Pensacola Beach Guide: Your Guide to a Perfect Day

by Stephanie Harrington

Although Pensacola Beach is only eight miles long and just shy of 12 square miles, there’s plenty to do here. You might think you can do it all without any help, but you’d be surprised. That’s why we put together this Pensacola Beach Guide. Whether it’s your first time visiting or you’re a Pensacola Beach veteran, we know you’ll find something useful in it. At Engel & Völkers Pensacola, we help our luxury real estate clients experience the best Pensacola Beach has to offer and unlock the lifestyle of their dreams. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know for a fun and exciting time on the world’s whitest beaches.

Key Takeaways

Pensacola Beach can be reached via the Bob Sikes Bridge or the Navarre Beach Causeway, with scenic views along both routes.
Important items to bring include sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, umbrellas, reusable water bottles, and groceries to avoid peak weekend traffic.
Various lodging options are available, ranging from beachfront hotels like the Hilton Pensacola Beach and The Pensacola Beach Resort to nostalgic stays at Paradise Inn.
Visitors can enjoy numerous activities such as parasailing, fishing, sunset and dolphin cruises, kayaking, and exploring Fort Pickens, alongside dining options at local restaurants.
Whether you choose to engage in activities or simply relax on the sand, Pensacola Beach offers a versatile environment to unwind and enjoy the area's natural beauty.

Two Different Ways to Get to Pensacola Beach

Gone are the days of relying on written directions to get anywhere. We know you can plug the directions into your phone or GPS to get to Pensacola Beach without missing a beat. However, we did want to briefly mention that Pensacola Beach is an island. As such, there are really only two ways to get to the beach by car.

Bob Sikes Bridge: This is the way most people get to Pensacola Beach. It has the iconic welcome sign with the sailfish starting in Gulf Breeze and leading up to the bridge. The tolls are automatic these days, so no need to stop to fish out a dollar. This is the best way to get here!
Navarre Beach Causeway + Gulf Islands National Seashore: This is the less common way to get to Pensacola Beach, but it’s certainly an option. This is coming from Navarre and driving through the state park. Be prepared to drive low and slow through the Gulf Islands National Seashore as speed limits are enforced to protect the endangered wildlife in the area. (This is also a scenic drive, so enjoy the ride!)

Things You (Might) Need During Your Pensacola Beach Stay

Although we’re sure you planned on coming prepared to Pensacola Beach, we thought we would put together a list of our favorite essentials. This isn’t everything, but these are some things you won’t want to be without.

Sunscreen. This is one of those things that cannot be understated. Pensacola Beach’s bright white sand and hot summer days can really sneak up on you if you’re not careful. Apply and reapply throughout the day!

Sunglasses. The sand on Pensacola Beach is whiter than anywhere else in the world. This means that the sun’s reflection off of it can be downright uncomfortable if you’re not wearing sunglasses. Even if you don’t usually wear them, you’re going to wish you had some once you get here.

Hats + Long Sleeves. Sometimes sunscreen isn’t enough. There will be a point in the day when you need to cover up as much as possible to protect your skin from sun damage. Protecting yourself throughout the day will ensure you get to spend more days enjoying the beach and aren’t stuck in your hotel room with a bottle of aloe.

Umbrellas + Tents. More sun protection! Especially at high noon, having an umbrella or tent to retreat under will help keep you cool and protected from the sun. If you don’t want to fool with carrying all of that to the beach, you can rent lounges and umbrellas from Lazy Days.

Reusable Water Bottle. Pensacola Beach gets hot. Really hot. Hotter than most people are accustomed to. It’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day, especially if you’re drinking alcohol. Dehydration can lead to heat stroke or other medical emergencies.

Groceries. This is primarily for the weekend. Pensacola Beach is a popular destination that tends to get busy during holidays and weekends. The main grocery stores are in Gulf Breeze and can be difficult to get to and from during peak traffic. It’s best to stock up on groceries for the weekend so you don’t spend your beach day stuck in traffic.

Places to Stay on Pensacola Beach

While you can always go the vacation rental route, we know a lot of people visiting Pensacola Beach want the beachfront hotel experience with all of the vacation amenities. Here are a few of our favorite hotels on Pensacola Beach. (If you are searching for a condo to rent, please reach out to Engel & Völkers Pensacola directly for a list of premium short-term rentals on Pensacola Beach.)

