Gulf Islands National Seashore

1801 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563, USA

Address:	1801 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563, USA
Phone:	+1 850-934-2600
Site:	nps.gov
Rating:	4.8

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 10

Steve Markos

I am a writer and photographer for National Park Planner and I visited the Florida Unit of the Gulf Islands National Seashore in April 2015. The Florida unit consists of six different areas. Unlike the Mississippi unit where access to all islands in the park requires a boat, here at the Florida unit the two islands, Perdido Key and Santa Rosa Island, are accessible by vehicle thanks to bridges connecting them to the mainland. Four sections of the park are located on these islands—Johnson Beach on Perdido Key, the forts and beaches of Fort Pickens, and the beaches at the Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Areas. The other two sections are located on the mainland. Fort Barrancas lies within the Pensacola Naval Air Station and Naval Live Oaks is near Gulf Breeze, Florida. Perdido Key is mainly a recreational area with a lifeguarded beach and opportunities for kayaking and canoeing in Big Lagoon. This is also the only place in the Florida unit where backcountry camping on the beach is allowed. At the far east end of the island is a World War II-era battery. The Fort Pickens Area offers opportunities for those interested in both recreation and history. Fort Pickens has the largest collection of 1800s forts and batteries open to the public of any of the National Parks (San Francisco’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area has many as well, but most were built in the early 1900s). The area also hosts the only developed campground, plus there plenty of places to picnic and approximately fifteen miles of Gulf and Pensacola Bay beaches to enjoy. The Santa Rosa Area is an undeveloped stretch of beach situated between Pensacola and Navarre Beaches. Opal Beach has covered picnic pavilions, restrooms, and outdoor showers on both the Gulf and the Santa Rosa Sound-side of the island. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer on the Gulf-side beaches. The Okaloosa Area is a small beach located near Fort Walton. It is the least developed area of the park, offering only bay-side swimming, a restroom, and a few picnic tables. Naval Live Oaks is located on the mainland. Here you will find the park’s main visitor center plus an extensive network of hiking trails. There is a picnic area with a covered pavilion. Swimming in both Santa Rosa Sound and Pensacola Bay is also possible. The Fort Barrancas Area is located within Pensacola Naval Air Station and features historical attractions only. Fort Barrancas is open daily to visitors, and Advanced Redoubt, another fort further down the road, is open during guided tours. There are also two short nature trails and a few picnic tables. For complete information on visiting Gulf Islands National Seashore, visit National Park Planner (npplan).

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The Naval Live Oaks area is great for families with young kids and toddlers because it is not generally crowded and the water is very shallow and calm since it is on the sound side behind Pensacola Beach. There are also a lot of fiddler crabs kids catch (and release) as well as weathered tree stumps kids can climb over and around. Parents of active kids dont have to worry about their kids getting lost in the crowds or drowning since the area is a giant sandbar. It is free to visit with bathrooms and outdoor showers, and parking was a breeze. This is not, however, the best beach for adults or anyone wanting a true Emerald Coast beach experience. There is not much of a beach area to lay out on or play beach games. The water is an unappealing brownish color due to large amounts of seaweed in the water, and there are no waves to play in. There is also a lot of dried seaweed on the beach and the wooded area leading to the beach is loaded with very aggressive mosquitos around sunset.

Rick Nipper

This is one of the most beautiful beach areas Ive seen. I almost hate to write a review about it because I dont want everyone to know. This stretch of beach has been wisely protected by the national park system. There is no commercial building on either the beach or the sound side of the road through this park. The sand is white. The water is clear and green if you catch it on the right day. There are several parking areas. Some have restrooms and pavilions with picnic tables. Some do not. Sometimes the parking areas are crowded. You are not allowed to walk freely through the dunes because they are protected. If you are looking for vendors and shops right at the beach, this would not be the place to go.

Emily Wilson

Beautiful emerald water and beaches are nice with sugary white sand. There is some trash around in the sand and some in the water but not in huge amounts. They do a good job roping off the areas where endangered birds are nesting so people dont wander into their nests. Theres not alot of sea life, at least that we could see from the beach and shallow waters. There also arent very many bathroom facilities. In fact I only remember one, about halfway down the beach road. It is nice with bathrooms and showers, but theres just that one. They do have some port-a-johns at most of the pull outs/parking areas. The beaches get progressively more crowded the closer you get to Pensacola.

Joseph Eisensee

If your visiting for the day there is an entrance fee. Its well worth it. There is also an annual pass available. The beach are septacular and the facilities are very clean. The fort is open to walk through on most days. The pier on the north shore always has fishermen on it. If your camping, the campground is well maintained and the bathrooms are bread new with eco-friendly gadgets. The bathroom and showers are seperate. The campground is located about 1 mile from the fort and has a gravel path that takes you right to it from the campground. This is my favorite place to camp.

Garrett Edwards

Naval Live Oaks has a great history. All ships in the day were built on the sound side in front of this stretch of land. The live oak trees were great trees for using with ship building. One time my wife and I were walking along the shore and came across a large wooden structure that was exposed from the low tide. Looked old ship like. You would not be disappointed with this park. On the Bay side they have a camping area with restrooms.

Angela Bridges

We had been in Navarre at the beach and my sister told me that we had to drive to this area. There are no high-rise hotels there are no restrooms but there are a couple places to pull off and Park. You can go to the beach from these places you just would not have a rest area or a place to shower off. It is so secluded and beautiful here. Wonderful place to bicycle or walk.

Tina Naylor

This place must be on everyones Bucket List, the most beautiful beaches and sunrises/sunsets anywhere. Great place for couples and families. Great place for shell hunting. Weve been here hundreds of times, and expect hundreds more visits in the future. Easy access to great nearby cities like Pensacola Beach, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Fort Walton Beach, and Destin Florida.

Lamia Habib

It was a nice visit. There are some trails. We wanted to go to the observation post from the visiting center but instead walked through the loop and was back at the visiting center. There should be a sign from where the wooden trail finishes and the trail to observatory starts. The visitor center is closed on weekends which makes no sense. The water was nice and clear

Missy Pizza

Our son had his wedding here and we used to come here when he was a toddler. Love the atmosphere and the expansive beach. Cant say enough great things about the batteries and fort as well as sheer historical presence. Had a great pavillion and trail to the water. Dont love the $15/car entry but it is good for a week. But we were only going to be there 2 days.