info@NavarreAreaRealEstate.com - Smart buyers and sellers use smart agents

Spotlight on Navarre Climate Area Attractions Shopping Malls Movie Theaters Golf Courses

The Florida Panhandle is a wonderful place to live.   You will find sugar-white beaches, the sparkling emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico, a year-round pleasant climate and friendly local residents.  The beaches here have  been rated the best in the nation for their cleanliness, safety and breathtaking beauty.  Navarre, long considered the last frontier for development, is coming into its own.  The 2000 census revealed a 44% increase in the county population over 10 years, currently 117,743.  Experts predict continued growth will bring the population to well over 250,000 within the next 15 to 20 years.  The community of Navarre currently has about 23,000 residents.  Many new businesses have opened up, resulting in less need to venture to outlying areas.  Situated just 20 miles from Interstate 10, it is about 25 miles east of Pensacola Regional Airport and 25 miles west of Okaloosa County Regional Airport (Fort Walton Beach). 

Navarre is both a residential and beach community, offering both new and existing homes, as well as vacation home opportunities, in a variety of neighborhoods.  More than 40 builders range from locally owned custom builders to nationally known community developers.  One of the largest communities in the entire area, Holley by the Sea, features a 48-acre park exclusively for home and lot owners.  There is a recreation and fitness center,  complete with 3 swimming pools, 8 tennis courts, basketball courts, a baseball field, game room, sauna and steam room.  The park includes a jogging trail, picnic pavilions, campsites, playground, fishing pier, private Soundside beach and a beach house which can be rented for parties or meetings. 

The new Navarre Beach State Park, currently under construction,  is being developed from the 130 acre, eastern portion of Navarre Beach that borders Eglin Air Force Base property.  Included in the overall construction are three covered pavilions, 15-20 picnic shelters, expanded parking facilities, 10 RV camp sites, a canoe launch, nature trails, dune walkovers, restrooms, showers and bike paths weaving throughout the park.  Also included is the construction of an artificial reef just offshore, enhancing opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving.  Navarre Beach's famous fishing pier is slated to be extended an additional 350 feet into the Gulf of Mexico.  Construction has begun on a marine sanctuary boardwalk that will extend over the water and offer portals to view the spectacular underwater world.  Trivia fact: Portions of the movie Jaws II were filmed at Navarre Beach. 

The Panhandle is home to 4 major military headquarters.  A large number of residents are employed by the military bases.  These include Hurlburt Field in Mary Esther, Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Naval Air Station Pensacola (the "Cradle of Naval Aviation") and Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, the largest military installation. 

Climate - Average air and water temperatures

Tropical Weather Terms

Tropical Depression - A cyclone with winds of less than 39 mph

Tropical Storm - Distinct rotary circulation, constant wind ranges from 39-73 mph

Hurricane - Pronounced rotary circulation, constant wind speed of 74 mph or more

Hurricane season is June 1 through November 30.  Navarre, after experiencing little intense tropical activity for around 30 years, received two direct hits in 1995 with Hurricane Opal in October, a category 3 storm, and Hurricane Erin in August, a category 1 storm.  

Time Zone - Central

Area Attractions

Gulf Islands National Seashore - Visitor Center: 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL  32561, (850) 934-2600;  The Gulf Islands National Seashore is a 150 mile long strip of barrier islands running from Mississippi to Florida.  Activities include camping, fishing, boating, swimming, wind surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving.

• Opal Beach Area - State Hwy. 399 on Santa Rosa Island; Open daily 8am-sunset.  Fee for day-use area.  Parking in designated beach lots only.
• Fort Pickens Area - State Hwy. 399 to Fort Pickens Road.  Open 7am-10pm 9midnight during Daylight Savings Time)  Fee for day use area and campground.
• Okaloosa Area - US Hwy. 98, a few miles west of Fort Walton Beach,  Open daily 8am-sunset.

Navarre Beach Fishing Pier - Open 7 days a week.  No fishing license required.   This popular pier extends out into the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  Fees for use at time of writing are $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 6-12, under 6 free.  $1 for just ambling along the pier.  8579 Gulf Boulevard.  (850) 936-6188.

The Butterfly House - From May 1 through Labor Day over 200 species of butterflies, including the Florida state butterfly, the Zebra Longwing, reside in this haven by the Santa Rosa Sound.  In addition to shipping them in from a butterfly farm in south Florida, the Butterfly House cultivates its own butterflies.  It is one of the few establishments that specializes in butterflies  and plants found mostly in this region.  Admission is free although donations are accepted to support the large number and variety of butterflies.  It is located on the Nature Walk just west of the Navarre Beach Bridge next to the Chamber of Commerce and is open daily (in season) from 11am-4pm. 

The Zoo - A 50 acre preserve with more than 700 animals surrounded by botanical gardens.  Open daily 9am-5pm (weather permitting), just 6 miles west of the Navarre Beach Bridge at 5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563  (850) 932-2229.

The Flea Market - Directly across from The Zoo, this open-air, fully covered flea market takes place every weekend, rain or shine.  Over 400 vendor booths featuring new and used items, imports and  novelties.

