Navarre Beach derives its name from the Spanish province of Navarre, chosen by founder Guy Wyman who platted the community in 1925 after Spanish explorers first discovered the area in 1693, with the name appearing on maps around 1850 though Wyman was forced to sell land to Santa Rosa County during the Great Depression. This Santa Rosa County beach evolved from Timucua and Apalachicola tribal lands inhabited for thousands of years through 1800s European settlement focused on fishing and agriculture, serving Florida's Emerald Coast heritage where junior high student Andrew Dier coined the 'Emerald Coast' term in 1983 for the deep emerald green Gulf waters against white barrier island sands stretching through five Panhandle counties.
The beach offers fishing from Florida and the Gulf of Mexico's longest pier at 1,545 feet long and 30 feet above water, with world-class opportunities to catch king mackerel, cobia, redfish, and tarpon reaching 150 pounds, while dolphin and stingray viewing occurs regularly from the pier. Walking costs per person with fishing at , offering rod rentals, bait, and 16 handicapped accessible railing locations with free admission for disabled veterans. Swimming and sunbathing on generous uncrowded white sand beaches complement snorkeling and diving on artificial reefs, while Gulf Islands National Seashore provides secluded areas with Opal Beach nearby. Hiking, biking, and charter boat fishing opportunities exist throughout the emerald-colored waters, with spectacular sunset views from the 30-foot platform reaching deep waters.
Gulf Boulevard dining includes Andy D's Beachside Restaurant & Deck Bar for fresh gulf coast seafood, burgers, wraps and breakfast with live entertainment 7 days weekly, Windjammers on the Pier for locally caught gulf seafood with amazing Navarre Pier views, and Dewey Destin's Navarre for fast-casual seafood with stunning Navarre Beach Bridge and Gulf of Mexico views, serving Santa Rosa County's Emerald Coast community along this pristine Panhandle barrier island destination.
