Location: Pensacola Beach
Top Things to do in Pensacola Beach
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The 10 Best Things to do Good for Big Groups in Pensacola Beach, Florida (FL)
“Life’s a Beach” all right on Pensacola Beach where building sandcastles, body surfing and beachcombing are popular pastimes. Away from the sands, there are several don’t miss sights for the entire family, including the National Aviation Museum, which features 150 vintage aircraft, flight simulators and an IMAX Theatre, Fort Pickens, an historic military fort built in 1829, and the Pensacola Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse on the Gulf Coast and also the tallest, standing 151 feet tall on a 40 foot bluff. To immerse yourself in the history of Pensacola, stroll the historic village, a pedestrian-friendly area with furnished historic homes, unique museums and the Colonial Archeological Trail. For the white dimpled ball set, try teeing up at Lost Key Golf Club, a target golf set up designed by Arnold Palmer and Marcus Pointe Golf club, an Earl Stone design. Don’t forget, there’s also great deep-sea fishing and other water activities like sailing, kayaking, diving and snorkeling to be actively pursued on Pensacola Beach.
Restaurants in Pensacola Beach
1. Gulf Islands National Seashore
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,254 reviews
This 150-mile stretch of seashore, which runs from Cat Island in Mississippi to Santa Rosa Island in Florida, offers sparkling blue water and many beautiful beaches along the way.
Reviewed By GlennBrigan
Growing up in Pensacola and as an adult moving away I love and appreciate the beauty of the soft fluffy white sands of Santa Rosa Island when I get to return on a vacation. These beaches are the jewel of the Gulf of Mexico. Whether swimming in the gulf, walking along the shore collecting seashells, or exploring the historic past of Fort Pickens you will too love these beaches.
2. Chase-N-Fins
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 939 reviews
Come aboard Chase-N-Fins, a spacious 50 foot long Navy liberty ship that has been customized for relaxing scenic tours! On the two hour tour you will enjoy beautiful views from Pensacola Bay as we cruise the calm inland waters looking for dolphins. We stop along the way to view wild dolphins playing in their natural environment. Often, the naturally curious dolphins will swim right beside the boat! Our crew is well educated about the dolphins and will be happy to tell you about the dolphins as you watch them. In addition to dolphins, you will get a unique water view of local landmarks such as Ft. Pickens, Pensacola Lighthouse, and Naval Air Station Pensacola. Bathrooms are available on the boat. We offer water bottles for sale for $1.00 a bottle, and you are welcome to bring small coolers with drinks and snacks. (no glass please!) We also offer Blue Angels cruises and private tours!
3. Jolly Sailing & Dolphin Cruise
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 559 reviews
Choose your own adventure! Sailing, dolphin cruises, sightseeing tours, snorkeling, sunset cruises, private dinner cruises, custom adventure excursions. Our fleet includes JollyDayz, a classic 34' Pearson sailing yacht, Jolly'Ventures, a 26' powerboat tritoon, Jolly Mon, a 27' custom sailboat, all with daily cruises leaving from Sabine Marina; and Jolly Dolphin, a 42' 28 passenger power vessel, daily cruises departing from Pensacola Beach Marina. Private or shared trips. Plenty of seating in sun and shade. Safe, comfortable, and fun for all ages. Complimentary beverages (water and soda) included with all trips. Guests age 21+ may bring alcoholic beverages aboard. Use of snorkel gear, along with instruction, included with snorkeling tours. Special occasion trips such as party cruises, dinner cruises, wedding/rehearsal cruises, family reunions, church/civic/school groups, corporate excursions available. Come enjoy a memorable cruise with Jolly Sailing!
4. Island Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 19 reviews
Located in Pensacola Beach, FL, Island Tours offers 6 passenger power boat dolphin cruises. Tour activities include, but not limited to, dolphin encounters, sightseeing, snorkeling, beach-combing and sunset cruises. We ride along the Santa Rosa National Seashore by the historic Fort Pickens and the Pensacola Lighthouse. Cruises in the Gulf of Mexico are available if conditions are acceptable. We recommend making reservations to ensure your parties desired tour time.
5. Dolphin Express
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 210 reviews
Dolphin Express Charters is a family oriented cruise aboard our spacious 50' retired Navy Launch Vessle.Dolphin Express Charters specializes in daily Dolphin Tours but also offer Sunset Cruises private trips for holiday weekends special events and Blue Angel Shows.Dolphin Express is a family owned and operated business so call Captain Jeff Lacour to make your reservations.
6. The Shaka Bar
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 32 reviews
The Shaka Bar is located on Little Sabine Bay on Pensacola Beach. This local bar is the best little Tiki bar on Pensacola beach. Nothing fancy just cheap drinks, cool peeps and awesome sunsets. Come by and grab a cold one, play some cornhole and enjoy the Reggae music. Aloha. We also rent paddle boards right here on the water.
Reviewed By amberr359 - Pensacola, United States
This little tiki-style bar is tucked away behind Aloha Wine & Liquor on Pensacola Beach. Cheapest drinks around and opens at noon. Perfect for day drinking and watching the charter boats come in. Very friendly staff and you can even rent paddleboards here!
7. Lazy Days Beach Service
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 526 reviews
Lazy Days Beach Service offers Chairs, Umbrellas, Stand-Up Paddleboards, Kayaks & more! Located on Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach & Fort Walton Beach, FL. Rental rates: · Chairs + Umbrella: STARTING at $7/hr or $30/day* (*Ask about Multi-Day Deals!) · Stand-Up Paddleboards: $25/hr · Single Kayaks: $20/hr · Double Kayaks: $25/hr · 14' & 16' Hobie Sailboats: $65/hr Bike Cruisers: $30/day
Reviewed By Coachron1960
Went back to margaritaville beach resort again and once again had a great experience!! Logan D there again and took great care of us again!! Everyone so friendly and always willing to go the extra mile for you!!!!
8. Ho2 Pensacola Dolphin Tours, Pontoons & More!
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 95 reviews
Private and semi-private scenic bay & dolphin tours. Offering rentals for: Pontoon Boats and Tritoon Boats. Kid & Pet Friendly. Our goal is to provide safe, eco-friendly and fun entertainment to visiting guests and residents. View dolphins, marine life, birds and maybe even the US Navy Blue Angels.
9. Pensacola Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,178 reviews
Located on Santa Rosa Island, Pensacola Beach is a popular spot for family vacations.
Reviewed By rkmcgilla - Pensacola, United States
I live on the Bay between Pensacola and NAS and we take our grandkids there every time they visit. From the Pavilion at Pensacola Beach all the way to the West end of the island at Perdido Pass it is sugar white sand and beautiful water. Several restaurants, but our favorites over there is Flounders. In Pensacola McGuire’s is tops. The views on the drive are fantastic
10. Fort Pickens Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,907 reviews
Visitors can take a self-guided tour of this authentic fort active during the Civil War and later used as a jail to hold the infamous American Indian chief Geronimo.
Reviewed By edsel13304 - Barneveld, United States
This is a wonderful place to visit at the west end of Santa Rosa Island at the Gulf Shores National Seashore, You will find this historic old fort site very interesting if you are interested in Civil War history. It is a beautiful drive to get to it along the coast with stops along the drive to enjoy views of the Gulf of Mexico and Pensacola. The Fort is a very large and interesting to see what military forts were like in the Civil War era to protect the Pensacola bay/harbor.
