Beautiful and Peaceful (Navarre Beach) Florida

We stumbled upon Navarre Beach by accident.  We were looking for a place to stop for the night on a trip to the Florida Keys. I am one of those people who believes that flying somewhere is like reading the first and last page of a book. Driving road trips are what I love. My trip planning involves “wonder what there is to see between here and there”. So, on this particular trip, Navarre Beach looked interesting and lodging was fairly cheap.

I was really shocked by the beauty and peacefulness of the area. It was afternoon and cloudy when we arrived at the hotel. My mother and I dropped our bags off and hit the bridge to the beach to check it out.

Sugary white sand, emerald green water, and very few people is what we found. This place was perfect!

We walked along the beach to the fishing pier. Past the pier, we could see rows of condos lining the beach. Up towards the parking area, some teens were playing volleyball. Upbeat music coming from the restaurant set the perfect beach vibe. We had found a paradise!

Navarre Beach is located about 17 miles west of Pensacola Beach on Gulf Boulevard.

The pier there is 1,545 feet long (the longest in Florida) and stands 30 feet above the water. A shop, attached to the pier, rents fishing poles and sells bait and tackle.

Best Western Navarre Waterfront is where we usually stay. It runs less than $100 a night and is clean.

Address: 

8697 Navarre Pkwy

Navarre, FL 32566

We usually prefer to stay right on the beach, but the views across the bay are amazing from the Best Western!

We have been back to Navarre beach several times since our first visit. We continue to love it just as much. It remains one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in the Florida Panhandle.

Happy Travels! 

Fort De Soto Park (St. Petersburg) Florida

Fort De Soto park is located on the gulf coast of Florida, just few miles south of St. Petersburg. It is 1,136 acres over five interconnected islands (keys). All of these keys are connected by bridge or causeway.

The park is home to a variety of plants, trees, birds, and other wildlife. It offers many activities among its natural landscape.

But let’s just face it, I in it mainly for the beach!  With around three miles of sugar white sand beach, it’s perfect in my eyes!

North Beach has been “America’s top beach” and “The nation’s #1 beach” by Tripadvisor and Dr. Beach is the past. There is no question why when you set foot on it!

 North Beach on the gulf side and East Beach on the channel leading into Tampa Bay are the two main beaches. There is a dog park with a small beach in between the two. 

The beaches are usually a good place for shelling. The area behind the fort has been the best area to find shells.

When you are ready for a break from the sun, head over to the 1898 fort for a self-guided tour. Information about the fort is available at the fort and park headquarters.

 Be sure to walk upon the top of the fort for one of the best views in the park!

Walking or Hiking Trails

Multipurpose Trail - A seven-mile paved trail connects North Beach, East

Beach, the boat ramp, and the camping area. The perfect place for hiking or bike riding.

Barrier-Free Nature Trail - A 2,200-foot wheelchair-accessible trail with six auditory

interpretive stations for the visually impaired.

Fishing  

Two fishing piers - 1,000-foot Gulf Pier and 500-foot Bay Pier

Bait, tackle, and food concessions are available at both.

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Boat Ramp - 800-foot boat launching facility with eleven floating docks. 

The park's natural ecosystems include more than 328 species of birds.

If you are in to canoeing, there is a 2.25-mile canoe trail through mangroves that looks like it would be fun. Canoe rentals are available within the park.  

Other Helpful Information

Go early in the morning if it’s a weekend. It can get a little crowded and noisy as the day go on. We went early in the morning and pretty much had the beach to ourselves. Before we left, large groups of people had come in to grill for lunch and some were playing loud music.

A $5 parking fee is collected at the entrance station approximately one mile into the park.

Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, St. Petersburg, FL 3371

Happy Travels!