Welcome to Navarre and the Emerald Coast. We hope that from the first moment you cross the bridge to Navarre Beach, you’ll feel like are in one of the most beautiful spots on earth. With our sugar-white sandy beaches, translucent water, stunning sunsets and rich marine life, you have entered another world. The word “vacation” can have a different meaning to each person. To the woman on her feet all day, a vacation could mean a chair on the beach with a drink in her hand. To the man stuck in an office with no windows, a vacation could mean hiking national parks or participating in water sports. But to both, the call of the warm sun and cool breezes is an easy urge to answer. The Emerald Coast is filled with activities for the entire family and couples with varying interests. Besides award-winning beaches, visitors will find metropolitan attractions and nightlife in the surrounding cities of Destin and Pensacola. To the north, visitors will find a wealth of history and adventure. In your hands you have a guide to this hidden gem. Whether you wish to chart local treasures or navigate neighboring attractions, this guide is your map to Navarre and the Emerald Coast. So go ahead, make plans to explore the best beaches in the world, including the Gulf Islands National Seashore — one of only 10 national seashores. A seven-mile stretch of unspoiled beach lies just west of Navarre Beach. Take a drive along the narrow road, which bisects sandy beaches on both sides. Enjoy an afternoon of golf on the fairways and rolling hills of our golf courses. Bring your fishing gear and take advantage of one of the best fishing experiences on the Gulf of Mexico — the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier — or one of our many fishing charters. The pier, which is the longest in the Gulf, provides fishing and family fun as visitors cast their lines for grouper, redfish, Spanish and king mackerel and more. Wildlife watchers will also find plenty to see here, including shorebirds stalking up and down local beaches or scurrying for the tiny treats washed up by the surf. You might see dolphins or sea turtles, Monarch butterflies or American eagles. Occasionally, a manatee even swims through area waters. If you want to learn more about these creatures, visit Navarre Beach’s own Sea Turtle Conservation Center, artificial reefs and Marine Science Station. You can also visit the nearby Gulf Breeze Zoo which is home to more than 600 animals. Travel to the northern end of the county where Blackwater River State Park awaits you with its cool, refreshing tannin-stained waters. You can float or paddle through 600 acres of undisturbed nature and then visit the nearby city of Milton, which is one of the oldest in the area. Summertime in Navarre is second to none. Culture and community collide every week at Tunes by the Dunes at Navarre Beach. Enjoy live, local music and the backdrop of the breathtaking Gulf of Mexico. Bring your lawn chairs, coolers and your children and join locals in this popular Navarre tradition. Please check the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s website for dates and times as they might change. Visitors come to Navarre Beach and Emerald Coast year-round for everything from swimming and snorkeling to shelling and scuba diving. October is often said to be the most beautiful month to visit our beaches. Join the Navarre Fishing Rodeo the first weekend of October or the “Run for the Reef” the second weekend of October. Residents and guests alike can brave the cooler waters during the annual Penguin Plunge on New Year’s Day. Mardi Gras on Navarre Beach always serves up something fun, usually in the form of a parade. Hungry for more? Look no further than our own restaurants. The Emerald Coast is home to a variety of eateries featuring everything from fresh-from-the-Gulf seafood to exotic delicacies and the basic American cuisine as well. From the quiet coastal waters that have become our hallmark to the rich history that continues to shape our future, Navarre welcomes each visitor as a part of the community. Whether you’ve made memories here before or you want to discover Florida’s most relaxing place for the first time, we invite you to sit down, relax and stay awhile. We’re not just a stop along the way. We are the destination.