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Finding Tranquility in Navarre Beach’s Hidden Gems

Navarre Beach has earned its status as Florida’s Most Relaxing Place for a number of reasons, the most obvious being the wide swath of white, crystalline sand that is Navarre Beach itself. Not many beaches compare.

But there are other, lesser-known places and experiences that visitors will want to seek out when visiting us. You can call them hidden gems if you’d like, even though they’re not that hard to find. Here is a quick overview of a few you’ll definitely want to seek out on your next visit.

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Navarre Beach’s main expanse of sand is vast and open, but if you’re seeking something more secluded, you can hardly do better than Gulf Islands National Seashore – one of only 10 national seashores in the country.

Imagine strolling along a seemingly endless stretch of silky white sand with not another person in sight. It’ll feel like your own private beach. These eight miles of federally protected beach have the Gulf of America to the south and Santa Rosa Sound to the north. You’ll encounter rolling dunes marked with seagrass, making the place feel even more untamed. Feel free to wade, float, swim, paddleboard or launch a kayak in the emerald waters. Bask in a beach chair, get kissed by the sun — and decompress. You don’t have to travel far to reach this unspoiled paradise. Gulf Islands National Seashore has a public beach access, with free parking, less than five miles west of the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier.

Naval Live Oaks Area

This 1,400-acre, federally protected land is one of Navarre Beach’s true getaway places. The Naval Live Oaks Area is located on the western edge of our destination, with water on both sides. The area features nearly seven miles of trails — some of them boardwalks, some of them sand — that wind through dense woodlands. White sand beaches run along Santa Rosa Sound, so you can access the calm water to play or paddleboard. Keep an eye out and your camera ready for large pieces of driftwood — nature’s own sculptures. The shoreline includes a few wooden benches in case you want to rest, relax and gaze out onto the water.

Blackwater River

Don’t be fooled by the name. The Blackwater River is actually tea-colored due to the tannins in the water, which come from the vegetation along the shoreline. The water is pure, and because the river averages two-and-a-half feet deep, you can see the sandy bottom (perfect for wading). It also moves along at a leisurely two miles per hour. All of this makes the Blackwater River an ideal avenue for paddling and tubing. You can choose a four-mile journey, or one that extends 11 miles. You may be surprised to find many white-sand beaches and sandbars along the way. They’re places to stop and enjoy the sun, the breeze, and perhaps a picnic. As you paddle along, be on the lookout for feeder streams that pour fresh spring water into the river. They’re cold and refreshing. To rent kayaks or canoes, or book a tubing trip, check out Blackwater Canoe Rental.

Coldwater Creek

Want to chill? Coldwater Creek, north of Milton, is a 19-mile waterway that’s mostly spring-fed, making it cooler and clearer than the neighboring Blackwater River. Faster, too. The water moves along at more than 3 mph, making it one of the quicker currents in Florida. Coldwater Creek has several access points that set you up for paddling (or tubing) trips of 4, 7 or 11 miles. You’re sure to get plenty of solitude.

Reef Diving

Navarre Beach has three artificial reefs that are within easy swimming range of Navarre Beach Marine Park — two in Santa Rosa Sound, and one in the Gulf. The reefs attract marine life, so put on your snorkel gear and mingle with a colorful array of fish, sea turtles, dolphins, octopuses and even manatees during certain times of the year.

Note: the West reef (in the Sound) is the largest and the deepest of the three — 14 to 20 feet down — and may be better suited for scuba diving. More adventurous folks can head out to the 27 “nearshore” reefs, which are about a mile off Navarre Beach. However you do your reef-diving, submerging into our calm, azure waters allows you to shut everything out and become one with nature.

And finally, here’s a truly delightful experience you won’t want to pass up…

Squeaking Sands on the Beach

Can sand sing? In Navarre Beach it does. When you walk along the sands, you’ll hear a delightful squeaking sound. This sonic marvel results from the makeup of the sand, which is actually tiny grains of quartz. The color and texture came about over tens of thousands of years, as minerals from the Appalachian Mountains washed down rivers and formed deposits on the shores of the Gulf of America. Over time, the minerals washed away, but the tiny grains of white quartz remained. This collection of quartz likes to make itself heard. Want to turn the music up? Simply shuffle your feet. Make sure the kids try it. They’ll be giddy.

Get Inspired

Endless inspiration.
Many ways to relax.

Within these stories you’ll find a relaxing blend of waterfront beauty and backwoods adventure that begs to be explored on your next Florida vacation. So read on. Plan your visit.