Beach Archive

Recently, there has been some chatter on social media regarding the boat ramp parking lot on Navarre Beach. Several beachgoers parked there and came back to find their vehicle had a warning hanging on its door.

A 40-year-old law could threaten federal funding for Navarre Beach renourishment, Michael Schmidt said last week. Schmidt, director of Santa Rosa County’s Environmental and Public Works departments, said Federal Emergency Management Agency officials are interpreting the 1982 Coastal Barrier Resource Act differently than they have for past beach restoration projects.

The Santa Rosa Island Authority is thrilled to announce that local naval aviator and retired Marine Corps Major Paul Entrekin is celebrating his 30th season as Air Boss of the Pensacola Beach Air Show this year.

Have you ever wondered who controls the schedule for all the aerial acts, mass formations, high-speed jet demonstrations and pyrotechnics at every show? Enter the Air Boss.

As the Air Boss, Entrekin has the primary responsibility for coordinating all air show operations within the demonstration area and plays a critical role in ensuring a safe, efficient and entertaining air show every year. All of this while also meeting the latest standard air show regulations.

Pensacola’s hometown heroes will be front and center at the 2023 Pensacola Beach Air Show, hosted by the Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA), July 5-8, 2023. The elite U.S. Navy Blue Angels will headline all events which culminate on Saturday, July 8, with the official Air Show.

Rip currents can prove deadly for beachgoers. According to the National Weather Service’s 2023 surf zone fatalities list (Jan. 1 to June 24), Florida leads the way with 27 fatalities, only two of which were non-rip current related. In nearby Bay County, Panama City Beach had seven drownings from June 15 to June 24. All of which were related to rip currents.

The Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Office (TDO) released the results of a community survey, which ended June 1. The survey asked for public input concerning possible future amenities and projects for the Navarre and Navarre Beach areas. Approximately 1,695 people answered the survey. There was a list of seven Navarre Beach amenities people were told to rank from top priority to lowest priority.

The Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club is hooked on Navarre Beach; the Louisiana-based group will host its first Offshore Mania tournament this weekend, Saturday, June 24, and Sunday, June 25, from the Sea Oats Pavilion.

While the Navarre Beach Lifeguards keep tourists and locals safe at the beach this summer, a new generation is being trained to follow in their footsteps. The Navarre Beach Junior Lifeguard program, which is entering its third year, helps strengthen children and teens’ swimming and water related skills, while also teaching them about waterways, marine life and other things about the Gulf of Mexico.

The Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) will launch their free, open-air trolley service along Pensacola Beach this Memorial Day weekend, beginning Friday, May 26.

The 2023 Pensacola Beach Island Trolley, operated by Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT), will run daily from 4 p.m. to midnight through Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 4.

The trolleys help alleviate traffic congestion by allowing visitors to park anywhere and have a convenient way to tour the whole island.

Erosion caused by Hurricane Sally in 2020 has complicated Santa Rosa County’s beach renourishment schedule.