Navarre Beach Resources

Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center

NAVARRE BEACH SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION CENTER

The Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center (NBSTCC) is a non-profit conservation center that has the primary aim to conserve and protect threatened and endangered sea turtles through community education and partnered research. It is a largely volunteer-run organization operating a 2,010 square foot education center open to the public year-round. You may want to get up to speed on sea turtles before your trip.

Navarre Beach Activity Schedule

As a mission-driven organization, NBSTCC resources are focused on three key components: conservation, education, and research. It provides accessible and fun public education; creates conservation initiatives that provide meaningful public engagement with tangible outcomes; and participates in partnered research seeking long-term solutions to benefit sea turtle survival and our shared marine environment. You will also want to check out the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station while your are there since it is right across the street.

Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center Front

Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center Back

NAVARRE BEACH SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION CENTER ATTRACTIONS

Sweet Pea, the resident sea turtle
Interactive exhibits
Jellyfish Aquarium
Seahorse Habitat
Grumpy the Lionfish
Artificial Reef Aquarium
Tortoises, Terrapins and Sea Turtles
Scavanger Hunts
Seamore Gift Shop
Shark Tooth Treasure Hunt

EDUCATION

Sea Turtles

Learn about the 7 species of sea turtles and those found in the Florida Panhandle.

Sea Turtle Nesting

Take a look at local sea turtle nesting including video, photos, and FAQs.

NBSTCC Turtle School

The center is working to expand online educational modules. You can see new topics at NBSTCC Turtle School here.

Other resources

Find out the importance of sea turtles to marine ecosystems.

Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center Education

CONSERVATION INITIATIVES

Trash-Bash
Responsible Pier Initiative
Borrow Bin Project
Education Presentations
Partnered Research Projects

VOLUNTEER AT NAVARRE BEACH SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION CENTER

As a largely volunteer-operated organization, the role of volunteers at the NBSTCC is exceptionally important to its mission and daily operations.

The center has various year-round and seasonal volunteer opportunities including those inside the conservation center, in outreach, or projects where you can work from home. You can learn more about volunteering and fill out an application by visiting NBSTCC’s Volunteer page. If you still have questions, you can get in touch with the center’s Volunteer Manager, Nicole, at volunteers@navarrebeachseaturtles.org.

Navarre Beach Activity Schedule

GENERAL INFORMATION

Website: navarrebeachseaturtles.org
Address: 8740 Gulf Blvd, Navarre, FL 32566, United States
Phone: +1 850-684-3347
Email: info@navarrebeachseaturtles.org

Opening Hours

Noon to 4 pm; Tuesday through Saturday

Holiday Closures

Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Day

COVID-19 UPDATE

While visiting during COVID, NBSTCC is requiring guests to use face masks/coverings. Complimentary masks are available for guests. There is no registration process and it is open to walk-ins. The center is operating at a 50% capacity, which is 20 guests at a time. A waitlist will be utilized at the door.

Other Info

Free parking on site.
Shoes and shirts or coverups are required.
Most areas are wheelchair accessible.
Smoking is prohibited.

Check out our post on Things to do in Navarre, FL for a list of other great activities while you are visiting the Navarre Beach area.

Navarre Beach Marine Park

NAVARRE BEACH MARINE PARK

Navarre Beach Marine Park is one of the premier recreational and leisure destinations on Santa Rosa Island. It aims to promote the appreciation, conservation, and understanding of the marine ecosystem of coastal Florida through education and service. Marine Park’s shining white sands are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and seashell-hunting. It also provides opportunities for snorkeling, diving, fishing, and marine-biology and conservation education abound.

Navarre Beach Activity Schedule

Also known as “Florida’s Playground,” Marine Park is often the first destination for visitors of Navarre Beach. It is the connecting point between the Gulf of Mexico and Santa Rosa Sound, with activities below and above sea level. The Marine Park is open to the public free of charge, from dawn ‘til dusk daily.

NAVARRE BEACH MARINE PARK ATTRACTIONS

Navarre Beach Marine Science Station

Navarre Beach Marine Science Station is an excellent place to learn about marine life, watersheds, and the important relationships between them.

Thousands of students from across Florida and the Gulf Coast come here to learn through hands-on activities from touch tanks to dolphin rescue. Families and visitors of all ages can also take part by registering in advance for vacation activities. Private tours of the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station are now available and offer an up-close and personal experience.

You can also find more information from our article about the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station.

Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center

The Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center is a working conservation and education center that aims to conserve and protect threatened and endangered sea turtles through community education and partnered research. It is a mainly volunteer-run organization open to the public year-round. Through the doors of the NBSTCC, guests enter the main pool exhibit featuring a 15,000-gallon saltwater pool, home to Sweet Pea, a non-releasable green sea turtle, and ambassador-in-residence of the NBSTCC.

