The heat is hot and the water has already warmed up on Pensacola Beach. The traffic has begun to pile up on the weekends and even creeps into the week days. Summer is here and we are ready to soak up the sun! Below, I’ve compiled a local’s guide to spending summer on Pensacola Beach.
As a long time local and lover of simple fun, this guide is grass roots, born from experience, and helps makes your beach trip worth it every time.
Bring the Snacks
Snacks are one of, if not the most important ingredient to having the best time at the beach. The summer sun is hot and draining. A fruit bowl, cooler full of sandwiches, and a bag of chips will work wonders on you and a group of hungry kids!
The Local is your one stop shop to all things beach necessity!
Read the Flags
It seems self explanatory but it needs to be said. The lifeguards take very seriously the conditions of the Gulf. There are only so many guards for our beach, which means if you don’t see one, swim with extra caution. Things can get out of control. Rip currents are common and jellyfish will never stop stinging. Take note of the precautionary flags that are flying!
Pack an “Essentials Bag”
You may have a beach bag ready to go. Bonus tip includes carrying one already packed in the back seat of your car! Sunscreen, bug spray, vinegar (for the jelly fish sting), and a small bottle of baby powder (gets the sand off your feet). I’ve got a first aid kit and a couple of other items that are deemed essential for our family. These are the bones of the beach bag!
Shade Cools You by 10 Degrees
I’ve always dreaded carrying more than what feels necessary down to the beach. Walking in the sand is hard and things are heavy! By the time you have the kids, a cooler, chair, and beach bags, adding shade is just enough to make it more than one trip. After many years of going without, bringing an umbrella is worth the second trip or trading a different item out. Shade makes any spot on the sand MUCH cooler than if you go without.
Come Early, Leave Early or Plan to Stay Late
The beach traffic in the summer can fluctuate depending on special events happening. Overall, there is a general point in the summer days where things get more congested and the traffic is slower moving. The key to a traffic free beach time, generally speaking, is arriving earlier in the morning and leaving before 3 or after 7:15 PM. Unless sitting in traffic is your thing, you may appreciate adjusting your time frame of when you bring everyone out to the beach.
Fill Your Sand Holes
Turtles and our ankles are the main ones requesting the holes to be filled on the beach. Trust me, digging a deep hole, letting it pool with water, and relaxing is one of the best activities to keep adults and kids busy. A fun activity like hole digging comes with a great responsibility to fill them in once you are finished. These holes can create barriers for our sea turtles trying to nest on the beach.
Pick Up Your Trash
As locals, we have a responsibility to advocate for the cleanliness of our Beach. Yes, it goes without saying to pick up your own trash. What would it look like if we all took it a step farther and picked up a couple pieces of trash that we find washed up on the beach? Every tiny bit makes a difference.
Park in the Sand Mindfully
It has almost become a recognized sport, watching tourist get themselves stuck in the sand as they park on the beach. As you go farther down towards national seashore, the only parking available is on the soft shoulder of the street. What may seem like common sense to be mindful of where you park, the sand can be tricky sometimes. Unless your vehicle has four-wheel-drive, make sure to pay attention when you are parking on those soft sides.
Get A Local Pass to Ft. Pickens
One of the perks of living close to Pensacola Beach is the access to the beautiful scenery and rich history at Fort Pickens. Take the first right at the light when you come onto the beach. Fort Pickens is access to trails, fishing, camping, and historic tours. The annual pass covers your vehicle and allows you daily access to the park and its amenities.
Beach Buzz Happens on Sundays
One of my favorite parts about being a local to Pensacola Beach is the Sunday flyover by the blue Angels Fleet. The jets occasionally pass by on Sundays at sunset. Even with access to minute by minute updates, they still seem to come as a surprise. The Jets will be returning home to the Navy base and capture your undivided attention every time. The best place for viewing and catching a great picture is by the Pensacola Beach pier.
Whether you have been here for years or are getting the 411 for the first time, it is always helpful to have a quick, go-to summer guide! These secrets are shareable and meant to maximize everyone’s summer like a local on Pensacola Beach!
