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    Pensacola Beach

    4.7 (197 reviews)

    Pensacola Beach Photos

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    Waves was very active
    Ranell B.

    "The wind was snatching edges, the waves were showing off, and the air? Crisp enough to reset your whole attitude. Nature did not come to play!"

    Pensacola Beach!
    Cheri Y.

    LOVE Pirate'cola beach! Only in the off season, blimey, only in the off season! Aaaarrrrgggghhhh! In the Summertime, too many bloody landlubbers, sea dogs & winches haulin all their little swashbuckler lass kinfolk out to the briney deep to harden up their little pickaroon sea legs! Arrr! Soon as the briney deep is warm as a crack in Jenny's teacup, they descend on Pirate'cola beach like a pack of bloody carouser thieves! Aaaarrrrgggghhhh! Aye, scallywags, the lot of them. No place to lay anchor! (Parking is a nightmare) Haul wind towards Navarre or set sail for Fort Pickens beach! (Go a little East or west) Aye, less peasants to the east! Aye, less peasants to the west! Less the piracy & plunder of your treasure chest! Hoist the mizzen helmsman! "Aye aye, Captian!" Set sail for the National Seashore, rollin thunder on seas as blue as a summer high noon sky, sands as white as the whites in Jack Tar eyes, that bloody scourge of the 7 Seas. Aye, down the coast a bit, you will find yourself Marooned! Arrr! Aye, aye captian, no bloody bumble grog, seafare or fine dining off the beaten path only smooth peaceful sailing like on a quite dead calm sea under the stars alone. Aaaaa! Aye, only during winter, fall, make haste, me hearties, to this stretch of beach & sea! Pirate'cola beach is best to lay anchor in the cold of winter. Dead men tell no tales. Highly recommend off season.

    Karen 2.

    sand is white. water is clear and great. note there are jellyfish or sumn stinging in there.

    April J.

    Nice white sand! Get here about 10am on a Saturday and it's not wicked crowded. FREE beach parking & plentiful. Park to the right of the Sand Crab Bar. The blue beach umbrellas on the beach (2 chairs each) are $40 for the day and you can pay with a card, once the beach staff gets to you. Leave non-pilferable items in the chair and come and go all day. Don't worry. The staff will come to get their money. Lol. Chairs are first come, first grab also. Plenty of showers to rinse sand off. Public bathrooms and bars. What else do you need! People are mature & nice. Enjoy!

    Hanna L.

    Such a beautiful beach! I had heard nothing but great things about Pensacola and that's what I look forward to while on vacation. The sand and the water were beautiful and the people were friendly. The fact that it's closer to our home state of Tennessee than other beach towns means we'll definitely be back to vacation in the future. Thanks, Pensacola!

    Pensacola Beach
    Ginger G.

    I just love this beach. First timer here but was greeted by some locals and were even kind enough to share their shade under their umbrella. On the particular day I was at the beach there were nice cross winds which made it a little cool even though it was after 5pm. The water is absolutely gorgeous. It was clear and there was no seaweed on the beach. It was obvious that school was back in session as there were very few children there. Either way it was a beautiful day at the beach and the white sand was beautiful and sugary. I had gone hoping to catch the sunset but at this particular beach the sunset really can't be seen. Note: There are no fees to enter and they gave a huge parking lot where parking is free. Seriously it's a great place whatever your age. There are several restaurants nearby and a nice peer if fishing is your thing.

    We'll be docking here to watch the full dress rehearsal of the Blue Angels airshow this weekend.
    Barrett O.

    We go to Pensacola Beach regularly, not for beach sitting so much but for the restaurants and entertainment and to watch the Blue Angels. My faves are Flounder's Chowder House and Paradise Bar & Grill. Pensacola Beach, FL has a long history with the current theory being that barrier islands were formed about 18,000 years ago when the last Ice Age ended. As the glaciers melted and receded the sea levels began to rise which flooded areas behind beach ridges. However the first bridges linking Pensacola to Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach opened in 1931. Before then, the only way to reach the island was by boat. As far as America is concerned some claim that Pensacola is America's oldest city, based on a discovery by researchers at the University of West Florida in Pensacola who say they proved Spanish Explorer Tristan de Luna established his Spanish colony of Pensacola in 1559. Some more interesting history is that Pensacola Beach used to called Casino Beach. That is because im 1929, the federal government sold Santa Rosa Island to Escambia County for just $10,000 and it got that nameafter The Casino Resort opened its doors in the summer of 1931. It was one of the first tourist retreats on the island and flourished from the 1930's to the 1950's. Pensacola Beach is a resort community on the Gulf Coast barrier of the island with white sandy beaches that include Opal Beach, part of Gulf Islands National Seashore. Pensacola Beach Boardwalk has shops, eateries and, nearby, the Pensacola Beach Pier stretches into the Gulf of Mexico. It's bordered to the south by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Santa Rosa Sound and Pensacola Bay, and to the east and west by the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and occupies nearly eight miles of the 40-mile-long Santa Rosa island. Another Pensacola Beach must-see is Fort Pickens, in the Gulf Islands National Seashore, it's one of only four forts never to be occupied by Confederate troops during the Civil War. Bottom line: With and average of 325 days of sunshine each year with crystal clear waters and miles of white sand beaches plus great recreation choices and restaurants, what not too like. Recommended!! https://pensacolabeach.com/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1617344195240429/

    Pensacola Beach
    Quinton S.