Navarre Beach Activity Schedule

At the Shanna Litterst Education Center, Pumpkin, a Diamondback Terrapin, takes the lead. Meet sea horses, and tackle the magnetic puzzle wall. Your journey through the center will create a desire to conserve and protect our shared marine life that is home to sea turtles and so much more.

Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary and Artificial Reefs

The Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary and Artificial Reefs consists of 3 separate reef areas off the shores of Navarre Beach Marine Park. Two sites are in Santa Rosa Sound with 105 reef trees and one is in the Gulf of Mexico with 78 trees for a total of 183 individual reef trees placed at the 3 sites. Each tree consists of 3 or 4 branches to provide more reef surface area.

Designed for both snorkeling and diving, the park includes two reefs in Santa Rosa Sound and one in the Gulf of Mexico. Informational kiosks stand at the beach near each reef.

Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary and Artificial Reefs

AMENITIES

The park is home to five different beach access points, the three primary points on the gulf side of the park, and two additional, smaller access points on the Santa Rosa Sound side of the park.
Two of these five access points also have diving reefs for snorkeling and scuba diving.
It has a roughly one-mile long path for walking, running, and bicycling.
A dozen pavilions with picnic tables and coal-fueled stoves are available for picnics and outdoor meals.
All five beach access points have public restrooms.

Navarre Beach Activity Schedule

DIRECTIONS

Address: 8739 Gulf Blvd, Navarre, FL 32566, United States

The park is located at the intersection of Gulf Boulevard and the Causeway Road in Navarre Beach. After crossing the bridge into Navarre Beach, turn left on Gulf Boulevard.

If you are looking for other things to do in Navarre Beach check out our article on exactly that.

Gulf Breeze Zoo

The Gulf Breeze Zoo is an award-winning wildlife park in Gulf Breeze, FL and home to more than 800 animals from around the world. Visitors are given a chance to hand-feed giraffes, get up close and personal with the interactive petting area, join an alligator feeding, or take the best selfies in the free flight Australian aviary. It also offers a guided Safari Train ride through the 30-acre African preserve featuring rhinos, hippos, Western lowland gorillas, and Sumatran orangutans.

With a mission to help solve the world’s continually changing wildlife concerns, the Gulf Breeze Zoo collaborates with other zoos and field experts to support wildlife conservation through public education, captive breeding programs, habitat preservation, and providing financial aid and assistance to projects in the wild.

Gulf Breeze ZOO MAP

ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS

Sloth Encounter

Sloth Encounter Time – 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
Cost: $40 per person weather permitting.
All ages permitted.

You’ll get around to feed and learn about these gentle creatures and discover that while they’re slow-movers, they are loaded with personality.

Giraffe Encounter

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the giraffe house and a meet and greet with the zoo’s resident herd of reticulated giraffe.

Tour participants will journey into the keeper access area and spend time visiting and feeding the giraffe. Your guide will explain what makes this threatened species so unique, how they are managed and cared for at the Zoo, and their status in the wild.

Giraffe Encounter Time – 1:30 pm daily
Duration – 20 minutes
Cost: $25 per person
Not suitable for children under 6.

Hippo Encounter

Go behind-the-scenes at the new Kiboko River Station at the Gulf Breeze Zoo. Enjoy exclusive access to the Hippo habitat, where dedicated animal care specialists will introduce you to two Nile hippos, the world’s third-largest land mammal, and share specifics about their daily routines, care, training, unique behaviors, and diets. Guests will enjoy feeding the hippos while learning about active conservation efforts in the wild to protect them.

Hippo Encounter Times – 11:30 am daily
Cost: $30 per person
Guests must be at least 8 years old to participate.

FARM & HANDS ON ANIMALS

Enjoy feeding and petting goats, sheep, and all your farmyard favorites.

GIRAFFE FEEDING

Get up close to these amazing animals and even feel their tongues as they take romaine leaves from your palm. Giraffe feeding available daily during regular hours. The feed can be purchased in the gift shop or from the Giraffe Hut.

BUDGIERY ADVENTURE AVIARY

Walk into the zoo’s special free-flight aviary and let the adventure begin! You can feed these gentle, colorful birds as they perch on your hand. Budgie Feed Sticks are available at the Gift Shop for $1.75 each.

SAFARI EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE

Watch rhinoceros, deer, and antelope roam free on the zoo’s 30-acre preserve. From the train, you will get an up-close view of Gorillas, Orangutans, and huge Nile Hippos. Train ride tickets never expire and may be purchased at the Gift Shop or Restaurant for $4.00.

