Bahia Honda State Park Post-Hurricane Irma (2019): A Look at the Aftermath

This was our first trip to the Florida Keys since hurricane Irma. Driving though, it looks like the middle keys were hit the hardest. The Key Largo (upper) and the Key West (lower) ends do not appear to have had much damage and look the same as on our previous trips.

 Islamorida (the Middle area) has done an amazing job on restoring and rebuilding, but the palm trees and tropical foliage are gone.

 Bahia Honda has always had the most beautiful beach areas in the Florida Keys and we were going there to do a photoshoot. We were sad to see that most of the park was closed and that the Hurricane had hit it hard. All the beautiful palm trees were gone. Regardless.... It was still beautiful and we had fun with the photoshoot anyway.

* Post from previous trips if you want to see more before the hurricane.
https://www.livelifebehappytravel.com/2017/01/bahia-honda-state-park-florida-keys.html

Happy Travels!

Discovering the Charm and Luxury of Alys Beach, Florida

Want to feel like you are on an island in Greece without leaving the United States? I have the perfect spot for you!  Alys Beach, located in the Florida Panhandle, reminds me of Santorini in Greece.

The beach town of Alys Beach feels like a world away. The white stucco architecture and stone walkways are stunning! The fact that it has beautiful white sand beaches and clear emerald water makes it a perfect!

Alys Beach is more of a residential area, so lodging is limited to vacation rentals.

We recommend checking out George's for dinning. Their seafood dishes are amazing!

Alys Beach is located:

24 miles (40 minute drive) from Panama City
32 miles (50 minute drive) from Destin
115 miles ( 2 hour drive) from Pensacola

Address:  30 Castle Harbour Dr, Alys Beach, FL 32461


Happy Travels! 

Navarre Beach, Florida: A Hidden Gem on the Gulf Coast

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! 

Unveiling the Best Activities in Pensacola, Florida: A Comprehensive Guide

Pensacola is a favorite beach vacation destination for many families for good reason. I have never had a vacation strictly to Pensacola, but rather use it as a stop over point for trips father down into Florida. We usually wind up spending a day there on the way down and then stop again on the way back home. I find it to be more of a peaceful laid-back beach town than a busy party place. It gets a little crowded in the middle of Pensacola beach area, but go out a mile or so in either direction and you get to enjoy solitude.

Check out some of our favorite adventures below!

The Beaches

Pensacola Beach is popular for its sugar-white sand beaches and emerald-green waters. In fact, the beaches in the Pensacola area rank as some of the top beaches in the United States. Navarre Beach is my favorite and is usually lively without being crowded. Fort Picken is the place to go if you want miles of beach all to yourself.

Fort Pickens

This 1834 pentagonal historic United States military fort is located at the west end of Santa Rosa Island. It is named after American Revolutionary War hero Andrew Pickens.

After visiting the fort, enjoy some of the 10 miles of gulf and bay beaches leading to the fort. It's also one of the few places in the Pensacola area to find seashells. 

Address:

1400 Fort Pickens Rd, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561

Hours:

8:30 am - 6 pm   daily

Admission:

$20 per vehicle

Big Lagoon State Park

This Park is a 705-acre located on the northern shore of Big Lagoon, which separates the mainland from Perdido Key and the Gulf of Mexico. Activities such as bird watching, swimming, fishing, canoeing, and hiking are available. Strolling the long boardwalk and crabbing in the shallow waters of Big Lagoon are some favorite activities. Be sure to walk up the observation tower for a view of this amazing park!

Hours:

8am to 6pm daily

Admission:

$5.00 - $10.00 per vehicle, depends on number of occupants

Address:

12301 Gulf Beach Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32507

Pensacola Lighthouse

This 1859 lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  A climb (177 steps) to the top will reward you with one of the most beautiful views on the Gulf Coast. It is located on an active military base (Naval Air Station Pensacola), so you will need to show proper identification for yourself as well as any other passengers who are 18 or older at the check point.

Admission:

Adults $7.00

Children 12 and under $4.00

Seniors 65+ $4.00

Military $4.00

Hours:

9:00am–5:00pm Daily

Address:

2081 Radford Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32508

Snorkeling

Pensacola Bay Snorkel Reef (Escambia County Bay Snorkel Reef)

• Located approximately 50 ft. off shore in Park West, just before the entrance of Fort Pickens. Great for beginner snorkeler.

Pensacola Beach Reef

• The reef is located 500 ft. off shore in Park East and attracts a wide variety of marine life.

Gulf Breeze Zoo

The zoo is small, but has a nice variety of animals and it is a fun way to spend a few hours.

Hours:

9 am – 4 pm daily

Admission:

Adult (13-64)      $20.95

 Senior (65+)      $19.95

 Children (2-12) $16.95

 Under 2               FREE

Address:

5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

Historic Downtown Village

Located close to the Pensacola Bay, the Historic Pensacola Village consist of 27 properties in the National Register Historic District. Eleven of these properties are open for tours.

Hours:

Tuesday – Saturday       10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Admission:

Adults   $8

Seniors 65+, Active Military & Dependents           $7

Children (3-14)  $4

Address:

120 Church Street, Pensacola, FL 32502

Happy Travels! 

Ship Island, Mississippi: Discovering a Hidden Gem on the Gulf Coast

A small piece of paradise lies in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 11 miles off the coast of Mississippi. West Ship Island is an undeveloped barrier island featuring white sandy beaches and stunning blue-green waters. The island can only be accessed via ferry or private boat.

The ferry service to the island is operated by Ship Island Excursions from Gulfport, and the 50-minute ride is enjoyable, often including dolphin sightings and seagull feeding

Fort Massachusetts, constructed after the War of 1812, is situated on the island and was operational until 1903. Visitors can opt for guided tours or explore the fort independently.

Personally, I adore this island because it provides a sense of isolation. The ferry service has limited passenger capacity, and most people tend to stay near the main beach area, leaving the rest of the island relatively empty. A brief stroll away from the main area will give you the sensation of being alone on an island.

Tips on what to bring and wear

Ship Island Ferry

Address:

1040 23rd Ave, Gulfport, MS 39501

Cost:

Adult Round Trip              $29.00

Children (Age 3 -10)        $19.00

Senior (Age 62+)              $27.00

Military (Active I.D.)        $27.00

Schedule varies according to the season. Check here.

Enjoy you visit!

Discovering the Hidden Gem of Florida: Caladesi Island State Park

With 3 miles of untouched white sandy beaches, it’s easy to see why Caladesi Island consistently ranks as one of America’s top beaches.  It’s a great place for shelling, hiking the trails, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or just lying on the beach.

The island is accessible by only by private boat, ferry, or a mile long walk from Clearwater beach.

The Caladesi Island Ferry is located within the Honeymoon Island State park. You will pay an entry fee for the park and then another fee for the ferry.

The ferry will dock on the bay side and then you will take about a 10 minute walk to the beach.

We took the ferry, but I have been told that you can walk from Clearwater Beach. It is about a mile north of Pier 60.

The Bay side

Tips for the trip:

1. Take a bag for all of your beach treasures. You can find a variety of shells, starfish, sea urchins, sand dollars, coral, and sponges.
2. Go early in the morning to get the best shells.
3. There is a store on the island to get food, drinks, and other things you may need, but it is quite a walk from the beach area. I would suggest carrying your own food and drink or purchase something from the store before heading to the beach.

Happy Travels!