, but you will see others waiting in the area. These are most likely your fellow boaters. They suggest you arrive 45 minutes prior to departure. Our tour was scheduled for 10:00 AM; we arrived at 9:20 AM. The wait is easy with the beautiful scenery are lovely breeze. There are tables and chairs to sit at while waiting. The boat came out of the bay to get us, so don't be surprised if you don't see a boat when you first arrive. You will walk in the sand for a short distance before taking the pier to get onto the boat. A gentleman will take your last name that you made the reservations under, so you don't need tickets to show the reservation. The guys can help you on the boat if needed. The boat is a double decker. The lower area is shaded with large 3-3-1/2' port type widows which are open for a great breeze and maximum viewing. The captain will briefly go over safety instructions and what to do in case of an emergency. This is standard procedure on any chartered vessel. Don't be late! We had a group of 4 board at the last minute so all the instructions they missed had to be restated. Very annoying and rude, so don't be THAT person/group. You must stay seated while leaving the pier, but after you leave, you are free to roam the vessel. All seats are around the perimeter of the boat and each side of the boat has 7 windows. There's plenty of room for viewing. The captain does a great job of turning the boat so everyone gets to see the dolphins no matter which side you are seated. They sell canned sodas, bottles water and chips; no alcohol. There are plenty of grab bars to steady yourself once the boat gets going. It was a very smooth ride. Even when fishing boats went by us and created wake, we didn't feel much at all. I don't think anyone would have trouble with sea sickness. There is plenty of room for strollers, adult walkers, etc. No restrictions on purses. Several people had diaper bags for the kids and backpacks. There is a restroom onboard. We saw several pods of dolphin. It was a so neat how they come very close to the boat. Dylan/Dillion, of the boat hands, was so good at engaging with our group. Though he is young (born in 2001), he has been in Pensacola all his life and is very knowledgeable about the dolphins and the history of Pensacola. He was a pleasure to meet. After the dolphin viewing we took a cruise around the entire bay. We saw Ft. Pickens, the haunted lighthouse, million dollar homes, the military base area and so much more. I wasn't expecting the cruise to be as much fun as the dolphin viewing. They played reggae music while we cruised. I'm so glad we decided to do this tour! We were returned to the same area we left originally. For only $30 (plus taxes/fees and not including cancellation insurance you can add), this was a great deal! The vessel staff work for tips, so please remember to take care of them.

    Great Experience. Little confusing finding the dock where we board. Had a great time. Saw plenty of…read moredolphins. Crew were super laid back and chil. I would recommend.

    Photos
    Dolphin watch
    Dolphin watch
    Blue Angels Cruise
    Blue Angels Cruise
    Dolphin Watch

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    Dolphin Watch
    Frisky Mermaid Dolphin Cruises & Pontoon Boat Rentals

    Frisky Mermaid Dolphin Cruises & Pontoon Boat Rentals

    4.9
    (64 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    We have been on a variety of dolphin tours in various places along the Gulf of Mexico and the…read moreAtlantic Ocean, but NONE of them compares to this one!! We did the 1.5 to 2 hour Sunset Dolphin Cruise and had an absolute blast!! It was unbelievable how many dolphins we saw out in the bay! Five of them even swam with the boat when we were heading back!! We saw three jump out of the water and flip in the air! It was honestly like we were watching a movie instead of seeing it in real-life!! The sunset over the water was gorgeous as well!! I simply can't say enough about this cruise!! I very, very highly recommend!!! **Tips** ~ Reserve your spot online on their website to be sure the cruise/tour you are wanting to take doesn't fill up. ~ Bring some cash or your credit/debit card as there is an onboard snack bar. ~ There is a bathroom onboard, but it's similar to a porta-toilet, so you might want to make sure you use the restroom before boarding. ~ There is a Coast Guard-certified lady who shows everyone how to put on, fasten, tighten, and take off the life vests, as well as telling everyone where they are located onboard, if needed. Not every dolphin tour has life vests (we have taken a couple in the past that didn't), so this is important and just another positive about this company!

    Very disappointed, boarded the boat that I was reserved with, then was told that it was a private…read moreBooking. The Thompson's . They went out but we did not on the back up boat. We went upstairs to have dinner at Shaggy's and that was even more disappointing. Skies cleared and it was obvious that the private boat was more important . Stopped here on purpose for the great revues. Makes me so sad. Please do better! We live close enough and are asked for recommendations . I understand that safety is imperative. But when other ships sailed and we didn't.......

    Photos
    Beautiful weather..shaded up top!
    Beautiful weather..shaded up top!
    Cruising
    Cruising
    Frisky Mermaid Dolphin Cruises & Pontoon Boat Rentals

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    Fort Pickens Beach - beaches - Updated August 2026

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