ELEVATED BOARDWALK

On the boardwalk, you can watch roaming herds of antelope, deer, and rhino. Also, enjoy a great view of the orangutans and gorillas on their island habitats.

ALLIGATOR FEEDING

Alligator feeding opportunities are available seasonally from April through October weather permitting.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What forms of payment does the Zoo take?

All forms of credit, debit cards, and cash. Personal checks are not accepted.

Do you offer group rates?

Discounted rates are available for groups of 15 or more people. Please see Group Rates for more information.

Does the train ride take you through the entire zoo?

No. The Zoo is a 50-acre facility, and the first 20 acres must be walked to be enjoyed. The train ride boards from the Train Depot and will take you on a guided tour through the 30-acre free roaming preserve.

Can I ride the train if I have a stroller, wheelchair, or wagon?

The train is wheelchair accessible, but strollers and wagons must be parked in the designated areas upon loading the train.

Can we feed the animals?

Yes! Cups of animal feed are available at the ticketing counters for a nominal fee. You can feed the animals in the designated feeding areas including pigs, goats, sheep, llamas, waterfowl, turtles, and giraffes.

Is the zoo open on Sundays?

Yes! The Zoo is open 363 days a year! However, it is closed on Thanksgiving Day and limited hours on Christmas Day.

How much is the Gulf Breeze Zoo?

Admission Only	2020 Prices
Adult (13-64)	$20.95
Senior (65+)	$19.95
Children (2-12)	$15.95
Under 2	FREE
Military and Group of 15+ receive $1 off each ticket * Military ID Required

How far is Gulf Breeze from Pensacola?

Gulf Breeze is 5.44 miles from Pensacola going northwest and 7 miles (11.27 kilometers) by car, following the US-98 route. Gulf Breeze and Pensacola are 11 minutes apart, if you drive non-stop.

Does Pensacola have a zoo?

The Gulf Breeze Zoo is a 50-acre zoo located in Gulf Breeze, Florida and is considered Pensacola’s zoo since it is the closest to Pensacola.

How far is Gulf Breeze Florida from Destin Florida?

There are 39.90 miles from Destin to Gulf Breeze going west and 41 miles (65.98 kilometers) by car, following the US-98 route. Destin and Gulf Breeze are 56 minutes far apart, if you drive non-stop.

If you are interested in learning more about the Gulf Breeze Zoo, feel free to check the Most Asked Questions.

GULF BREEZE ZOO GENERAL INFORMATION

Website: www.gbzoo.com
Address: 5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
Phone: 850-932-2229
Schedule:
January 1 – February 29: Open Daily 9 AM – 4 PM
March 1 – October 31st: Open Daily 9 AM – 5 PM
November 1 – December 31st: Open Daily 9 AM – 4 PM
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Look at our things to do in Navarre Beach for more family friendly activities in the Navarre, Gulf Breeze and Pensacola area.

Fort Walton Beach Cam

5 Fort Walton Beach Cam Views on One Page

Not just one Fort Walton Beach cam. We found several super useful webcams when visiting Fort Walton Beach. We thought it would be cool if we could find all the best webcams around Fort Walton Beach and put them in one place.

We found some great ones! Of course, we found several Fort Walton Beach cams of the actual surf and beach. But we also found some webcams around hotels, resorts and even traffic cams. Outside the Wyndham Garden, Emerald Grande, The Breakers and rounded it out with a weather tracker. We have it all right here! Another high quality view can be found here.

Live Fort Walton Beach Webcam

Fort Walton Beach Cam – Okaloosa Island Beach Webcam Wyndham Garden

This is a Fort Walton Beach live cam that overlooks swaying palms, turquoise waters and white sand beaches at Wyndham Garden Fort Walton Beach. For a great stay on the Emerald Coast, book a room at our Wyndham Garden Fort Walton Beach Destin hotel. If you want to relax, just let this one play and listen (awesome live audio on this one!) to the waves roll in. Press play, go full screen and relax.

Fort Walton Beach Live Cam at The Breakers

This view is from The Breakers at Fort Walton Beach.

Fort Walton Beach Traffic Cam

This webcam view is provided from the Emerald Grand at Harborwalk Village. You get a get a birds-eye view LIVE along 98 that stretches all the way to Okaloosa Island and Fort Walton Beach. And on clear days, you can see all the way to Navarre Beach! You can check out the traffic as well as view sunsets, summer fireworks, fishing competitions, boat parades. You get a real-time look at traffic going to Destin from Ft Walton.

To look at live traffic patterns we found this Fort Walton Beach Traffic Map helpful or the embedded Waze interactive map below.

Fort Walton Beach Weather Cam

Ok, this isn’t exactly a live camera, but it is a great representation of the weather in the Fort Walton Beach area. If you click in the upper right hand corner there are a bunch of additional cool options to plan your day. If the weather isn’t clear from the other Fort Walton Beach cam views then this should help.