Gulf Breeze Fishing Bridge - Open to the public 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.  Tolls as of this writing are $2 per person, $1 per vehicle, children under 12 free.    1 Gulf Breeze Parkway. (850) 934-5147.

Indian Temple Mound Museum - Houses a fascinating collection of relics and artifacts from pre-historic Native American inhabitants of the local area.  139 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach.  (850) 833-9675

Blackwater River State Park - Santa Rosa County boasts the largest concentration of excellent canoeing rivers in the state.  Blackwater River State Park has one of the purest spring-fed, sand-bottom rivers in the country.  Beginning 45 upstream in Alabama, the river continues downstream for 13 miles before emptying into Blackwater Bay.  The park includes 590 acres for picnicing, swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing and camping.  Of the three prime float streams in the area, the Blackwater is the largest, the Coldwater is among the clearest and Sweetwater-Juniper is the most remote.  Open year round from 8am-sunset.  Located northeast of Navarre in Holt, FL. (850) 983-5363

Gulfarium - Offers live marine shows with dolphins, sea lions, otters, penguins and other sea creatures.  Features include a bottle-nose dolphin show, a multi-species show and huge underwater viewing panels that showcase eels, sharks and other sea life.  Shows run continuously from 10am-dusk.  Take Hwy. 98 east to Okaloosa Island.  (850) 244-5169

National Museum of Naval Aviation - Features the IMAX Theater.  Over 130 unique, beautifully restored aircraft represent Navy, Maine Corp and Coast Guard Aviation.   Open daily 9am-5pm, NAS Pensacola. (850) 453-6384

Fort Pickens - Along with the ruins of the pre-Civil War fort, the park offers camping, picnic areas, fishing, swimming, exhibits, nature trails, guided tours, a bookstore and museum.  Open 7am-10pm daily.  Visitor's center: (850) 934-2600 or 934-2635.

Pensacola Museum of Art - Presents 16 exhibits annually and sponsors workshops, lectures, tours and family days.  The Spanish Revival style building was once the old city jail, and original iron bars are now used to protect works of art.  407 Jefferson Street, Pensacola (850) 432-6247.

Pensacola Historical Museum - Highlights major themes in Pensacola's history, including Native American, maritime and military history and multi-cultural heritage.  115 E Zarragossa St., Pensacola.  (850) 433-1559.

Air Force Armament Museum - Impressive collection of historical artifacts tracing the heritage of the Air Commandos and Special Operations Forces from WWII to the present.  Open daily, closed on federal holidays.   (850) 882-4063 or 882-4062.

Shopping malls

Santa Rosa Mall - 300 Mary Esther Boulevard, Mary Esther;  Located  one block north of Hwy. 98, about 10 miles east of Navarre.   (850) 244-2172.

Cordova Mall - 5100 N. 9th Avenue, Pensacola; Located about 25 miles northwest of Navarre.   (850) 477-5563.

University Mall - 7171 North Davis Hwy., Pensacola; Located about 25 miles northwest of Navarre.  (850) 478-3600.

Movie Theaters

Breeze Cinemas - 1233 Crane Cove Blvd., Gulf Breeze; about 12 miles west of Navarre. (850) 934-3332

Sun Plaza IV Theaters - 427 Mary Esther Cutoff, Fort Walton Beach; Located about 12 miles east of  Navarre.  (850) 244-4252

Santa Rosa Cinema - behind Santa Rosa Mall on Mary Esther Boulevard; Located about 11 miles east of Navarre.   (850) 243-2135

University Mall Cinemas - 7171 North Davis Hwy, Pensacola; Located in University Mall area, about 25 miles northwest of Navarre.  (850) 477-9686.

Golf Courses

Hidden Creek - 3070 PGA Boulevard, Navarre; (850) 939-4604

Tiger Point East & West  - 1255 Country Club Rd., Gulf Breeze; (850) 932-1333

The Moors Golf & Lodging - 3220 Avalon Boulevard, Milton; (850) 995-4653

Scenic Hills - 8891 Burning Tree Road, Pensacola; (850) 476-0611

Bluewater Bay Resort - 1950 Bluewater Boulevard, Niceville; (850) 897-3613

Fort Walton Beach Golf Club - 1955 Lewis Turner Boulevard, Fort Walton Beach; (850) 833-9528

Indian Bayou - East Country Club Drive, Destin; (850) 837-6191

Island Golf Center - 1306 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach; (850) 244-1612

Kelly Plantation - 307 Kelly Plantation Drive, Destin; (850) 650-7600

Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club - 465 Regatta Bay Boulevard, Destin; (850) 650-7800

Shalimar Pointe - 302 Country Club Road, Shalimar; (850) 651-1416

Camp Creek Golf Club - 684 Fazioi Drive, Seacrest; (850) 231-7600

Emerald Bay Golf Club - 4781 Clubhouse Drive, Destin; (850) 837-5197

Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort - 9300 Emerald Coast Parkway, Sandestin; Baytown (850) 267-8155, Burnt Pine (850) 267-6500, Links (850) 267-8144, Raven (850) 267-8155

Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club - 334 Golf Club Drive, Santa Rosa Beach; (850) 267-2229

Seascape Resort & Beach Club - 100 Seascape Drive, Destin; (850) 837-9181

Back to top

Information for this report was from the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Council