Beach Archive

Opened in 1960, Navarre Beach Bridge is one of Navarre’s most iconic landmarks. While the bridge’s age has made it a staple of life on Navarre Beach, the years have brought on issues of wear and tear. At a Santa Rosa County Commission meeting Thursday, Feb. 13, District 4 Commissioner Ray Eddington, who represents Navarre, informed the board he was interested in finding ways to pay for a new bridge, which is estimated to cost between $150 million and $300 million.

Students from Navarre High School brought back some hardware from a science competition hosted by the University of Southern Mississippi Feb. 1.

A Navarre Beach hotel development planned for 8469 Gulf Blvd. might be on the chopping block.

If you have driven over Navarre Beach Bridge at any point since November, you may have noticed an ongoing construction project at the causeway seawall.

According to assistant county engineer John Studstill, the project is an emergency repair to reinforce the seawall on the causeway.

The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is welcoming two new arrivals. The aquarium, located on Okaloosa Island, recently announced that two rescued manatees were brought to the newly renovated manatee habitat. Their names are Lil Joe and Inigo.

The manatees coming to Northwest Florida is the culmination of a three-year vision that began in 2022, when Patrick Berry, CEO of the Gulfarium, first spoke with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service about creating a haven dedicated to nurturing manatees in need of long-term care.

On Jan. 18, 2018, the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Center was chosen to be the forever home of a sea turtle survivor. Coming to the center at just 16 lbs., Sweet Pea, a juvenile green sea turtle, had survived being tangled in fishing gear, which damaged her arm and paralyzed a back flipper. Some of the fishing gear was found inside her body as well.

With increasing crowds each year, Mardi Gras on Navarre Beach can be hectic. To maintain order and safety, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is enforcing an ordinance which bans overnight parking of vehicles unless that area is designated for it.

The sound side restrooms at the Navarre Beach Marine Park are closed starting Saturday, Jan. 18 due to incoming severe cold weather.

The Navarre Beach Restoration Project continues to make steady progress along the beach. The project began on Monday, Dec. 23 on the west end of Navarre Beach. Phase 1 is expected to be completed by the weekend and Phase 2 is already complete. Restoration is expected to begin within Phase 3 of the project by late this week, from Beach Access #39A west to Beach Access #38B.

Northwest Florida is largely known for its white sandy beaches and emerald waters, but its also a hub for military veterans and Active-Duty personnel. The area is home to five major military installations, which includes NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field, Hurlburt Field, Eglin Air Force Base, and Tyndall Air Force Base.