    Relaxing, refreshing and good for the soul. I was headed back to hotel and made a detour into the parking lot to stick my toes in the water for 5mins. I'm glad I did. My mother and grandmother were right, saltwater foxes EVERYTHING!!

    I don't think this fish is going to make it.
    Bruce B.

    Sometimes, not all things are better in Texas. Take, for instance, our beaches. I hate to say it, but there is no beach in Texas that can compare to Pensacola Beach. Not even close. P'Cola Beach has by far THE BEST BEACH SAND I have ever encountered.

    Andrea S.

    Great beach, warm water. Plenty of lifeguards. No pets allowed but we saw a lady with a cat dipping it in the ocean....ok? The sand is fine, like sugar. Bring plenty of sunscreen, and an umbrella. A lot of gas stations & stores sell them. I dont think you can bring a dog here, the beaches are heavily patrolled, very safe, but I took my dog the the Pensacola Beach West Dog Beach only 2 miles away.

    Seaweed bits
    Andrew B.

    For 4 days the ocean has looked like it has an oil slick or is hosting the Boston Tea Party. The water by the beach is black. This is due to a massive amount of sea weed that stretches for miles along the panhandle. We tried to drive to another beach 15 miles down the road and it was the same. The seaweed is broken into bits so even areas where the water is less dark, the bits are ever present. Also in the seaweed are jelly fish and broken tiny floating jellyfish tentacles. I did enjoy floating in the water and being stung in the neck by the jellyfish tentacles. It's like being bit by a mosquito. The dining options for breakfast are close to zero. There are 10 or so bars for getting gooned up at. So all these factors result in a grade of D-

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Pensacola Beach

    Can we do cookout?

    No, BBQ's, grills, bonfires not allowed. Maybe you could tailgate in the parking lot?

    Do people swim at the time of year (late March) or is the water still very cold? It wouldn't be too cold for me, I'm sure but I'm curious.

    Depends on the year and how cold our winter was. This year, the water is still pretty cold. It was about 65-70 degrees when I went out there last week

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Pensacola Beach

    We have beautiful white sand and fairly clear water that's usually free of kelp, seaweed and icky goop.

    Mentioned in 33 reviews

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    Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier - "The Pensacola Pier" on Pensacola Beach.

    Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier

    4.1(35 reviews)
    0.3 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
    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 1 top deck

    Premier Dolphin Cruise

    3.9(31 reviews)
    0.3 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
    Premier Dolphin Cruise - Dolphin watch

    Dolphin watch

    Premier Dolphin Cruise - Blue Angels Cruise

    Blue Angels Cruise

    Premier Dolphin Cruise - Dolphin Watch

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    Dolphin Watch

    BeachBumBB - Emerald Isle #201 "Emerald Gem"

    BeachBumBB

    2.3(7 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    I booked a condo through vrbo by Beach Bum for a total of $2291.36. I paid the deposit and vrbo…read morefees, received confirmation and even had a conversation with Lila. The next day I asked about adding an additional day. I then received a call from Stephanie stating the advertised and agreed upon rates are incorrect, the booking has been cancelled, and the new rate is $4772.15! Oh, but they will take $100 off for the mishap. Don't book with them, they don't hold up their end of an agreed upon contract.

    I have been a customer with Beach Bum for years and have stayed in numerous properties and my…read moreextended family has as well. This particular year, I had a reservation with them, and my 17-year old daughter was hospitalized a few days prior to my check in (UNEXPECTANTLY). I notified them and made them aware of the situation and that her doctors did not authorize her for travel upon her release from the hospital. Stephanie said, well, that's too bad, you should have gotten trip insurance because we cannot refund your payment or push your reservation to another time. SO, if you are considering EVER using this company, know that they will NOT give you a refund of 100%....it will be 50%, doesn't even matter if it is for a DEATH in your family. They just do not care why OR about you. So, do not book with this company unless, a.) you get trip insurance OR b.) you have so much money that you don't care that you lose thousands of dollars. Note: At no point during the booking process was travel insurance mentioned, offered, or recommended--something that could have made a significant difference in how this was handled. Only after I requested a change due to my daughter's hospitalization was insurance brought up, which felt reactionary rather than proactive.

    Photos
    BeachBumBB - Beach Club #1906 "Paradise Found"

    Beach Club #1906 "Paradise Found"

    BeachBumBB - Beach Club #1906 "Paradise Found"

    Beach Club #1906 "Paradise Found"

    BeachBumBB - Beach Club #1101 "Heron's Hideaway"

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    Beach Club #1101 "Heron's Hideaway"

    Pensacola Beach - beaches - Updated September 2026

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