WATER & COAST
Pensacola Beach
Escambia County · Panhandle & Emerald Coast
Quartz sand washed down from the Appalachians, squeaking underfoot, on the longest barrier island in the panhandle.
ABOUT THIS PLACE
Pensacola Beach lies on Santa Rosa Island, the longest barrier island in the Florida panhandle, with wide beachfront and green water. The sand is why people talk about this stretch of coast. It is finely ground quartz carried down from the Appalachian Mountains some 25 million years ago, and it is white enough to hurt the eyes at noon and dry enough to squeak underfoot when you walk on it. Casino Beach is the busiest part, with free parking, the beach sign everyone photographs, the water tower painted as a beach ball and a fishing pier running 1,470 feet into the Gulf. Across from it the Portofino Boardwalk holds shops, restaurants and an open stage built like a seashell. Behind that, Quietwater Beach faces Santa Rosa Sound, where the water is calm and shallow and marked off for swimming, which suits small children. West of the developed part the Fort Pickens area is quieter and emptier. People swim, surf, fish the surf, shell, parasail, paddleboard, kayak and take dolphin trips. The Blue Angels fly the beach air show, which is the busiest weekend of the year. Four kinds of sea turtle use these beaches
Not identified in this guide as an officially clothing-optional beach. This is a visit category, not a safety rating—check surf, lifeguards, water quality and posted rules.
BEACH CONDITIONS
- Where Do You Go Deep Sea Fishing in Florida?
- Where Is the Sailing in Florida?
- Which Florida Beaches Have Lifeguards?
- Which Florida Beaches Have Wheelchair Access and Beach Mats?
- Where Are the Beaches for Sunbathing in Florida?
- When Is Red Snapper Season in Florida?
- What Do the Beach Warning Flags Mean in Florida?
Keep comparing