The Pensacola Beach Resort. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Casino Beach, The Pensacola Beach Resort has stunning beachfront views and a private dune walkover that puts you within steps of miles of white sandy shoreline. There are indoor and outdoor dining options as well as a poolside tiki bar.
Hilton Pensacola Beach. Routinely voted Best Hotel on Pensacola Beach, the Hilton Pensacola Beach is right in the middle of the action. It features beachfront views and a stunning location just across the street from restaurants and bars. The expansive beachfront pool deck is complete with a poolside bar and grill. On-site dining is available at Salt and Bonsai, the Hilton’s very own Japanese sushi bar.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Pensacola Beach. Pensacola Beach’s newest hotel, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Pensacola Beach is a 209-room beachfront view hotel. The outdoor pool deck features a relaxing lazy river with easy dune walkover access to the beach. Fish Heads outdoor bar and grill is available on-site as a local favorite for food and drinks all day.
Paradise Inn. If you want to experience old Pensacola, you can’t go wrong with the iconic Paradise Inn on the sound side of the island. This classic motel features an open-air concept for that throwback beach hotel aesthetic, letting you walk straight from your car to the front door of your room. It’s anchored to a locally loved bar and grill and beach access. This is how Pensacolians do it!

Popular Things to Do on Pensacola Beach

Once you’re settled into your room on Pensacola Beach, you’ll want to get out and explore the island. While there’s nothing wrong with just hitting the beach and relaxing, there are plenty of fun activities to do while you’re on the beach. Here are just a few things we recommend before leaving.

Parasailing. There’s no better view of Pensacola Beach than 400 feet above the water. Parasailing involves strapping into a harness attached to a special parachute that is pulled behind a boat. The experience is both exhilarating and serene. You can go up as a single, double, or triple. We recommend booking a sunset cruise for the best experience.

Fishing. There are endless opportunities for fishing on Pensacola Beach. Charter fishing boats are available along the Pensacola Beach Marina for a true offshore experience and a chance at some of the area's biggest fish. If you want to stay close to land, you can simply cast out off the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier or try your luck at surf fishing right on the beach.

Sunset and dolphin cruise. We can’t imagine a better way to cap off the day than a relaxing boat cruise. Stop by the Pensacola Beach Marina to book your dolphin cruise where local charter captains know all of the secret spots for chasing fins.

Kayaking. Glow Paddle lets you paddle out in a special nighttime kayak that illuminates a rainbow of fluorescent colors for a one-of-a-kind kayaking experience. You can launch from The Pensacola Beach Resort, Radical Rides, and Navarre Beach.

Laguna’s Beach Bar + Grill. Want to do it all in one spot? Laguna’s Beach Bar + Grill has just about everything you could think of from food, drinks, parasailing, jet ski rentals, events, and more. And if you have little ones, you can let them have fun on the zip rail and ropes course or race around the go kart track. You can buy activity tickets a la carte or purchase a day pass for unlimited access from open to close.

Fort Pickens

History buffs won’t want to miss this! Fort Pickens, once the largest brick structure on the Gulf of Mexico, was completed in 1834 as a way to defend the coastline from foreign attack. Ironically, this Southern fort remained under Union control throughout the entirety of the American Civil War. Today, visitors can explore the inside of the fort and even experience breathtaking sunsets on top of the walls where the cannons still sit.

Pensacola Beach Dining

Pensacola Beach is home to some amazing restaurants across a wide range of cuisine. Lucky for you, we have an entire article dedicated to the best places to eat on Pensacola Beach.

FAQ About Pensacola Beach

Q: How do I get to Pensacola Beach?

A: You can reach Pensacola Beach primarily via the Bob Sikes Bridge, which features an iconic welcome sign and automatic tolls. Alternatively, you can take the Navarre Beach Causeway, which offers a scenic drive through the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Q: What essentials should I bring for a trip to Pensacola Beach?

A: It's important to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats for sun protection, reusable water bottles to stay hydrated, and potentially groceries, especially during peak traffic times on weekends when stores may be crowded.

Q: What activities are recommended while visiting Pensacola Beach?

A: Visitors can enjoy parasailing, fishing, sunset cruises, kayaking, and exploring historic sites like Fort Pickens. There are also numerous dining options available for a full experience of the beach lifestyle.

Final Thoughts on Our Pensacola Beach Guide

We didn’t cover everything Pensacola Beach has to offer, but this should at least get you started. As we said before, there’s no wrong way to do Pensacola Beach. If all you do is stick your chair in the sand and take naps all day, that would be a solid Pensacola Beach day by any local’s standard. Have fun while you’re here in our little slice of paradise and remember to leave only footprints on the beach!

About Engel & Völkers Pensacola

Engel & Völkers Pensacola is a real estate agency with an enhanced focus on luxury homes in Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Downtown Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Perdido Key, and beyond. We have expert advisors for every neighborhood in the area to help you unlock the luxury lifestyle of your dreams and pair you with the perfect home. If you're searching for a home in Pensacola, see our current listings and connect with one of our advisors today!