Fort Walton Webcam at The Crab Trap

The Crab Trap – Okaloosa Island, FL

The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island is an iconic spot, acting as the last landmark as you drive from Fort Walton Beach into Destin. Full of colorful restaurants, shops, and incredible views, The Boardwalk is the perfect place to spend a day at the beach.

The Crab Trap happens to be one of the local and tourist staple restaurants located right on The Boardwalk in Newman Brackin Park. This beachfront restaurant in Fort Walton Beach is a busy hangout without outdoor tables, a children’s playground area, a full seafood menu, and a view you have to see to believe…

Spot a dolphin cruising through the waves and vacationers playing a round of volleyball. Speaking of, this spot is home to a number of professional volleyball tournaments throughout the year as well as cheer competitions. The Crab Trap is also just minutes away from some of the most luxurious beach homes, like Bella Riva 108.

Needless to say, The Crab Trap on Okaloosa Island epitomizes coastal living.

Check out our Navarre Beach Cam, Seagrove Beach, and Tampa Bay pages to check out what is happening in neighboring Navarre Beach to the west and Sandestin Beach Webcams.

Navarre High School

Navarre High School has an enrollment of over 2,300 students and is the largest high school in Santa Rosa County Florida. Navarre, a small beach town on the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, is located between Pensacola Naval Air Station and Hurlburt Field. A high concentration of Air Force Special Forces and defense contractors are located in the area and creates a large volume of students and faculty transferring into and out of our area from all over the country and the world. Navarre High offers school programs and activities, such as NJROTC, Band, Chorus, Fine Arts, Marine Science, Career and Technical Education, and Athletics.

The video below during COVID-19 certainly demonstrates what a unique school it is:

The Navarre High’s website quotes the following as their mission and vision:

NHS Mission ~ To adequately prepare our students to live, learn and choose well in the 21st century.

NHS Vision ~ Working with the home and community, Navarre High School will provide a safe and productive learning environment for all students. Navarre High School’s academic program and diverse population will prepare students to think critically, to communicate effectively, and to recognize respectfully the worth of all people. Navarre High School’s students will be technologically literate, globally minded, and adequately prepared to meet the changing demands of the 21st century.

U.S. News and World Report has the following statistics on the school:

Navarre High School is ranked 244th within Florida. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Navarre High School is 39%. The total minority enrollment is 27%, and 28% of students are economically disadvantaged. Navarre High School is 1 of 11 high schools in the Santa Rosa.

Address

8600 High School Blvd, Navarre, FL 32566

Navarre High School Phone Number

(850) 936-6080

Navarre High School Football

Merchandise can be found at the sites below:

Sideline BSN Sports Shop

Spirit Shop

Their mascot is the Raiders and their colors are Maroon, Black, Silver

Schedule

Official School Page

Coach is Jay Walls

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased on line at GoFan.

Athletics

Navarre High School Website

Calendar

Parent Information

Alumni

Senior Graduation

Official Senior Page

Everything you need for graduation.

If you just moved into the Navarre area check out our things to do in Navarre Beach post.

If you want to keep tabs on the beach, traffic and volleball courts take a look at our Navarre Beach webcam page.

Where Is Navarre Beach

One of the first questions we had to answer when we decided to travel to visit my brother in Florida was where is Navarre Beach? We were really excited when we found out the answer.

Navarre Beach is located 25 miles east of Pensacola and 15 miles west of Fort Walton Beach at the far northwestern tip of Florida between the Gulf Islands National Seashore and Navarre Beach Marine Park.

Latitude and Longitude of Navarre Beach

The latitude and longitude of Navarre Beach, Florida are approximately 30.37° N, 86.86° W.

Navarre Beach is a quiet beach community with pristine beaches that are named among the best United States. As soon as you cross the Navarre Bridge you realize it is an oasis and a really special place. It has 12 miles of pristine white sand shoreline largely due to being located between two protected reserves.

Navarre Beach is a barrier island located in the Gulf of Mexico, near Pensacola, Florida. It is in Santa Rosa County and is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear waters.

Sun, swimming in emerald waters and the beach are the main attractions in Navarre. Enjoy picnics in the many parks and public beaches or pedal along a scenic bike path. Relax and enjoy!

We have several other posts listed below that you may want to review to start planning your trip:

Things to do in Navarre Beach

Navarre Beach Cam

Navarre Beach Dolphin Cruise

Navarre Beach Vacation Rentals Guide

The zip code in Navarre Beach, Florida is 32566 and it shares borders with neighboring towns Holley, Gulf Breeze, and Mary Esther.